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Credit Transfer

CREDIT TRANSFER INFORMATION

All passed coursework completed at an outside institution will first transfer to UNM as general elective credit in the CR/NC grading mode. Students seeking a specific type of credit for graduation requirements (ex: English 101) have the option to request course equivalency with the appropriate academic department.

The UNM Office of the Registrar makes the final decision on how study abroad credits will transfer to UNM. Academic departments oversee transfer course equivalency. 

Students should work with their study abroad advisor, host institution, academic advisor, and academic department to select a program that works best with their individual academic needs. Use the infographic below to better understand the steps and student responsibilities of the course equivalency process. 

Review our International Credit Transfer Workshop for additional information on how to get started.

Course Equivalency Overview

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Research

While you’re working on your UNM study abroad application, you will need to fill out a coursework planning draft. This is not committing you to any specific courses abroad, however this should guide your selection of a best academic match for your study abroad school.

Review our International Credit Transfer Workshop for important questions to consider.

Our advice:

  1. Make a list of courses you have left to take here at UNM including required and electives. Highlight the upper division elective credits you have left to fulfill. In general, electives are easier to fulfill abroad than major/minor required courses, but not always. This list will make the next step in the process less stressful.
  2. Check to make sure at least some of your required courses and upper division elective credits can be fulfilled at the host university you are interested in. Ask yourself, does this university offer courses in [insert college or department where credits are needed]? 
  3. Understand the academic system abroad. What is considered full time status? How many classes do students usually take each semester? Are there course restrictions for study abroad students?

At foreign institutions, course catalogs or class schedules are not typically released until a month or two prior to the start of the semester so don't expect to have a solid schedule ready far in advance.

Students enrolled in the Anderson School of Management are advised to check that the host institution is AACSB-Accredited if planning to take courses that count toward their degree.

Note: You can choose to take online classes at UNM, but you must still maintain minimum enrollment requirements of the host institution, which is typically equivalent to full-time study in that country. You will also be responsible for any additional UNM tuition charges for online courses.

Course Pre-Approval

Courses taken at accredited institutions abroad will transfer back to UNM as general electives (after you pass them). If you wish to have your study abroad coursework transfer back to UNM for specific course equivalency, we recommend completing the Registrar's TRANSFER-Provisional Exchange Pre-Approval Evaluation Form. Scroll to the bottom of the Student Forms page to find the most up to date form. There are instructions on the first page of the PDF.

This process will require finding course catalogs or course offerings during the semester you are abroad to the best of your ability.

  • Remember, as with UNM, course offerings aren't typically posted until about a month prior to the start of the semester, so do your best and reach out to your host institution coordinators if you are having a lot of trouble.
Once you have a few courses selected, you should meet with your academic advisor to be sure what you plan to take matches up with your degree track. In some cases, it may be possible to present syllabi you've found so that you can preapprove transfer credits as long as you perform well and pass the courses. 

Our advice:

  • As early as possible, learn about potential course options in the program in which you are interested. Check their website for course descriptions or request course syllabi from the program sponsor or host institution, understanding this may or may not be possible for some institutions.
  • Make an appointment with your Academic Advisor to discuss your course options. Make your appointment early, as advisor schedules are often very busy as deadlines approach.

This process doesn't have to be long or daunting. Try not to procrastinate!

Note: You must complete one course equivalency form for each academic department you wish to have credits transfer.

Maintain Full-Time Status

During the program, you should attend all class sessions and participate in class just like you do here at UNM and/or as required by your host school. Stay in touch and let your academic advisor know as soon as possible if there have been any changes to your proposed plan of study (i.e. if you take different classes than you discussed with your academic advisor).

To receive credit toward your degree, The University of New Mexico requires a minimum standard of academic performance (a "C", 2.0 on a 4.0 scale), so it is important that you attend class and perform according to the host university's standards, expectations and assessments.

Grading scales in other countries vary, so you will want to research the common grade conversion scales. Your grades during your study abroad program are determined solely by the instructor and the host university. If you have concerns about the grading of courses while away, you are responsible for communicating directly with your instructors and/or the host institution.

Be mindful that you must continue to meet any requirements for scholarships you may receive at UNM.

If you are abroad for the Academic Year, you must provide a progress report to your study abroad advisors after your first semester. 

Please note: You should bring all course material back to UNM with you, including syllabi, work completed, essays and examinations, in case it is ever needed.

Post-Study Abroad Credit Transfer

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Once you have completed your study abroad program, and have returned to UNM for the following semester, UNM will need a copy of your academic transcript from your host institution.

Transcripts must be received by a study abroad advisor directly. If the host sends you your transcript directly, you must send it to our office as well in order for the credit transfer process to begin.

Once we receive this, your credits will transfer back to UNM as generic credits until you take the TRANSFER-Domestic & International Evaluation Form to the appropriate Department Chair or Designee so they can grant equivalencies for UNM courses.

Once you complete this form, the Department Chair or Designee should send it directly to the Registrar at tes1@unm.edu. They will contact your department(s) directly if they have questions. You will see your credits in your LoboTrax Degree Audit, not on your UNM transcript since the courses are transfer credits. 

