Abroad for Graduating Seniors
Abroad for Graduating Seniors
The key to studying abroad at any point is planning. This is especially true for students seeking to go abroad during their final semester.
Study Abroad Note: Students may study abroad during their final semester at SFSU. However, students may not graduate and then participate in a program the term after graduation, including summer. This will result in immediate disqualification from study abroad.
Graduation Qualification Note: Students are eligible to apply to graduate in a term once they meet the unit threshold (90 units completed to apply for Summer or Spring graduation; for Fall, the 90 units can include in-progress coursework).
The steps below will guide you through this process.
Steps for Abroad as a Graduating Senior
Begin by reviewing your Degree Progress Report in the Gateway Student Center to see what remaining degree requirements you have left. It is very important that you confirm that you will be able to take all remaining degree requirements on your study abroad program. It is not required to meet with an academic advisor to apply, but highly recommended especially for graduating seniors. If you are unsure about what classes you still need to graduate, please speak with an advisor in the Undergraduate Advising Center.
You can find courses abroad on the Study Abroad Database by looking at the academic's tab on the program's page. If you need help in finding classes abroad or navigating the university's abroad website, sign up for study abroad advising.
Finally, be sure to clear all holds and pay all remaining fees owed to SFSU.
The semester prior to when you would like to graduate, apply for graduation following the steps outlined on the Registrar's Office website.
Be sure to note deadlines!
If you are unable to apply for graduation online due to missing study abroad coursework, please email regweb@sfsu.edu and let them know so that they can assist you.
Follow the steps for applying and studying abroad outline.
Remember, you must be full-time abroad, even if you do not need all classes or units to graduate. Note grade and unit conversions.
While abroad, save all your documents. Digital copies are great. No need to weigh down the suitcase with hardcopies.
Keep copies of the following documents:
- Overseas Course Approval Form
- All credit/no credit requests made to studyabroad@sfsu.edu (if applicable)
- Emails from advisors regarding classes
- Syllabi and course descriptions
- Graded work (especially important for major and minor classes not approved in advance)
- Email the SFSU Abroad Team at studyabroad@sfsu.edu to let them know which term you have applied to graduate so that they can make a note on your transcript for when it is sent over to the Registrar's Office. Please note that it will take a little time for SFSU to process your study abroad transcript. It may take between 8-12 weeks after it is received before you see it on your unofficial transcript in Gateway.
- Email the Graduation Team in the Registrar's Office at regweb@sfsu.edu. Please include in the subject line "Study Abroad Grad. Senior" and your ID number. In the body of the email, let them know which terms you will be abroad and for when you have applied for graduation.
You may receive a message from the Registrar's Office letting you know that you may appear to have unmet requirements. This is expected because your Degree Progress Report (DPR) does not yet reflect the specific classes you took abroad. As long as you have been in contact with your advisor and they have confirmed that your coursework will meet all remaining requirements, and you have not make any changes subsequently, you can set this message aside or reply back to them letting them know you studied abroad and that they are coming.
Remember that this is normal and part of the process.
Review the steps on our Return from Abroad page to learn how to verify your transcript and DPR.
This may or may not be possible. Commencement only takes place during the spring semester. However, if you apply to graduate during another term, you may still be eligible to walk in the spring. Students who graduate in a summer or fall semester (and have earned their degree) are eligible to participate in the subsequent Commencement Ceremony. For example, students who earn their degree at the end of summer/fall 2028, may participate in the spring 2029 Commencement, Please note that in order to be included in the Commencement program, you must apply by April 1 of that year. There may be additional commencement participation deadlines, such as picking up regalia from the Bookstore--the Commencement Office can confirm those details for you.
If you will be abroad during the spring semester, you must confirm that the program dates do not conflict with Commencement. Many programs go into June (after our ceremony) and you may need to be abroad for final exams. However, there are some programs that end early.
Have a conversation with your family about the importance of walking in the Commencement Ceremony. For some, it is very important. For other students, being abroad and traveling at the end of their program is more important, especially if they plan on earning another degree, such as a master's degree in the future.
If you have any questions about study abroad and graduation, please reach out to the SFSU Abroad Team by email at studyabroad@sfsu.edu.
We look forward to supporting you in studying abroad during your final term at SFSU so that you do not miss out on this opportunity.