James Cook University Courses

While you're attending JCU, you'll take a full credit load of 16 U.S. credits during the trimester, which translates to 12 units at James Cook University.

  • Please review your courses with your academic or study abroad advisor to ensure they will transfer back to your home school and that you are following your home school's policies.
  • Please be flexible - we can't guarantee specific courses. If your participation in the program depends on a particular course, be sure to make note on your online course form.

Special Considerations

James Cook University may request that you submit syllabi or an updated official transcript. 

Course Restrictions

You may only select courses available on the Townsville campus.

You are not permitted to enroll in courses in the following areas:

  • Honors subjects and Postgraduate level (Level 4 and above, except in Law and Engineering).
  • Some External or Limited mode subjects.
  • Block subjects with inappropriate dates. If unsure, you may select the subject and we will check if you are able to take it.
  • MD, ML, PC, PS, RH, TV subjects.
  • Some subjects are only available to students completing their full degree at JCU or graduate students.

Choosing Your Courses

Refer to the credit translation scale below:

Australian University Credit Point Units U.S. University Semester Hours of Credit
2 2.5
3 4
4 5
5 6.5
6 8
  • Include 8-10 courses on your online course form.
  • When selecting your courses from James Cook University, you can refine your search by narrowing down the following fields:
    • Campus (Townsville)
    • Study Period (Trimester 1 = U.S. spring semester; Trimester 3 = U.S. fall semester)

    • Level (undergraduate)
    • Subject code prefixes
  • Click on each subject to see a subject outline and prerequisites.
  • 1st, 2nd and 3rd Level by the first number in the subject code - i.e. MB2050 is a 2nd Level subject.

For Cass School of Business courses, please confirm that "Yes" is listed next the course title in the column "Study Abroad or Exchange." The Yes indicates the course is open to study abroad students.

Course Approval

  • James Cook University will review your online course form.
  • Your Program Advisor will email you JCU's approved subjects, included in your official JCU Offer Letter.
  • You must rank your approved courses in numerical order of preference and send this completed document back to your Program Advisor.
  • Students will be able to enroll themselves into their preferred subjects a few weeks before arrival, with the ‘approved’ subjects now appearing on their study plan in eStudent.

  • Changes to enrollments can be made when you arrive on campus.

Special Nomenclature

Australian Term U.S. Equivalent
Faculty Department, School, or College
Course Degree
Subject Course
Subject Outline Syllabus
Trimester 1/Study Period 1 Spring Semester
Trimester 3/Study Period 3 Fall Semester

Enrollment Process

Students will be able to self-enroll into their preferred subjects, through their estudent portal with the ‘approved’ subjects now appearing on their study plan Students will receive instructions from JCU about enrollment about 8 weeks prior to the start of the program. Subject requests and changes will not be processed from 6 weeks prior to commencement of the program. Students will be able to make further requests and changes upon their arrival to JCU.

The online course form students submit to Arcadia prior to departure does not guarantee approval or enrollment in those courses. There is a drop/add period at the beginning of each trimester that allows students to make changes to course enrollments. If you make any changes it is your responsibility to inform your home institution.

Be sure to bring an updated copy of your official transcript, your passport and COE with you to orientation sessions.

Miscellaneous

Possible additional fees for courses that include laboratory work, field excursions or theater trips. Many fine art or production courses will include a supplemental fee.


Grade Scale

The following information is vetted and provided by the American Association of Collegiate Registrars and Admissions Officers (AACRAO) on the Electronic Database for Global Education (EDGE).

Grade Description Ranking U.S. Equivalent
7 High Distinction 85 - 100% A
6 Distinction 75 - 84% A
5 Credit 65 - 74% B
4 Pass 50 - 64% C
3 Conceded* Pass (45 - 49%) D
1 - 2 Failure 0 - 44% F
Intellectual property copyright AACRAO EDGE.

* Note: The Conceded grade is not offered by all institutions. Where a host institution uses the Conceded, Conceded Pass or Pass Conceded grade, a D will be issued. Where the host institution does not use Conceded, Conceded Pass or Pass Conceded grade, an F will be issued.