Frequently Asked Questions

Course & Credit Requirements

How many courses do I need to take abroad?

You must enroll in at least 12 U.S. credit hours and be full-time at your host university. Credit systems and conversion rates vary by program. Please see the credit conversion chart and ask for clarification if needed.

Can I take courses pass/fail?

No. All courses must be taken for a letter or number grade. Grades for business courses (approved for COMM credit) count toward your UVA GPA. Non-business grades do not affect your GPA, but you must earn the equivalent of a C or higher to receive credit.

Submitting Courses

Do I need my classes approved here in SACA?

Yes. Every student studying abroad must have classes approved in advance. Seeing a course in the previously approved list is not enough; you must build your personal list of approvals.

How many courses should I submit for approval?

You need at least 12 UVA credits, or a full-time load at your host institution, approved. Submit 5-10 courses or more: host universities cannot guarantee enrollment in specific courses, so multiple approved options give you flexibility. Selecting courses with a valid existing approval adds them to your personal list automatically.

How long does the approval process take?

Processing time varies but may take several weeks. Submit as early as possible to ensure timely decisions.

What if I do not have complete information, like a syllabus?

Contact your host university coordinator for course details, and ask whether you can reach out to individual faculty for syllabi. If no syllabus is available, a course description may suffice.

Application Requirements & Finalizing Courses

How do I complete the Transfer Credit Approval requirement in my UVA study abroad application?

Use this site to build an initial list of preferred courses at your host institution. Once the list is a full-time load of 12+ credits, click Submit Initial Course Plan on the My Courses page to generate the transfer credit approval form. Sign it and email it to McIntire Global Programs at mcintireglobal@comm.virginia.edu. This need not be your final list; afterward, use SACA to make further changes.

• Applying to McIntire partner programs? You can wait until learning of acceptance to complete this requirement.
• Applying to an ISO Exchange? You must complete this requirement before the ISO exchange application deadline.

Does adding courses to my list in SACA enroll me in them at the host institution?

No. SACA is only for UVA course approvals; each host institution has its own registration process. Having your approvals in SACA, with backups, prepares you for registration there.

What should I do if I change my schedule after arrival?

Update your My Courses page in SACA as soon as you add or drop a course. The classes you take abroad must be accurately documented here.

How do I finalize my course list?

Once your enrollment is final, go to My Courses and click the link to finalize courses. Delete any courses you are not taking, then click finalize.

Understanding Course Approvals

I found a previously approved course, but it shows as expired. Can I still take it?

Approvals are valid for a set period. If a course you want has expired, resubmit it for review. If an approval expires during your semester abroad, it is approved for that semester.

Why was my course not approved for the requirement I expected?

Courses are reviewed for content, instructional methods, credits, and faculty credentials. A course that does not match its McIntire equivalent may still be approved for business elective credit. Some courses overlap with fall Integrated Core or introductory coursework and should not be taken abroad at all.

A course is approved for a concentration I am not pursuing. Can I still take it?

Yes. If you are not seeking that concentration, the course counts as COMM 3551 Business Elective credit.

Why do I see zero or very few approved courses for my preferred host institution?

It is either a new McIntire partner program or an ISO exchange few McIntire students have attended. The previously approved list is generated from past student requests.

Concentration Credit

Will I get concentration credit for my courses?

Not guaranteed, but many students receive it. Look for courses covering similar material and credit hours as the McIntire equivalent. Faculty can approve:

• Direct equivalents to McIntire concentration courses
• Relevant courses without clear equivalents, approved as Topics in Management, Topics in Marketing, and so on, which count as a concentration elective

Track Credit

How do I get track credit for courses abroad?

A course pre-approved for a concentration course that double-counts for a track automatically counts for the track, with no separate approval needed. Example: COMM 4690 for the Management concentration and the Global Commerce & Society track. You may also submit a course for track consideration; if there is no overlap with a concentration, the relevant faculty will review it for track credit.

What qualifies for Global Commerce & Society track credit?

Courses in one of the following areas may qualify:

• Internationally-focused business courses, such as International Marketing
• Regionally-focused business courses, such as Strategic Management in China or Emerging Economies in Latin America
• Global business challenge courses, such as Impact of Brexit on Global Financial Markets

Submit a new course request specifically for Global Commerce credit, unless the course also counts toward your concentration.

Second Majors & Minors

I see a course approved under my second major or minor department mnemonic. Will it automatically count for my major or minor?

No. Courses approved as non-business electives, such as ECON 3000T or ANTH 3000T, do not automatically count toward your major or minor.

To get non-Commerce major or minor credit:

1. Submit a course approval request on this site as Second Major or Minor credit.
2. Go to My Courses and click the link to generate an approval form for second major or minor credit.
3. Ask your department undergraduate program director to review the syllabus and sign the form. If approved, the department assigns a UVA equivalent course.
4. Upload the signed form to that pending request in your course list. It will then be marked approved.