All study abroad courses transfer back as CR/NC until you request a letter grade from tes1@unm.edu. Students should talk with their academic advisors about if the letter grade request is necessary. If it is, advisors and students should email the LoboTrax team to request the grade change. 

Note: You must complete one course equivalency form for each academic department you wish to have credits transfer.

Provide your host institution and/or program organizer the following address to send your official transcript:

Global Education Office (GEO)
Education Abroad
MSC06 3850
1 University of New Mexico
Albuquerque, NM 87131-0001
Phone (505) 277-4032
Fax (505) 277-1867

Grading FAQ

1. How does my study abroad coursework transfer back to UNM?

  •  All study abroad courses transfer back to UNM as Credit/Non-Credit until a formal request to change to letter grades is made with the Registrar.
  • Should you choose to receive letter grades for your study abroad courses, please be aware that these grades will not appear on your UNM transcript or in LoboAchieve and will not affect your GPA.
    • These grades are used only for financial aid purposes should you need to increase your GPA for financial aid eligibility. 
  • Please note, if you choose to apply to graduate school, professional school, transfer to another university, etc. you may be required to provide an original transcript from your host school as proof of your academic performance.

2. How do study abroad classes affect my UNM GPA?

  • Your cumulative UNM GPA is calculated based off of all coursework taught and completed at UNM.
  • Any coursework that is transferred to UNM (e.g. study abroad courses) will not affect your formal UNM GPA as transfer courses were conducted at an outside institution.

3. How do study abroad classes affect financial aid and scholarship eligibility?

  • While study abroad transfer courses do not factor into your formal UNM GPA, study abroad coursework is factored into maintaining financial aid and scholarships but only if you make a formal request to change your CR/NC to grades as noted in question 1. Again, a formal request to change from CR/NC to grades will not affect your UNM GPA, nor will the grades appear on your UNM transcript or in LoboAchieve.
4. How do study abroad classes show up on my UNM transcript?
  • Study abroad transfer courses will not show up on your UNM transcript. Coursework transferred to UNM with official course equivalents will show up on students’ LoboTrax Degree Audit, but not on their transcript.

5. My host institution uses a different grading system. How will my grades come back to UNM?

  • The registrar will assign UNM credits by interpreting international credit & grading systems. If a 50% is considered a passing mark abroad, it should transfer back to UNM as a passed class.
  • Students should research and understand any differences in credit and grading systems used at their host institution.

6. What happens if I fail my study abroad classes?

  • We strongly encourage students to reach out for help before they end up in that situation. However, if a student has had difficulty adjusting to a new academic system and is now at risk of losing scholarships or financial aid, they can email our office and request a letter of explanation to aid in the petition process. Petitions are not guaranteed to be granted. 

Transfer Students

Transfer students should discuss studying abroad with their academic advisor to understand how studying abroad can impact their plan to meet UNM graduation requirements.

As all coursework taken at another institution abroad will come back to UNM as transfer credits, transfer students should work with their academic advisors to understand the maximum number of transfer credits that can be applied toward their UNM degree. 

Students should understand the number of residence credits, or the number of credits taken at UNM, required by their major and minor. 

If a student decides that a semester or year-long study abroad program is no longer a good academic fit, they are encouraged to look into short-term, UNM Faculty-Led programs as many of these programs offer students the chance to earn UNM residence credits while abroad. 

 

International Credit Systems

As a study abroad student, it is your responsibility to research and understand the differences between the credit and grading systems used at your host school and at UNM. 

If you are unsure of the number of credits you will receive from the coursework you will take abroad, reach out to your host school and the UNM Registrar for better clarity. It is important to know the number of credits you will receive if you pass your classes prior to registering for coursework abroad!

Not all credits transfer to UNM or the American credit system in the same way. 

For example, in general:

  • ECTS transfer to American credits at a 2:1 ratio.
    • This means 30 ECTS are needed to receive 15 UNM credit hours. 
  • UK credits transfer to American credits at a 4:1 ratio
    • This means that 60 UK credits are needed to receive 15 UNM credit hours. 

For language immersion courses, students should check how many contact hours are needed to count as a 3-credit hour course. 

 

Online Courses

Taking UNM courses online while abroad

  • UNM students are still able to enroll in UNM online courses while abroad. Before doing so, students should be mindful of minimum credit requirements at their host institution, academic loads, and how additional UNM coursework affects their tuition. 
    • Online coursework should be treated only as an academic supplement to coursework taken abroad. 
    • UNM study abroad students are required to be registered full-time as defined by their host institution.
    • Students are encouraged to reflect on their academic course load before adding additional classes while abroad. New academic systems can often be more rigorous or difficult for students to adjust to. 

Online Courses and Tuition

  • Exchange Programs: Undergraduate students studying abroad through exchange programs will be billed 15 credit hours to their UNM Bursar's account. Any online course credit hours will be added to the standard 15 hours. Students may need academic overrides to take over 18 credit hours. 
  • Direct Enrollment Programs: Students studying abroad through direct enrollment programs who take UNM online courses the term they are abroad will pay tuition and fees directly to their host institution as well as pay tuition to UNM for any online coursework.