Direct-enroll courses: definition and process

Calvin students who study abroad take two types of classes: Classes taught by Calvin professors (STXX), and classes taught at a native university or institution (direct-enroll). Direct-enroll credits are transfer credits that Calvin students earn from other institutions. Calvin students can earn Calvin core, major, minor, cognate, and elective credit from both Calvin-taught and direct-enroll classes.

In order to ensure that these credits transfer properly, any student who will be taking direct-enroll classes must fill out the course selection form below and submit it to the registrar.

STXX 390- Direct-Enroll; [program name]

Once you are registered in direct-enroll classes during your semester abroad, you will see STXX 390 on your Academic Evaluation Report (AER). This is used as a placeholder to make sure all your credit hours are accounted for and you maintain your status as a full-time student.

Once your direct-enroll transcript arrives, the STXX 390 course credit hours will be changed to zero and the number of Calvin-equivalent credit hours will be listed. Your grades for these classes are treated like regular transfer credits: the Calvin-equivalent letter grade will be generally recorded on your transcript, but will not be factored into your GPA.

Requesting course approval

Note: If you are only going abroad for interim, or if all your semester abroad classes will be taught by a Calvin professor, then you do not need to submit this form.

  • Print out and complete the course selection form. Make sure it has been signed by your advisor.
  • If you are requesting credit for core classes:
    • See the list below of pre-approved core equivalencies. If your class is already on that list, then credit for those core classes will be automatically applied.
    • If your class is not on that list, then attach a course description to your form. The registrar will evaluate the request and determine whether credit can be applied.
  • If you are requesting credit for program (major/minor/cognates) classes, seek approval from your major/minor program advisor. Submit their signed approval along with your course approval form.
  • Bring all of your materials to the Transfer Advisor, Rachel Cush (rvc2@calvin.edu), in the Center for Student Success.

Course Selection Form

Late course selection

Due to the nature of enrollment in some off-campus programs, you may not be able to select courses prior to your arrival. If this is the case, you may request an urgent evaluation by e-mail once you arrive.

  • Download and fill out the electronic transfer credit pre-approval form.
  • If you are requesting credit for core classes, follow the instructions above.
  • If you are requesting credit for program (major/minor/cognates) classes, email your advisor and get their permission in email form. CC or forward the form and approval email to the Transfer Advisor, Rachel Cush (rvc2@calvin.edu).

Transfer Credit Pre-Approval Form

Pre-approved core equivalencies

Below are core equivalencies that have been pre-approved for students in the past. This list is not comprehensive and is continually growing each semester.

*CCE credit

Each program manages CCE credit differently. Non-Calvin programs will need to arrange CCE credit prior to the semester.

*Religion Credit

One religion core must be taken at Calvin. For more information, contact the Transfer Advisor.


Quick reference

Semester Programs

China, Honduras: Justice, Washington D.C.

No direct-enroll core equivalencies currently available

Semester in Britain

From York St. John module list

  • History
    • Empires
  • Religion I
    • Foundations of Christian Theology
    • Theology: Action and Reflection
  • Persons in Community
    • Conceptual and Historical Issues in Psychology
  • Literature
    • Reading Texts 2
    • Contemporary Writing
    • Gender and Writing
  • The Arts
    • Film and Its Audience
    • The Age of Revolution
    • Film and the American Imagination
    • Theatre in Social Context
    • The 21st Century Audience

Semester in France

  • The Arts
    • History of French Cinema
  • Language
    • Language courses for the major will need to be approved by an advisor.

Semester in Ghana

  • Foundations of Information Technology
    • INFS 214: Introduction to Computing
  • Philosophy
    • PHCL 102: Philosophical Questions
  • Persons in Community
    • POLI 458: Politics of Identity in Ghana
    • PSYC 462: Political Psychology
    • SOWK 346: Women and Children’s Rights and Protection
  • Societal Structures
    • UGBS 201: Microeconomics and Business
    • POLI 112: Political Institutions
    • POLI 346: African and the Global System
    • POLI 358: Conflict and Society in Africa
    • POLI 366: Politics and Civil Society in Ghana
    • SOCI 204: Social Structure of Modern Ghana
  • Literature
    • ENGL 224: Survey of English Literature II
    • ENGL 314: Introduction to African Literature
    • ENGL 414: The Romantic Movement in English Literature
    • ENGL 436: Masterpieces of World Literature
    • ENGL 438: Masterpieces of American Literature
  • Global/Historical
    • UGRC 220: Introduction to African Studies
  • The Arts
    • CLAS 318: Roman Art and Architecture
    • THEA 212: Play Analysis and Interpretation I (II or III also accepted)
    • THEA 214: History of Medieval Theatre and Drama
    • THEA 436: African Plays and Playwrights
    • MUSC 338: Traditional Music in Ghana
    • MUSC 344: Music of Southern Africa
    • MUSC 346: Process of Art
  • Rhetoric in Culture
    • ENGL 322: The English Language in Communication

Semester in Honduras: Spanish Studies

  • Language courses
    • To be determined

Semester in Hungary

From Karoli Gaspar (KG) and Corvinus University (CU)

  • Rhetoric in Culture
    • Oral Presentation Skills (CU)
    • Visual Communication (CU)
  • History
    • History of Civilizations (CU)
  • Philosophy
    • Philosophy (CU)
  • Religion I
    • Foundations of Faith (KG)
  • Persons in Community
    • Holocaust Literature (KG)
    • Hungarian Language Culture and History (KG)
    • International Relations and Institutions (KG)
    • SOC 450 The New East-European Uncerclass (CU)
  • Societal Structures
    • ECO 131 Microeconomics (CU)
  • Literature
    • Selected Topics in NA Literature (KG)
    • Holocaust Literature (KG)
  • The Arts
    • Films and History (CU)
    • ART 300 Contemporary Literature
    • Film
    • HIS 352 Films and History (CU)

Semester in Peru

Universidad Catolica San Pablo

  • Rhetoric in Culture
    • Oratoria
    • Comunicacion II
  • Philosophy
    • Introduccion a la Filosofia
  • Religion: Theological Foundations I
    • Teologia
  • Persons in Community
    • Psicologia general
  • Societal Structures
    • Political Science
    • Economia general
    • Sociologia, Microeconomia
  • Literature
    • Apreciacion literaria
  • Art
    • Artes Plasticas
    • Art Appreciation
    • Musica
  • Elective credit(hours toward graduation)
    • Ethics

Semester in Spain

  • Rhetoric in Culture
    • Spanish Language: expression and oral interaction
    • Sociedad y cultura espanoles
Photo credit: Lauren Anderson '16