Students planning to participate in approved UW-Madison study abroad programs may be able to satisfy the CALS International Studies requirement during their study abroad in one of two ways:

1. A course taken through approved UW-Madison study abroad programs may equate to an existing UW-Madison course and appear as that course on the student’s transcript. If the equivalent UW-Madison course is on the approved CALS International Studies course list, then the study abroad course can be used to fulfill this requirement.  No action is needed.
2. If UW-Madison course equivalencies are not available or the study abroad course equates to a UW-Madison course that is not on the approved CALS International Studies course list, students may request that a study abroad experience fulfill this requirement by submitting an appeal form.  Students are encouraged to carefully review the CALS International Studies requirement criteria and learning outcomes before submitting an appeal. 

Students considering study abroad to fulfill this requirement may submit up to two courses for appeal.  Appeals can be submitted before the program to assist in course selection for the study abroad experience.

In addition to the appeal form, students must submit a course syllabus with a weekly schedule, learning outcomes, readings, contact time, assignments, and grade expectations.  In cases where syllabi are not available from the partner institution, students will need to create a syllabus using the form provided in their online study abroad portal.

Decisions will be made by a committee including the Assistant Dean for Academic Programs and Policies, the Chair of the CALS Curriculum Committee, and the Assistant Dean for International and Experiential Learning. Courses approved through the appeal process will be on an individual basis, and decisions of the committee are final. 

If an appeal is approved, students are responsible for communicating with CALS Academic Affairs once the study abroad courses and grades appear on the student’s UW-Madison transcript.

Policy effective April 29, 2019; updated August 14, 2023