Course Finder - (click here to access the database)

How do I access Course Finder?

Course Finder can be found here.

What is the Course Finder?

This database houses study abroad course articulations that have been pre-approved for EIU credit. In other words, this database tells you exactly how study abroad courses meet various degree requirements at EIU.

NOTE: New courses are added all the time.

How to find a program and select courses

One of the most important things to consider when selecting a study abroad program is the course offerings. Whether you're a freshmen or sophomore who needs general education credit, or a junior or senior who needs major, minor, or senior seminar credit, there are study abroad programs for you! If you are careful about selecting a program and courses that meet your academic requirements, then you should not lose time towards graduation.

1. The first screen that you will see looks like this. Here, select your search criteria and click on "Submit Search Query."

Screen 1
  • EIU Substitution - What the overseas course has been approved to count for at EIU.
  • Program Name - Only used for short-term, faculty-led programs.
  • Department - Search by your major, minor, or pre-approvals by department.

2. The second screen that you will see is a list of courses that met your search criteria. Each course will look like this.

Screen 2

The White bar displays the foreign course offered through the study abroad program.

The Yellow bar displays the choices of EIU courses that the foreign course may replace. You may only select one of these pre-approved EIU course/program and Substitution IDs.

3. After you've narrowed down some program options using the Course Finder, you should go to the Program Search database, locate each program, and click on its link. Read the information page and go to the section on "Choosing Courses." Follow the instructions to view the courses that are offered in the term you wish to go. If there appears to be a match between the courses you selected in the Course Finder and the courses being offered the term you wish to study, then the program is probably a good fit for your curricular needs.

If you find study abroad courses that you would like to take, but they are not listed in the Course Finder, then you will need to take the course description to the appropriate Department on campus and see if it is possible to obtain an EIU substitution that you need. Course approvals may only be obtained from the Chair of the appropriate department. For example, Spanish courses must be approved by the Chair of Foreign Languages.

4. Once you decide on a program and a set of courses (consulting both the program's course catalog and schedule as well as the Course Finder), you are ready to fill out the Course Approval Form. When filling out the Course Approval Form, it is recommended that you select twice as many courses as you plan to take, and prioritize them. Since courses may be cancelled due to low enrollment, and schedule conflicts may prevent you from signing up for your top two preferences, it's good to have a backup plan.

Consult with your academic advisor and record the courses and substitutes on the form. If the course and substitute are listed in the Course Finder, then you fill in the first box on the form, with the appropriate codes. If the course and substitute are NOT listed in the Course Finder, then follow the instructions in the second paragraph under #3 (above) and fill in the second box. If you do not obtain an approved EIU substitute for a course you plan to take overseas, then it will count as a free elective.

How will I be registered?

After you've filled out the Course Approval Form and have obtained all appropriate signatures, you will be registered at EIU for your study abroad program. See Program Types for registration information. If you are going abroad for a semester, you will be registered for 12 hours (even though you might not be taking 12 hours). This will be adjusted after you return and an official transcript is received from your study abroad host institution or provider.

A professional credit evaluator will process your transcript according to the U.S./EIU system, and the placeholder course that you were registered for will turn into individual courses, credit hours, and grades.