Academic Planning

Once you identify programs that interest you, explore the courses offered at each host university or through your program provider. This can help you determine whether a program offers courses that align with your academic interests and degree requirements.

As you research courses, consider:

• Course offerings: Which courses are available during your intended study abroad term?
• Course descriptions: What topics does each course cover, and how does it compare with courses offered at UTA?
• Credit hours and academic level: How many credits does the course carry, and at what level is it taught?
• Language of instruction: Is the course taught in a language you are comfortable studying in?
• Course availability: Are the courses offered during your intended term, and are there any prerequisites or enrollment restrictions?

Look for course descriptions and full syllabi on your host institution's or program provider's website. You will need a full syllabus for each course you want reviewed for UTA credit.

Plan for alternatives: UTA cannot guarantee that courses abroad will be available or fit conveniently into your schedule. Identify several alternate courses and seek approval for those as well, whenever possible.

If you have trouble finding adequate course information, contact your Study Abroad Advisor for assistance.

Before finalizing your course selections, meet with your UTA academic advisor to discuss how studying abroad may fit into your degree plan.

Your academic advisor can help you:

• Identify degree requirements you may want to complete while abroad.
• Determine which subjects or types of courses would be most useful for your degree.
• Discuss your remaining degree requirements and graduation timeline.
• Identify courses that may be appropriate to take abroad.
• Understand how courses approved for UTA credit may fit into your academic plan.

You should also discuss your proposed courses with the academic departments in which you want to earn credit. Your degree-plan advisor and the relevant academic department advisors have different roles in the approval process. You may need to work with more than one department if you plan to take courses in different subject areas

For example, a Political Science major who wants to take courses in Spanish and History should consult the appropriate advisors in Political Science, Spanish, and History.

Who should you contact?

Study Abroad Advisor

Helps you explore programs and course options.

Provides guidance on the study abroad process and required forms.

Helps you locate course information when needed.

Academic Department Advisor

Reviews course information and syllabi.

Determines the appropriate UTA course equivalent, level, and credit hours for the course.

Degree-Plan Advisor

Reviews how your proposed courses may apply to your specific degree requirements.

Helps you plan your coursework in relation to your degree plan and graduation timeline.

All courses taken on a UTA study abroad program must go through UTA's course approval process. The Course Approval Form documents the courses you plan to take abroad and the corresponding UTA course information and approvals.

Where can I find the form?

Access the Course Approval Form through your VIA application portal:

1. Log in to your VIA study abroad application.
2. Navigate to Forms.
3. Select Course Approval Form.
4. Download the form.

How do I complete the form?

Before sending the form to your academic department advisors, complete the student information at the top of the form and the far-left column listing the courses you want to take abroad.

You will need to provide information such as your name, UTA ID, contact information, program name, location, term, and year. For each proposed course, enter the course name and number used by the host institution.

Leave the advisor approval sections for the appropriate advisors to complete. The department and degree-plan advisors will provide the relevant UTA course information and approvals.

If you are studying abroad for two terms, complete a separate Course Approval Form for each term.

For every course you want reviewed, obtain a full syllabus from the host institution or program provider. Course descriptions alone may not provide enough information for an advisor to determine an appropriate UTA equivalent.

Once your form and syllabi are ready:

1. Identify the appropriate academic department advisor for each subject in which you want to earn credit.
2. Contact the relevant department advisor to ask about the course review process. Check your college or department's advising website if you are unsure whom to contact.
3. Provide your completed student sections of the Course Approval Form and the full syllabi for the courses you want reviewed.
4. Allow sufficient time for advisors to review your materials. Depending on the department, the advisor may review your materials by email or ask you to schedule an appointment.
5. Work with the appropriate department advisors to obtain the required course approvals.

Academic departments determine whether a course can earn UTA credit and identify an appropriate UTA course equivalent, level, and number of credit hours. If no direct UTA equivalent exists, the department may identify an appropriate elective or other course designation.

Start this process early. Course reviews can take time, particularly when multiple departments are involved. Do not wait until the application deadline to begin contacting advisors.

 After working with the relevant academic department advisors, consult your degree-plan advisor to discuss how the proposed courses may apply to your degree requirements.

Your degree-plan advisor should review your proposed coursework and complete the appropriate section of the Course Approval Form. If a course is intended to fulfill a specific degree requirement, discuss that requirement with your advisor and ensure the relevant information is documented.

Keep a copy of your completed form and any related approval communications for your records.

Important: Approval for a course to earn UTA credit does not automatically mean that it will fulfill a specific degree requirement. Confirm how each course applies to your individual degree plan with your degree-plan advisor.

Course offerings and schedules can change. A course that appears in a university catalog may not be offered during your term abroad, and approved courses may conflict with one another or become unavailable.

To prepare for these possibilities:

• Research and seek approval for alternate courses.
• Keep copies of your course approvals and syllabi.
• Review the host institution's course registration process and deadlines.
• Stay in communication with your academic advisors as you finalize your schedule.