Academic Credits & Certificates for Study Abroad

• On semester & full year programs, undergraduate students are expected to enroll at the host university or with the program provider in the equivalent of 12 to 15 US credit hours per semester, or fewer in the summer. All students are expected to maintain full-time student status while abroad.
• On summer programs, students can take 3-9 credits, depending on the length of the program. Summer programs are usually 4 weeks or 8 weeks. Intercession programs are usually weeks long as well.
• On short-term faculty-led programs, the number of credit hours offered will be at the discretion of the faculty leader and department. Associated coursework with faculty-led programs is sometimes offered as optional credit. See the program brochure on Tiger Travel for more information on faculty-led program coursework and requirements.
• For students using Federal Financial Aid for their programs, full-time enrollment is required in any given semester.

• Students should talk to their academic advisor about course restrictions. Many majors and disciplines require that specific courses be taken at FHSU.
• Host universities may restrict access to some courses. Not every foreign or host university will open their full curriculum to exchange and non-degree seeking students. It is important for students to explore and know their course options before deciding on a program.
• Prerequisites may also be a requirement for upper-level courses or at certain universities with accredited programs.

• Students should speak with their academic advisor and study abroad program coordinator to determine if any coursework should be completed prior to studying abroad.
• Students need to be fully aware of their academic plan and degree requirements.
• Students should speak to their advisor about what courses in their academic plan could be taken abroad while making sure they stay on track for graduation.
• Students should be aware that many degree specific courses may not be offered abroad. These courses should be taken at FHSU.
• Students should consider taking General Education or lower-level electives while abroad or on exchange rather than upper-level courses that could be more challenging.
• Students can take cultural or foreign language courses abroad knowing that they will not always transfer back to FHSU as approved course equivalency credit.
• Students should meet all eligibility requirements for their program and complete any necessary prerequisites for the courses they plan to take abroad.
• Students may need to be admitted to their major to earn major credit abroad. 

• Students can fulfill lower and upper-level elective requirements while abroad or on exchange.
• Not all electives will be approved for course equivalency credit. If FHSU does not offer the same elective, then approved course equivalency will not be granted.
• All free electives will be listed on a student’s transcript and will be added into the cumulative GPA.

• Students will find and look for courses using our program provider website or partner institutions' course catalogs (lists of course options are available on the program provider page under the courses section for each program).
• The Study Abroad Coordinator can guide you on where to find course lists if needed.

• Upper-level undergraduates may be eligible to take graduate level courses at a foreign institution with prior approval from FHSU and the host institution. Students should review prerequisites. 
• Graduate students may be able to take graduate-level courses abroad. Speak to the graduate school advisor and the FHSU Study Abroad Coordinator for more information on program options and courses available.
• FHSU students can participate in external graduate level study abroad programs if interested.
• FHSU does not offer any graduate level study abroad programs. However, some faculty-led programs do offer courses for graduate credit.

• Faculty-led programs offer required associated coursework as well as optional course credit. Coursework requirements and information can be found in the faculty-led program brochure on Tiger Travel. For specific course information, students can contact the faculty leader listed on the program brochure.
• For programs at host institutions or with our affiliated program providers, students will need to get courses approved for FHSU course equivalency credit. Detailed information will be shared during Predeparture Orientation and on Tiger Travel after students have been approved for their program.
• After a student is approved to participate in a summer, term, or full year program they will be required to submit an Academic Agreement which will include the approved coursework.
• Academic advisors and the Study Abroad Coordinator can assist students with selecting appropriate classes. Make a list of the classes you want or desire to take abroad before meeting with your advisor and coordinator.

• Coursework completed on study abroad and National Student Exchange programs is posted as FHSU transfer credit upon return.  As a result, these grades are factored into the cumulative FHSU GPA.
• All courses and corresponding grades which appear on the host transcript will be posted to the FHSU academic record upon completion of the program and upon receipt of the official transcript.  Because of this, it is very important to take all coursework seriously while abroad.

• FHSU Faculty-led Programs: Students on FHSU faculty-led programs will be graded by their instructor within the standard FHSU grading system and according to the provided syllabus.
• Credit from host universities or affiliated program provider programs: Grades will be assigned within the grading system of the host institution or program provider. Students on affiliated program provider programs should ask their program provider about the grading scale. After receiving the official transcript, the Study Abroad Coordinator will evaluate the official transcript and verify courses taken at the host institution. The official transcript is sent to the Registrar’s Office where official credits will be determined and posted to the student’s permanent academic record in accordance with accurate grade conversions, if applicable.

