1. Offices
  2. Study Abroad & International Programs

Academic Planning

Study abroad opportunities are available to students from all majors, but this may require a bit of planning and consultations with your academic and study abroad advisers to find the right program to meet your academic goals. Follow these steps, and review additional academic planning resources.

Step 1: Degree Planning

Start by figuring out what degree requirements you need to fulfill while abroad.

  • DO YOUR RESEARCH: Consult with your academic adviser to make sure you can fit study abroad into your academic plan and to learn about study abroad programs that have been approved in the past for your major.
  • WHAT TO CONSIDER: Do you need to earn major or minor credit abroad to be able to make progress in your degree? Do you need to fulfill educational objectives abroad? Are there course sequences you must take that would interfere with your ability to study abroad during a particular term? What courses do you need to take on campus before and after study abroad?

Step 2: Preliminary Course Planning

Now develop a preliminary plan for the courses you intend to take on your study abroad program.

  • DO YOUR RESEARCH: As you are exploring study abroad programs, make sure to carefully review the course offerings available. Also review information about Academics Abroad and Registration, Credit & Transcripts. If you have questions about finding or interpreting course information for a study abroad program, contact your study abroad adviser.
  • WHAT TO CONSIDER: Are there courses available in the subjects you wish to take and at the level you need? Can these courses fulfill major, minor, or other degree requirements? Do you have a backup plan, in case you are not able to register for the courses you want? Consider any and all courses you would be interested in taking while on your program, including alternate course options.

Step 3: Consult with Academic Adviser(s)

All students must meet with and obtain approval from their academic adviser(s) as part of the application process to study abroad. It is important that you review your study abroad course and program plans with your academic adviser(s), so that you understand how study abroad may impact your degree progress and how potential study abroad courses may fulfill degree requirements.

By signing off on your application, your academic adviser(s) are indicating that they have discussed your study abroad plans with you, that you are in good academic standing and making satisfactory progress towards completion of your degree, and that they believe your study abroad plans make sense academically, considering your overall plan of study.

  • DO YOUR RESEARCH: Review academic information and instructions pertaining to your program at Pitzer and your intended study abroad program.
  • WHAT TO CONSIDER: Do you understand the rules and policies for earning major/minor credit from study abroad or fulfilling other degree requirements? If you have questions, it is your responsibility to consult with your major/minor adviser about your study abroad course plans, whether/how these courses can count for major and/or minor credit, possible course substitutions, and remaining degree requirements.
  • WHO TO CONTACT:  
    -If you have declared a major before applying to study abroad, consult with your major adviser. 
    -If you have not declared a major before applying to study abroad, consult with your first year seminar adviser at the time of application and with your major adviser once your major is declared.