Study Abroad Course Approval

This Academic Approval Form (AAF) must be completed by students going on SJSU Exchange, CSU IP, ISEP, NSE, SSA programs before studying abroad for all major, minor, elective requirements. This is a mandatory form that allows the Registrar’s Office to process your study abroad & away courses and credits to the equivalent SJSU course. The host institution transcript cannot be posted on your SJSU records unless this form is complete and accurate. Without signatures on all of the classes you plan to take abroad or away, your grades will not appear on your MySJSU or SJSU transcript. If this form is incomplete or filled out incorrectly, it is your responsibility to make the appropriate corrections. All questions should be directed to spartansabroad@sjsu.edu. Please check the links below for the right Docusign form and procedure.

 
  • For General Education (GE) Requirements

    The Office of Undergraduate Education (UE) approves study abroad coursework to meet lower division General Education (GE), upper division GE (SJSU Studies), American Institutions (US1-3), 100W (GWAR), or Physical Education (PE) requirements.  Visit their website for a list of pre-approved GE courses listed by regions / continents and for their simple instructions on how to get GE courses pre-approved.  Go Nowall GE requirement requests. Click here to visit their website to review a list of pre-approved GE courses listed by regions / continents and for their simple instructions on how to get GE courses pre-approved.  Go Now 

    Final Process: Once the Undergraduate Education office has approved and signed AAF will be routed back to you after all have signed for your final signature. SAVE YOUR COPY FOR YOUR RECORD and upload a copy to your account on the Spartans Abroad Portal to help the Registrar's Office to process your host university's transcript when it arrives at SJSU at the end of your term abroad.

  • For All Major, Minor, and Elective Requirements

    All major and minors must complete the Academic Approval Form (AAF) Docusign to get approvals from their major or minor faculty academic advisors or course coordinators for business students. Please carefully read the 3-step checklist below before filling out the Academic Approval Form (AAF) Docusign form.

    STEP 1: Gather Relevant Information

    • Have you reviewed your MyProgress on your MySJSU account for the outstanding degree requirements that you could fulfill abroad?
    • Do you have the course numbers for the SJSU requirements you wish to fulfill abroad?
    • Have you made an appointment with your major, minor, or study abroad advisor to discuss the SJSU requirements you want or need to fulfill abroad to stay on track with your graduation plans?
    • Have you downloaded the course information (syllabus, course descriptions) from your host university abroad website to upload to the AAF form?
    • Do you know the SJSU unit conversion for your host university on the credit conversion chart? https://bit.ly/sjsu-abroad-units
    • Do you have the name and email address for your major or minor faculty advisor (or the Course Coordinator if you're a business student)?
    • Attention Business Students: Do NOT send your AAF to the JHSSC advisors. All AAFs must be submitted to the appropriate Course Coordinator as listed on this directory: https://bit.ly/sjsu-business-course-coordinators

    STEP 2: Fill Out the Academic Approval Form (AAF) Docusign

    Click here for the Docusign Powerform and follow the instructions below. 

    1. Add your name and email
    2. Add your major advior's or course coordinator's name and email (ONLY if you are requesting major requirement courses).
    3. Add your minor advisor's or course coordinator's name and email (ONLY if you are requesting minor requirement courses)
    4. Scroll to the bottom and click on "Begin Signing" to add your name and contact info, program information. Then scroll down to the appropriate section: major, minor, or university elective.
    5. Major / Minor / Elective Sections: List the abroad course numbers and titles, the host university's unit, the SJSU unit conversion (view credit conversion chart here), attach the course syllabus (required) and and any other information to help the faculty advisors in their review process. Once you've attached the required syllabus, then scroll to the bottom and click "Finish." 

    Final Process: Once your AAF has been approved and signed, you will receive a PDF copy of it via Docusign. SAVE YOUR COPY FOR YOUR RECORD and upload a copy to your account on the Spartans Abroad Portal to help the Registrar's Office to process your host university's transcript when it arrives at SJSU at the end of your term abroad.

  • For University Electives Only

    Students can also take abroad courses as General University Electives only which are guaranteed approval. Athough university electives are guaranteed, students still need to complete the AAF for those courses. You must follow the same instructions above without adding the name and email address for you major, minor, or course coordinator on the form as all elective approvals are automatically routed to the Study Abroad & Away office for approval. 

    Final Process: Once your AAF has been approved and signed, you will receive a PDF copy of it via Docusign. SAVE YOUR COPY FOR YOUR RECORD and upload a copy to your account on the Spartans Abroad Portal to help the Registrar's Office to process your host university's transcript when it arrives at SJSU at the end of your term abroad.

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