Office of International Education

All things related to international education - from study abroad to international and exchange students visiting our campus.

Office of International Education / Academic and Judicial Policies

Academic and Judicial Policies

The Office of International Education conducts both academic and judicial checks for all students applying for any study abroad program.

GPA Policy

Students must maintain full-time status and have a minimum GPA of 2.5* at the time of application to be considered for study abroad, except in the case of SMCM Study Tours, for which a 2.0 GPA will suffice. Additionally, students currently on academic probation will not be considered eligible for a study abroad program until the probation has been lifted.

Students who do not meet the minimum GPA of 2.5 may request consideration by submitting a Letter of Appeal to the Academic Policy Committee. Letters of Appeal should be submitted to the Office of the Registrar early in the semester, well in advance of the study abroad application deadline. The Committee ordinarily meets every other Thursday; the deadline for submission is 5:00 p.m. on the Tuesday before the APC meeting. However, please check with the Office of the Registrar to confirm the timeline.

*NOTE: Some study abroad programs require a higher GPA, in which case students must meet the minimum GPA for their program of choice.

Office of the Registrar
Glendening Hall, Room 120

Graduation Requirement Policy

At least 30 of the last 36 credit hours of academic work toward the degree at St. Mary’s College must be completed by credits earned from St. Mary’s College courses. With the permission of the Academic Policy Committee, this provision may be waived for students engaged in departmentally approved off-campus learning experiences.

Students who would like this to be waived may request consideration by submitting a Letter of Appeal to the Academic Policy Committee. Letters of Appeal should be submitted to the Office of the Registrar early in the semester, well in advance of the study abroad application deadline. The Committee ordinarily meets every other Thursday; the deadline for submission is 5:00 p.m. on the Tuesday before the APC meeting. However, please check with the Office of the Registrar to confirm the timeline.

*NOTE: There is a chance that receiving study abroad transcripts can be delayed, which could possibly delay graduation if you are in the last two semesters at SMCM.

Office of the Registrar
Glendening Hall, Room 120

Judicial Policy

Current and/or previous academic or disciplinary sanctions may affect the ability to study abroad. Likewise, sanctions imposed at any time after acceptance into a study-abroad program may result in withdrawal from the program, and any non-recoverable costs incurred will be the responsibility of the student.

Previous disciplinary sanctions are considered on a case-by-case basis by the Office of International Education in conjunction with the Dean of Students’ Office. Students with two or more conduct violations will be required to meet with the Office of International Education prior to acceptance to the study abroad program of choice, and students with certain types of conduct violations (including, but not limited to, E, K, N, O, or P classes) will be required to participate in an in-person interview with the OIE and a Dean of Students’ officer. Students whose disciplinary probation period extends into their intended time abroad will not be considered for study-abroad until the probation period has ceased.

While abroad, students are representing not only themselves and their home country, but the College itself. As its representatives, the College has a vested interest in ensuring student conduct abroad reflects its values and standards. In light of the above, the following guidelines apply:

  • Student misconduct communicated to SMCM by the program provider or host institution is subject to disciplinary action upon a student’s return to campus.
  • Student misconduct may result in the withdrawal of study abroad approval issued by the Office of International Education, despite the student’s arrival on-site. The student will be responsible for any financial obligations and non-recoverable costs assessed by the host institution or program provider as a result of this approval revocation.
    • In the rare instance that a program provider permits a student to remain enrolled in the program but SMCM has revoked program approval, the student will be held responsible for settling of financial obligations directly with the program provider.
  • The program provider or host institution has the authority to terminate a student’s participation in the program at any time as a result of misconduct. SMCM cannot intervene on behalf of the student should their behavior initiate such a termination.
  • Students participating in a study abroad program are subject to the full SMCM Student Code of Conduct throughout the duration of their program, as well as the Code of Conduct of their program provider or host institution. That code of conduct which is most stringent or exacting will supersede the other.
    If you would like to discuss any concerns regarding the appeal process or sanctions appearing on your record, please make an appointment to speak confidentially with either the student conduct officer or an advisor in the International Education Office.

Office of Student Conduct
Campus Center, Room 150