This page outlines the academic policies, planning requirements, and support resources that guide how credit is earned, transferred, and recorded while studying away from Allegheny. It covers what students need to do before, during, and after a study away program, including course planning and approval, financial aid and enrollment considerations, grade and credit transfer policies, distribution and residency requirements, and transcript processing.
Before Studying Away
This section provides guidance on Allegheny-equated courses, credit and grade equivalencies, enrollment, financial aid, course planning, and residency rules.
Academic Planning
- Click here to view pre-equated courses for Allegheny’s sponsored programs. If a student does not see a course they wish to take in the pre-equated spreadsheet, they must follow the steps outlined under the Study Away Course Equivalency Process.
- Click here to view how credit and grades equate to Allegheny.
- Students must meet with their advisor(s) to discuss potential courses taken abroad and how those courses align with graduation requirements for their major(s).
- A discussion with the minor department chair is required if the student is taking a course to meet a minor requirement.
- Students are responsible for consulting their advisor regarding substitution requests for their major(s).
- A substitution for a minor must be approved by the department chair of the minor.
- Pre-equated courses cannot be changed unless the course has a major description change.
Enrollment & Financial Aid
- Enrolling in less than full-time status (12 credits) might affect a student’s federal, state, and institutional aid, and may jeopardize the student’s visa or residency status in the program location.
- Students must speak with the Financial Aid Office to ensure financial aid eligibility.
- Students are responsible for any additional costs associated with overloads
Residency Requirements
- At least 64 of the 128 credits needed to graduate, including the last 16, must be taken at Allegheny per the College’s academic residency requirement.
- If a student’s last 16 credits are taken as part of a study away program, the DEC Waiver of Residency form must be completed before departure.
- DEC approval is required for participation in a study away program.
During Studying Away
This section provides guidance on maintaining communication with the Global Education Office, submitting course approval forms, reporting schedule changes, and understanding how grades and transfer credit are handled.
Grades & Credit
- Students participating in a sponsored program who earn an Allegheny-equivalent grade of C or higher will receive transfer credit on their transcript.
- Grades earned while studying away will not be calculated into the cumulative GPA, but will be considered for Alden and Distinguished Alden Scholar honors.
Course Approval & Notifications
- Students must complete the Study Away Course Approval Form after course schedules are finalized, following the add/drop period at the program.
- Students must notify the Global Education Office of enrolled courses and any schedule changes while abroad.
After Studying Away
This section explains the steps students must take after completing a study away program to ensure their courses and grades are properly recorded at Allegheny. It covers official transcript submission, program-specific requirements, distribution requirements, and the timeline for processing transfer credits. Careful attention to these details helps students receive credit for completed coursework and avoid delays in graduation or academic records.
Transcript Submission
- The Global Education Office can only process official transcripts sent directly from the program’s School of Record. The office cannot process transcripts forwarded by students.
- Some programs require students to request that transcripts be sent to Allegheny College. Students should confirm this requirement with their program.
- If required, official transcripts must be emailed to cgardner@allegheny.edu or mailed to: ATTN: Casey Gardner, 520 N Main Street, Meadville, PA 16335
Distribution Requirements:
- Study abroad courses typically do not transfer in for Distribution requirements.
- If a course does not transfer to Allegheny as a direct Allegheny course and a student believes it satisfies a learning outcome for a Distribution requirement, the student must submit the Request to Substitute Ineligible Course for Distribution Requirements form.
- Requests are reviewed on an individual basis, and approval is not guaranteed.
- The transfer process for the course(s) must be completed before submitting the form (TR courses must appear on the Allegheny transcript).
- Syllabi for each course must be available.
Processing & Planning
- Posting of study away courses to a student’s Allegheny transcript is subject to departmental and administrative processing and may vary in duration.
- Processing may take a semester or longer, so students should plan accordingly.
Study Away Program Course Equivalency Process:
To ensure that study away courses align with Allegheny’s academic standards, all transfer credit requests must be submitted through the Global Education Office. While course equivalencies are determined by the appropriate department chair, the Global Education Office coordinates and facilitates the review process. This process helps confirm that courses taken away from campus meet departmental expectations and are correctly recorded on a student’s academic record.
Please review the steps below for requesting a study away course be equated. Students may submit the Transfer Course Equivalency Request Form at any point in the study away process.
Step 1: Work with Global Education
All study away transfer credits must be reviewed and processed through the Global Education Office.
Step 2: Check for Pre-Equated Courses
If you are participating in an approved Allegheny study away program, review the list of pre-equated Allegheny courses.
- These courses have already been approved by the department chair.
- The course equivalency will not change.
Step 3: Request Equivalency for Non-Pre-Equated Courses
If you plan to take courses that are not pre-equated (through a sponsored or non-sponsored program), you must:
- Submit a Study Away Transfer Course Equivalency Request Form for each course
- Include a course description
- Attach the course syllabus for each course
Step 4: Department Review
- Global Education Office liaisons will send your materials to the appropriate department chairs for review.
- Please allow sufficient time for evaluation, as department chair approval is required.
Step 5: Receive Your Decision
- The Global Education Office will notify you of the course equivalency decision.