Spring Break
Summer abroad programs approved for credit
by Miranda Neubauer
Senior Writer
News | 4/1/08
Posted online at 2:10 AM EST on 4/1/08
Starting in the summer of 2009, students will be able to receive academic credit for approved summer study abroad programs that is equal to the amount of credit granted for Advanced Placement exams and Brandeis Summer School, according to University Registrar Mark Hewitt.
The Undergraduate Curriculum Committee approved the final details of the change last Thursday.
Dean of Arts and Sciences Adam Jaffe called it a "good change" because it will provide an opportunity for students to have the study abroad experience and gain some academic credit when it might be difficult for them otherwise.
To graduate, students must accumulate a minimum of 128 academic credits, according to the University bulletin. As part of that requirement, students must complete at least seven semesters and 112 of those credits at Brandeis in the fall or spring, under the academic residency requirement. Students who choose to study abroad for two semesters through an approved program in the fall or spring must complete eight semesters altogether at Brandeis, including the two semesters abroad.
Under the current policy, students not studying abroad or only studying abroad for one semester have the option of fulfilling their remaining 16 required credits, which do not have to be completed at Brandeis, through A.P. scores, Brandeis Summer School or exams such as the International Baccalaureate, for which they can receive up to 16 nonresident numeric credits altogether.
That policy will also apply to approved summer study abroad programs next year, according to Hewitt. Currently, he explained, summer study abroad programs can only count for purpose credit to fulfill distribution requirements, such as for a non-Western course or quantitative reasoning.
Director of Study Abroad J. Scott Van der Meid said his office made a proposal last Thursday to establish that the summer study abroad programs for credit would be subject to the same academic, health and safety standards and the approval of the UCC as study abroad programs during the year.
The Undergraduate Curriculum Committee approved the final details of the change last Thursday.
Dean of Arts and Sciences Adam Jaffe called it a "good change" because it will provide an opportunity for students to have the study abroad experience and gain some academic credit when it might be difficult for them otherwise.
To graduate, students must accumulate a minimum of 128 academic credits, according to the University bulletin. As part of that requirement, students must complete at least seven semesters and 112 of those credits at Brandeis in the fall or spring, under the academic residency requirement. Students who choose to study abroad for two semesters through an approved program in the fall or spring must complete eight semesters altogether at Brandeis, including the two semesters abroad.
Under the current policy, students not studying abroad or only studying abroad for one semester have the option of fulfilling their remaining 16 required credits, which do not have to be completed at Brandeis, through A.P. scores, Brandeis Summer School or exams such as the International Baccalaureate, for which they can receive up to 16 nonresident numeric credits altogether.
That policy will also apply to approved summer study abroad programs next year, according to Hewitt. Currently, he explained, summer study abroad programs can only count for purpose credit to fulfill distribution requirements, such as for a non-Western course or quantitative reasoning.
Director of Study Abroad J. Scott Van der Meid said his office made a proposal last Thursday to establish that the summer study abroad programs for credit would be subject to the same academic, health and safety standards and the approval of the UCC as study abroad programs during the year.
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