Academic Planning

Finding Courses

For exchange programs and CSU IP programs, you can find information about available classes in the course catalog of the host institution. The Education Abroad Advising Team can help direct you to these catalogs if you have difficulty finding them, and inform you of any courses or programs that are closed to international students. CSU IP additionally maintains a course substitution catalog (classes other CSU students have completed while abroad, and received credit for at their home campus), which you can search by subject, course area, general education area, CSU campus, and CSU IP program.

For CSUSB-led and Director Enrollment programs, a list of available courses is provided in the online program "brochure" on this website (select "search programs" in the navigation menu to review these brochures). 

Credit Units at International Universities

When you study abroad, you will receive credits for your academic work. The number of credits depends on the number of instruction hours and the amount of coursework. Note that US credit units may be different from the credit units in other countries. Many European universities, for example, use "ECTS" (European Credit Transfer System) units. Typically, 1 ECTS converts to 0.5 units at CSUSB, and 5 ECTS converts to 3 units at CSUSB. 
 

Credit Transfer Planning

As a part of your application for most CSUSB-approved study abroad programs, you will demonstrate that coursework completed abroad will help to advance you toward your CSUSB degree. The process requires first compiling a list of the courses you plan to take during your study abroad program, and providing your best guess at matching these courses to your remaining degree, minor, certificate program, and/or General Education (GE) requirements. If you are unsure about which requirements you have and have not met, you can check MyCap or meet with a professional academic advisor. The Education Abroad Office advising staff can also assist with finding courses that match your program needs. 
 

Credit Transfer Procedures

After you are accepted into your study abroad program but before your departure, you will be required to complete the Education Abroad Credit Transfer Agreement Form. The form requires that you gather signatures from designated campus authorities who provide you with good faith confirmation that you will be able to transfer credit for your intended study abroad coursework back to CSUSB and use this coursework to complete requirements for your degree program(s).

For all programs except for CSUSB-led programs, you will need to request and provide t o the Registrar's Office an official transcript from the host institution in order to receive credit at CSUSB. Be prepared to also provide a course syllabus for each class completed, should this be requested.