Course Selection, Approval and Registration

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This information is applicable to the Undergraduate Exchanges, REACH and IMEP. Architecture and faculty-led summer applicants should follow the procedures specified by the School of Architecture, Carly Perruccio and The Academic Outreach Programs Office.

The planning of your course of study while abroad is of the utmost importance. The selection and approval of appropriate courses will ensure that you stay on track academically and do not delay your graduation. All classes must be preapproved prior to your enrollment abroad. This process can be time consuming, and early planning is very important. You should expect to spend a considerable amount of time assessing your own academic progress, as well as reviewing the course materials of your host institution.

For most programs, students are not limited to a list of pre-approved courses and may select from the regular course offerings of the host university. For some programs, a list of course equivalencies is maintained at RPI, and you will be provided with these if applicable.

1. CAPP Report
   
   Print out your CAPP Report from SIS and use it to determine which classes you still need in order to meet your degree requirements.
   
   
2. Study Abroad Course Planning Worksheet
   
   Use the Study Abroad Course Planning Worksheet in conjunction with your CAPP Report to outline your study abroad course plan. On this form you should list the RPI courses that you need to take during your study abroad semester(s); in other words, the courses that you would take if you were remaining on campus. You will then need to find equivalent courses at the host university. This form is required for REACH DTU and NTU students and must be submitted as part of the application process.
   
   
3. Host University Materials
   
   Review the course materials of the host university, paying special attention to any prerequisites or restrictions. Your Study Abroad Program Coordinator can tell you where to find course information. Course offerings are generally listed on the website of each host institution, and it is the responsibility of the student to review this information carefully. Select at least one alternate course for each class that you would like to take. Keep in mind that the undergraduate program at many foreign universities is a 3-year program, which means that courses with the same title or course number are not necessarily at the same level as a similarly titled RPI course. For example, a 300 level course at some universities is the equivalent of a graduate level course in the U.S. A matching course title does not necessarily mean the same course content. It is very important that you familiarize yourself with the academic structure of your host university. You should carefully review the descriptions of the courses that you wish to take abroad and to compare these to the RPI equivalents for wish you would like to receive credit.
   
   
4. Transfer Credit Approval Process
   
   Study abroad classes are pre-approved by the appropriate Transfer Credit Approval Evaluator and your Academic Advisor. You should be prepared to provide these individuals with descriptions of each course that you would like to take. With the exception of REACH NTU and DTU engineering course (see note below), all classes that you plan to take and their RPI equivalent, must be listed on a Transfer Credit Approval Form. If you change your course selections once abroad, you are advised to contact the appropriate Transfer Credit Approval Evaluator to ensure that credit will be granted. Keep in mind that at many sites, course registration does not take place until you arrive, and your preliminary course selections are not guaranteed. In cases where registration does not take place until you are abroad, it is important to have a list of approved backup courses to choose from in the event that you are unable to register for your first choices.
   
   

   Note to REACH DTU and NTU applicants: only non-engineering courses need to be listed and approved on a Transfer Credit Approval Form. All engineering courses will be approved by engineering faculty using the course planning worksheet.
   

5. Study Abroad Course Registration
   
   In most cases, RPI plays no role in course registration at the host institution. Your Program Coordinator will advise you if this is not the case with your particular program. You should follow the registration guidelines as set by the program sponsor or host institution. Keep in mind that the credit systems at other universities are different than that of the U.S. It is your responsibility to make sure that you understand what a full-time course load is at your host institution. You should also be aware that the registration process at many universities is not as easy or straightforward as the system that exists at RPI. Make sure to familiarize yourself with the registration process at your host university so that you will know what to expect upon arrival.
   
   
6. RPI Registration
   

   Students who have been approved for study abroad will remain registered at RPI with full-time status: your Study Abroad Program Coordinator will take care of this for you. You MUST be registered for the equivalent of 12 credits or greater at your host institution in order to maintain full-time status. You should NOT register for RPI courses for your intended term(s) abroad unless explicitly advised to do so by your Study Abroad Program Coordinator. Doing so will hold up spaces for students who are remaining on campus, and will delay your study abroad registration.

7. Registration for Semester Back on Campus
   

   While abroad you will continue to receive RPI e-mail, including a time ticket for course registration for the semester of your return to campus. You will need to contact your Academic Advisor from overseas to obtain registration clearance.