Go Abroad in Fisheries, Wildlife, and Conservation Sciences

You can generally finish an undergraduate degree in four years with a term or more abroad. You'll need to complete 180 credits and all degree requirements to graduate, and the FWCS degree has room for electives. Education abroad experiences can count in the following ways: 

• All education abroad credits on an OSU GO-approved program can be used to satisfy the 180 credits required for graduation. 
• Preapproved education abroad courses can be applied to major, baccalaureate core/core education, elective credits or the180 credits for graduation.  
  • OSU GO will help you understand the requirements of your host institution/program abroad. They may provide a Global Course Compass for your program to help you find the courses available, credit conversion, minimum and maximum course load, course restrictions, and more.
  • Your academic advisor will help you determine how your courses abroad can apply to your degree requirements after you identify your program and proposed coursework. 
• It is essential to work closely with your academic advisor when planning courses abroad.  
  • In general, some good options to consider taking abroad are: 
    • Upper-division electives in applied habitat ecology, species management, and plant-identification 
    • GIS classes with labs to meet the FWCS degree Transferable Skills requirement.  
    • Lower-division baccalaureate core/core education 
    • FW 410 – intensive internship requirement.  
  • In general, some courses to avoid taking abroad are: 
    • Required FWCS Core Classes 
    • Sequences (e.g., biology series, ST 351 & 352) 
    • Writing Intensive Courses (WIC) 
    • Signature Core Education courses  
    • Baccalaureate Core Synthesis courses 

Early planning will give you the best range of options and will allow you to integrate the experience into your OSU degree.  

• Freshman Year: Begin planning for a future study abroad or internship. 
• Freshman/Sophomore Summer: Consider a faculty-led program or summer program that offers Core Education options. 
• Sophomore Year: We recommend you complete the majors-level biology and chemistry 100 or 200 series before going abroad. We also recommend having completed FW 251 and FW 255, especially if you will conduct field studies. After completing these courses, spring term or the summer following your sophomore year could be a good opportunity to go abroad. 
• Sophomore/Junior Summer: Consider a faculty-led program or summer program that offers Core Education or experiences related to your career interests in conservation. 
• Junior Year: Now that you have foundational coursework under your belt, this can be an ideal time to do an immersive study abroad for a term, semester, or a year. You can also consider a term-long IE3 Global internship which requires you to have junior or senior standing. Fall term of junior year is an ideal time for an education abroad program. 
• Junior/Senior Summer: Consider a faculty-led program, summer study abroad, or IE3 Global internship. 
• Senior Year: You can do a study abroad or IE3 Global internship. It is generally not a good idea to study abroad in the last term before you plan to graduate, as it takes a few months for the transcript articulation process. Internships can be good options for senior year or even a final term as they follow standard OSU timelines. 
• Senior Summer: Some students choose to go abroad during their senior summer. You can still walk in Spring Commencement as long as you are able to complete coursework by the end of the following summer term.

Consider your academic interests and goals and work with your academic advisors and the staff in OSU GO to determine the right program.  

1. Begin to plan six months to a year in advance. Give yourself time to research programs and talk to your advisor about your programs of interest. The best program for you depends on your academic, professional, and personal goals, as well as degree requirements.  
2. Visit OSU GO's Getting Started page to create an OSU GO account. You’ll be added to a self-paced advising course in Canvas where you’ll be guided though important steps to help you explore options and understand academic and financial considerations to decide on the best fit experience for your unique goals. 
3. Meet with your academic advisor(s) to discuss program selection and the best timing to avoid complications related to other major coursework and stay on track with your graduation plan. 
4. Follow up on OSU GO items to apply. Deadlines are typically 6 months before the program. Applications often include recommendations, essays, and transcripts – start early! 
5. OSU GO peer advisors are available to help through email, drop-in hours, and in-person or remote appointments!