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.
Credit for Prior Learning
UDC recognizes that some students may have acquired abilities through life experience, personal study, and/or professional work settings, including military experience that does not align with the standard ACE evaluation process. Credit for Prior Learning (CPL) offers students an opportunity to receive college credit by presenting to their major department portfolios that document the competencies gained in prior work experience. Details of the dates and durations of a student’s participation in that work experience must be included. CPL credits can be used to fulfill IGED courses, electives, and/or major requirements. Students seeking credit for prior military experience beyond that which has been granted through the Registrar’s review of the ACE Guide to the Evaluation of Educational Experience in the Armed Forces, must provide documentation of the specific military course work and/or military experiences that have not been accounted for through the standard ACE evaluation process. While CPL credits can be used to fulfill IGED courses, electives, and/or major requirements, the final determination regarding whether additional credit will be granted for such experience rests with the major departments, Deans, and the Dean of General Education.
A maximum of 12 credits may be granted through Credit for Prior Learning (this excludes any CLEP, AP, or IB credit granted in transfer). CPL credits are eligible to be recorded on the student’s transcript only for undergraduates seeking their first degree. It is not an option for second bachelor’s degree seeking students. Please note that academic departments have the final decision on how many credits they will accept toward their majors, which may be lower than 12. Please check with the major department first to find out if such restrictions exist.
Students interested in Credit for Prior Learning should contact the Registrar's office at 202-274-6200 or via email at URegistrar@udc.edu.