Study Abroad Policies

Important Study Abroad and International Programs Policies and Procedures

• Bellarmine University does not currently fund, facilitate, recognize, or grant credit to students traveling/studying internationally in areas under a U.S. Department of State Travel Advisory of Level 3 or 4, or a Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) Warning Level 3 or 4.
• Bellarmine University reserves the right to cancel a study abroad program or retract approval for participation in a study abroad program due to travel warnings or advisories in advance of the anticipated travel.
• Students must meet with the Study Abroad and International Programs staff to complete the study abroad advisory process before studying abroad. If a student elects to study abroad without completing the study abroad advisory process, Bellarmine may not accept their transfer credit. If a student elects to study abroad via a non-approved program after completing the study abroad advisory process, they will be required to take a leave of absence from Bellarmine.
• Students may not study abroad during the semester immediately preceding their graduation and must complete one semester at Bellarmine before they are eligible to study abroad on traditional short-term or long-term programs.
• Credit earned while studying abroad will not count towards a Bellarmine GPA.
• Enrollment in a program of study abroad approved for credit by the home school may be considered enrollment in the home school for purposes of applying for federal student financial aid.
• Credits earned during a study abroad experience could take up to six months from the date of completion to be transferred onto a Bellarmine student’s transcript. Bellarmine students who elect to study abroad accept that they may experience delays in receiving their transfer credits. Transfer credits are contingent on students completing the pre-approval documentation provided by the Study Abroad and International Programs Office and remaining in communication with the Study Abroad and International Programs Office until their credits are posted to their Bellarmine transcript.  

• Students studying abroad with a Bellarmine program or through an approved program may be required to be fully vaccinated against COVID-19. 

• Students must maintain a cumulative GPA of 2.5 to be eligible to study abroad for short-term programs (summer, winter, and spring break). Students with a cumulative GPA between 2.0 to 2.5 will need special approval to study abroad granted by the Study Abroad and International Programs Office.

  Students must maintain a cumulative GPA of 3.0 to be eligible to study abroad for an academic semester or year. Students with a cumulative GPA between 2.5 and 3.0 will need special approval to study abroad granted by the Study Abroad and International Programs Office.

  Many study abroad options have a higher GPA or other academic admissions requirements to consider.

  Students who do not meet the GPA requirements will be required to complete additional application materials to demonstrate preparedness. The following criteria will be considered:

  • Ability to articulate and understand how study abroad relates to their academic goals 
  • The student’s plan for academic and personal success while abroad
  • A commitment to working with a BU Student Success Coach prior to applying for and leading up to the study abroad experience
  • Academic improvement in the semesters leading up to the application and time abroad
  • References from faculty or Bellarmine professional staff