Taking Courses Elsewhere
General | Taking Courses in the US | Studying Abroad
How many transfer credits will Tech accept?
Tech will accept a MAXIMUM of 60 transfer credits from a community college or two-year college, but you can transfer more than that from a four-year college.
Some schools have a "residency" requirement that says you have to take your last X credits at the school. Does Tech have such a rule or can I leave early and finish elsewhere?
Of the last 45 hours before graduation, a maximum of 18 hours can be transferred back to Tech. Don't plan on finishing your last 24 hours elsewhere, because only 18 of those hours will be accepted!
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I'm going home for the summer, and I'd like to take some classes at a local community college. How can I do this?
Before you sign up and take courses at another institution -- whether it is a community college or a 4-year school -- you must complete and submit an Authorization to Take Courses Elsewhere form. This form serves as a contract between you and the university, which establishes that you are going to X school and taking Y classes and Tech agrees to transfer them in as noted. If you don't complete this form, you're on your own -- and Tech is not obligated to accept any of the credits you take elsewhere.
First, download the form. Then go to your academic advisor to discuss your plans and ensure that the courses you want to take will benefit you. Once you've discussed your plans, complete the form and let your advisor sign it.
Once your advisor has signed it, you'll take it to the CLAHS Academic Affairs Office(238 Wallace) for final processing.
If I know I'm going to take courses elsewhere, how soon should I submit this form?
You want to ensure that you are submitting it early enough so that the CLAHS office can have time to review all of your courses and approve the equivalencies. That's an easy process if your chosen courses are already in the Transfer Equivalency Database (which identifies X course at Y school is equal to X course at VT), but if no one has ever taken and transfered in a course you plan to take, research will have to be undertaken -- and that can be time-consuming.
Your best bet is this: when the next semester's schedule has been posted at the other school, so you know what's being offered, make your choices and submit the form. Hopefully, this will be at least a month and maybe more before those classes are scheduled to begin. If you plan to take summer classes elsewhere, try to submit your form in late March. If you plan to study abroad for fall, submit as soon as you can in the spring semester.
If I take courses elsewhere, how will these courses transfer in?
First of all, you must request that your transcript be sent to the University Registrar. When it arrives, someone we'll call a transfer credit analyst will look at the courses you've taken and determine their VT equivalents. If you'd like to ensure that you don't "double dip" and take courses that you've already taken at VT, before you enroll in courses elsewhere, check the online Transfer Guide.
Essentially, though, if you have completed the proper paperwork (the Authorization to Take Courses Elsewhere form), then your courses are guaranteed to transfer in as "contracted."
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If I want to study abroad, how do I start the process?
First, you need to do your research. Initially, of course, you might want to consider whether you want to apply for the English Department's new Study Abroad Program, which goes into effect for the first time summer 2008 and involves study in London (see below), or whether you would prefer to go elsewhere, like Australia, Scotland, or Switzerland (some of our majors' previous locations), either on an exchange program or as a general student. BUT the one thing you should not do is simply GO. You must be prepared to study abroad, so you should always begin your inquiry by visiting the university's Education Abroad Program. It's located in 1820 Litton Reaves Hall.
What does it mean to study as an exchange student (vs. being a "regular student" at a school abroad)? What are the differences? Does it cost less or more?
For answers to questions like these, you should visit the International Student Exchange Program (ISEP) site, which will provide you with all sorts of information about the two types of programs they offer: ISEP Exchange and ISEP Direct.
What is the English Study Abroad Program like? How do I learn more about it?
If you are interested in the English Department's program, your first step is to visit the Study Abroad section of this site. You can also talk to Jane Wemhoener, who helped design the program. Questions about the curriculum itself should be addressed to Fred D'Aguiar or Robin Allnut, who will teach during the first two years of the program.
Where can I study?
The English Study Abroad Program focuses on London. However, ISEP programs that dovetail nicely with your English major are available in a variety of schools in a variety of countries, like Ireland, The Netherlands, Bulgaria, Finland, and South Africa. In 329 Shanks, you can pick up a handout that lists ALL ISEP programs that work with your ENGL major. If you decide to study in another country or at another school not listed on the ISEP handout, you can talk with representatives of the Education Abroad Program about your decision.
How do I choose courses?
Once you've settled on a school, you should determine whether you want to take courses that will, hopefully, be applied to your ENGL major or whether you simply want to take free electives. Of course, you'll need to be at least somewhat familiar with your unfulfilled major requirements, so you might speak with your advisor to see what's left for you to take. That way, when you review the list of courses offered abroad, you'll be able to zero in on "matching" courses. If you're hoping to bring the courses in asfree electives, then you can take pretty much what interests you -- as long as it will transfer!
What must I do to ensure that the courses I take abroad will transfer?
If you are studying abroad in a non-Virginia Tech program, before you go, you should complete the Study Abroad version of the Authorization to Take Courses Elsewhere form. Complete your portion, bring it to the Coordinator of Undergrad Advising for her signature, get the signature of the Education Abroad Program, then take the form to the dean's office in 238 Wallace for processing. ADDITIONALLY, though, when you first settle on your courses, you need to download the actual course titles and descriptions from the web site of the school you'll be attending.
Please note: those participating in a Virginia Tech program and enrolling in VT study abroad courses DO NOT need to complete the Authorization to Take Courses Elsewhere form.
Do visit with your departmental academics advisor in order to discuss ways in which any study abroad program will enrich your plan of study.
Are any scholarships available to help me pay for study abroad?
Yes! if you plan to study abroad, you should definitely consider applying for the College of Liberal Arts & Human Sciences Study Abroad Scholarship. If you're interested in the English Study Abroad Program or elsewhere, please consider applying for the Charles Modlin Memorial Study Abroad Scholarship, which was named for Charlie Modlin, who for years shepherded the English Department's Study Abroad Program.
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