Pre-Estimation of Credit
"Pre-estimation," the first stage of the credit evaluation process, is a preliminary review of a student's intended study abroad courses. Faculty evaluate course syllabi or descriptions and provide estimates of how much credit their department/program could likely grant. Evaluators receive pre-estimation requests from students who have committed to study abroad programs, ideally in advance of their term abroad (students whose course selections change may submit requests after their program has started). Although evaluators are not given a fixed deadline to pre-estimate courses, it is helpful when they can submit pre-estimation decisions within 2-4 weeks of receiving requests. These decisions give students important information about which courses they can select and the number and types of credits they can expect. The guide below covers step-by-step instructions to complete the pre-estimation process and solutions to common issues.
Final Credit Evaluation
"Final Credit Evaluation," the optional second stage of the credit evaluation process, is a review of coursework that students completed while abroad. Evaluators can assess this work before they finalize decisions about how much credit to approve. Courses that evaluators approved for "Auto Credit" during the pre-estimation stage do not need to go through final credit evaluation—these courses automatically receive credit if students meet grade requirements. For non-Auto Credit courses, evaluators usually receive final approval requests early in students' first semester back on campus and are expected to submit decisions by the end of that semester. The guide below includes step-by-step instructions to complete the final credit evaluation process and solutions to common issues.
General Information for Evaluators
- Who are the "credit evaluators" at Swarthmore?
By default, GEO submits credit requests to the current chair/coordinator. However, another faculty member in the department/program may serve as the credit evaluator. Some departments/programs designate this responsibility to multiple faculty members.
The department/program determines the AA/AC's role in the credit evaluation process. Unless a department has requested otherwise, by default, the Administrative Assistant/Coordinator also receives credit requests. Specific roles may vary. Some AAs/ACs keep track of pending credit requests, forward course information to faculty, or as a proxy submit faculty's approval decisions to ACES.
If any updates need to be made to the contacts in your department/program who receive credit requests, please contact us at geo@swarthmore.edu.
- What study abroad (academic) policies are useful for evaluators to know about?
- Course load:
Students are required to enroll in a full course load as defined by their study abroad programs (which is often more or fewer than 4 courses). Usually, their courses must be pre-approved in ACES for at least 4 total Swarthmore credits (students must request special permission to carry between 3 and 4 credits). Students whose courses have been pre-approved for 4 credits and who meet grade requirements are guaranteed 4 overall credits for their semester abroad (though approval for specific types of credit is subject to departmental policies). - Grading:
All courses must be taken for a grade and must receive a C or higher to be eligible for credit. If a student receives a C- or below or takes a course pass/fail, the course is not eligible for credit. All credit-eligible courses and grades are added to students' Swarthmore transcripts and Degree Audits. - Meeting graduation requirements:
Study abroad courses can be counted toward students' major/minor requirements if approved by the relevant departments. A divisional requirement can only be met if the course is approved by a department within the division for at least one full credit, and both other credits in the division come from on-campus courses. Study abroad courses can never fulfill the Writing requirement. - Remote/hybrid courses:
Courses must be taught in person to receive credit. Students are not permitted to take remote or hybrid courses.
- Course load:
- How are students advised on the credit evaluation process?
During GEO's advising and pre-departure briefings, students are instructed to review the study abroad coursework and credit policies, and instructions to submit courses to ACES. GEO also instructs students to communicate with their advisors about how study abroad can fit into their academic plans and to check the specific policies of all departments/programs from which they plan to request credit.
- How are department-specific credit policies shared?
Many departments/programs have their own study abroad credit policies (e.g., a maximum number credits, an eligibility requirement for credit, or specific course requirements). GEO instructs students to check the specific policies of all departments/programs from which they plan to request credit. We advise students to review information about study abroad credit policies on department/program websites and/or contact the departments/programs. We also share a consolidated summary of frequently referenced credit policies by department/program. If you would like to suggest any updates to your department/program's policies on this page, please email us.
- Can GEO share a list of courses my department/program has approved in the past?
Departments/programs and students can view the Study Abroad Course Database, which includes approved courses that students completed. A list of courses approved for Auto Credit can be found on in the Auto Credit Course Database. Students are informed that prior approval of a course is not a guarantee of future credit, but these databases can give an indication of which programs offer courses in a student's subjects of interest. GEO can provide evaluators with a longer list of all courses that their department/program has pre-approved (which includes courses that students did not take)—interested evaluators can contact GEO to request this list.
