Academics

• All students must have a gpa of 3.0 or higher prior to studying abroad in Granada

• Students cannot have any academic deficiencies before studying abroad in Granada

• All students need to have completed Spanish 301 prior to studying abroad in Granada 

• Certain classes in Granada might require pre-requisites. For example, you probably can't take an upper-level math course without demonstrating prior knowledge in the area. You will register for classes once you are in Granada, but be aware of any listed pre-requisites when registering. 

• All students are required to have a passport that is valid until 12 months after the planned date of return from Granada

• All students are required to work with the office of study abroad to obtain a visa (our office will guide you, but it is ultimately your responsibility to obtain the visa) Students should therefore refrain from international travel during the 120 days prior to departure for Granada . 

• All students are required to complete the pre-university language intensive course in Santander

• All students are required to remain in Granada until the end of the examination period, which is typically January for the fall semester and June for the spring semester. HC students are not allowed to submit special requests to sit exams early in order to return home for Christmas

It's complicated. You will take a combination of classes in Universidad de Granada's Centro de Lenguas Modernas and the facultades at Universidad de Granada. The types of courses available to you will depend on how you perform on a language placement test, which will be administered prior to your departure for Granada. Please see academic program below for an in-depth overview of what to expect. 

Academic Year Students

Fall Semester

Pre-University Course: The pre university “language bootcamp” (month of August in Santander) is mandatory. This program does not count towards the year’s/semester’s course load and will appear as an overload on your transcript.  

You will be given a placement test at the Centro de Lenguas Modernas (CLM) in Granada that will determine if you are placed in intermediate classes or advanced classes. If, after the pre-semester language intensive class, you test into:

Intermediate levels (<7): you will be required to take Speaking & Writing (1st credit) and Spanish Grammar (2nd credit). These two credits may not count towards Spanish degree requirements (You’ll need to consult with the Spanish department for details).  The other classes (3rd and 4th credits) will be CLM content classes in another subject like literature, history, politics, etc. that are taught in Spanish and can fulfill various Holy Cross degree requirements.

Advanced levels (7 or higher): you will be required to take one mandatory class in either Oral Production, Writing, or Spanish Grammar (1st credit), which may not count towards Spanish degree requirements (You’ll need to consult with the Spanish department for details). The next two classes (2nd and 3rd credit) will be CLM content classes in another subject like literature, history, politics, etc. that are taught in Spanish and can fulfill various Holy Cross degree requirements. Your last class, (4th credit) will be a content class in the Facultades at Universidad de Granada, which can fulfill various HC degree requirements. This class MUST BE TAUGHT IN SPANISH  

Anyone who scores a 7+ on their placement test after the pre-semester language intensive class will be in the advanced group. Anyone who scores below a 7 will be in the intermediate group. 

Spring Semester

Credits 1 & 2: Two classes in the CLM* (generally start first week of February)

*What these classes are depends on your level and whether they will count towards the Spanish degree requirements depends on the content of the classes. You'll need to consult with the Spanish department for details)     

Credits 3 & 4: Two content classes in the Facultades at Universidad de Granada (generally start 3rd week of February), which can fulfill various Holy Cross degree requirements. Must be taught in Spanish

Fall Semester Students

Pre-University Course: The pre university “language bootcamp” (month of August in Santander) is mandatory. This program does not count towards the year’s/semester’s course load and will appear as an overload on your transcript.  

You will be given a placement test at the Centro de Lenguas Modernas (CLM) in Granada that will determine if you are placed in intermediate classes or advanced classes. If, after your pre-semester language intensive class, you test into:

Intermediate levels (<7): you will be required to take Speaking & Writing (1st credit) and Spanish Grammar (2nd credit). These two credits may not count towards Spanish degree requirements (You’ll need to consult with the Spanish department for details).  The third class, (3rd credit) will be CLM content courses in another subject like literature, history, politics, etc. that is taught in Spanish and can fulfill various Holy Cross degree requirements. Your last class, (4th credit) will be a content class in the Facultades at Universidad de Granada, which can fulfill various HC degree requirements. This class MUST BE TAUGHT IN SPANISH  

Advanced  levels (7 or higher): you will be required to take one mandatory course in either Oral Production, Writing, or Spanish Grammar (1st credit), which may not count towards Spanish degree requirements (You’ll need to consult with the Spanish department for details). The next two classes (2nd and 3rd credit) will be CLM content courses in another subject like literature, history, politics, etc. that are taught in Spanish and can fulfill various Holy Cross degree requirements. Your last class, (4th credit) will be a content class in the Facultades at Universidad de Granada, which can fulfill various HC degree requirements. This class MUST BE TAUGHT IN SPANISH  

Anyone who scores a 7+ on their placement test after the pre-semester language intensive class will be in the 'advanced group'. Anyone who scores below a 7 will be in the intermediate group. 

