Course Approvals
Having the courses you want to take abroad approved can be a daunting task. For a GROUP PROGRAM, you will register for preapproved courses with your program director. For EXCHANGE/AFFILIATE PROGRAMS, it is your responsibility to find out what courses you would like to take and make sure that they will transfer back to Baylor. The form where you will fill out your course approvals is FORM C in the Study Abroad Application Packet. In an effort to make the process as easy as possible, make sure to read the instructions listed below very carefully.Step 1: Look at the host university's course listings page
When deciding what courses you would like to take abroad, it is often easiest to begin by looking at what courses are offered by the various universities. When you decide on what university you would like to attend, begin looking at what specific courses the university offers. Make a list of possible courses that you could take. In addition, take special note of the course descriptions.Step 2: Take a look at your degree audit
When you have a list of what courses you could possibly take at the host university, you will then need to find out what courses you need to fulfill your degree requirements. Make a list of the courses that you need to take and find ones that sound similar to the ones you have chosen off of the host university's website.Step 3: Consult your undergraduate catalog
To identify what courses you think will transfer from the host university back to Baylor, you will need to consult your undergraduate catalog and begin looking at the course descriptions for the Baylor courses. With your undergraduate catalog in hand, check the host university's course descriptions and see which courses are most similar.Step 4: Decide on what specific courses you want to take
Once you consulted both the host university's course listings page and your undergraduate catalog, you will need to decide on the specific courses you would like to take. Once you have chosen the required amount of courses, you will need to print off the course descriptions from the host university's course description pages.Step 5: Gain approval from the department chair
When having courses approved, you must consult the department chair of the course you are wishing to take. For example, if you want to take a course at a host university that you believe will be equivalent to ENG 2301: British Literature, you will need to contact the English department chair to have him/her approve the course. The best way to for you to gain an approval is through email. Tell the department chair what you are wishing to do and wait for them to respond on what will be the best way to approve the course.Step 6: Get the department chair's signature
Once you have gained the approval, set up a time to have him/her sign your Course Approval Form (FORM C) allowing the course you would like to take at the host university to come back to Baylor as the course you are needing. In addition, you must have ALL prerequisites for the course you are wishing to take unless the department chair waives the prerequisite requirement.Repeat steps 5 and 6 for each course you are wanting approved until you have your schedule complete. If you leave your form with a department chair, make sure you put your contact information on the form so that the department can notify you of when to pick it back up.
OUR OFFICE WILL REGISTER YOU FOR THE COURSES YOU ARE WISHING TO TAKE. YOU DO NOT NEED TO REGISTER ON BEARWEB FOR YOUR TIME ABROAD. It is wise to have a few extra courses approved in case you decide to add or drop a class while you are abroad. If you decide to add or drop a class while you are abroad, YOU MUST NOTIFY OUR OFFICE THROUGH EMAIL. Being that you are registered for Baylor classes while you're abroad, we will need to make changes to your schedule to ensure that all courses transfer back as in-house residence credits.
**Make sure you make a copy of your course form for your own records before turning in your form.**
