In addition to living and immersing oneself in another culture, Binghamton University students who study abroad can earn academic credit for their experience. Understanding how courses taken abroad will fit into your degree plan is an important part of the education abroad process. Many programs will have a wide variety courses available for students to take to match their interests. As you identify courses that interest you, it is always important that you speak with your academic advisor and/or major or minor academic department to understand how courses taken abroad will fit into your degree plan.
The approval process for earning academic credit on an education abroad program depends on the entity administering the program and the college to which a Binghamton University student belongs. (Students from other SUNY campuses who participate on a Binghamton University education abroad program should follow the course approval procedures of their home campus. Non-SUNY students who participate on a Binghamton University education abroad program are considered Binghamton University students.)
Binghamton University Students on Binghamton University Programs
All Binghamton University students—regardless of college—who participate on a Binghamton University education abroad program earn Binghamton University residential credit. Credits from the education abroad program are added directly to the Binghamton University transcript and the grades students earn abroad will factor into a student's GPA. (This can be helpful for transfer students.) Credits earned through education abroad become part of students' permanent academic records at Binghamton University.
Binghamton University students who wish to earn major or minor credit on a Binghamton University education abroad program should petition with individual academic departments and use the IEGI's Course Approval Form.
Binghamton University students who wish to earn general education credit on a Binghamton University education abroad program should petition with their college's academic advising office. For example, Harpur College students should complete this form through Harpur Academic Advising.
Binghamton University students who wish to earn generic upper-level credit (that is, at least 300 level) on a Binghamton University education abroad program should email their course requests (with syllabi, if possible) to iegi@binghamton.edu.
The following resources can help Binghamton University students plan their coursework abroad. However, please note that the examples of credit that previous Binghamton University students have earned on Binghamton University education abroad programs are not guaranteed. Students must still request major or minor credit through individual academic departments.
Binghamton Students on Other-SUNY Programs
The education abroad offices throughout the SUNY system communicate regularly with each other and coordinate arrangements for students to participate in each others' programs. SUNY schools offer approximately 600 programs in more than 100 countries.
There are several ways to research Other-SUNY Programs:
- Visit the SUNY Study Abroad website
- Review the comprehensive list of SUNY program options maintained by the University at Buffalo, SUNY
- Search for the education abroad (or study abroad) office at each SUNY campus to view their up-to-date list of programs or start an application
Once you identify a program that interests you, you must contact the SUNY campus managing the program to ensure it is currently active, discuss program details, and submit an application.
Binghamton University students who study abroad through another SUNY campus will earn transfer credit. The grades students earn on their program will not factor into their Binghamton University GPA. A transcript supplement with the credits you earn on an Other-SUNY program are automatically included with your Binghamton University transcript every time it is issued. In other words, the education abroad credits will become part of your permanent academic record at Binghamton University.
Binghamton University students who wish to earn major or minor credit on an Other-SUNY education abroad program should petition with individual academic departments and follow the procedures of their college's academic advising office. For example, Harpur College students should use Harpur Academic Advising's Transfer Credit Petition for Major or Minor requirements when working with individual academic departments.
Binghamton University students who wish to earn general education credit on an Other-SUNY education abroad program should petition with their college's academic advising office. For example, Harpur College students should complete this form.
Binghamton University Students on Non-SUNY Programs
We encourage you to consider an education abroad program through a non-SUNY institution when it fits your education abroad goals. These websites may be helpful for researching Non-SUNY program options:
When researching Non-SUNY programs, you will encounter a huge range of options. Be sure to carefully investigate the programs that seem attractive, especially for academic quality and risk management procedures. Contact the program sponsor directly to find out more about the program. Determine the level of student support the program provides and make sure you understand the program's health and safety measures. Asking to be put in touch with a recent participant is also an excellent way to find out more about a program.
Binghamton University students who study abroad through a Non-SUNY provider will earn transfer credit. The grades students earn on their program will not factor into their Binghamton University GPA. Students will need to contact their program provider for the transcript each time they need to provide their complete academic record. Binghamton University cannot provide an academic transcript for a Non-SUNY provider.
Binghamton University students who wish to earn major or minor credit on a Non-SUNY education abroad program should petition with individual academic departments and follow the procedures of their college's academic advising office. For example, Harpur College students should use Harpur Academic Advising's Transfer Credit Petition for Major or Minor requirements when working with individual academic departments.
Binghamton University students who wish to earn general education credit on a Non-SUNY education abroad program should petition with their college's academic advising office. For example, Harpur College students should complete this form.