Harvey Mudd College students may spend a semester or a year studying at a university abroad, or they may choose to participate in the domestic exchange program with Swarthmore College, University of Pennsylvania or Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute in Troy, N.Y. This is most commonly done in the junior year. Both programs are described as follows.
 
Study Abroad
The HMC Study abroad program provides students the opportunity to develop an international perspective and broaden their education in ways not possible in Claremont. For this reason, it is recommended that students select courses unique to their site.

Students normally take a course load equivalent to five HMC semester courses (15–16 credit hours), whether or not they need the credits to graduate. Except under extraordinary circumstances, overloads will not be approved. Students should discuss course selection with both of their faculty advisers.

Departmental approval is required for all courses to be counted toward their major or humanities/social sciences requirements. It is highly advised that you retain all syllabi, reading lists, copies of submitted work, including all papers and exams as a record of your academic performance abroad.

Because the college wants all student study abroad decisions to be driven by academic, rather than financial, factors, students pay a comprehensive fee to Harvey Mudd College that is equal to charges for tuition, room, full board and fees for the same period of time at Harvey Mudd College. The fee covers the costs of the academic program, reasonable room and board in the host country, and an allowance for round-trip transportation to the program site.

Because students remain enrolled at Harvey Mudd College, those on financial aid normally receive their regular assistance while on a semester or year abroad.

Acceptance to most programs is a two-step process requiring both Harvey Mudd College and the program sponsor or host institution approval. Students should be able to follow university lectures in the language in which they are given, participate in seminar discussions, take notes and understand written material in their field. Generally, three or four semesters of language at the university level is required.

Students must participate fully in all orientation and evaluation processes offered by HMC and the host institution as well as observe HMC and host institution deadlines for the submission of all required materials.

Credit toward graduation from Harvey Mudd College is granted only to participants in programs of study officially approved by the HMC Study Abroad Committee.

All courses taken while studying abroad are to be taken for a grade unless the course is only offered on a Pass/Fail credit basis. Transfer credit will be awarded only on grades of C or better and some departments require grades of B or better for courses to fulfill major requirements. All grades received will appear on the HMC transcript, but the grades will not be computed into the HMC GPA.

Grades for the semester prior to departure will be reviewed before final approval is granted for participation in study abroad. Should grades fall below qualifying standards, approval for participation will be withdrawn.

It is the student’s responsibility to consult her/his academic advisers to affirm the applicability of her/his proposed coursework. Any changes from this plan should be communicated, in writing, to the adviser and the Study Abroad Committee. Harvey Mudd College's acceptance of coursework taken abroad is contingent upon approval by the student’s major department, the Humanities and Social Sciences Department and the Registrar. For further information see the Study Abroad site.
 
All students participating in study abroad are required to carry comprehensive health insurance.
 
All students accepted for studying abroad affirm their understanding that they must conform to rules and regulations not only of HMC, but also of the program and the country in which they study. Failure to do so may result in the student being immediately discharged from the program and returned home, at their expense, without a refund of program fees.
 
Students accepted for studying abroad affirm the additional academic and personal risk involved and recognize as well the limited responsibility of the college for such programming. Before final approval for participation is given, each applicant must complete the Waiver, Release and Indemnification Agreement that outlines the limits of the college’s liability.
 
A list of students approved by the HMC Study Abroad Committee will be forwarded to the HMC Dean of Students, the HMC Registrar, and to Monsour Counseling and Psychological Services of The Claremont Colleges.
 
Domestic Exchange Program
Students may participate in the Domestic Exchange Program during their sophomore or junior year. The application is processed through HMC and students may choose to attend Swarthmore College or Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute for a semester. Cost for the program is the same as if the student were on-site at HMC; payment is made to HMC and payment plans may continue to be implemented.

Students are able to enroll in the same manner as students at the host college, and transfer credit is awarded on grades of C or better. Some departments require grades of B or better for courses to fulfill major requirements. Information on these programs is available in the Office of Academic Affairs, Joseph B. Platt Campus Center.