Instructions
There are excellent study abroad programs available at BC, arranged through the Office of International Programs (OIP) and approved, for sociology students, by our Undergraduate Director Michael Malec. In general, students are eligible to study abroad in their junior year, and should start preparation in the fall term of their sophomore year. The OIP website describes the advantages of study abroad and is a great source of information. The following summarizes the process for sociology majors and provides links to some recommended universities. You should always talk with Professor Malec. His office is McGuinn 402 and his office hours are posted on his door, but he is often in the department outside of office hours and is very accessible to students.
A. Prerequisites
B. Process
C. List of Some recommended universities with pre-approved courses
D. Other study abroad options
A. Prerequisites
- Minimum 3.2 GPA (Recommended)
- Recommended courses prior to going abroad: SC001 Introductory Sociology and SC215 Social Theory
- Completed the equivalent of one year of the language proficiency requirement
- Satisfactory disciplinary record
- Recommended: completed minimum of 5 courses in Sociology prior to study abroad
- In general, students study abroad in spring of their junior year, and start preparations near the beginning of the sophomore year. However, you can start preparations as a freshman, if you want, and students can still spend a semester abroad in their senior year. Whenever you decide to go, begin by contacting the Office of International Programs (OIP), located at Hovey House. OIP can be reached by phone at 617-552-3827 or by email at oip@bc.edu
- Meet with Sociology Undergraduate Director Michael Malec (McGuinn 402) to discuss possible programs.
- The OIP office will set you up with an advisor and give you an application for the study abroad program
- Once your OIP application has been accepted, you can pick up the application at Hovey House for the university you have selected. The application package will include a form that must be signed by Professor Malec. The completed application package is returned to your study abroad advisor, who will send it to the university.
- The university's acceptance or rejection letter will be sent to OIP, and your advisor will notify you. Once you have been accepted by the university, the office will let you know about travel requirements (visa, passport, etc.).
- Some courses are pre-approved (see list). For the others, you will need to fill out a course waiver and submission form (available in 426 McGuinn and Lyons Hall Student Services), have it signed by Professor Malec, and take it to Student Services. The form should indicate each course to be taken and what type of credit (major, minor, or core) it represents. (If a course does not fulfill a major, minor, or core requirement it will be counted as a BC elective course.) If possible, the form should be accompanied by a course description.
- Depending on the university, you may be able to register for your courses before you leave, or you may have to wait until you get there.
- Students are encouraged to keep all of their written work, exams, notes, syllabi, etc. to file with Student Services upon return to guarantee a smooth transfer.
Note that it is possible to apply for scholarships through the OIP.
C. Some Recommended Universities and Pre-approved Courses
Some BC affiliated Universities have pre-approved courses for Sociology majors. If they are pre-approved, they do not need the "Course Substitution Waiver Form."
D. Other Study Abroad Options
While it is easier to go through OIP, and most students do opt to use it, you can also find study abroad opportunities through external programs. Please note that you would still need to attend a study abroad information session and meet with an OIP advisor. Also, you will only receive credit for study abroad courses taken through programs other than Boston College if BC has no programs or affiliated programs in the country in which you wish to study. Below are a few examples of external programs, although there are many similar programs available that you can research on your own.
SIT (School for International Training)
http://www.sit.edu/studyabroad/
CIEE (Council on International Educational Exchange)
http://www.ciee.org/
IES (Institute for the International Education of Students)
https://www.iesabroad.org/IES/home.html
ISA (International Studies Abroad)
http://www.studiesabroad.com/
