Department of Media Studies
Department of Media Studies

Study Abroad

Media Studies majors study abroad every semester, and there’s a clear path to making your credits count toward the major. Start by reading the eligibility rules and all four steps below. 

Critical Eligibility & Major Rules

Before choosing a program, keep these strict departmental limitations in mind:

  • Two-Course Cap: You may apply a maximum of two study abroad courses as electives toward the major.
  • Elective Credit Only: Study abroad credits cannot fulfill core requirements (MDST 2000, 3050, 3504, 3510, or 4510).
  • Grade Minimum: You must earn a C+ or higher for any course to transfer back for major credit.
  • DMP Restriction: Students in the Distinguished Majors Program (DMP) are generally unable to study abroad due to consecutive third- and fourth-year core requirements.


Step 1: Explore Recommended Programs
Go directly to the UVA Education Abroad Major/Minor Guide on the Education Abroad website. Scroll down to the College of Arts and Sciences list and click on Media Studies. On any program’s page, look for the Education Abroad Advising Contact and reach out to them directly to schedule a meeting and/or ask about program-specific deadlines, application requirements, financial and scholarship information, logistics, and other program questions. 


Step 2: Get Pre-Approval for Your Courses
To guarantee your international classes will count as MDST electives, get approval before you depart:

  1. Browse programs using the directory in Step 1.
  2. Collect the course title, number, description, credit hours, instructor, and syllabus for the classes you’re considering. 
  3. Submit these details to the Media Studies Department’s Director of Experiential Learning for evaluation before finalizing your schedule. This contact is Kate Sweeney at gqu7sx@virginia.edu 


Step 3: Submit the Transfer Credit Pre-Approval Form to the Education Abroad Office

  1. Access this form through your  UVA Education Abroad application. 
  2. List Kate Sweeney as the Media Studies contact on the form. 
  3. Attach copies of the course syllabi and any email approval notes. 
  4. The form will circulate via DocuSign to MDST and College Study Abroad for final approval. 


Step 4: While You Are Abroad
Submit the College Study Abroad Final Credit Approval Form once you are securely enrolled in your courses. If your course list changed since your Pre-Approval Form, make sure this form reflects what you’re actually enrolled in. 

Questions? Please contact MDST faculty member Kate Sweeney at gqu7sx@virginia.edu