Earn College Credit
Carpe Diem has partnered with a variety of Institutions of Higher Education, historically including Portland State University, Seattle Central Community College, Western States Colorado University, and others. All Carpe Diem students are eligible to complete up to 18 semester credits* during their program (up to 36 semester credits during the Latitudes Year).
*Starting in fall 2024, Carpe Diem will be working with a new School of Record and we expect access to Course Syllabi in August. We are excited to work with a more internationally aligned institution that better supports our students.
Step 1:
Select Your Courses
All courses are offered each semester. Language courses are only offered on programs that they’re applicable to i.e. Spanish Language is offered for our South and Central America students. When selecting courses we find that students are most successful when they choose the ones they’re most interested in. Read through each syllabus to understand all requirements and note any prerequisites. You can find the full syllabi by logging into your Carpe Diem Student Account.
Step 2:
Register
Once you’ve been accepted to a CDE program and have selected your courses you’ll submit a Course Registration Form and your Registration Fee. Carpe Diem will then complete the registration process with PSU on your behalf.
Step 3:
Pay Course Fees
The course registration fee is $1,800, payable to Carpe Diem. Whether you choose to complete 1 or multiple courses, the fee is the same. If you are a Latitudes Student you do not need to submit the registration fee as it is included in your tuition.
Step 4:
Submit Course Work
All course work will be submitted directly to the course instructor. Please refer to the syllabi for further instructions.
Step 5:
Receive Your Grades
All course work will be submitted directly to the course instructor. Please refer to the syllabi for further instructions.
Step 6:
Request a Transcript
After you have approved of your final grades, they will be sent to PSU for processing. It can take 4-6 weeks (sometimes less) for your grades to be entered by the Registrar.
Step 7:
Transfer Credit
Many Carpe Diem students successfully transferred Portland State University credits to other colleges/universities. Many colleges/universities typically count transfer credits as general elective or entry-level credit. However, because every college/university has different guidelines for evaluating transfer credits, Carpe Diem Education can not guarantee their transferability.
We encourage you to talk with the International Programs/Study Abroad Office and/or the Admissions Office at your college/university to understand how transfer credits are evaluated.
COLLEGE CREDIT FAQ
What are the benefits of earning college credits while taking a gap year?
- By earning college credits, you can take a gap year without feeling like you are losing a year of academic progress.
- The cost of the college credit ($1800+) is minimal when compared to the cost of typical college credits, and adds tremendous value to your investment.
What’s it like to earn college credit while abroad with Carpe Diem?
The world becomes your classroom! The majority of course hours are built right into the experiential education components of CDE programs.
That means your coursework will include volunteer projects, cultural immersion, and language study hours. Courses requirements may ask you to interview locals, read relevant books for your program’s region, create an art project, and/or give a short presentation to your student group.
You will be required to keep a daily reflective journal, and at the conclusion of each semester, write a 5-10 page paper for each course you choose to complete (refer to the course syllabus for full completion requirements).
How do I register?
Once you’ve been accepted to a Carpe Diem program and have selected your courses, you’ll submit a Course Registration Form and your Registration Fee. The registration form can be found within your Carpe Diem student account. Once the form has been received, Carpe Diem will then complete the registration process on your behalf.
*Latitudes Students only need to submit the Course Registration Form; the Registration Fee is included in your tuition.
PLEASE NOTE: You do not need apply separately to Portland State University, Western States Colorado, University of Montana, Harvard, MIT or any other university as Carpe Diem will complete the registration process with our School of Record on your behalf.
What are the fees?
The course registration fee is $1,800*, payable to Carpe Diem Education. Whether you choose to complete 1 or multiple courses, the fee is the same. This is an amazing value for an opportunity to earn up to 18 quarter credits!
How and when do I submit coursework?
You’ll submit all coursework directly to the course instructor. Please refer to the syllabi for further instructions.
Fall Semester:
Typically late-January: Course work is due
Spring Semester:
Typically late-June: Course work is due
How do I communicate with my instructor?
The instructor is available to students via email. That being said, most students are not in touch with the instructor until they return home and are submitting final course requirements.
How do I receive my grades?
You’ll receive your unofficial grade report via email after all course work has been submitted. You’ll then have 2 weeks to approve or contest your grades before they’re sent for final processing.
How do I request a transcript?
Once your coursework has been reviewed, grades will be sent for processing. It can take 4-6 weeks (sometimes less) for your grades to be entered by the Registrar.
For Portland State University: Click here to request your official PSU Transcript. Please note: you will need your PSU Student ID Number in order to request your transcript. If you do not know your PSU Student ID number, please contact the Carpe Diem Education office.
For All Other Universities: Please contact your Program Director for more information.
How do I transfer credit?
Many Carpe Diem students have successfully transferred credits from their Carpe Diem program, to other colleges/universities. Many colleges/universities count transfer credits as General Elective or entry-level credit. However, because every college/university has different guidelines for evaluating transfer credits, Carpe Diem Education cannot guarantee their transferability.
We encourage you to talk with the International Programs/Study Abroad Office and/or the Admissions Office at your college/university to understand how transfer credits are evaluated.