Students who wish to take more than one class in the 'facultades' at UGR should contact Emma Meade at emeade@holycross.edu to discuss their options. 

Fall Semester Students

Pre-University Course: The pre university “language bootcamp” is mandatory. This program does not count towards the year’s/semester’s course load and will appear as an overload on your transcript. It is a 3-week class at the CLM (first three weeks of the semester)  

You will be given a placement test at the Centro de Lenguas Modernas (CLM) in Granada that will determine if you are placed in intermediate classes or advanced classes. If, after your pre-semester language intensive class, you test into:

Intermediate levels (<7): you will be required to take Speaking & Writing (1st credit) and Spanish Grammar (2nd credit). These two credits may not count towards Spanish degree requirements (You’ll need to consult with the Spanish department for details).  The third class, (3rd credit) will be CLM content courses in another subject like literature, history, politics, etc. that is taught in Spanish and can fulfill various Holy Cross degree requirements. Your last class, (4th credit) will be a content class in the Facultades at Universidad de Granada, which can fulfill various HC degree requirements. This class MUST BE TAUGHT IN SPANISH  

Advanced  levels (7 or higher): you will be required to take one mandatory course in either Oral Production, Writing, or Spanish Grammar (1st credit), which may not count towards Spanish degree requirements (You’ll need to consult with the Spanish department for details). The next two classes (2nd and 3rd credit) will be CLM content courses in another subject like literature, history, politics, etc. that are taught in Spanish and can fulfill various Holy Cross degree requirements. Your last class, (4th credit) will be a content class in the Facultades at Universidad de Granada, which can fulfill various HC degree requirements. This class MUST BE TAUGHT IN SPANISH  

Anyone who scores a 7+ on their placement test after the pre-semester language intensive class will be in the 'advanced group'. Anyone who scores below a 7 will be in the intermediate group. 

Students who wish to take more than one class in the 'facultades' at UGR should contact Emma Meade at emeade@holycross.edu to discuss their options. 

To ensure that tutoring resources are utilized effectively and to provide all students with the best possible support, the following policy applies:

1. Tutoring Hours

   • Every student has up to 10 hours of tutoring available.

   • To best take advantage of this allocation, students should communicate their tutoring needs to the on-site coordinator, Maite Diaz, early on and arrive at each session prepared with questions and goals.

2. General Expectations

   • Students are expected to actively engage with their tutors and take responsibility for their learning.

   • Tutors will provide support and guidance, but students must put in the necessary effort to succeed.

3. Tutoring Request Deadline

   • Students may not request a tutor within one month of the start of their exams. This policy is in place to allow adequate preparation time and to ensure tutors can provide meaningful assistance.

   • Students are strongly encouraged to request tutoring as early as possible in the semester to maximize their learning opportunities and support.

4. Attendance Requirements

   • Regular attendance in both CLM and UGR classes is expected from all students. Students who have repeated absences from class may forfeit their right to tutoring.

   • The determination of whether a student has forfeited their tutoring privileges due to absences will be made at the discretion of the on-site coordinator, Maite Diaz.

   • If students miss a pre-arranged tutoring session and do not provide at least 24 hours written notice both to the tutor and the on-site coordinator, Maite Diaz, they may forfeit their right to additional tutoring.

This policy aims to encourage proactive planning and responsible behavior among students, ensuring that tutoring services are used efficiently and equitably.

Click here to see classes available at the Centro de Lenguas Modernas (CLM). As part of your application, you'll select classes you're interested in in from these lists. Your schedule will not, however, be finalized until you are in Granada!

For your class(es) in the "facultades" (departments) at Universidad de Granada, click here to explore the various 'grados' (majors)

Class registration is not competitive in Granada like it is here at Holy Cross. Spanish students don't typically register for classes until just before the start of any given semester. Since you're going to Spain you will do as the Spanish do when it comes to registration! Don't worry- you'll have a chance to add/drop/change your selections during the first few weeks of the semester. 

You can still prepare in advance! You'll be able to submit class selections for the CLM well in advance of the semester. Be aware, however, that you may need to move things around and add/drop once you're on-site depending on how things "shake out" with your schedule. 

