Transfer and Alternative Credit

The Advanced Placement (AP) Program offers college-level courses and exams that students can take in high school. Students applying for admission to SCSU should have their official score report sent from College Board to the Undergraduate Admissions Office for evaluation.  These credits may count towards the overall 120 credit minimum required for a degree in one of three ways:

• Major course credit.
• Liberal Education Program (LEP) course credit (i.e.general education requirements).
• Elective credit (i.e. course numbers such as 0100 and 0200 are generally elective credits).　

Credit will not be awarded for any AP exam that duplicates the content of a college course for which a student has already received credit.  Below is a chart that lists the minimum score acceptable for academic credit at SCSU for the current catalog year.　

The College Level Examination Program (CLEP) provides an opportunity for students to obtain academic credit by obtaining a satisfactory score on nationally standardized examinations prepared by the Educational Testing Service.  Students applying for admission to SCSU should have their official results sent to the Undergraduate Admissions Office for evaluation. Current degree-seeking students should have their official results sent to the Registrar's Office.  These credits may count towards the overall 120 credit minimum required for a degree in one of three ways:

• Major course credit.
• Liberal Education Program (LEP) course credit (i.e.general education requirements).
• Elective credit (i.e. course numbers such as 0100 and 0200 are generally elective credits).

Credit will not be awarded for any CLEP exam that duplicates the content of a college course for which a student has already received credit. Below is a chart that lists the minimum score acceptable for academic credit at SCSU for the current catalog year.　

Note: The SCSU Code for CLEP exam registration is 3662.

CLEP Business Exam:

CLEP Composition and Literature Exam:

CLEP History and Social Sciences Exam:

 CLEP Science and Mathematics Exam:

CLEP World Languages Exam:

For each of the world languages, there is only one exam, and it covers both Level 1 and 2 content.  SCSU awards 6 semester hours of credit for mastery of Level 1 content (a score of 50) and 9 semester hours of credit for mastery of both Levels 1 and 2 (a score of 59 on French Language, 60 on German Language, and 63 on Spanish Language.)

Cooperative Education provides firsthand working experience for students while they are studying for their degrees. In their junior or senior years, students may spend a semester or a six-month period working full-time or part-time in business, industry, or government as part of their undergraduate programs.

The employing firm or agency works closely with the University in guiding the student through a practical learning experience. Students earn a wage from the employer, and are awarded from 1 to 12 academic credits by the University upon the successful completion of the employment period. These credits are applied to the student's academic program as free electives. For Interdisciplinary Studies, credit may be applied toward the 300-400 upper level requirement.

Junior or senior students who have completed 60 credits and have earned at least a 2.0 GPA are eligible to apply and participate in this program. Applications are available in the Center for Career Services. The student must receive written permission from his or her academic adviser, department chairperson, and dean as indicated on the application form. Employment periods are typically January 1-June 30 and July 1-December 31. Application deadlines are November 1 for January and April 1 for July.

The decision to recommend a student for participation in the program is based on academic and personal qualifications, on the nature of the work sought, on the number of cooperative employment opportunities available, and on the number of applicants. The final decision on the selection of candidates rests with the employer. The University does not guarantee the placement of students in Cooperative Education.  For more information, contact Academic Advisement at (203) 392-8888.

This credit by exam program offers students the opportunity to use their knowledge acquired outside of the classroom to accomplish their educational goals. While the exams are funded for active-duty military, DSST exams are not just for those in the military. Adult learners, homeschooled students, and military veterans are also eligible to earn college credits through DSST.

Students can visit DSST exams to review offered exams, test prep, and locate a test center.  For questions about which DSST exams are accepted for transfer credit equivalency at SCSU, please contact Transfer Student Services.

Students who completed the International Baccalaureate Diploma Programme or took individual International Baccalaureate (IB) exams at the Higher Level (HL) at their high school/secondary school should submit official score reports to the Undergraduate Admissions Office for evaluation.

International Baccalaureate Diploma Programme

Students who completed the International Baccalaureate Diploma Programme with a total score of 30 or higher and a score of 4 or higher on each exam will be awarded 12 credits for meeting the following Liberal Education Program (general education) requirements:

• Multicultural Communication
• Critical Thinking
• Written Communication
• Cultural Expression

In addition, students may be awarded up to 18 additional credits for scores of 4 or higher on Higher Level exams.

Individual International Baccalaureate (IB) exams

Students will be awarded up to 18 credits for individual International Baccalaureate (IB) exams taken at the Higher Level (HL) with a score of 4 or higher. These credits may count towards the overall 120 credit minimum required for a degree in one of three ways:

• Major course credit.
• Liberal Education Program (LEP) course credit (i.e. general education requirements). 
• Elective credit (i.e. course numbers such as 0100 and 0200 are generally elective credits).

Credit will not be awarded for any IB exam that duplicates the content of a college course for which a student has already received credit.  Below is a chart that lists the minimum score acceptable for academic credit at SCSU for the current catalog year. 

