Academics

The simple answer is: all majors, since Bamberg is a comprehensive university. However, since it is more a humanities than a sciences-oriented institution, you will need to plan accordingly, especially if you are a Math or STEM major. The HC German Studies department recommends the following: given the very specialized vocabulary in the MINT (i.e. stem fields) in Germany, students are highly encouraged to fulfill/complete their required science courses at Holy Cross instead of at Bamberg. Note, too, that all courses taken in German will towards a second major in German at HC.

As you consider which classes to enroll in, it is an excellent idea to consult with both your academic advisor and the Study Abroad liaison in the department of your major to discuss what kinds of courses you may or may/not take abroad that will count towards your major and general degree at HC. Being communicative, staying informed, and planning ahead are the best ways to avoid miscommunications that may negatively affect your academic trajectory when you return to campus. 

To help you gauge the content of the courses you might take for credit at UniBamberg, use this link to past classes, provided by the Bamberg International Office. It will give you a sense of courses offered previously, although not a guarantee that these same courses will be offered during your academic year of study. In addition, search for the document posted on the HC Study Abroad homepage under "Academic Resources" entitled: "Courses taken abroad for HC credit." 

Once you actually begin attending classes, you will immediately need to obtain course approval from the HC Registrar for any and all courses you take. You can read more about the course approval process below. 

You will register for classes after you arrive in Bamberg, working closely with our in-country liaison, Dr. Andreas Weihe, who is Director of UniBamberg's International Office, and his superb staff.

The Holy Cross credit approval system works like this: 

1. After you arrive in Germany, you will receive an email from Jared Chapman in the Registrar’s office with instructions for submitting Course Approval Forms (CAFS). You'll submit one CAF per class you are taking, as soon as possible, and no later than 1 week after the start of classes in Bamberg. Keep your eyes peeled for Jared's email. The isntructions in them as very clear and easy to follow.

2. Once the Registrar's Office receives your CAFs, they will send classes you'd like to count towards your major(s) and minor(s) to the official Study Abroad Course Evaluators in the relevant department(s) for approval. The Registrar's office will manage the approval of Common Area requirements themselves. 

3. Once the Study Abroad office hears back from the relevant parties about all of your classes, you will receive an email detailing which classes have/have not been approved. (Note: If you talk to your advisors before you leave and stay in touch during the course selection process, you should not receive any 'surprise' rejections!) 

Courses that are NOT accepted for Holy Cross Credit:

1. Online or hybrid (partially online) courses;

2. Pre-professional, business, law, and marketing courses;

3. Other non-liberal arts courses;

4. Courses of similar content to those you have already taken;

5. Any major courses required by your major department to be taken at Holy Cross;

6. Courses taken without a letter grade (e.g. NO auditing, or pass/fail classes, etc.)

One of the most common questions we get in the Office of Study Abroad is whether or not a certain class abroad will count towards a student's major, minor, concentration, etc. The answer is ... maybe! Here's how it works:

If you think a class might work for your major...

You need to talk to the official Study Abroad Faculty Advisor in your department.  

Obtain a syllabus or some information about the class before contacting this HC faculty member. They appreciate as much context as possible.

If you think a class might work for your minor...

Again, you need to talk to the official Study Abroad Faculty Advisor in your department. 

Again, give them as much context as possible by obtaining a syllabus or some information about the class before contacting them. 

If you think a class might work for a Common Area requirement...

You need to talk to the Registrar's Office! You can send an email to Jared Chapman (jchapman@holycross.edu) to gain clarity on common areas requirements abroad. 

Typically, anywhere from 30-35 credits + the year-long German language and culture course = 4 Holy Cross credits. If you earn less than these totals, you will incur an academic deficiency.  Students are required to enroll in the equivalent to a full Bamberg course load per semester. Head to this webpage, put out by the HC Registrar's Office, to learn about UniBamberg-Holy Cross grade conversions.

All of the classes you take when you study abroad will be listed on your Holy Cross transcript, just as they are for any normal semester. Next to each class you take abroad, the converted letter grade you earned will appear, just as it does for any normal semester at Holy Cross. 

The difference is that the grades you receive abroad will not factor into your cumulative GPA. This means if you leave for study abroad with a 4.0, and you get all 'B's when you are in germany, your GPA when you return to Holy Cross will still be a 4.0. The system is designed with you in mind! Opting to spend a semester or year studying in a completely different academic system is brave. We want to celebrate the work you do abroad by reflecting the letter grades you earn on your transcript.  We also understand that it's normal to struggle in a new academic system or foreign cultural environment, therefore we don't factor your grades into your overall GPA. The goal behind this policy is to encourage more students to study abroad without fearing for what a semester or year away might do to their GPA.

As already mentioned: NO. You cannot, and will not, take any class abroad pass/fail. This is one of those "study abroad myths" that seems to be passed down from generation to generation of study abroad students for unknown reasons! No pass/fail. 

After your study abroad semester or year, your HC transcript will reflect the grades that you earn abroad. What will NOT be affected is your GPA.

From academic-year calendar differences to the number of classes you take and the number of students enrolled in them, your University of Bamberg experience will be entirely different from academic life at Holy Cross. Embrace these differences! Some will be challenging, others will come more easily. Lean in. You will learn, and grow, and be stronger because of it! 

If you have any history of accommodations for learning disabilities or anything similar, you must let the Office of Study Abroad know so we can help you make arrangements with the International Office staff at Bamberg. It is important, overall, that you take personal responsibility for your study abroad experience, so start planning now.