Official evaluation of undergraduate transfer credit is under the authority of the dean or designee of a school in consultation with the Admissions Office. All degree-seeking undergraduate applicants must submit official high school records (showing date of graduation) and college records.

The Admissions Office evaluates transfer students' previous academic work completed at the undergraduate level for possible credits to be applied to their degree programs at USIU. Allowable transfer credits are formally identified and documented by the Admissions Office. An official transcript must be received before final transfer work can be accepted. Course descriptions may also need to be provided if requested.

Degree requirements are determined by combining the transfer credits allowed and the required academic work to be successfully completed at USIU. Students can request a copy of the transfer evaluation from the Registrar's Office.

Transfer evaluation will be based on higher education work completed where grades of C or better were earned. Applicants with less than 12 semester units completed will have their secondary school record also evaluated. Students who have completed 18 semester units or 27 semester units will not be required to submit SAT or ACT scores.

A maximum of 90 trimester units of credit earned may be accepted for transfer from accredited undergraduate institutions. The final 30 semester units toward a degree must be completed at USIU to comply with residency requirements. USIU reserves the right to waiver this requirement for USIU students participating in Student Exchange programs. Once a student has matriculated at USIU, all further transfer credits must have prior approval of the dean or designee.

Basis for Institutional Transfer Credit

Transfer credits may be accepted from institutions of higher education that are accredited by one or more of the following agencies.

• Middle States Association of Schools and Colleges
• New England Association of Schools and Colleges
• North Central Association of Schools and Colleges
• North Western Association of Schools and Colleges
• Southern Association of Schools and Colleges
• Western Association of Schools and Colleges

International students from government-recognized institutions must submit original or certified transcripts, translated into English, showing courses completed, grades obtained, and length of program. A syllabus or course description in English covering each course being considered for transfer credit should be submitted with the transcript to the Admissions Office. Transcripts and syllabi documentation are evaluated for the minimum C grade equivalency requirement and subject matter content to determine the number of transfer credits allowable.

During the transfer credit evaluation process, academic work from other colleges and universities is compared to USIU courses within the appropriate degree program, and transfer credits are awarded on the basis of similar syllabi. College and university courses completed elsewhere may be considered for transfer credits as electives even though the courses are not offered at USIU.

Transfer Credit in General Education

Undergraduate students transferring to USIU from approved institutions may meet some or all of the General Education requirements by presenting credits earned in baccalaureate transferable courses from such institutions with grades of C or better.

Grades Required for Transfer Credit

Transfer credit is accepted from accredited institutions only if the grade received is C or better. Credit may be accepted where a D grade was received under one of two conditions:

a next higher course in a sequence has been completed at another institution with a C grade or better (e.g., courses in mathematics, language); or

a higher course in a sequence is completed at USIU with a C grade or better.

Applicants to USIU must submit official transcripts of credit from all previously attended institutions. All grades earned at other accredited institutions will be used to compute the grade point average for admission purposes. The computed transfer credit grade point average from the other institution does not appear on the USIU permanent record.

Correspondence and Extension Courses

USIU does not offer correspondence courses and does not accept credit for such courses. Undergraduate university-level extension courses completed at a regionally accredited institution of higher education can be accepted as transfer credits at USIU. The extension course must be similar in content to a regular course offered at the transferring institution and at USIU. The student must have received a grade of C or better in the course. No more than 23 trimester units of extension credits may be applied toward the undergraduate degree requirements at USIU.

Military Course Credit

The University is guided by the recommendations of The ACE (American Council on Education) Guide to the Evaluation of Educational Experiences in the Armed Services regarding credit for Military Service toward the bachelor's degree. Transfer credit will be assessed on a course by course basis.

To obtain credit for military service, the student must have matriculated, be enrolled at the University, and submit Form DD-214 or DD-295.

Credit by Examination

A maximum of 30 units of examination credit from all sources will be accepted by the University. The last 36 units of course requirements may not be fulfilled by examination.

International Baccalaureate Diploma

USIU recognizes the academic challenge and motivation inherent in the International Baccalaureate Program. Such a program, satisfactorily completed, will virtually guarantee an applicant admission to USIU. In addition, the University will grant advanced placement of six trimester units for each higher level result of four, five, six, or seven up to a maximum of 30 units. Three trimester units will be granted for each subsidiary level passes. Where applicable, these units will be applied to the lower division academic requirements.

Advanced Placement Tests (AP)

Any student who has taken the College Entrance Examination Board Advanced Placement Tests in a secondary school or high school and who has earned satisfactory scores (three or higher) can be credited with up to 30 units of coursework and/or be placed in advanced courses by the appropriate department.

College Level Examination Program (CLEP)

Satisfactory scores on the General and Subject Examinations of the College Level Examination Program (CLEP) may entitle a student to receive up to 30 units of academic credit. The Enrollment Management Office can provide detailed information on the tests available, fee schedules, and testing dates. Scores should be sent to the Admissions Office for evaluation.

Variant Courses

Vocational or technical courses, remedial high school courses, and other courses below collegiate level are not accepted at USIU as transfer credits even if the courses were completed at an accredited institution of higher education.