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Psychology Education Abroad Guide

Prayer flags in India


CU Boulder Education Abroad offers over 400 programs in over 70 countries! You can go abroad for a semester, year, 2-12 weeks in the summer, or even winter break. Going abroad is strongly encouraged by the Psychology department. Use the following information as a general guideline to plan your time abroad, and connect with your academic advisor as well. Work with Education Abroad advisors to get more details on how to get started, discuss your program options, and next steps. 

Quick Facts

  • Most PSYC students go abroad Junior year, it is also possible to study abroad during sophomore year
  • The most common degree requirements taken abroad are upper-division PSYC electives, certain Gen Ed classes, and general elective hours
  • 4000 level PSYC Electives need to be reviewed by the Psychology Department. Classes may be listed as approved “upper-division electives” in the course approvals list but need additional review for a 4000-level PSYC specific requirement. Please work closely with your Academic Advisor. 
  • Use the Course Approvals List to find programs that offer courses approved for the credit you need

Planning and When to Go

  • First-year: Take A&S Gen Ed classes that are less common to find abroad (see the chart below). Start making progress with your 1000 and 2000-level required PSYC courses. Complete the ancillary math requirement so that you can complete the statistics/research methods requirement next year.
  • Sophomore: Finish your 2000-level PSYC courses, including the required Statistics course (PSYC 2111). It is helpful to also complete Research Methods (PSYC 3111) prior to studying abroad, but this may not be possible in your second year; please consult with your academic advisor as you are planning. Try to save your 3000 or 4000-level PSYC elective for study abroad.
  • Junior: Go abroad! Going abroad during your junior year allows you plenty of variety in your choices of classes.Consider taking Psychology upper division electives that are not offered at CU (such as Cross-Cultural Psychology, Sports Psychology, etc.). As always, be sure to get the course(s) pre-approved.
  • Senior: Work closely with your advisor to ensure that you can get all of your requirements completed. Plan to take your required PSYC Lab & Methods course at CU. Be sure that you know when the credits may be transcripted, as this can delay your official graduation date.

What Kind of Credit Can You Earn Abroad?

Usually Doable Tricky Probably Not
General Electives  A&S Gen Ed PSYC A&S Gen Ed PSYC A&S Gen Ed PSYC
Overall credit hours  Arts and Humanities, Natural Science (Non-Lab), Social Sciences Upper-division (3000) PSYC electives Global Diversity Upper-division (4000) PSYC electives; PSYC Lab & Methods  Natural Science (Lab), Written Communication Direct equivalent to a listed major class (e.g. PSYC 3303)

Suggested Programs

Use these links to find programs that may be a good match for you and your course needs.


 

Submitting Courses for Evaluation

Note that the Psychology department requires that their students submit syllabi for all new course evaluation requests that are submitted on the Major/Minor/Certificate Evaluation Form. If you cannot find syllabi on your program's website, reach out to your program manager through your provider (e.g. CIEE, ISA, etc.) and/or contact your CU program manager.

 

Additional Resources

Last Updated March 2023