• Summergrades are posted at the end of the summer term (usually August) or upon receipt of the official transcript from the affiliated program provider.
• Semester grades are posted after the Study Abroad Office has received an official transcript from the host university and the FHSU equivalent courses have been approved. Official transcripts and final grades will not be posted until the preliminary course approval worksheet has been received. In some cases, grades may be delayed pending receipt of academic information from the host institution.
• If a course grade is listed as "I" (incomplete) or zero credit hours instead of a grade, please do not panic! Grades may take up to two weeks to be processed after the official transcript is received and will be posted as soon as possible. The FHSU Study Abroad Coordinator will know if the official transcript has been processed and sent to the Registrar’s Office.
• Winter Break and Spring Break program credits are recorded on the spring semester academic record. Grades and credits will appear on the spring grade report at the end of the spring term.
• Students can view final grades for their study abroad or NSE exchange under TRANSFER credit in the Workday portal within a few weeks after grades have been processed by the FHSU Registrar’s Office.

• Courses and credits earned from host institutions or affiliated program providers approved by the FHSU Study Abroad Office, will NOT be listed on a student’s official FHSU transcript. All credits from all international study abroad programs and National Student Exchange programs will be listed under TRANSFER credit in Workday.
• FHSU will list and identify that a student participated in a study abroad or NSE program under the respective term on the official transcript. The actual courses taken at the host university will NOT be listed on the FHSU official transcript.
• Credit earned from a FHSU faculty-led study abroad programs, will appear as FHSU credit on your transcript, not transfer credit. 

• With careful planning, most students can study abroad for a semester and still graduate on time. Students should plan to take courses required within their degree program. These may include classes for a major, a minor, general education, electives and/or other classes required for graduation.
• Students should consider one of FHSU’s certificate programs where credit for study abroad can be applied. Many times, students will take courses at host universities that do not count towards their major or minor degree programs. In these instances, students should consider adding a certificate program to where a study abroad experience or a foreign course can be applied for credit towards the certificate requirements. See the list of certificate options below.
• FHSU does not approve for Seniors to be on program during the term in which they are graduating. There is no guarantee that transcripts will arrive in order to confer the degree before graduation.

• If a student chooses to withdraw from a study abroad program, please contact the Study Abroad Coordinator
• Students will be required to adhere to the Cancellation Policy set forth by their respective affiliated program provider. This could entail a loss of non-recoverable costs associated with the program in addition to the loss of application fees.
• Students should pay very close attention to the Cancellation Policy and deadlines for withdrawal associated with their program.
• FHSU will not be responsible for any cancellation fees or non-recoverable costs associated with the affiliated program provider or host institution.
• Scholarships allocated and disbursed to students who withdraw most likely will be rescinded, and the student will be required to pay back scholarships associated with a study abroad or NSE program.

Offered by the FHSU History Department
E: globalstudies@fhsu.edu | P: 785-628-4248

Contacts:
Dr. Amber Nickell @ annickell2@fhsu.edu
Ms. Hollie Marquess @ hamarquess@fhsu.edu

Global Studies Certificate requirements

The Global Studies Certificate will provide Fort Hays State University undergraduate students with a rigorous interdisciplinary education in issues that are a part of today’s globalized world. This certificate will prepare students as ethical, conscious, and civically engaged global citizens. As a part of the increasingly globalized community, Fort Hays students will learn to appreciate the diverse, dynamic, and interconnected nature of today’s world. To meet the Global Studies Certificate qualifications, students must complete 12 credit hours in global studies courses. The requirements are as follows:

Required Courses (6 credit hours):

1. HIST 111 Modern World Civilizations/World History (Global Edition) (3 credit hours)
2. GSCI 110 World Geography (3 credit hours) or ENG 125 World Literature and the Human Experience (3 credit hours) or PHIL 170 World Religions (3 credit hours)

3. Study Abroad Experience OR approved alternative:
   • Travel abroad as part of a course or individual plan of study
   • “Near abroad” travel as part of a course
   • Virtual internship/experience with a non-American entity
   • Verified virtual language exchange

Elective Courses (6 credit hours):

There are many interdisciplinary course options available. See the requirements list.

Offered by the FHSU Leadership Programs Department

E: fhsuleaders@fhsu.edu | P: 785-628-4303

Application to Receive the Global Leadership Certificate 

PDF Global Leadership Certificate requirements 

This Global Leadership Certificate will develop leaders with the knowledge, skills, and attitudes to lead positive change globally. Students in this program will learn how to facilitate change within their local, civic, and organizational surroundings while also acting with a social responsibility to address world issues. The requirements are as follows:

Required Courses (12 credit hours):

1. LDRS 300 Introduction to Leadership Concepts (3 Credit Hours)
2. LDRS 407 Global Challenges (formerly IDS 407) (3 Credit Hours)
3. LDRS 660 Global Leadership (3 Credit Hours)
4. SOC 460 Comparative Cultures and Societies - or -
   Approved Study Abroad Experience (3 Credit Hours)

Information about this new certificate program is coming soon!