Academic Planning
The Office of Global Studies recommends that students meet with the Global Programs Advisor early in their time at St. Kate's to discuss how to plan out courses for global studies programs. It can be helpful to reserve certain core and elective courses to take during your global studies program, as course options for major or minor requirements may not be as readily available.
The Global Programs Advisor works with students individually to determine what course options are available and what requirements they fulfill. Our priority is for global studies programs to meet their degree requirements and graduate on time.
Plan to meet with a global study advisor at least 6 months from your application date to discuss:
- Scholarships & Financial Aid
- Application Process
- Program options
Once you have decided on a program and term, you can apply to the program through the global studies application portal before the application deadline.
Pre-Departure Steps
Prepare Travel Documents
Travel documents serve to prove identification and are important to prepare several months before departing on a global studies program.
U.S. Travel
If you are traveling within the United States, you will need to upload a copy of an official photo identification (driver’s license or passport, etc.) to your application for it to be considered complete.
International Travel - Passport
If you are traveling internationally, you will need to have a current passport that is valid at least 6 months after your arrival at your destination. If you do not have a passport at the time of application, you may upload a scan of your passport application. Once your passport has been received, please send a scan to the Office of Global Studies.
International Travel - Visas
Some students may also need to purchase a travel visa. Students studying internationally through a partner program will receive information about visas from their program after acceptance. Students participating in a St. Kate’s Led course to a country where a visa is required, will have assistance from the Office of Global Studies in the visa process.
Complete Pre-Departure Orientation
Attend all required orientation sessions that correspond to your program. Students studying in the spring as well as students studying in J-term will have an orientation in fall semester and students studying in the fall and summer will have an orientation in spring semester.
Complete Pre-Departure Requirements
Complete follow-up paperwork by logging back into the global studies application portal. Pre-departure requirements for students studying on a global studies program may include a medical exam, course equivalency form, and an estimate of expenses.
Major, Minor, Core, and General Elective Credits
Students may take courses on global studies programs for credit toward their major, minor, liberal arts requirements, or general electives. Students can only fulfill GSJ credit on a GSJ course.
Students get their global studies courses approved for degree requirements by consulting with the appropriate Division Chair. Any courses that are not pre-approved by a Division Chair will transfer as general elective credit.
Courses taken in a global studies program are part of St. Kate's transcripts, not transfer credit. The name of the course and the grade received are recorded on your transcript and the GPA is calculated using that information.
Students can still participate in a Global Studies program even with the time intensive requirements of nursing and other health science majors. The Office of Global Studies offers many traditional study abroad, U.S. based, virtual, and internship options that offer flexibility for programs that have specific major requirements. These options are offered over J-term and summer and are valuable opportunities to participate in a program outside of the regular academic calendar.
There are opportunities to participant in something major or healthcare specific or participate in something different. Students can participate in something led by St Kate's faculty or a partner program. Look through the programs on this to find something that interests you.
In addition to meeting graduation requirements, honors students can fulfill one of their honors seminar requirements by participating in a global studies program.
Student Athletes will need to carefully plan out their global studies experience, in consultation with their coach and advisor. You will need to consider the timing of your program and training while you are away. The Office of Global Studies recommends speaking with the Global Programs Advisor early in your time at St. Kate's, along with your coach, to find a compatible term and program.
Students pursuing a major or minor through the ACTC program can also receive credit towards degree requirements. Similar to the process for getting St. Kate's degree requirements approved, the student will need to seek approval for ACTC requirements by contacting the appropriate department that administers the major or minor.
Planning your Global Studies experience
The Office of Global Studies is here to support students in planning for virtual, international or U.S. programs. Check out some of the information below about how you can apply to global studies programs.