UCD Communication Study Abroad Guidelines and Policies
Communication majors are encouraged to study abroad while pursuing their undergraduate degree at UC Davis. If this interests you, it’s important to meet with an Academic Advisor early in your academic journey to develop a degree plan that will accommodate your interests in studying abroad while also working toward degree requirements.
Students seeking to earn credit abroad will typically participate in a UC Education Abroad Program (UCEAP) because courses taken through UCEAP are easier to transfer and receive course credit for. Students can study abroad at any point in their academic career however most students typically study abroad during their junior or senior years. Summertime is also a great time to study abroad, too.
Students may earn general credit or major/minor credits for courses taken abroad. Students can also earn both upper division and lower division credit. Students are encouraged to obtain pre-approval for major/minor equivalency requirements by the department regardless of the course level, prior to going abroad. Equivalency reviews for the Department of Communication require a 30-day approval process; thus, it’s important to submit your petition early. Although we recommend pre-approval, courses can also be reviewed after a student completes their study abroad experience.
Process
Once you’ve identified a study abroad program and specific courses you’re interested in, you should obtain the course syllabi. If you believe a course taken at another institution is equivalent to one of UCD’s CMN major courses, you will need to submit a course equivalency petition on the UCD Communication web site [https://communication.ucdavis.edu/undergraduate-courses].
If a course is not equivalent, you can work with your advisor to determine whether the course may be petitioned for a substitution request. In this case, the course would be considered as an alternate, upper division elective [see major requirements]. As with an equivalency request, these petitions are reviewed monthly.
If a course is pre-approved to satisfy a Communication major/minor requirement, students will need to ensure that the course is UC-transferable and articulates as upper-division credit to UC Davis. Upon successful completion and articulation of the course, students may contact the Communication advising office to update their degree audit.
However, not all courses taken abroad will be appropriate for major credit. Students are encouraged to work with advisors from the College of Letters and Science Dean’s Advising office to determine how their study abroad coursework can be applied towards any college or university requirements.
Additional Considerations
Students should also take into consideration the residency requirements for both the University and the College of Letters and Science while studying abroad:
- University Residence Requirement: The minimum residence requirement for a bachelor's degree at the University of California is one academic year (three quarters). 35 of the final 45 quarter units completed by each candidate must be earned while in residence at UC.
- College Residence Requirement: While registered in the College of Letters and Science, a minimum of 27 upper division units, including 18 upper division units in the major, must be completed on the Davis campus; work completed while registered in the UC Education Abroad Program or the UC Davis Extension Open Campus Program may not satisfy the College Residence requirements.
Students are advised to consult with an advisor in the College of Letters and Science Dean’s Advising Office while planning their study abroad experience and to learn more about your residence requirements.
Additional Resources
Through the Global Learning Hub, each and every UC Davis student can find global learning opportunities available on campus, in the region, virtually, and internationally. You can schedule an appointment with an advisor in their office.
Students can explore UCEAP programs by country, region, and discipline on the UCEAP web site. For more information about studying abroad in the Communication major, contact the Communication Academic Advisor at [email protected].
For more information about applying your study abroad experience towards your non-major degree requirements, contact the College of Letters and Science Dean’s Advisors.