Study Abroad

Academic Advising for Study Abroad

Assessing the academic merits of courses taught within study abroad programs is a task borne by the appropriate faculty at Towson University, not the Study Abroad Office. In addition, students rely on their academic advisors to make sure they stay on track for graduation and complete courses overseas appropriate to their academic career. All students are required to meet with their academic or faculty advisor before studying abroad.

The Basics

• All students interested in studying abroad should attend an information session - this is the first step in the study abroad process. Information sessions are held Monday through Friday at 2 p.m. in the TU Study Abroad Office on the 2nd floor of the Administration Building.
• After attending an information session, students will make an appointment to meet with a Study Abroad Advisor to begin planning their study abroad experience.
• If you would like to keep some information session flyers in your office to distribute to interested students please send a request to studyabroad@towson.edu.

How You Can Help

• Review the student's degree progress report with the student. In order to select a study abroad program that is academically appropriate, students should be aware of their degree progress here at TU.
• Help them identify specifically which major/minor courses, GenEds, and electives they still have to complete at TU.
• Offer advice regarding any courses that may not or should not be taken abroad (if applicable).
• Talk to the student about how their study abroad experience might further or delay their degree progression.
• Help the student plan their course schedule for the semester of their return. Students studying abroad in the spring, fall, or academic year must register for TU classes for the following term while they are away so it helps if they plan ahead.
• Don’t be surprised to get an email from a student who is studying overseas as the TU registration period approaches!

Course Equation Process

• All TU students (except those participating on a TU faculty-led program) are required to complete the TU Study Abroad Course Form (PDF).
• Students must take official descriptions of the courses that they are considering taking overseas along with the TU Study Abroad Course Form to the relevant department chairs to equate their courses.
• Department chairs may request more detail concerning courses taken abroad. In these cases, the students is responsible for obtaining course syllabi from the host institution or program provider.
• We recommend that students get more courses equated than they will need to take while abroad in case of cancellations, scheduling conflicts, etc.
• The academic advisor must also sign the form.
• If students switch courses after they arrive overseas they should contact their Study Abroad Advisor for assistance. We also recommend that students get in touch with their academic advisor at this point for guidance.

Do you have additional questions? Contact the TU Study Abroad Office.

Study Abroad Office
Administration Building, 2nd Floor
Monday - Friday, 8 a.m. - 5 p.m.

Phone: 410-704-2451

Fax: 410-704-4703
Email: studyabroad@towson.edu