Transfer Credit

Request for Transfer (Advanced Standing) Credit

ECPI University welcomes applicants who have started their postsecondary academic programs at other schools and who have satisfactorily completed coursework that is applicable to the University’s academic programs.

Depending upon the program of study to which they have been admitted, entering students to ECPI University may be awarded transfer credit or advanced standing for previous academic coursework, or may likewise be granted credit for successful completion of certain standardized examinations.

ECPI University does not accept experiential credit earned through work or non-academic training for transfer academic credit.

Students may forfeit some previously earned credit in the transfer process since postsecondary educational programs and their expected outcomes vary. ECPI University makes no promise of acceptance of credits from institutions.

Regardless of the amount of transfer credit granted, ECPI University requires that a student complete a minimum of 25% of their program of study at the University in order to receive a degree from the University. Transfer credit from other institutions may not exceed six semester credit hours or equivalent. Only graduate courses completed with a B (or equivalent) or above will be eligible for transfer credit at the graduate level.

The University has established the following policy and procedures to ensure that appropriate academic experience is considered for applicable transfer credit:

Official transcripts must be received directly from the former institution within a student’s first semester or no transfer credits are granted. In rare situations, with the approval of the Campus Director of Academic Affairs or his/her designee, an exception to the timeline may be granted.

Any student who wishes to have their previous academic coursework considered for transfer credit must request of the Campus Director of Academic Affairs with a Transcript Evaluation Form on or before the first day of the first term in which the student commences studies at ECPI. The form must be accompanied by a signed Request for Official Transcripts form and any fees required by the issuing institutions. The Campus Director of Academic Affairs will review the request with faculty, as necessary, to determine the transfer credit award. The University will consider the following academic coursework for transfer credit.

Coursework from a postsecondary education institution that is regionally accredited by an agency recognized by the US Department of Education may be applied toward completion of the student’s program as transfer credit. The University will consider coursework for transfer courses in which the student achieved a grade of C (2.0 on a 4.0 scale) or better as the final grade, that were completed within the past ten years, and that are established to be equivalent in content and objectives to courses offered at the University. Courses graded on a pass/fail 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. Applicants, who have previously earned an associate’s, or baccalaureate degree, from a regionally accredited institution may request an evaluation to determine general education credit transfer without a time limitation.

Courses from non-regionally accredited Council for Higher Education (CHEA)(www.chea.org) recognized postsecondary institutions which are substantially equivalent in content to ECPI University courses and are applicable to an applicant’s program of study may be granted on a course-by-course basis. Transfer credits are granted only for courses in which a grade of C or higher was earned (2.0 on a 4.0 scale). Courses graded on a pass/fail 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.

ECPI University reserves the right to consider advanced standing credit for coursework completed at non-regionally accredited or non-CHEA recognized institutions and to apply advanced standing credit toward completion of student’s program.

For technical coursework, regardless of accreditation, applicants may seek advanced academic standing for technical courses through faculty assessments that involve demonstrations of knowledge, proficiency, and skill. Faculty members determine what program goals have been achieved by applicants and the comparability to course learning objectives. In lieu of faculty assessments, applicants may take Challenge Examinations, and study guides are available to assist in the preparation for testing.

Course work from International Institutions. Upon receipt of an official transcript, transfer credits from non-U.S. colleges/universities are evaluated and granted on a course equivalency basis. The Campus Director of Academic Affairs or his/her designee must receive an evaluation of official transcripts by a credential evaluation organization which is a 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) attesting that the courses are equivalent to courses earned at a regionally accredited institution of higher education in the United States. Transfer credits are granted only for courses in which the equivalent of grade of C or higher was earned (2.0 on a 4.0 scale).

Prior to granting transfer of credit 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.

Please contact the International Admissions Advisor (EMAIL) for information regarding applicable charges for the evaluation of transfer credit. Any fees paid to ECPI University for the evaluation of transfer credits do not imply that any or all of the courses will be accepted for transfer into the ECPI University program.

Appeal Process for Academic Credit Decisions. If a student’s request for transfer credit for previous academic coursework completed, or standardized credit through examination is denied, the student may appeal the denial and request and reconsideration by the Academic Review Board. The written appeal must include the student’s reasons for the appeal and must be submitted to the Campus President within 10 calendar days of the transfer credit notification date. The Academic Review Board consists of the Campus Director of Academic Affairs or his/her designee and two faculty members who will review the request for appeal; the appeal decision is final.