Course Pre-Approval
Your Off-Campus Study Record
It is important that you enter courses you are interested in taking off-campus for pre-approval in your MyDiplomat Off-Campus Study record. Find your record by going to myDiplomat, then choosing the About Me tab. Go to the Academics link and then the link for Off-Campus Study.
For more information about academic policies for off-campus study, please visit http://www.fandm.edu/offcampus/planning/academics.
Who has access to my record?
You, the International Programs staff, your faculty adviser and the faculty who approve your courses have access to this information.
When is my record started?
Your record is started when your off-campus study adviser enters a program for you. It will remain open until your transcript arrives from the program, after completion.
When should I enter courses for my program?
You have access to your record as soon as it is initiated and can enter courses before or during your program. Most students enter courses for approval some time after they are accepted to a program. We recommend that you enter a list of courses before you attend your program to ensure that they will transfer back as you want them to. Then, check your list once you have finalized your registration on the program.
How many courses can I enter?
Enter as many courses as you would like to. Your final course choices must be among those listed.
Who approves my courses?
See the Course Designations information below for more information on who approves courses.
What happens after I finish my program?
When your transcript arrives from your program, the Registrar's Office will review your course records, add your courses to your F&M transcript, and lock your off-campus study record. You will receive notification from the Registrar's Office when this happens.
What if I want to make changes after my record is locked?
Contact the Registrar's Office to make any changes after this point.
Course Designations
The categories for course transfer are listed below. Courses may fulfill more than one requirement. Choose the appropriate category next to "Fulfils Requirement" when you enter a course into your off-campus study record on myDiplomat.
General Elective
Approved by the Associate Dean for International Programs if the course reasonably falls under a department of the College. This cannot be a course in the area of the student's major or minor. If a course does not fall into a department, the off-campus study advising staff will help the student determine whether or not the course can be accepted for credit.
Major or Minor Core Course
Approved by the chair of the appropriate department as equivalent to a required course for the major or minor.
Major or Minor Elective
Approved by the chair of the appropriate department to be included in the elective requirements for the major or minor.
Distribution Requirements
Approved by the chair of the appropriate department to be counted as one of the student's required general education requirements: Arts, Humanities, Social Sciences, Non-Western Cultures, or Natural Sciences Lab.
Language Requirement
Approved by the chair of the appropriate language department to count as part of the required three-semester progression of courses.
The course approval system generates an e-mail to you every time an action is taken in your record.
