TRANSFER CREDITS.
A maximum of 90 credits will be accepted as transfer credits and counted toward a UMW degree. Also, no more than one-half (1/2) of the credits required for the B.A./B.S. Major Program can be transfer credits; B.L.S. students must earn at least 15 credits in their Major Program through UMW coursework. The UMW Residence Requirement allows a maximum of six (6) transfer credits to count among the last 21 credits credited toward the UMW B.A. or B.S. degree.
Grades earned in transfer work do not affect the student's UMW grade-point average. However, transfer credits are counted as completed credits toward graduation, and thus affect all decisions regarding probation, suspension, and dismissal. A student may request the permanent deletion of transfer credits from his or her record at any time except when he or she is on academic suspension or after academic dismissal.
All questions regarding transfer credit awards should be directed to the Office of the Registrar.
Transfer Credit through Examination.
The University offers transfer credit through the following examination programs.
- Advanced Placement (AP). (See ADVANCED PLACEMENT for details.)
- College Level Examination Program (CLEP). (See COLLEGE LEVEL EXAMINATION PROGRAM for details.)
- International Baccalaureate (IB). (See INTERNATIONAL BACCALAUREATE for details.)
- Cambridge A-Level Examinations. (See CAMBRIDGE A LEVEL EXAMINATIONS for details.)
It is the student’s responsibility to have official examination scores provided to the University in a timely manner and in accordance with all deadlines established by the Office of the Registrar. Failure to do so may result in no UMW credit being awarded.
NOTES:
- AP, IB, Cambridge and/or CLEP credits will be forfeited and removed from the record if the equivalent course or courses are completed at UMW or another institution (and transferred into UMW for credit).
- AP, IB, Cambridge and/or CLEP credits are counted as completed credits toward graduation, and thus affect all decisions regarding probation, suspension and dismissal.
Transfer Credit from Other Institutions.
The University considers awarding transfer credits from other accredited institutions on two conditions: (1) the institution’s accreditation is recognized in the directory Accredited Institutions of Postsecondary Education published by the American Council on Education (credits from international institutions will be considered on a case-by-case basis), and (2) the credits are for graded courses which are deemed appropriate for a liberal arts and sciences degree. Regulations governing the consideration of courses for transfer credit vary according to whether the credits are transferred BEFORE or AFTER matriculation.
BEFORE Matriculation.
As a rule, transfer credit is given for courses of the same type (liberal arts courses), on the same level, and under the same guidelines as University of Mary Washington courses. Courses for which transfer credit is awarded must neither overlap nor repeat those that the student takes at the University, and a grade of C (2.00) or better must be earned. Previously awarded transfer credits will be forfeited and removed from the UMW record if the equivalent coursework is later completed at UMW or another University. Approved transfer credits can count toward the Major Program or General Education requirements, and can be scored as elective credits.
After an official transcript has been received by UMW and evaluated, a student will be notified of the transfer credit that can be counted toward a University of Mary Washington Bachelor of Arts or Bachelor of Science degree or a Bachelor of Liberal Studies degree. Students who wish to have their transfer credit award re-evaluated should contact the Office of the Registrar to make a specific re-evaluation request.
No UMW credit will be awarded for any transfer work for which UMW has not received official transcripts by the following deadlines:
- By November 15 of the first semester of UMW enrollment.
- By April 15 of the first semester of UMW enrollment.
AFTER Matriculation.
A student at the University of Mary Washington who wishes to earn transfer credit at another University (e.g., during summer school) must secure written permission from the Office of the Registrar before registering for the course. Transfer credit will only be awarded for courses completed within the semester for which approval has been granted by the Office of the Registrar. Approved transfer credits can count toward the Major Program or General Education requirements, and can be scored as elective credits. A student wishing to apply for transfer credits for courses for the academic major must submit a pre-approval form, signed by the department chair, to the Registrar’s Office. This form is available in the Registrar’s Office or online via the Registrar’s web page.
The student seeking transfer credit is responsible for seeing that an official transcript, complete with the final grades for requested coursework, is received by UMW.
No UMW credit will be awarded for any transfer work (including all pre-approved transfer work) for which UMW has not received official transcripts by the following deadlines:
- By November 15 for spring and summer courses taken in the same calendar year.
- By April 15 for fall courses taken in the previous calendar year.
If the official transcript from the other institution is received by UMW by the appropriate deadline, the pre-approved credits on which the student has earned a grade of C (2.00) or better, will be recorded on the student's permanent record at The University of Mary Washington
The one exception to this policy is English 101, Composition. Three hours of transfer credit will be considered Writing Intensive elective credit if two transfer courses are considered equivalent to English 101 or if a student earns a grade in English 101 at UMW after receiving transfer credit for one course equivalent to English 101. There is a limit of six, 100-level English composition credits that can be applied to the graduation requirement of 120 credits.
Deletion of Transfer Credits
Transfer credits (AP, IB, Cambridge, CLEP, and credits transferred from other institutions) are counted as completed credits toward graduation, and thus affect all decisions regarding probation, suspension, and dismissal. A student may request the permanent deletion of transfer credits from his or her record at any time except when he or she is on academic suspension or after academic dismissal. The request must be made in writing to the Offices of Academic Services (B.A./B.S.) or the B.L.S. Office (B.L.S.).