Follow these steps to complete the course approval process for your study abroad experience. This can be an involved and detailed process, so take your as you move through the content.

If you have questions, reach out to Jamie Pleyte [email protected].

Research courses offered at the host university you've selected.

Course information can be found by visiting the program website.

Please note, not all courses that are listed will be offered every semester. For questions regarding courses (including requesting a syllabus) contact the provider/exchange university directly.

In order for your courses from your study abroad experience to transfer to GVSU, you will need to use the Course Approval Database.  Within this system, you will be able to look at courses other GVSU students have had approved in the past, you will be able to add a new course to the database, and you can even request General Education Foundations credit.

Course Approval Database

1. Login and create a profile
2. Create your profile with a few basic questions
3. Start viewing previously reviewed courses and request new ones!

Adding an Existing Course

From the main table, you can add a course to your My Courses tab by clicking the Details/Add button on the far right. After selecting a course, a pop-up window will appear.

At the top of the pop-up, you’ll see the course information. Below that, fill in the required fields:

• Term Abroad: When you will be attending the host university

• Year Course Starts Abroad: The year you will be abroad

• General Education Review: Choose whether you want the course reviewed for General Education Foundations credit

If you want General Education Foundations credit, select the appropriate option from the drop-down menu. If not, choose No General Education Review Required.

After clicking the blue Submit button, you will be taken to the Pending Requests tab. Courses that require General Education review will appear there. If no review is needed, go to your My Courses tab to see the added course.

Requesting a New Course

If you’ve searched the database and don’t see a course offered at your host university, you can request for it to be approved and added.

From the International Course Equivalencies tab, click the black Request New Course button on the right. A pop-up window will appear showing the steps. At the bottom, use the drop-down menu to select your host university. If it isn’t listed, choose Add New Option. Then click Continue to the Request Form.

In the next window, enter the required course information:

• Host Course Title

• Host Subject Abbreviation

• Host Course Number

• Host Credits

• Term and year you will be abroad

You can find these details on your host university or program website. If the information isn’t posted, contact the host school for help.

The more information you provide, the better. Usually this includes the course description and, if available, a syllabus link. Paste in the details from your host university’s website.

Next, you will choose which GVSU department should review the course. Search for the department that best fits the subject matter and select the appropriate reviewer. They will receive an email to evaluate the course and assign an equivalent GVSU course code, or they may forward it to a different department if needed.

Below the department selection, you can also choose whether the course should be reviewed for General Education Foundations credit or select No General Education Review Required.

After completing the form, click the blue Submit form: Add this course to “My Pending Requests.” 

Your newly submitted course will appear in the Pending Requests tab with a yellow “In Review” status. You’ll see which department is reviewing it and whether you requested General Education review. Processing time can vary depending on the time of year and faculty availability.

You will receive an email once the status changes.

• If approved, the course moves to your My Courses tab with the assigned GVSU course code.

• If denied, the email will explain why. If the denial was due to missing information, you can submit a new request with the additional details.

Courses taken abroad can be used to fulfill General Education requirements including Issues, Foundations & Cultures and Supplemental Writing Skills.

General Education Foundations are built into the Course Approval Database and you can follow the directions above to request those be approved.

Issues and Supplemental Writing Skills approval are outside of the system and you should reference the link below.

Learn More About How to Fulfill General Education Courses

Additional information regarding coursework abroad can be found on our Academic Policies page.