A. Course work transferred or accepted for credit toward an undergraduate degree must represent collegiate course work relevant to the degree with course content and level of instruction resulting in student competencies at least equivalent to those of students enrolled in the College’s undergraduate degree program.
B. Any such earned credit must meet the minimum College academic standards of a grade of “C” or better and must parallel the content of similar courses offered. The maximum amount of credit allowed to be transferred is seventy five percent (75%) of the College’s curriculum. Any course taken at a North Carolina Community College System institution will be accepted for the equivalent course except as specified herein. For all others, the following criteria will be considered in determining the acceptability of the transfer course work:
1. Accreditation of the school by a regional or national accrediting body recognized by the United States Department of Education. Accreditation does not guarantee acceptance of transfer credit.
2. Equivalency of course descriptions, outcomes and analysis of course level, content, quality, comparability, and degree program relevance. It shall be the student’s responsibility to provide documentation of this equivalency, which may include, but is not limited to, syllabi, course catalogs, course outcomes, etc.
3. Use of recognized guides, such as those published by the American Council on Education, the American Association of Collegiate Registrars and Admissions Officers and the National Association of Foreign Student Affairs.
4. If the school was not accredited by a regional or national accrediting body recognized by the United States Department of Education at the time the course was taken, additional documentation will be required. It shall be the student’s responsibility to provide any additional documentation requested.
5. For skills-based courses, particularly those in the advanced technology programs, demonstration of student skills may be a component of the evaluation process. Decisions related to the possible need for a demonstration of skills will be made by the appropriate faculty member(s) and Dean, in consultation with the Vice President of Instruction.
C. The responsibility for determining transfer credit from other colleges and universities rests with the Registrar. When there is doubt about the appropriateness of transfer credit or when a student wishes to appeal a transfer credit decision, the transcript will be referred to the appropriate faculty member(s) and Dean, whose decision will be final. In such cases, the Dean will note the decision in the student’s academic file. Time limits may be imposed in certain situations, such as for allied health program courses. Student Services and the appropriate Dean will maintain a list of courses that have time limits for transfer.
D. When a student transfers from a post-secondary institution to the College, the following steps will be implemented:
1. The student completes the Residency Determination Service process (if not completed at previous school), submits an application for admission, and provides an official high school or high school equivalency transcript and an official transcript from any other post-secondary institution. The student should allow at least one month for the transcript evaluation process prior to registering for classes.
2. The Registrar evaluates the transcript and credit is accepted in accordance with the College’s program offerings and the procedure stated herein. No credit for a course with a grade lower than a “C” may be transferred. The Director will consult with the appropriate faculty member(s) and/or Dean if there are questions about the transfer-ability of credit.
3. The student is given placement test(s), if applicable.
4. The student continues with registration procedure.
E. Non-curriculum to Curriculum Transfer Credit: Non-curriculum course work from the College related to curriculum instruction may be transferred or accepted for credit towards curriculum courses in specific programs. The student must request that the Registrar review his/her Continuing Education or other non-curriculum work for possible transfer credit. Students must have earned a minimum letter grade of a “C”, passed the final assessment with a proficiency of 70% or better, or successfully passed the applicable credentialing exam. Continuing Education grades of S or P will be considered for credit. The appropriate Dean for each division will approve non-curriculum course material prior to curriculum credit being officially granted. Proficiency examinations may be required before transfer credits are awarded for CEUs (Continuing Education Units). Faculty teaching courses for which CE to CU credit may be awarded must meet all SACSCOC credential requirements.
To review additional opportunities for awarding credits for prior learning, see the College’s Policy on Credits for Prior Learning, Policy 5.2.9.
Adopted: January 8, 2020
Amended: January 9, 2022