Earn Online College Credits on Your Gap Year Abroad
Elevate Your Gap Year Abroad with ASU Courses Online!
CIEE and Arizona State University (ASU) have partnered together to make it easier for participants to earn college credit while on a Gap Year Abroad program. You can complete these online courses on your own schedule, without needing to attend live classes. This collaboration with ASU ensures that you, regardless of your planned academic journey, can pursue global experiences while making even greater academic progress.
When Can You Apply for ASU Courses to Take Online on Your Gap Year Abroad?
ASU courses open for online enrollment in February each year. We strongly encourage you to complete the ASU interest task and CIEE Gap Year Abroad application as soon as possible. You will be able to register for ASU courses through CIEE once you apply and are accepted into a CIEE Gap Year Abroad program.
What Types of ASU Courses Are Available Online?
From STEM, to business, to healthcare, you will be able to access a diverse range of high-quality online courses taught by esteemed ASU faculty. We strongly encourage you to take lower division courses numbered 100 to 299, which are designed for Freshmen and Sophomores. See available online courses.
How Many ASU Courses Can You Enroll In Online?
You can take up to two (2) ASU courses in addition to the in-person language courses included in your CIEE Gap Year Abroad program.
How to Enroll in ASU Courses Online During My Gap Year Abroad
1
Complete a CIEE Gap Year Abroad application
Complete an application for your favorite Gap Year Abroad program. Explore programs.
2
Once accepted, complete your ASU credit task
Complete the ASU credit task in your CIEE Gap Year Abroad application. Contact the U.S. college/university you plan to attend to confirm deferred admission and their acceptance of ASU transfer credits.
3
Frequently Asked Questions
If you want to maintain academic momentum during your gap year, enrolling in ASU courses online offers a flexible opportunity that can be catered to your specific needs and course load preferences. These courses are offered 100% online and are taught by the same ASU faculty that teach on campus.
Questions regarding the transferability of online ASU credits should be addressed by your university enrollment advisor. Please plan to discuss your academic plan and credit transfer with your university’s academic advisor prior to enrolling in online courses. CIEE is not responsible for and cannot guarantee the transferability of courses.
No. Participating in ASU courses online is entirely optional and incurs additional costs. With online courses, you can earn college credit, maintain academic momentum, and transition back to your studies upon your return.
ASU courses online are typically worth 0.5-4 semester credit hours. CIEE Gap Year Abroad students may enroll in a maximum of two courses (8 credits) per semester. These courses are intensive and last 8 weeks. We recommend taking courses in separate blocks if you choose to enroll in multiple courses during a semester. To determine the appropriate course load for you, we recommend reviewing this helpful reading.
You will be considered a visiting student at ASU if you enroll in optional online courses. Please consult with your college/university to find out if you're eligible to earn credits while on a gap year program.
You can browse a list of available Arizona State University online courses on their website.
The impact on your deferral will depend on your specific college/university’s policies. Please consult with your college/university to determine your eligibility to earn credits while on a gap year program.
Most courses are asynchronous, meaning there are no set class times. While some courses may include optional live components like group work or meetings, they generally don’t require set login times.
Expect to dedicate 18–20 hours per week for a 3-credit course. This includes time for reading, completing assignments, participating in online discussions, and engaging in independent study. Effective time management is crucial for success in an online learning environment.
For more information, please read ASU article How Many Hours Students Study for Online Courses.
Please refer to ASU’s standard drop and withdrawal policies for information on withdrawing from a course. CIEE is not responsible for assisting with withdrawals from ASU online courses.
Yes, there is an additional cost for online ASU courses. CIEE students benefit from exclusive discounted rates:
- 2 credits | $1,000 per course
- 3 credits | $1,300 per course
- 4 credits | $1,500 per course
Federal aid is only available to students in a degree-seeking program. As a Gap Year Abroad student taking online courses through ASU, you will be considered a visiting student and are therefore ineligible for federal financial aid.
Check the terms of your 529 savings plan to determine whether online courses taken as a visiting student qualify as an eligible educational expense.
To obtain an official ASU transcript, you will need to request and purchase it directly through the ASU website. For any questions regarding this process, please contact ASU.