Transfer of Study Abroad Credit

Transfer of Study Abroad Credit and the Verification of Transferability form

How to Access the Verification of Transferability Form

Log in to your study abroad application at goabroad.umbc.edu. Click on your program application and look in the “Post-Decision Materials” Section. There will be a link for your VOT which you can click on and download. You will only be able to access this form if you have applied for and been approved for a study abroad program.

Completing the Verification of Transferability Form (VOT)

You must submit a completed Verification of Transferability (VOT) form to the Education Abroad Office by December 10th for Winter and Spring programs or May 10th for Summer, Fall and Academic Year Programs in order to obtain credit for your classes taken overseas. The VOT form is accessible to all students upon completion of the UMBC Study Abroad Online Application and following the application deadline. The transfer of your financial aid and scholarships is dependent upon having a complete VOT.

To complete the form, follow these simple steps:

  1. Fill out the form correctly using our VOT Procedures (pdf) guide.
  2. Gather course information on the classes you wish to take, including course descriptions or syllabi from your host institution’s website. You should get information on more courses than you plan to take for flexibility once overseas.
  3. Bring this course information and the VOT form to your academic advisor(s) for approval of courses in your major/minor.** They can only approve course equivalencies in their department (i.e. Global Studies cannot approve Spanish courses, nor can Information Systems approve English Literature courses). Your advisor’s signature is required at the bottom of the form in the “Departmental Advisor’s name and signature”. This signature serves as clearance for the Registrar’s office. Your advisor MUST sign this spot whether you plan to take courses in your major or not.
        • **Students attempting to receive evaluations for Computer Science or Engineering courses must meet with a staff academic advisor to discuss course evaluations. Staff advisors cannot evaluate courses but will work with faculty in the appropriate departments to get courses evaluated. Students interested in IS/BTA course evaluations should meet with the advising coordinator for IS. Advising contact information can be found here.
  4. Bring all course information and VOT form signed by your academic advisor to the UMBC Education Abroad Office (UC 207 or educationabroad@umbc.edu). The Education Abroad team will submit the form for you and then the Registrar will review any pending courses. If you are taking courses for GEPs, please include course descriptions/syllabi for each course listed on your VOT form for our office to submit to the Registrar. The Registrar can help determine how courses outside of your major/minor, including GEPs, will transfer. They will evaluate additional courses, and send you a scanned copy of your VOT for your records.
  5. Once the above is completed, the Registrar will grant you permission to enroll in the appropriate AWAY course for your term abroad.  This registration confirms you as a study abroad student and/or a full-time student (depending on the term abroad). Use our AWAY guide (pdf) to learn how to sign up for the AWAY course.

Enrolling in Courses That Are Not Pre-approved

If you are abroad and end up in courses that were not previously approved on your VOT, don’t worry! Once abroad, if you enroll in one or more classes that were not approved on your VOT, you can request approval via an e-mail. A new form is not necessary.

  • If your courses will apply to your major or minor then:
    • Draft an email with the term you are abroad and your student ID in the subject line (i.e. Fall 2021 Study Abroad Inquiry for XX12345).
    • Copy and paste your course description(s) & syllabi into the body of your e-mail.
    • Send your email to your academic advisor, transferservicesforms@umbc.edu, and educationabroad@umbc.edu.
  • If your courses are for general credit then:
    • Draft an email with the term you are abroad and your student ID in the subject line (i.e. Fall 2021 Study Abroad Inquiry for XX12345).
    • Copy and paste your course description(s) & syllabi into the body of your e-mail.
    • Send your email to your transferservicesforms@umbc.edu and educationabroad@umbc.edu.

IMPORTANT

In order for your study abroad credit to be processed, ask that an official copy of your work be sent to the following address:

Center for Global Engagement
Education Abroad Office
University of Maryland Baltimore County
University Center 207
1000 Hilltop Circle
Baltimore, MD 21250