Study Abroad: Planning

Can I study abroad during the summer?
I am a science major. Can I study abroad?
I am a psychology major. Can I study abroad?
I am an ME major. Can I study abroad?
I am a pre-medical student. Can I study abroad?
Can I attend a non-approved program?

Planning

Begin Planning Freshman Year.

Can I study abroad during the summer?
Many summer programs are available for those who cannot reconcile study abroad with their CMC course of study. For non-CMC administed summer programs, students apply directly to the program sponsor and are not subject to CMC policies for study abroad. However, students must request transfer credit approval in advance from the registrar to be eligible for credit. Final credit determination may be made upon the student's return. Approval by department chairs or faculty alone does not guarantee credit. As a rule, summer study at programs approved for study during the academic year will receive favorable consideration. No credit will be granted for summer study on programs reviewed, but not approved by the Off-Campus Study Committee. Financial aid is traditionally not available for non-CMC summer study. Students are advised to research summer study options at www.iiepassport.org. More information on studying abroad during the summer can be found here.

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I am a science major. Can I study abroad?
Absolutely – and you are encouraged to do so! Science majors will find a multitude of advanced courses in Biology, Chemistry, Physics and Health at English-speaking universities as well as an impressive list of options for field research in non-English speaking countries.

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I am an ME major. Can I study abroad?
Management-Engineering majors can study abroad but must plan on finishing their mathematics, physics and economics requirements before leaving. Meeting with the ME faculty adviser and the study abroad director during the first year is advised. ME majors normally study abroad during the spring of their junior year, their last semester before leaving CMC.

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I am a pre-medical student. Can I study abroad?

Yes, it is not only possible but highly recommended to study abroad. In fact, your semester abroad may be very important during medical school interviews. Early planning is crucial and, depending on what science courses you still need to complete, your options will vary greatly. How can it be done?
Please review the Pre-Health website for study abroad scheduling.  If you have additional questions please contact Ms. Jill Jones, Pre-Health Professions Advisor, JSD at jjones@jsd.claremont.edu,  or Kristen Mallory, Director, CMC OCS kmallory@cmc.edu.

I am a psychology major. Can I study abroad?

Psychology majors are encouraged to take advantage of CMC’s study abroad programs but need to consider the following:

Options for students planning to study abroad during the entire junior year:

  • Complete Psychology 109. Introduction to Statistics for Psychologists, or the equivalent, in the fall of the sophomore year; and the Research Methods (110-111) courses in the spring of the sophomore year.
  • With special permission of the department chair, in unusual circumstances students may take the Research Methods courses (110-111) and Statistics (109 or equivalent)in the same semester of the sophomore year.

Options for students planning to study abroad for one semester during the junior year:

  •  Students planning to do a one-semester senior thesis, rather than a two-semester empirical thesis may, with the permission of the department chair, complete the Research Methods (110-111) courses in the fall semester of the senior year. This option allows students to study abroad for one semester during the junior year and complete Statistics (109 or equivalent) in the other semester. However, it is still strongly recommended that all students complete the Research Methods courses before the senior year. Students with a one-semester thesis are not eligible for honors in psychology.
  • Take Statistics (109 or equivalent) in the summer or during the sophomore year, and the Research Methods (110-111) courses during the semester they are on campus in the junior year.
  • With permission of the department chair, students may complete Statistics (109 or equivalent) while abroad. This option is only available at selected programs.

 Note:

-       Students studying abroad during the (second semester of the) junior year must obtain a thesis reader before going abroad.
-       Students studying abroad during the second semester of the sophomore year can complete the Research Methods (110-111) courses and Statistics (109 or equivalent) during the junior year.

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Can I attend a non-approved program?


The faculty-led Off-Campus Study Committee has reviewed and approved over 100 study abroad programs in 48 countries. In rare cases students may propose study on a non-accepted program offering specialized curricular opportunities, associated with the student' s major(s), that are not afforded by any of the programs on the accepted list. Approval for such proposals is made on an individual basis.

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