Number of credits
All students participating in year-long and semester-long programs must enroll for a minimum of 12 credits per semester, or the minimum number specified.
Students participating in short-term programs are required to enroll in the minimum number specified in the program information sheet or the program's webpage.
The only exceptions to this policy are for graduating seniors (those studying abroad during their FINAL semester), and graduate students who are participating in short-term programs that require a minimum enrollment of more than three (3) credits. These students must take at least one of the regularly-offered program courses. If this course offers variable credits, students must take the course for at least three (3) credits. However, students participating in programs requiring enrollment in three (3) or fewer credits are NOT eligible for a reduced course load, and must enroll in at least the minimum number of credits for that program. All students, including graduating seniors, participating in co-sponsored programs are NOT eligible for a reduced course load. Graduating seniors must provide verification from their academic advisers that they have applied for graduation and should meet the necessary requirements for graduation the semester that they are studying abroad.
All undergraduate students must enroll in the minimum number of required credits for their internship program. Please note that business majors, except for accounting and hospitality business students, are allowed to complete a maximum of three internship credits. All business students should meet with their advisers to discuss how these credits may impact their degree progress. Graduating seniors participating in internship programs are NOT eligible for a reduced course load. Graduate students may enroll in fewer credits provided that they can obtain the appropriate visa for the host country. If a reduction in credits is possible, the program fee for graduate students will be increased to cover the academic program costs. The increased program fee amount will be determined during the semester prior to participation. Please contact your OSA program coordinator for further details.
If you are doing directed study abroad (such as MSU independent study credits with the guidance of an on-campus faculty member) or conducting dissertation research, you are welcome to do so for extra credits above the minimum number of credits for your program. University policy does not allow off-campus sections of dissertation research, so these credits cannot be considered part of your program credits. If you are doing directed study abroad (such as MSU independent study), contact OSA for clarification of policies and proper enrollment procedures.
Your enrollment status will be checked by the Office of Study Abroad and if you are not enrolled in the minimum number of study abroad course credits, you may be dismissed from the program and/or billed and held responsible for paying an additional program fee. Once this additional fee is posted to your account, you cannot be retroactively enrolled in any courses.
Type of credits
MSU's standard policy states that a senior who has earned sufficient credits from MSU and meets the minimum requirements through prior arrangement with the associate dean of the college and the Office of the Registrar cannot transfer more than 10 of the last 30 credits from an accredited four-year college or university. Exceptions to this rule may be made up to a total of 15 credits, but arrangements MUST be made with the associate dean of your major college before departure. The associate dean of your college must submit a written request to the Assistant Provost for Undergraduate Education, 208 Administration Building, before an exception can be granted.
Credit/no credit
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