Academic Planning
- Where can I study abroad and take courses related to CED majors?
- What classes can I take?
- How do I get courses reviewed and approved?
- What are CED's academic policies related to study abroad?
- When can I study abroad?
Many Berkeley Study Abroad partner universities have departments/programs related to Architecture, Landscape Architecture, City Planning, Environmental Design, and Sustainability, or offer relevant courses through other departments. Below is a sample of programs with courses related to the built environment. Please note, this is only a small, non-exhaustive sample.
Students can take classes related to their personal interests outside of their major and degree requirements by studying abroad. Some students choose to use the opportunity to learn a new language or deepen their knowledge in areas they know they will not learn from their major. Alternatively, students can take courses for units towards graduation and/or to complete specific degree requirements such as CED’s seven course breadth, upper division college requirements or major requirements.
The International Studies breadth is satisfied with a passing grade in any 3 unit course for any study abroad program as long as the units are transferable to UC Berkeley.
UCEAP
- Courses approved for CED breadth requirements
- Database of pre-approved courses for CED College & Major Requirements (not breadth)
- UCEAP Course Catalog
Non-UCEAP (Berkeley Summer Abroad, UC Davis Summer Abroad, Independent Programs)
Students interested in having study abroad courses reviewed to satisfy degree requirements must complete our CED Course Substitution and Curriculum Petition.
Students will hear of the decision via email, typically within 2–4 weeks. If you have questions about this process after reviewing the form, please meet with a CED Academic Advisor in 250 Bauer Wurster Hall.
Semester Limit
- Students admitted as freshmen must graduate within eight fall/spring semesters at UC Berkeley. Students admitted as transfer students must graduate within four fall/spring semesters at UC Berkeley. UCEAP study abroad programs count towards this semester limit; study abroad through non-UC programs do not. Students are allowed a ninth semester or fifth semester as a transfer student to study abroad, if they have an approved graduation plan signed by a CED Advisor.
Fulfilling Requirements with Transfer Coursework
Students may use transfer work, including courses taken via Study Abroad, to fulfill CED requirements, within the following limits:
- Upper Division Major Requirements: Up to two courses taken elsewhere may be applied, if deemed transferable by the Office of Undergraduate Admissions and approved by the faculty adviser for your major.
- Upper Division CED Outside the Major: Up to two courses taken elsewhere may be applied, if deemed transferable by the Office of Undergraduate Admissions and approved by CED’s Dean’s Conference.
- Upper Division CED Minor Requirements: Up to two courses taken elsewhere may be applied, if deemed transferable by the Office of Undergraduate Admissions and approved by the faculty adviser for your minor.
- CED Breadth Requirements: All requirements can be potentially fulfilled by courses taken elsewhere, if deemed transferable by the Office of Undergraduate Admissions and approved for breadth by the college (courses must be at least three units each).
Reading and Composition
- Students must complete both halves of R&C A and B by the end of their 4th semester. Students planning to study abroad in the spring of their sophomore year are required to complete these requirements prior to their departure. Students who do not complete both halves by this deadline will have an enrollment hold placed in CalCentral.
Senior Residency Requirements
- After reaching senior status (with 90 semester units earned), students must be registered in the College of Environmental Design and must complete at least 24 of the remaining 30 units in at least two semesters in residence at UC Berkeley as CED students. To count as residence, a semester must consist of at least six passed units. Study abroad programs do NOT count towards senior residency.
- Participants in the UC Education Abroad Program (UCEAP), Berkeley Summer Abroad, or the Berkeley Global Internship program may meet the Modified Senior Residence Requirement by completing 24 of their final 60 semester units (excluding EAP or UC Extension) in residence.
- Note that these programs must consist of at least six passed units to meet the requirement. At least 12 of the 24 units must be completed after senior status (90 units) is reached.
- Students should meet with a CED Academic Advisor to ensure they will meet senior residency requirements given when they plan to study abroad.
Honors Policy
- To graduate with distinction, students must meet the grade-point average (GPA) requirement and complete at least 50 units in residence at Berkeley. This may include UCB Extension XB units and up to 20 units from UCDC or EAP study abroad, of which 43 units must be letter-graded. Study abroad courses through non-UC programs are not included as units in residency or letter-graded units.
Graduating Seniors
Completing your Final Degree Requirements Elsewhere
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- Seniors who are completing course work for the degree at another institution should be aware that the term must officially end by:
- December 31 for fall graduates
- May 31 for spring graduates
- August 31 for summer graduates
- If the term ends later than the dates above, students will be added to the expected graduation list for the following term.
- Seniors who are completing course work for the degree at another institution should be aware that the term must officially end by:
Expected Graduation Date in CalCentral
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- Students are responsible for making sure their “Expected Graduation Date” in CalCentral is accurate. This can be found on a students dashboard under “Personal Summary, Terms Information.” Students are required to meet with a CED Academic Advisor if their study abroad term impacts their graduation date.
Transcript Deadline
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- The deadline for all transfer credit transcripts to be received for graduating seniors is the Friday of the sixth week after the end of each term. Students whose study abroad coursework is not received by this deadline are at risk for being pushed to the next graduation list.
- Summer is a great option for all CED majors for students looking to study abroad for a shorter period of time.
- Program plans for all CED majors to study abroad in the spring semester of sophomore year can be found in their major handbook.
- Studying abroad during a fall or spring semester junior or senior year for Sustainable Environmental Design and Urban Studies majors and staying on track for graduation is possible with careful planning. Students should meet with a CED Academic Advisor to create an individualized graduation plan.