Students who wish to pursue special research or other projects may request Independent Study in any department in the University. Forms for application for Independent Study are available in the offices of the academic deans.

Charter Oak State College has been designated as a Portfolio Assessment Center for State institutions that do not have internal portfolio assessment processes. Many SCSU departments and programs accept credits based on Portfolio Assessment awarded by Charter Oak State College and other regionally accredited colleges and universities when such credits are applicable to the student's degree program. Matriculated students may obtain further information about the Charter Oak State College Program from the Academic Advisement Center, located in Wintergreen 154.

Credit for military experience is determined according to American Council on Education (ACE) guidelines. These credit recommendations appear on the service member’s Joint Services Transcript.  Students with military experience, who are applying for Admission to SCSU, should have their official transcript sent to the Undergraduate Admissions Office for evaluation. 

Many businesses, industries, and other non-accredited institutions provide formal training opportunities for which some academic credit may be awarded. Application of credit as it relates to the student's degree requirements is determined by the Undergraduate Admissions Office in conjunction with the student's major department in accordance with American Council on Education (ACE) recommendations as published in the National Guide to Educational Credit for Training Programs. Official transcripts, diplomas or certificates are required. SCSU also accepts credits for programs conducted by non-collegiate organizations not evaluated by ACE in accordance with specific local agreements which comply with regulations of the Connecticut Board of Regents (BOR) for Higher Education.

Students may earn a commission in the United States Air Force or in the United States Army by completing requirements of the Reserve Officer Training Corp (ROTC) program as part of their studies at the University.

AIR FORCE ROTC (AFROTC)

Students are able to take AFROTC classes at Yale University and receive commissions as second lieutenants.

The AFROTC program is available to Southern Connecticut State University students at Yale University's main campus in New Haven. Through the AFROTC program, Southern Connecticut State University students, without paying extra tuition, can pursue a commission as an officer in the United States Air Force. The freshman and sophomore courses carry no military obligation and are open to all students. Scholarships are also available for qualified students. These scholarships pay up to full tuition and fees, as well as money for books and a monthly tax-free stipend.

Students enroll in a four-year or three-year (if joining in their sophomore year) AFROTC sequence. Students commute to New Haven for AFROTC-specific classes and events. Up to 18 credits may be transferred to Southern and counted toward degree requirements as free electives.

Qualified students should contact the AFROTC office at (203) 432-9431 or visit our website at AFROTC.yalecollege.yale.edu/.

ARMY ROTC - MILITARY SCIENCE

The University of New Haven Army ROTC Program welcomes and challenges students to join "The UNH Corps of Cadets." Students will learn the foundational skills of overall leadership and management, while potentially earning benefits through tuition assistance and monthly stipends based on their performance. The instructors teach dynamic tactical environments or civilian careers.

Prior service and veteran students are particularly welcome in the UNH Corps of Cadets. The experience gained through service is priceless. It will only further develop peers in the ROTC program while refocusing knowledge through the prism of leadership. The UNH Corps of Cadets strongly supports the Yellow Ribbon Program, as well. For any questions, please contact Captain Sean Ritchie (University of New Haven) at (203) 931-2997 or visit the website at NewHaven.edu/31702/.

The University is proud to offer a wide range of study-abroad opportunities to undergraduate students in all majors. Semester and year-long programs are offered annually, as well as short-term summer, spring recess, and winter session study abroad programs led by SCSU faculty are offered annually, as well as semester- and year-long programs. The University has a vast number of exchange partnerships in locations throughout the world including: Liverpool, England; Baden Wuettemberg, Germany; Nice and Lille, France; Salamanca and Valencia, Spain; Yerevan, Armenia; Beijing, China; and many more. These exchange partnerships allow students to attend foreign universities while paying SCSU tuition and other fees. Additionally, there are study abroad opportunities in over 52 additional countries at or below the cost of attending SCSU.  For further information, students should contact the Office of International Education, EN A-220, at (203) 392-6756, or visit the website at: www.SouthernCT.edu/oie.

All courses under a study abroad consortium agreement must be pre-approved through the Office of International Education and the Office of Financial Aid to maintain financial aid eligibility; therefore, it is necessary to allow several months of preparation time prior to departure. Grades earned abroad are evaluated in accordance with World Education Services recommendations and recorded as transfer credits on the Southern transcript (T1: C or better, T2: C-, T3: D+,D, or D-, and T4: F.) Transfer credits do not factor in to the grade point average; however, the transfer grade equivalent will appear on the student's transcript as attempted credit for the purpose of evaluating satisfactory academic progress. It is the student's responsibility to issue an official transcript of grades earned abroad to Southern's Office of International Education no later than 30 days into the next semester. Otherwise, a T4 failing grade will be issued.

SCSU has entered into additional transfer agreements with the colleges and universities listed below.  Each agreement outlines a pathway and commitment between institutions for certain academic programs, as well as eligibility criteria for students interested in applying. 

