Study Abroad
Through the Office of Overseas Programs in the College of Arts and Sciences, students can choose a program that best suits their interests and requirements for their major or minor. The Study Abroad Advisor for Environmental Studies is Professor Bob Dymek.
To study abroad, students must be in their junior or senior year and have at least a 3.0 grade point average. Students must understand the language of the country in which they plan to study. Grades do not transfer back to Washington University. Credits can be applied toward the 120 credits needed to graduate, and courses taken abroad can substitute for courses in environmental studies, generally as Tier 2 andTier 3 electives. These substitutions should be worked out before attending the participating institutions. Final decisions will be made once the student has returned from study abroad and courses and grades are reported back to Washington University.
Plan ahead – talk to your advisor, declare a major, and contact the Overseas Program Office at least one year before you plan to depart.
Environmental Studies Guidelines
- Maximum study abroad credits applicable to the major/minor: Environmental Studies allows a maximum of 9 units to be applied as electives. No course work taken abroad can be counted toward the required courses for the major.
- Minimum grades on study abroad course work for major/minor credit: A grade of "C-" is the minimum acceptable performance.
- Other requirements for major/minor credit: Students must submit a written narrative describing their experience abroad. Include information about the courses taken, the living arrangements, culture, experiences, etc. A portfolio is not required, however, students should keep all their materials from their study abroad experience for additional reference if requested. In addition, students should submit a brief summary description of their experiences suitable for posting on the EnSt website that might be useful for future students in their selection of a study-abroad program.
Considerations
Participating in an approved Washington University program allows financial assistance and students may earn full academic credit for study abroad if they participate in Washington University programs.
Approved Programs Abroad:
- SLU Kenya Semester
- CIEE South Africa
- University of Queensland
- University of Sussex
- School for International Training (Approved SIT Programs: Australia: Natural and Culture Ecology, Australia: Sustainability and the Environment, Bostwana: Ecology and Conservation, Brazil: Amazon Resource Management and Human Ecology, Ecuador: Comparative Ecology and Conservation, Panama: Development and Conservation, Tanzania: Coastal Ecology, Tanzania: Wildlife Ecology and Conservation, Iceland: Renewable Energy, Technology, and Resource Economics (Summer program)
Students wishing to participate in non-Washington University programs must petition for credit prior to participating in the program. Popular Non-WU Programs Abroad:
- The Institute for Tropical Marine Ecology
- The School for Field Studies
- Organization for Tropical Studies
Students must communicate regularly with their advisors while abroad and report to them upon return.
By the first day of classes of the next semester, each student must contact the Overseas Office in order to arrange for the transfer of credit.