Transfer Credit and Advanced Standing
Transfer credit is awarded for prior coursework from regionally or nationally accredited institutions recognized by the Council for Higher Education Accreditation (CHEA). Credit from other accredited institutions may be approved on a case-by-case basis. Official transcripts are required for the application of transfer credit to a student’s degree program. A transcript is considered “Official” when delivered directly to ECPI University from the external institution. Transcripts received by the student or other third-party or transfer credits posted on another institution’s transcript will not be accepted as official. ECPI University must receive all Official transcripts within a student's first semester, or no transfer credits are granted. Under extenuating circumstances, an exception to the timeline may be granted. The transfer credit evaluation is conducted in consideration of corresponding degree program requirements and the academic standards set forth by the University.
Transfer Credit Guidelines. Transfer credit is granted for coursework in which a grade of C or higher was earned (2.0 on a 4.0 scale); that is applicable to the student’s degree or diploma program; determined to be substantially equivalent in content to the ECPI University course; equivalent in credits to the ECPI University course; and completed within the past ten calendar years. General education or arts and sciences coursework may be eligible to transfer without a time limitation. Specific course timeframe or grade limitations for the awarding of transfer credit may vary based on programmatic requirements. Courses graded on an alternate grading scale can be considered for transfer credit if there is documentation that the passing grade is equivalent to a 2.0 on a 4.0 scale. Developmental or remedial coursework is not accepted for transfer credit. Applicants who have completed coursework at an institution that uses quarter credits or units other than semester credits, will have their quarter credits/units converted to semester credits and credit will be evaluated accordingly.
Advanced Standing. Advanced Standing is awarded for students who have demonstrated learning outcomes through prior coursework, certain professional training or passed eligible industry-standard certification exams that are determined substantially equivalent in content and scope to courses offered at the University. More information about industry-standard certification exams can be accessed here: https://www.ecpi.edu/sites/default/files/2022-10/Credit-for-Industry-Certifications-and-Professional-Examinations-10-5-22.pdf.
Additional policies for students pursuing a graduate degree are included in this Catalog under the Graduate Program Policies. Students pursuing health science programs at the ECPI University College of Health Science, Medical Careers Institute, should refer to their program-specific handbook for additional policies.
Prior to granting transfer credit or advanced standing for any course, the University reserves the right to test applicants or request that they successfully pass an examination administered by an ECPI University faculty member.
Transfer and Advanced Academic Standing credits are counted as both hours attempted and hours completed within the Satisfactory Academic Progress Policy. Transfer credit does not hold any qualitative points, therefore transfer credit is not included in the calculation of the grade-point average for the purpose of determining a student's CGPA or the CGPA requirement of the Satisfactory Academic Progress policy.
Coursework from International Institutions. ECPI University will evaluate and award appropriate credit from international colleges/universities based on program specific requirements and college-level credit recommendations from a credential evaluation organization that is an active member of the National Association of Credential Evaluation Services (NACES; see www.naces.org) or the Association of International Credential Evaluators, Inc. (AICE; see https://aice-eval.org). Credit that is accepted for transfer must meet the University transferability guidelines. Unofficial evaluations completed by an international evaluation organization may be used for the purpose of enrollment however, admission is not considered official until the official transcript is received by the University.