Study Abroad

Harvard views study abroad as an invaluable part of every student's education and strongly encourages students to explore the possibilities for earning degree credit for study in another culture. The Faculty's Standing Committee on Education Abroad works with the staff of the Office of International Programs (OIP) to develop and monitor the best possible academic opportunities. Details about arranging a program of study abroad for Harvard credit may be found in the Guide to Study Abroad and at the OIP website, www.fas.harvard.edu/~oip.

Options for Study Abroad

Sophomores, juniors and seniors may study abroad at a foreign university, in a program sponsored by a US university, or in field-based programs. Students may enroll directly in the best universities in the world, or work in the field under leading researchers.

Up to a full year of credit may be granted for study at an accredited institution that is approved by Harvard University for credit transfer. No more than four half-courses of credit may be earned for a term of work; and no more than two half-courses may be earned for a summer of work. A total of eight half-courses may be transferred to Harvard from study abroad.

Students may earn concentration and elective credit, reduce up to two of their Core requirements, and earn credit toward a language citation from a Harvard language department through academic work completed for degree credit abroad. Specific information about these options is provided on the OIP website, the Core website (see "The Core Requirement" on page 21), and through the undergraduate advisers in the language departments.

Students planning to study abroad in countries where English is not the first language are encouraged to complete at least one year of study in a language of the host country before going abroad. As part of their academic program during each term abroad, students in non-Anglophone countries will ordinarily be expected to take either an appropriate language course or a course taught entirely in a language of the host country.

Procedures for Earning Degree Credit for Study Abroad

In order to take advantage of the very best opportunities for study abroad, it is important to begin the planning process early: first-year students are encouraged to begin thinking about how to incorporate this experience into their studies, and all students are encouraged to seek assistance from the Office of International Programs. Students should also consult with their concentration Head Tutor or Director of Undergraduate Studies, and their Allston Burr Resident Dean or Resident Dean of Freshmen.

Applications for earning degree credit for study abroad must be completed and submitted before the program of study begins. Application forms and instructions are available on the OIP website and in the office. The deadlines for submitting applications are March 15 for study away during the summer, fall term, or full academic year; and October 15 for study away during the spring term. However, applications may be approved prior to these dates, and students are strongly encouraged to apply early in order to be sure that they will be admitted to the program of their choice. To be approved for study abroad, a student must be in good academic and disciplinary standing at Harvard College the term immediately preceding the proposed period of study. Unless granted permission by the Administrative Board in advance, a student cannot be granted degree credit for course work that begins when the student is on probation for any reason.

OIP suggests that students consult the office website (www.fas.harvard.edu/~oip) for detailed guidance on the process for obtaining credit for study abroad, and on options recommended for concentrators in specific fields as well as for access to various Internet resources. Harvard's policy regarding credit and sponsorship for undergraduates wishing to travel to countries for which the US State Department has issued a warning also appears on this site.

Students eligible for financial aid may apply to use that aid to pay for term-time study abroad for Harvard credit. Sources for summer funding are listed in the Funding Sources Database (www.fas.funding.harvard.edu). All students earning credit abroad during the academic year will be assessed the student services fee and will also be billed for health insurance, which may be waived by the deadline with proof of comparable coverage. Students abroad will maintain their Harvard University Identification Number (HUID) and Personal Identification Number (PIN), and have access to Harvard libraries and services.

It is expected that students will take a full course-load abroad. A term out of residence for which a student receives four half-courses of degree credit will reduce by one the number of terms in residence for which a student may register at Harvard College. Transfer students and students with advanced standing must complete at least four terms in residence at Harvard. A term for which partial credit is granted (1-3 half-courses) does not reduce the student's number of terms at Harvard. When partial credit is granted and a student takes (or has taken) more than four half-courses in a term at Harvard to make up the deficiency, the student is "accelerating" and will be charged additional course fees for each extra half-course used to complete degree requirements. See "Acceleration" on page 460, "Residence Requirement" on page 35, and "Rate of Work" on page 57.

Independent Study with a member of a Harvard Faculty while a student is studying for degree credit out of residence is governed by the same policies as Independent Study in residence (see page 51), except that the Independent Study petition must be reviewed as part of the overall application for study out of residence.

Harvard does not ordinarily grant credit for study out of residence at other US institutions, except in rare cases when such study is judged to offer a "special opportunity." Information on the process for petitioning for credit for study away within the US can be obtained from the OIP. Students may cross-register for courses offered by other Harvard Faculties or by the Massachusetts Institute of Technology. See "Study at Other Boston-Area Institutions" on page 47.