Education Abroad

We encourage all art majors to consider education abroad and away, not only for the obvious benefit of exposure to other cultures, but also to examine other forms and traditions of artistic expression and their cultural influence.

Many art history majors choose to study at partner programs in Vienna, Rome, Florence, or London. And thanks to a generous donor, all art history majors travel all-expenses-paid to an influential artistic destination during their senior year. Recent destinations include Japan, Mexico, and France.

Studio art majors have attended professor-designed creative retreats in the mountains of western North Carolina and elsewhere in the region. Set up like an artist’s residency, these opportunities to make art in an unfamiliar environment boost creativity and catalyze new connections.

Students who choose to pursue a semester abroad with other institutions will still be challenged by rigorous academics necessary for a student to receive transfer credit at Davidson. We recommend connecting with Davidson's Office of Education Abroad for information on programs that may align with your goals and interests.

We encourage students to broaden their academic experience by studying abroad. If you have taken courses while abroad and would like them to count toward your Art major or minor, please follow the steps below to request credit approval.

Steps for Credit Approval

Upon returning, students should complete this form to submit the following materials:

• Proof of a 'B' grade or higher in the course, including a PDF verifying that Davidson’s Registrar has approved the general transfer of credit.
• Credit limitations: Students may transfer up to two courses toward the Art major and one course toward the Art minor.
• Specific major/minor requirements:
  • Art History majors must fulfill their studio requirement at Davidson.
  • Studio Art majors must complete their Art History requirement at Davidson.

Departmental Review Process

Once all materials are submitted, the department chair will review the coursework and determine whether it meets major or minor credit requirements. Approved courses will be documented in the Kuali system.

Petitioning for Exceptions

In rare cases, students may petition the department chair for an exception to these policies. Petitions will be reviewed individually to ensure fairness and academic integrity.

If you have any questions about the process, please reach out to the Art Department. We’re happy to help!