Academic Policies
All students must be in good standing with W&M and eligible to take classes at W&M Williamsburg campus to be eligible to study abroad. Semester and academic year students must maintain a full course load (between 12 – 18 W&M credits) while abroad. All students must complete transfer credit processes during the next semester back in Williamsburg campus.
All William & Mary academic regulations will apply while students are enrolled in study abroad and it is the responsibility of the student to ensure they are adhering to W&M policies. Please click on each dropdown title to learn more about each academic policy.
Study Abroad EligibilityYou must be an active W&M student in good standing, not on academic or disciplinary probation during time abroad, and eligible to take classes at the William & Mary Williamsburg campus, to be eligible to study abroad. Please note some programs are only open to undergraduate or full-time students. Students studying abroad for a summer or winter program are not required to maintain full-time status, however all credits must be transferred during the following semester. Summer study abroad students who are planning on using financial aid must take at least 6 W&M credits. Please refer to our financial page for more information on these policies. |
Probation & SuspensionStudents on academic probation during the time they are abroad are not eligible for study abroad. If you are on academic probation or on a medical withdrawal or underload, you must receive approval from the Dean of Students in order to go abroad. |
Medical Withdrawal, Underloads, & OverloadsStudents who need to medically withdrawal from a study abroad will need to work closely with their study abroad advisor in the Global Education Office, their host institution or program, and complete W&M medical withdrawal/clearance requirements. |
Credits and GradesWhile abroad, you must enroll in the equivalent of at least 12 credits per fall or spring semester in order to maintain full-time status. Students must confirm fulltime status by submitting the Confirmation of Courses (PDF) no later than 2 weeks after classes begin. Failure to do so may result in a hold on your student account which will prevent you from registering for W&M classes the semester you plan to return to campus. Students studying abroad in summer who are receiving financial aid must take at least 6 W&M credits. There is no minimum required for winter study abroad. The number of credits assigned to a course may vary depending on the university or country the program is located in. These credits, points, or hours are converted to W&M when transfer credits. It is the ultimately the responsibility of the student to ensure they have the most up to date credit conversion (this is usually listed on the host university page). Learn more about study abroad credits here. Students are required to transfer back courses taken while on study abroad. A minimum of 12 W&M credits per semester and all summer/winter credits will need to be transferred back and displayed in your W&M transcript. You will have 1 semester back on campus to transfer all credits before a registration hold will be placed on your student account. Meaning all Summer, Spring and Academic Year programs will need courses approved by the end of the following Fall semester while all Fall and Winter programs will need to complete course approvals by the end of the following Spring semester. Grades
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InternshipsIf you plan to do a full time internship while abroad, it must be approved before you leave by the Dean of Undergraduate Studies. W&M does not automatically grant credit for internships; however, credit may be granted for an academic assignment or project associated with the internship. Most study abroad provider programs who offer internship opportunities are credit bearing. However, if your program abroad does not include such an academic component, it is possible to work with a W&M faculty member to design one. Arrange a time before your departure to discuss any internship plans you have with the Dean, and submit an Internship for Academic Credit Request Form (PDF). |
Independent StudyArrangements for earning independent study credit through William & Mary must be made in advance, in consultation with a faculty member. Credit for the independent study project must be awarded in the term following your return to campus because receiving credit from William & Mary and another program simultaneously would constitute dual enrollment, which is not allowed by the university. |
SeniorsAll seniors planning to study abroad during the first semester or winter break of their senior year will need to get their Senior Residency Requirement waived by the Dean of Undergraduate Studies. To do so, complete and submit a Petition to the Committee on Degrees: Exceptions to Degree Requirements (PDF) to the Dean of Undergraduate Studies Office before applying for a program. This petition also requires a signature from your Global Education Advisor. Students are not permitted to study abroad during the final semester of their senior year. |