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College of Liberal Arts

With more than 10,000 students across 42 majors, the College of Liberal Arts encourages students to consider all of their study abroad options. To streamline your research, we have highlighted important course information and selected programs that could best suit your major. Use the following information as a starting point for identifying programs that will best fit your goals, degree plan and coursework.

In order to have the best experience abroad, it is recommended that students meet with their academic advisor early in their undergraduate career. Be sure to review the resources on the Education Abroad pages, including the funding resources page and the events calendar.

As an Education major, students must meet proficiency in a foreign language. Students can fulfill core and flag requirements abroad via petition. For more information, view the Texas Undergraduate Studies petitions page. Remember to use the My Credit Abroad database to explore the historical record of courses other UT students have taken abroad.

Questions about credit? Review the Study Abroad Credit page for more information about receiving academic credit while abroad.

Resources

Experiential Programs

Featured Programs by Major

Anthropology

Anthropology is the study of human interaction and society, and as an Anthropology major, you'll discover the importance of studying abroad to enhance your understanding of diverse cultures and to prepare for your future career or academic pursuits.

Our 33-hour major requires that 18 of those hours be completed in residence, but don't worry – we offer a variety of faculty-led courses and exchange programs that count for in-residence credit. Our featured programs list is just a starting point. We encourage you to explore all programs that align with your academic interests and research goals. Studying abroad can provide valuable cultural immersion and firsthand experiences that will supplement your studies in Anthropology.

Featured Programs

Economics

As an Economics major, you'll develop strong analytical and critical thinking skills, which are enhanced by studying abroad and gaining international perspectives. By experiencing another country's culture, political system, history, and economy, you'll broaden your horizons and build a strong foundation for lifelong learning.

It's important to note that there are sequential requirements with prerequisites for the major, and students are encouraged to seek electives that deepen their knowledge in specific areas of interest. The department requires ECO 329, 420K, and 441K to be taken at UT Austin, but students can travel abroad during their junior year or at other times depending on their individual circumstances.

Before going abroad, it's crucial to consult with your academic advisor to ensure that you plan your courses effectively and understand the potential limitations of studying abroad. For example, courses taken abroad may not satisfy UT requirements for the Writing or Independent Inquiry flags, and students may need to petition for these flags after returning. However, it's worth noting that studying abroad can provide valuable opportunities that are well worth the effort of navigating these challenges.

To help with this process, the Economics department has endorsed the following featured programs, although students are encouraged to consider all programs that feature a desired area of academic interest or research.

Experiential Learning Programs

Featured Programs

English

English majors have a broad background in American, British, and World literature, and studying these subjects abroad can enhance your education with more breadth and depth. The ideal time to study abroad is typically during the spring of the sophomore year or the fall semester of the junior year.

Keep in mind that English Honors students must complete the honors courses on campus, and students pursuing the UTeach program must take their coursework on campus to meet program requirements. If you're interested in studying abroad, speak with your academic advisor to ensure your degree plan is on track and to explore the many study abroad options available to you.

Featured Programs

French Studies

Many French Studies students have dual majors, and it is recommended that this be considered in the planning of a study abroad experience. By studying abroad, you can gain valuable international perspectives and cultural understanding, which can be beneficial to your future career. An internship is also highly recommended as the major is designed to prepare you to use French in your professional career.

To satisfy the French Studies major, you will need to complete 24 hours of upper division coursework, including courses 320E and 322E. If you are interested in studying upper division material in French abroad, you must satisfy the 320E requirement beforehand. The ideal degree plan for a French Studies major is to take courses 601C and 611C in the freshman year, 317C and 320E in the sophomore year, and study abroad in the junior year. By following this plan, you will gain a strong foundation and be well-prepared for upper division courses and a study abroad experience.

Featured Programs

For students who are pursuing language proficiency that are not French Studies majors, consulting the My Credit Abroad (MyCA) database is an essential first step toward deciding where to go. If the coursework is not already approved in MyCA, students are cautioned that it may not match the curriculum at UT Austin. Additionally, it is important to note that if coursework has been started in the online sequence, students should remain on that track.

Government

To enhance your education in the field, Government majors are strongly encouraged to pursue a study abroad experience that provides a global perspective. While it's possible to go abroad as early as the spring of freshman year, most students select the sophomore or junior year, and the department prefers that upper-division coursework be taken abroad. There are no sequential requirements in this major that you need to be aware of when planning to study abroad.

Moreover, the Government major offers a unique opportunity for students to obtain 6 credits toward an internship through GOV 374N while studying abroad. For instance, the following exchanges offer an internship with a member of Parliament:

Additionally, courses that are difficult to get into on campus can often be taken abroad, resulting in faster progress towards graduation requirements.

Government students are able to petition to receive a flag for coursework taken abroad at an exchange partner. You are encouraged to speak with their academic advisor and program coordinator about this process.

Experiential Learning Programs

Featured Programs

Health and Society

Health and Society is a new interdisciplinary major with a combination of courses from the College of Communication, the College of Education, the College of Natural Sciences and the LBJ School of Public Affairs. This major envelops health policy and behavior. Study abroad is a wonderful opportunity to experience courses in an international setting, which add depth to your experience as a Health and Society major.

The Health and Society program is comprised of 30 hours of interdisciplinary courses with 12 hours coming from study tracks. The tracks areas are Health & Behavior; Cultural Aspects of Health; Health Care & Economy; and Population Health.

To ensure that study abroad credits are transferable to the Health and Society major, students are strongly encouraged to consult the MyCA (My Credit Abroad) database for equivalencies. Some courses listed under the Public Health major may count for Health & Society. Students should also consult their academic advisor for guidance.