When it comes to your class in the facultades at Universidad de Granada, the on-site academic advisor, Maite, will reach out to you via email approximately two months before you leave for Spain. She will arrange zoom or email advising with you in order to help you sort out in advance what class, or which classes, you'll likely take in the facultades. 

The key to success is flexibility when it comes to course selections!

One of the most common questions the Office of Study Abroad receives is whether or not a certain class abroad will count towards a student's major, minor, concentration, etc. The answer is...maybe! 

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

You need to talk to the Study Abroad Faculty Advisor (SAFA) in your major department. 

You should obtain a syllabus or some information about the class before contacting the SAFA. They appreciate as much context as possible.

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

You need to talk to the Study Abroad Faculty Advisor (SAFA) in your minor department. 

You should obtain a syllabus or some information about the class before contacting the SAFA. They appreciate as much context as possible.

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 Area requirements abroad. 

You should obtain a syllabus or some information about the class before contacting Jared. He appreciates as much context as possible.

The Holy Cross credit approval system works like this: 

1. After you arrive in your study abroad destination (or right before, depending on the program), you will receive an email from Jared Chapman in the Registrar’s Office with instructions for submitting Course Approval Forms (CAFs). Students must submit one CAF per class.

2. Once the Registrar's Office receives your CAFs, they will work with Study Abroad Faculty Advisors in the relevant department(s) to evaluate each course for approval. 

3. Shortly after you submit your CAFs, you'll receive an email from the Registrar's Office detailing which classes have/have not been approved. 

Note: If you talk to your advisors before leaving and stay in touch during the course selection process, you should not receive any 'surprise' course rejections. 

Courses 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. auditing, pass/no pass, etc.)

A class that carries at least 6 credits is equal to one HC course; 

ONE class that carries 4.5 credits is acceptable with explicit Registrar approval.

A class that carries 3 credits is NOT acceptable and WILL NOT count for Holy Cross credit. 

Grade conversions are as follows:

9.5-10 = A

8.5-9.4 = A-

7.5-8.4 = B+

7.0-7.4 = B

6.5-6.9 = B-

6.0-6.4 = C+

5.5-5.9 = C

5.0-5.4 = C-

4.1-4.9 = D

4.0 & Below = F

After you complete your study abroad term (whether a semester or year), the grades you earn are reported to Holy Cross. All classes taken abroad are listed by their course names on your Holy Cross transcript along with the letter grades you earned, just as they would after any semester on 'the hill'. The difference is that grades earned abroad do not factor into your cumulative GPA. 

Here’s an example: a student who leaves Holy Cross with a 4.0 GPA but earns all 'B's abroad will still have a cumulative 4.0 GPA upon return. This system is designed with students in mind. The College recognizes that opting to spend a semester or year studying in a new academic environment can pose novel challenges. The goal of this generous policy is to encourage students to study abroad without fearing for what a semester or year away might do to their GPA.

NO. You cannot and will not take any classes pass/fail abroad. This is one of those "study abroad myths" that for some unknown reason seems to be passed down from study abroad generation to study abroad generation!

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

The grades you earn 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 away, your cumulative 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, therefore we don't factor your grades into your overall gpa. The goal with this policy is to encourage more students to study abroad without fearing for what a semester or year away might do to their gpa! 

You can look forward to much more academic independence when you study abroad. In the Spanish system, there is frequently only one (sometimes two) assignments that account for your entire course grade. This puts a lot more pressure on that one assignment, but it means you are free from the myriad of smaller assignments you are accustomed to at Holy Cross. There are resources available if you feel you are struggling or would like extra help. You will need to take the initiative should you need assistance and let the on-site staff know! Here's what Alumni Ambassador Haley Welsh, class of '23, has to say about academics:

The biggest challenge I faced in Spain was adjusting to the academics. I was very used to academics at Holy Cross - the small classes, the relationship with professors - so it definitely took some adjusting to larger classes that were almost completely lectures with very little student discussion. Fortunately, with the Holy Cross Spanish class, I was able to take advantage of at least some time in a small class setting where I had a personal relationship with the professor. 

If you receive academic accomodations at Holy Cross, you must let the Office of Study Abroad know so we can start making arrangements at Universidad de Granada now. It is very important that you take personal ownership over your own experience. It's a good idea to think about the support you might need in advance so we can start planning ahead. In Spain, academic accommodations are not as common as they are in the United States, and may look a little different to what you are accustomed to at Holy Cross.