Arts + Sciences

GPA

3.0

Additional Requirements

Minimum of sophomore standing by the time of application. 

Please refer to the detailed Program Essential Eligibility Criteria.

Requirements

Students must enroll in 3-4 courses for 15-18 U.S. semester credits (or approximately 70-82 local HEQF credits)

Students may take all UCT courses or a combination of UCT and CIEE courses

Online Course Options: substitute up to two ASU online courses

Program Credit

Total credit: 15-18 U.S. semester/22.5-27 quarter credits

Course Credit

• CIEE Directed Independent Research (optional): 3 U.S. semester/4.5 quarter credits; 15 contact hours, 100-120 research hours
• CIEE Intercultural Communication and Leadership course (optional): 3 U.S. semester/4.5 quarter credits; 45 contact hours, 100-120 research hours
• University of Cape Town (UCT) courses: typically, 2.5-6.5 U.S. semester/3.75-9.75 quarter credits; typically, 120-300 notional hours 

Academic Culture

Students typically find that UCT courses require greater responsibility and initiative in a less structured environment than they are accustomed to. It is important to be motivated, self-sufficient, and deeply interested in the subject matter. Teaching methods at UCT include a mixture of lectures, tutorials, seminars, and, in the sciences, laboratory classes. CIEE courses are designed to follow U.S. academic culture and standards. The class environment typically features a combination of traditional lecture and discussion with co-curricular excursions and activities. Heavy emphasis is placed on student participation. To avoid falling behind, students should not plan personal travel out of the city when classes are in session. 

ASU Courses: You may find yourself in classes with students from ASU, other American universities, and students from around the world. Some are earning their degrees entirely online, while others, like you, are supplementing their education with an online course. You’ll receive direct and individualized support from faculty, 100% online. Most ASU online courses are asynchronous, meaning there are no set log-in times, but make sure to verify this before the add/drop deadline in case you want to make a change.

Class Format

Classes are scheduled Monday-Friday and typically meet two to three times per week. Attendance is strictly enforced. Students should expect an average of two hours of preparation required for each hour in class. UCT courses include UCT undergraduates and CIEE courses are for CIEE students only. Class sizes at UCT range from 100 to 300 with larger lectures and smaller tutorials (sections) of 20 to 40 students. 

ASU online courses meet in “sessions” that are 7.5 weeks long in semesters and 6 weeks long in the summer, and all work must be completed within the session dates regardless of when your other CIEE courses begin or end. You’ll need a standard PC or Mac desktop or laptop computer with a download speed higher than 25 Mbps, as well as access to email, productivity software like Microsoft Office and other applications needed to perform a variety of educational functions. Most course materials you will need are available online. Since you are working mostly or entirely asynchronously, you’re given deadlines for your assignments by your instructor or in your syllabus, but you can work at your own pace within these due dates. Most instructors suggest a recommended pace to optimize your learning, but you have the flexibility to complete your ASU courses while pursuing your studies at your CIEE location.

Grading

UCT courses all include continuous assessment, with 50% of the final grade based on the final exam, which is moderated by external examiners. Grades are based on a South African scale of 100 and later converted to the U.S. system of A-F. For CIEE courses, the U.S. grading scale of A-F is used. Students are graded based on their attendance, class participation, homework, project work, presentations, and midterm and final examinations. The assessment of learning outcomes is continuous through these methods of evaluation as set out in course syllabi. 

ASU grading follows the same format and standards as ASU courses taught in-person. As a U.S. institution of higher education, the grading practices should be familiar to any CIEE student. ASU awards grades of "A+," "A," "A-," "B+," " B," "B-," "C+," "C," "D," or "E.” “Pass/fail” or “Audit” is not allowed for CIEE students. Please see the CIEE Academic Manual for Students for more information about your grades.

Language of Instruction

English