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• Academic Policies

Academic Policies

For program-specific information - such as coursework, grading practices and language requirements—review the study abroad program details for each individual program.

• Prior Academic Approval
• Course Load
• Teaching and Learning Styles
• Attendance
• Pass/Fail and Audit
• Add/Drop and Withdrawal from Courses

Prior Academic Approval

As part of BCA's application for study abroad, students must obtain academic approval from their college or university.  This is a signature from the school's academic advisor, study abroad advisor, registrar or chief academic officer agreeing that a student will receive credit from courses taken while abroad on the BCA program.  More about applying for study abroad.

Requirements for transferring credit from a study abroad program may be more rigorous than for transferring credit from another U.S. institution. Contact the registrar's office at your school for more information. 

We suggest that students discuss course selections with their academic advisor and registrar to determine how course credit obtained abroad will fit into an overall academic plan.  Since many of the colleges and universities overseas do not finalize the course offerings for a particular term until just before classes start, we suggest students plan some alternate courses and take contact information for their academic advisor.  Students should keep all class notes, handouts, syllabi and reading lists from courses they take at a foreign university to facilitate transferring credits to a U.S. college or university.  For available coursework, check the study abroad program pages.

Course Load

BCA students are required to take a full course load.  (The minimum is 12 semester hours.)  We suggest you take a normal course load of 15 to 16 semester hours. You may take a heavier than normal course load with the approval of the study center director and your home institution.  Many times students will have a heavier course load when factoring in credit earned during any pre-semester courses that may be offered.

Teaching and Learning Styles

At a BCA study center, students will encounter teaching and learning styles that are different from U.S. colleges or universities.  For example, grades may be based on one comprehensive exam rather than frequent assignments during the semester.  Classes may be lectures by a professor rather than discussions.  The study center director will have details on the academic differences during the on-site orientation. 

Attendance

Attendance at lectures, group excursions and other scheduled events is required.  Absences must be approved by the director.  Continued absences may result in a written warning from the director and/or a lower final grade, reduction in credit hours earned or dismissal from the program with no financial or academic reimbursement.  Late arrival or early departure must be approved by the program director and BCA central office and is only granted in special circumstances.

Pass/Fail and Audit

With the exception of some physical education courses, students cannot take courses as pass/fail.  Students with a full course load may audit additional courses at some study centers.  Students may not change from audit to credit status, or vice-versa, after the end of the drop/add period; however, they may change from credit to audit until mid-term.

Drop/Add and Withdrawal from Courses

Students may drop or add courses during the time designated by the study center director.  After that time, students may not add courses, and any course that is dropped will be recorded as a withdrawal on final transcripts.  More about transcripts.

• Study Abroad FAQ’s

Questions? Please call:

1-866-222-6188