Studying abroad can be a valuable experience in your education. The Department of Computer Science encourages all students to consider studying abroad for at least one semester. Our students have studied in countries all over the world including Australia, Germany, Hong Kong, Israel, Italy, Japan, Korea, Singapore, Spain, and the United Kingdom. Please review this flyer for more information!
Current UMD CS Students Interested in Studying Abroad
Step 1: We first recommend meeting with advisors from the Education Abroad office and attending a Study Abroad 101 workshop session. There you will learn about finances, traveling abroad, housing options, and the study abroad programs available to you.
Step 2: Next, review the list CS programs on the MyEA Program Database. You can search for all abroad courses that have been evaluated as CMSC-equivalent (and may be able to use towards your CS Major degree requirements) on the Study Abroad Course Database. If your desired abroad course has not been evaluated, please submit an Study Abroad Transfer Credit Evaluation Request through the Education Abroad office.
If you’re interested in finding an abroad program that is not CS-related, you can search the entire Study Abroad Database to find your desired program.
Step 3: Once you have met with an Study Abroad advisor or have attended a Study Abroad 101 workshop session, you should contact your assigned CS academic advisor to discuss your abroad options. Your CS academic advisor will go over your academic records to determine which courses you may want to take at the institution of your choice. Your advisor will also help you determine the best semester to go abroad and sign any forms that you have. CS students planning to complete CMSC courses abroad should plan to go AFTER completing CMSC330 and CMSC351.
**Studying abroad in the final 30 credits**
CS students planning to study abroad during their final 30 cumulative credits must obtain approval from the College of Computer, Mathematical, and Natural Sciences (CMNS). Contact CMNS at cmnsque [at] umd [dot] edu with any questions regarding the "Coursework in Final 30 Credits" Exception to Policy process.
Please note that academic calendars at foreign institutions may extend beyond UMD's schedule. Students studying abroad in their final semester should anticipate the possibility that their transcripts will not be received in time for UMD's spring commencement or degree clearance. Contact CMNS at cmnsque [at] umd [dot] edu with any questions or concerns regarding degree conferral.
Frequently Asked Questions
"When is the best time to study abroad?"
The ideal time to study abroad is typically the spring semester of your junior year. However, if you plan to take CMSC courses abroad, we recommend doing so after successful completion of 330 and 351.
"Why are some courses on this list denoted as 'Upper-Level Electives' rather than showing equivalency to a specific 400-level CMSC course?"
For a course to be deemed equivalent to a UMD 400-level course, it must cover the same content/material, assessment, and rigor of the course here. Often, courses taken abroad will satisfy the “CMSC Electives” requirement, rather than correlate to a specific course for these reasons.
"Is the list below a final review of all courses I’m eligible to take?"
No, the list below only reflects the courses that have been available thus far. If you’re interested in taking a course or studying at an institution that is not reflected on the list, or if you feel a course on the list should be re-evaluated, please send a current copy of the course syllabus to your assigned academic advisor. Please note that we ask for up to five business days to process this request.
"What if the abroad institution I’m hoping to attend does not offer Computer Science courses?"
It is not required that you take CMSC courses each semester, although your four-year plan may be extended if you do not. While abroad, you can work on other degree requirements, such as General Education courses, classes that satisfy your Upper Level Concentration, elective coursework, and/or coursework for another major or minor. Be sure to talk to your advisor about your degree requirements and four-year plan before making your decision.
"How many Computer Science courses can I take abroad?"
We recommend that your schedule of classes taken abroad be similar to what you would take at UMD (2-3 CMSC courses along with General Education courses, Upper Level Concentration courses, elective coursework, and/or courses for another major or minor).