Understanding UDC’s Transfer Credit Policy

The following overview provides important distinctions about the kinds of undergraduate transfer credits UDC accepts. For full details, please review UDC’s Official Transfer Credit Policies.

Disclosure: At the time of application, please list all institutions you’ve attended. Otherwise, some transfer credits may be denied. Inaccuracies and omissions may lead to refusal of admission or dismissal from the University.

Maximum Credits: UDC sets no limits on the number undergraduate credits transferred. However, residency requirements do apply when earning a degree from UDC.

Residency Requirements: UDC confers associate degrees to students who complete the last 15 semester credit hours of study in residence at the University. UDC confers bachelor’s degrees to students who complete the last 30 semester credit hours of study in residence at the University of the Columbia.]  Transfer and second degree students are also required to earn a minimum number of credits “in residence.

• UDC will apply 90 transfer credits toward a bachelor’s degree and requires students to earn the remaining credits to reach the 120-credit minimum for the degree in residence.
• UDC will apply 45 transfer credits toward an associate degree and requires students to earn the remaining credits to reach the 60-credit minimum for the degree in residence.

Accreditation: UDC accepts academic coursework from regionally accredited colleges and universities. UDC does not accept credits from vocational, developmental, independent study, internships, or specialized courses.

Grade Standards: To be eligible for transfer credits, students must have passed the course(s) with a C or better grade (2.0 on a 4.0 grade point average scale). Credits taken pass / fail cannot be transferred.

Credit by Examination: UDC accepts a limited number of credits earned by examination:

• 15 credits by examination from Community College students pursuing an associate degree
• 30 credits by examination from Flagship University students pursing a bachelor’s degree

These transfer credits are included in – not in addition to – the totals allowed while still meeting residency requirements.

UDC uses the American Council in Education’s standards and guidelines to evaluate and approve credit by examination credits, including credits earned through:

• Advanced Placement (AP)
• College Level Examination Program (CLEP)
• SAT Subject Tests (SAT II)
• International Baccalaureate (IB)

Please submit official exam results and/or official credit by examination transcripts directly to UDC from the testing agency.

UDC allows students to earn elective credit by examination. However, academic departments must approve credits that apply directly to degree requirements.  Submit credits granted by examination prior to the initial enrollment for consideration of transfer credit. Credits granted by examination after enrollment must be approved by the academic department of the student’s major.

Military Training / Education: UDC accepts college-level work given in or under the direction of an accredited college or university – as part of an armed services program. UDC uses the American Council on Education’s Guide to the Evaluation of Educational Experience in the Armed Forces to evaluate military experience and training that isn’t affiliated with accredited colleges or universities.

International Credit Requirements: UDC accepts transfer credits earned at colleges or universities outside the United States and Canada, if:

• The institution is fully recognized by the Ministry of Education
• The coursework is deemed university-level in quality and content
• The grade earned is a C or better

In addition, a member organization of the National Association of Credential Evaluation Services (NACES) must first evaluate international credits.

Second or Additional Degrees: Students earning a second or additional degree are exempt from UDC’s General Education Requirements. However, they must still meet UDC’s residency requirements – 30 in-residence credits for a bachelor’s degree, 15 in-residence credits for an associate degree. Additional degree or department-specific requirements may still apply.

Excluded from the wholesale transfer of the 90 or 45 credits allowed, depending upon degree sought, are degree-specific credits related to the chosen UDC degree program.

Students must bring official copies of relevant transcripts to a meeting with the department chairperson for the degree program. It’s up to individual chairpersons to approve additional credits and to advise students on degree-program requirements.

Regardless of the number of degree credits the chairperson approves, students must still meet UDC residency requirements.

UDC Transfer Credit Report: 2-3 weeks after receiving official transcripts sent to admissions, The Office of the Registrar will contact the student to confirm receipt of transcript and a brief explanation of credits eligible for transfer.

Only after a student has confirmed acceptance with UDC; will a Transfer Credit Evaluation be sent to student and transfer counselor within 5-7 business days after confirmation of enrollment is received from the student.

Note: Bring your Transfer Credit Report to meetings you have with your assigned academic advisor.

UDC Transfer Credit Appeal Process: You have 21 days (3 weeks) – after you receive your Transfer Credit Report – to appeal its results. Submit your written appeal request to:

• The Office of the Registrar if you’re disputing prior to starting classes.
• Your transfer counselor if you’re disputing general education or elective credits after the start of classes.
• Your academic department if you’re disputing degree credits after the start of classes.

Please attach or include course descriptions from the appropriate course catalog or a course outline from the year you earned the credits for each course in question. Ideally, these additional details include the course’s learning outcomes.

Your transfer counselor can provide additional details and instructions for how to assemble and submit your transfer credit appeal.