Experiential Learning Programs

Featured Programs

History

History majors have an amazing opportunity to explore learning in many parts of the world with over 400 available programs to choose from. Many major requirements can be fulfilled abroad, especially in regional areas of focus or interest. Study abroad is a fantastic way to broaden your horizons and add depth to your history education.

While the degree plan allows for a flexible approach to when coursework can be taken abroad, there are a few important things to keep in mind. One U.S. History course must be completed in-residence, and 21 hours of the major must be completed in-residence as well. However, 6 credit hours of coursework in pre-1800s can be anything you choose. To satisfy the significant in-residence credit requirement, we encourage you to consider exchange partners and faculty-led programs.

For an ideal degree plan for a History major, we recommend taking 318W in your sophomore year. Please note that HIS 378 Capstone can only be taken on UT's campus, and since the course topic changes every semester, it is unlikely that a direct equivalent will exist abroad.

History Minors

For History minors, you only need to complete 15 credits with 6 upper division credits, and 9 credits must be completed in residence. These courses do not need to all focus on the same area. We encourage you to explore the many opportunities available to you and consult with your academic advisor to plan your study abroad experience.

Featured Programs

IRG

International Relations and Global Studies (IRG) majors see study abroad as the cornerstone of their academic program, and IRG majors inherently make their study abroad experience key to their global endeavors. Most students elect to go abroad their sophomore or junior year. Dependent upon the number of credits a student may have, the department generally encourages students to go abroad during the 4th, 5th, or 6th semester. As IRG majors prepare to work in careers that require global experience and understanding, a semester experience or longer is strongly recommended.

There are no sequential requirements in this major that students need to be mindful of when planning their experience. Students are required to take the three foundational IRG courses: IRG 301, IRG 320F, and IRG 378 at UT Austin. Students should regularly consult the My Credit Abroad (MyCA) database as new courses are constantly being added that can satisfy the various tracks and languages that are specific to an individual student’s needs. Students are able to petition to receive a flag for coursework taken abroad at an exchange but must do this individually, and are encouraged to collaborate with their Academic Advisor and Study Abroad Program Coordinator.

Experiential Learning Programs

Language Programs

Featured Programs

Sociology

Sociology majors are encouraged to go abroad as it broadens their understanding of sociological theory and provides opportunities to participate in research and internships. You have a great deal of flexibility in your degree plan when it comes to planning your study abroad experience.

Students may go abroad as soon as the spring of their freshman year; however, most majors study abroad their sophomore or junior year. The major is not sequentially oriented, making it easier to take Sociology courses abroad. Sociology 317M and 379M are the only courses to be taken at UT only.

Additionally, studying abroad can help you develop cross-cultural communication and adaptability skills, which are important in today's globalized world. The Sociology department is happy to help you plan your study abroad experience and find courses that fit your academic and personal interests.

Featured Programs

Sustainability Studies

Sustainability Studies is housed in the department of Geography and is an interdisciplinary program that focuses on the balance of the environment, society, economics, and how they evolve together. Study abroad opens opportunities to see the impact of sustainability and how it is approached in many parts of the world. This gives sustainability majors the unique experience to study and see firsthand the major in motion at an international level.

This degree plan offers a range of possibilities based upon the track. The major is comprised of 39 hours and students select from one of three thematic tracks:

  1. Trajectories to Sustainability
  2. Sustainable Choice in a Diverse World
  3. Natural Resource Management

Trajectories to Sustainability focuses around the human role in the environment. Sustainable Choice in a Diverse World brings gender, class, and equality into the process of sustainability, and the Natural Resource Management track centers around use and management of natural resources. The list of featured programs will need to be examined closely based upon track selection.

Sustainability majors have the opportunity to do an internship abroad, but MUST consult with the department beforehand to ensure a minimum of 70 hours and the meeting of coursework requirements. Students are responsible for initiating and completing the petition process. You can learn more about internship options here.

Experiential Learning Programs

Featured Semester Programs

Plan II

Plan II is an interdisciplinary major that provides students with a flexible degree plan, making it a great fit for study abroad opportunities. Students can choose to study abroad as early as the summer after their first year, but the most common times to study abroad are during the second and third years. While it is possible for fourth-year students to study abroad, they may encounter challenges in timing their Plan II thesis project and receiving credit for their coursework in time for graduation.

It's important to note that the required Plan II seminars and thesis courses, including PHL 610Q A-B, TC 358, and TC 660H A-B, must be taken at UT Austin, though their sequence may be adjusted to allow students to complete a semester abroad. However, students are encouraged to fulfill their non-US history, Fine Arts/Humanities, and language requirements abroad.

Plan II offers a travel grant fund to help support students with study abroad expenses. Additionally, Plan II has its own study abroad May Term Programs in Costa Rica and Italy, led by experienced Plan II teaching faculty, and which provide academic credit for coursework required for the Plan II Major.

Featured programs:

Psychology

As a Psychology major, students can benefit greatly from studying abroad and gaining exposure to different cultures and human experiences. Exploring the field from an international perspective can help prepare students for the complex challenges they may face in their future professional careers.

While studying abroad, students can fulfill some of the degree plan requirements, including PSY 301 and any upper-division PSY courses. However, PSY 420M must be taken on campus at UT. The My Credit Abroad database provides a full list of PSY courses that previous UT students have taken while studying abroad.

For BA degree students, there are many opportunities to fulfill their intermediate foreign language proficiency requirement while studying abroad. BS degree students will find courses at most of these featured programs that meet the foreign language or culture course degree requirements.

Featured Programs:

Faculty-Led Programs