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Advising Students

Application and CurriculA

All courses taken abroad through a UAlbany or UAlbany-affiliated education abroad program count towards a student’s general graduation total. The student is responsible for ensuring that a course taken abroad can be applied towards a major/minor/general education requirement. Major/Minor courses must be approved by the department head and general education requirements must be approved by the Undergraduate Dean’s Office.

Advising Students who are studying abroad

Students in UAlbany programs earn UAlbany credits and grades for their studies, and can continue to fulfill their major and minor requirements while abroad WITHOUT lengthening the degree process. Academic advisors play a very important role in helping our students achieve success in their education abroad experience.  Please refer to the Academic Policies and Procedures section for detailed advising information.

NOTE: UAlbany students studying abroad on SUNY programs are registered for placeholder (GINS) credits by the Education Abroad office. Students participating on semester-length programs are registered for 15 placeholder (GINS) credits unless otherwise indicated by a specific program. After completion of the program abroad, the GINS credit registration is then adjusted to reflect the number of SUNY credits actually earned abroad, which may be more or fewer than 15 credits.

If you would like to learn more about our office, programs and/or procedures for studying abroad, please request an “Education Abroad 101 for Advisors” session for your school or department. This is an informational meeting to familiarize UAlbany faculty and staff with education abroad opportunities.

We are always happy to help you identify programs that are particularly suited to your students’ needs. Please email your request to studyabroad@albany.edu and we will follow up with you as soon as possible.

Writing Recommendations

Some education abroad programs require applicants to submit academic recommendation(s). For programs in which the student is studying in a language other than English, a foreign language evaluation form may be required.

Most recommendations are submitted electronically. If a student requests a recommendation, you will receive an email notification prompting you to log into our website, using your UAlbany credentials, to complete the request.

Global Distinction Milestone

The University at Albany confers a Global Distinction Milestone to undergraduate students in recognition of their successful completion of a structured set of integrated, intentional academic experiences that are distinctly global in scope and purpose. The milestone will appear as an entry on the undergraduate student’s final transcript. Global Distinction students are distinguished for the global orientation of their academic pursuits, regardless of their major or minor. Program participants engage in second language study (four semesters of courses or the equivalent in proficiency); globally-oriented curriculum and research; and a coherent, international immersion experience, including one study abroad semester and an 8 to 10 week summer internship (professional or lab research). This invaluable combination of knowledge, skills and perspectives is highly sought after by today’s employers and graduate schools. Interested students should contact the Director of Global Academic Programs, Dr. Annette Richie, in the Center for International Education and Global Strategy, early in their college careers, for information and advisement. Learn more at by reviewing the Global Distinction Milestone web page.