Study Abroad Policies & Guidelines

International Credits

International Transfer Credit Policy for Summer & Winter for Currently Enrolled SBU Students

To obtain Stony Brook credit for  summer or winter courses offered by an institution outside of the United States, currently enrolled Stony Brook students are required to participate in an approved partner university program offered through International Academic Programs (IAP) in the Office of Global Affairs.  All other international credits obtained in the summer or winter will not be eligible as transfer credit applied to your Stony Brook degree program. This also includes credits taken from U.S. institutions outside of IAP or SUNY.

New York State residents participating in an IAP approved program pay the in-state tuition rate for coursework; all other students participating in an IAP approved program pay the out-of-state tuition rate for coursework.  Scholarships ranging from $500-$3000 are available for IAP participants (eligibility based on academic eligibility and financial burden of program).  Visit www.stonybrook.edu/studyabroad for details on IAP approved programs, costs, and scholarships.

For matriculated SBU students who completed the Home Abroad Program during COVID, please refer your Graduate Admissions Office to this memo should they have questions about your program credits.

FAQ

• Do I have to enroll at SBU this summer/winter to be eligible to obtain credit for my international summer academic program?
   Yes, all currently enrolled SBU students wishing to obtain credit from an international institution must participate in IAP approved study abroad/summer school programs. International transfer credit will no longer be approved through the Academic and Transfer Advising Services (ATAS)
• What if I want to study at an international institution located close to my home?
   IAP offers a variety of approved study abroad programs. We encourage you to consider one of these options, or also consider study abroad programs offered through other SUNY campuses. Students will not be eligible for international transfer credit obtained in programs outside the approved IAP/SUNY programs.
• What if I attend an international program not approved by IAP?
   ATAS will not approve international transfer credit obtained directly from international institutions and/or summer programs. All international credit earned in the summer/winter must be obtained through participation in an IAP approved program, which includes all SUNY study abroad programs.
• Why is Stony Brook University requiring me to participate in a program approved through IAP?
   IAP provides a high level of vetting of international programs and partners. This approval process and vetting is important in order for SBU to ensure academic integrity of international credits applied toward SBU degree programs.
• Do I have to pay SBU tuition for my international summer/winter program?
   All IAP approved programs require enrollment at SBU, which includes tuition and fees. Participation in other SUNY programs also includes enrollment through SBU. Please visit stonybrook.edu/studyabroad for the complete details of costs for your program of interest. IAP offers several scholarships ranging from $500-$3000. 
  View Scholarships
• What financial assistance is available for my IAP summer study abroad program?
   IAP offers several scholarships ranging from $500-$3000. 
  View Scholarships
• The policy states I need to take summer classes from a “partner institution” if I want to transfer credits. What is a “partner institution?” Where are the “partner institutions” located?
   A partner institution is an institution that has a formal, signed agreement with SBU’s International Academic Programs. The agreement allows SBU to operate academic programs on an exchange/study abroad basis. Visit stonybrook.edu/studyabroad for a full listing of all IAP approved partner institution and study abroad programs. Students can also participate in any study abroad program through other SUNY institutions.
• Last summer, I took classes outside of the United States and received transfer credit. I am planning on taking more courses this summer at the same school. Will I receive transfer credit?
   Under the new policy, students will NOT be eligible for international transfer credit unless it is obtained through the IAP office or another SUNY study abroad program. International transfer credit approved prior to Summer 2017 will not be removed, but this new policy is effective immediately.
• What if the school I want to attend is not a “partner” institution?
   Students are encouraged to consider the wide variety of options available through IAP and other SUNY institutions (stonybrook.edu/studyabroad). Any international credits obtained outside of these options will not be approved for transfer credit.
• What if I take an international course through another U.S. institution?
   ATAS will not approve international transfer credits obtained through another U.S. insititution. All international credits earned in the summer/winter must be obtained through participation in an IAP approved program, which includes all SUNY study abroad programs. ATAS will require all students to sign a waiver confirming their course was taken in person, on site in the U.S. before approving any credit transfers.
• I am a SUNY Korea student. Does this policy apply to me?
   While SUNY Korea students will NOT participate through the International Academic Programs Office, all summer and winter transfer credits will be evaluated on the same academic standard as SBU students. If you are planning on taking a winter or summer course at another institution, it must be at a partner school. 
  View Approved Schools
• I am a dual degree student. Can I study at my dual degree institution without enrollment through IAP?
   Yes, dual degree students are allowed to enroll directly in the institution they are obtaining his/her other degree from. Direct enrollment at an institution other than that institution would not be allowed for transfer credit evaluation.