• Eastern Connecticut State University - ACE Nursing Program
• Gateway Community College - Social Work Program

General Transfer Credit

Southern evaluates transfer credit from regionally accredited institutions and issues an official transfer credit evaluation at the time of acceptance.  Southern accepts transfer credit for prior courses with grades if "C- "or better; although, transfer grades are not included in Southern's calculation of grade point average (GPA).  Transfer credits are subject to course-by-course evaluation towards program requirements or they may be applied towards free electives in the program.  Transfer students are encouraged to review all transfer and alternative credit policies herein to determine eligibility for credit or waivers of certain program requirements outlined in the policies herein.  

CSCU Transfer Credit

Students who previously completed an associate degree at one of the Connecticut public community colleges will be accepted with a minimum of 60 credits in transfer, including credit for passing grades of ‘D-‘ or higher, subject to course-by-course evaluation towards SCSU program requirements.  SCSU also accepts passing grades of ‘D-’ or higher for courses taken prior to admission from Eastern, Western, and Central Connecticut State University.

Current Student Transfer Policy

Current degree-seeking students, who plan to take courses at another institution, must complete a Transfer Credit Request, be in good academic standing with a cumulative GPA of 2.0, and receive prior approval to apply the transfer credit(s) towards their program requirements at Southern Connecticut State University.  Students who will not be concurrently registered for any courses at Southern Connecticut State University must also submit a Leave of Absence form to maintain your matriculation status while attending another institution.

Only courses completed at regionally accredited colleges or universities with grades of "C-" or better can be transferred for current students. Upon completion, students must submit an official transcript to the Registrar's Office showing proof of completion.  Students will not receive duplicate credit for any course in which they have already earned credit and transferred credits are not computed into the student’s cumulative GPA at Southern.  Students may search our database of transferable courses for schools within Connecticut.  

Associate Degree

Transfer students accepted to SCSU who have previously earned an associate degree will be exempt from certain Tier 1 and Tier 2 general education requirements as follows:

• Tier 1 First Year Experience                        
• Tier 1 Multilingual Communication          
• Tier 1 Critical Thinking *May be waived for incoming transfer students with a 2.5 GPA, and three Tier 2 courses previously completed.
• W-Writing Requirement one course waived

Associate of Arts Degree in Liberal Arts and Sciences (LAS)

Transfer students who graduated from the following Connecticut Community Colleges with an LAS degree will be exempt from all Tier 1 and Tier 2 general education requirements and one course will be waived towards the W-Writing Requirement:

• Gateway Community College graduates since May 2011
• Housatonic Community College graduates since May 2012 *if LAS: Humanities/Behavioral and Social Science
• Naugatuck Community College graduates since May 2019
• Norwalk Community College graduates since May 2019 *if LAS Transfer Program/Mathematics and Science
• Tunxis Community College graduates since May 2019

Bachelor’s Degree

Transfer students accepted to SCSU who have previously earned a bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university will be exempt from all Tier 1, Tier 2, and Tier 3 general education requirements and two courses will be waived towards the W-Writing Requirement.  

Transfer students accepted with a minimum number of initial transfer credits  will be exempt from certain general education requirements as outlined below.

Transfer Students with 15+ Initial Transfer Credits

• Tier 1 First Year Experience                        

Transfer Students with 30+ Initial Transfer Credits

• Tier 1 Critical Thinking *May be waived for incoming transfer students with a 2.5 GPA, and three Tier 2 courses previously completed.
• Tier 1 Multilingual Communication *May be waived with at least high school level 3 completion or, college level 2 language.

Transfer Students with 60+ Initial Transfer Credits

• Tier 1 Multilingual Communication
• W-Writing Requirement one course waived (two courses waived if 90+ Initial Transfer Credits)
• Tier 1 and Tier 2 if all of the following general education requirements are complete at the time of transfer:
  • 3 credits in MAT 103, 106, 107, 108, 120 or higher
  • 3 credits in ENG 112 or 120
  • 3 credits in Arts & Humanities (ART, ENG, HIS, JST, LIT, MDS, MUS, PHI, THR, WLL, WGS)
  • 3 credits in Sciences (BIO, CHE, ESC, ENV, MAR, PHY)
  • 3 credits in Social Sciences (ANT, COM, ECO, GEO, JRN, PSC, SOC, PSY)
  • 24 additional credits in any of the above disciplines, CSC, and/or a world language above the 101 level (SPA, ITA, GER, FRE LAT, CHI, JPN)

Waiver examinations may be available for students who, as a result of prior experience, have proficiency in subject areas equivalent to that of a student who successfully completes a course. Students should see the department chairperson of the appropriate subject area to see if a waiver examination is available.

Some departments offer waiver examinations in the fall and spring of each year. A student who receives an "A" or "B" on the waiver examination earns three credits and waives the course. A student who receives "C" on the waiver examination waives the course without credit. Any lower grade indicates a need to take the course.

Waiver credits are not considered when tabulating a student's GPA. An "E" is recorded on the student's transcript to indicate the course requirement is met by successful completion of a waiver examination without credit being awarded. An "EP" is recorded to indicate the same with credit being awarded.  A waiver examination may be taken only once.