Transfer Credits

• A course that is normally considered part of a bachelor’s degree program will be accepted in transfer.
• A course with a grade of less than D will not be accepted in transfer. No course in which a grade less than a C was awarded will count toward the major, minor, teaching field, specialization, concentration, or support work. No course in which a grade less than a C was awarded will satisfy prerequisite requirements. Grades of C- or D will not satisfy the ENGL 1311 or 1312 requirement or any other course used for the Core than may also be a requirement for the major, minor, teaching field, specialization, concentration, or support work.
• Grades for all courses that are normally considered part of an associate or bachelor degree program, regardless of whether or not they apply toward the degree or transfer for credit, will be used to determine the transfer grade point average. Refer to the Academic Regulations section for additional information related to grades.
• A course that is essentially equivalent to a UIW course will be transferred as an equivalent course. Discipline Coordinators will be consulted when there is a question regarding the similarity of a transfer course to a UIW course. Lower level courses accepted as equivalent to courses offered at the advanced level at UIW will not satisfy the advanced hour requirement (Degree Requirements, section A, policy #2).
• Developmental course work (including ESL/ELS) and/or preparatory courses, such as orientation, will not be accepted in transfer and will not be included in the calculation of the transfer grade point average but will be used in the cumulative GPA when considering admission to the university.
• A course that is intended for use in a vocational, technical, or occupational program normally will not be accepted as transfer credit unless it is applied as partial fulfillment of the BAAS degree program. Courses of this nature applied to BAAS degree program will be used in the calculation of the cumulative transfer grade point average.
• Graduate level courses will not be transferred for undergraduate credit unless the Discipline Coordinator and the appropriate Dean have approved the courses for use in the student’s undergraduate degree program.
• Discipline courses offered in a professional degree program, such as nursing, nuclear medicine, or teacher certification, will not be accepted as degree credit until approved by the Discipline Coordinator and the appropriate Dean.
• Credit for field experience, internship, or practicum may be transferred from a senior college or university if credit is approved by the Discipline Coordinator and the appropriate Dean. Since these credits are usually taken in the junior or senior year, credit for such courses will not be transferred from a two-year college.
• Credit reflected on an incoming transcript for life experiences or from an evaluation of a “portfolio” will not be accepted in transfer by UIW.
• Credit may be awarded for completion of educational programs conducted for business and industry. After matriculation, credit may be determined on an individual basis, based upon UIW equivalence, and upon American Council on Education credit recommendations. The student must petition for credit through the Registrar who confers with the appropriate discipline faculty and Dean. A maximum of 30 semester hours may be earned by professional certification or in combination with correspondence or credit by examination. A $50.00 fee will be charged per course. After matriculation, students must obtain the Advisor and Dean’s approval to transfer such credit to the University.
• After matriculation at UIW, a maximum of 12 semester hours may be accepted through correspondence work. The discipline coordinator must approve courses taken by correspondence before the work begins. Enrollment in correspondence study during the student’s final semester may change the date of graduation if work is not completed and a grade received by the Registrar’s Office at UIW before the end of the semester during which the student anticipates graduating.
• A maximum of 30 semester hours may be earned through non-resident instruction (through a combination of correspondence, professional certification, or credit by examination).
• After matriculating at UIW, a student must obtain advance permission to enroll at any other college or university with the intent of transferring course credits to UIW for application toward degree requirements. Procedurally, if the course is offered at UIW, a request for enrollment for the same course at another institution will be denied.
• All work completed at a two-year college will carry lower-division credit. In exceptional circumstances, a lower-level course may be substituted for an upper level course with the approval of the Discipline Coordinator and the appropriate Dean. A lower-level course substituted for an upper-level course will not count toward the advanced hour requirement for the degree (see Degree Requirements section).
• Course work taken at St. Mary’s University and Our Lady of the Lake University while enrolled at UIW will be treated as resident credit; however, work taken prior to matriculating at UIW will be treated the same as other transfer work.
• In any case where a decision cannot be made using the above criteria, the Registrar will determine the transfer of credit based on University policies and prior experience of that office.

Students transferring to UIW from an institution of higher education that is not accredited by one of the regional accrediting associations may validate the work taken at the institution by:

• Credit will not be awarded for any course for which equivalent tests (AP, CLEP or DSST/DANTES) or challenge examinations exists.
• Credit will only be awarded for courses which are offered at UIW. Credit will be awarded only if the course or credit is required for the degree or when elective credits are needed to reach the requisite hours required for the degree.
• Credits from non-accredited institutions may not apply toward all degree programs and the acceptance of these credits is contingent upon departmental approval.
• A maximum of 30 semester hours may be awarded from a non-accredited institution or in combination with correspondence, credit by examination, or challenge examination.

For consideration of transfer credit, official transcripts translated to English are required. Credits earned outside the United States must have a detailed course-by-course evaluation prior to admissions complete d by a credential evaluation agency participating member of the National Association of Credential Evaluation Services (NACES). Course descriptions or syllabi (in English) are required to determine transfer acceptance or equivalence to UIW courses.

English credit will not be awarded for courses completed in non-English speaking countries. Students may take CLEP or departmental challenge examinations to validate these credits. Such courses may be considered for meeting the foreign language area of the degree plan and the hours for this area will be waived.

Credit from international sister institutions with which the University has documented articulation agreements will receive special consideration.

The UIW credential evaluation policy is available on our UIW International website and does apply to admissions into the School of Professional Studies under the Extended Academic Programs division. Please see the requirements for what is acceptable for submitting an evaluation of an international transcript.

Students who have completed a minimum of six months of active duty in the armed forces of the United States may receive academic credit for 2 semester hours of physical education. Students should provide the Registrar’s Office with an official copy of the Joint Services Transcript (JST) or Community College of the Air Force transcript.