Concordia students studying away for a semester or longer must be in good academic standing and must hold a 2.5 or higher Concordia GPA (not overall GPA) at the time of application and departure for study. Students who have accumulated three incompletes or students placed on academic warning or probation in the semester prior to travel must defer study away until they reestablish good academic standing. This deferral of study will be subject to the cancellation policies of Concordia College and the Office of Global Education. When college-approved programs in partnership with other institutions require a GPA higher than 2.5, Concordia students must meet the higher standard to study on these programs. Students holding a GPA below 2.5 seeking a major that requires study away for a semester or longer must make alternate, allowable arrangements according to departmental policy. Exceptions to the college's GPA and academic standing requirements will be considered on a case-by-case basis by the chair of the Division for Global Education. Students may send a letter of appeal to the chair and a letter of support from one Concordia faculty member.

While GPA and academic standing are not the only predictors of academic and personal success while studying away, the college wants students to flourish during their global education experiences, often without the direct oversight and support of Concordia faculty. In general, the likelihood of academic success while studying away can be correlated with academic performance on campus. Concordia offers global education programs that are academically rigorous and integrated with the curriculum on campus. Through its GPA and academic standing requirements, the college encourages students to be well prepared for study away so that they can be engaged learners and benefit deeply from experiences off campus.

(Approved by Global Education Committee on 10 October 2008.)