Print this page

Scope and General Policy

This policy applies to students in accordance with the University catalog governing their enrollment. The University administers transfer credit in accordance with applicable laws and regulations, institutional accreditation standards, state authorization requirements, and program-specific accreditation, licensure, certification, and credentialing requirements.

United States University (USU) is committed to transparency, fairness, and consistency in evaluating previously completed college-level coursework. Transfer credit is evaluated based on institutional eligibility, academic quality, course content, academic level, credit value, and applicability to the student’s degree program. The University applies published criteria consistently while recognizing applicable program-specific requirements and the need for documented academic judgment.

Students are strongly encouraged to submit official transcripts from all previously attended colleges and universities and request evaluation as early as possible. Meeting eligibility criteria or submitting documentation does not guarantee that credit will be awarded or applied toward a specific degree requirement.

Documentation and Grades

Official transcripts must be sent directly to the Office of the Registrar by the issuing institution or an approved electronic transcript service. Additional documentation, such as course descriptions or syllabi, may be required to determine equivalency.

Unless a program establishes stricter requirements, undergraduate coursework requires a minimum grade of C and graduate coursework a minimum grade of B. Pass/fail coursework may be considered when the University can establish equivalency to the applicable minimum grade.

Academic Quality and Equivalency

Coursework must be comparable in academic level, content, rigor, learning outcomes, and credit value to the University requirement for which it is being considered. Lower-division coursework does not automatically satisfy an upper-division requirement, and undergraduate coursework does not satisfy graduate-level requirements unless expressly permitted by applicable standards.

As a general guideline, general education coursework completed more than 10 years before evaluation and core or specialized coursework completed more than 5 years before evaluation may require additional review and may not be accepted. Programs may establish stricter currency requirements.

Physical education, English as a Second Language (ESL), developmental or remedial coursework, and work experience alone are generally not eligible for transfer credit. Nontraditional learning may be considered under the University’s Credit for Prior Learning policy.

Institutional Eligibility and Foreign Coursework

Transfer credit may be awarded for coursework completed at institutions approved by the Bureau for Private Postsecondary Education (BPPE), public or private institutions accredited by an accrediting agency recognized by the U.S. Department of Education, or other institutions of higher education that meet the University’s evaluation criteria and applicable regulatory requirements.

Foreign coursework may be considered when institutional eligibility and academic equivalency can be established. The University requires a foreign credential evaluation prepared in English from an evaluation service that is a member of the Association of International Credential Evaluators, Inc. (AICE) or the National Association of Credential Evaluation Services (NACES).

For programs leading to a credential or authorization regulated by the California Commission on Teacher Credentialing (CTC), coursework and degrees used to satisfy credential requirements must meet applicable CTC requirements, including regional accreditation requirements where applicable. Transfer credit may satisfy a CTC-related requirement only when permitted by applicable standards.

Credit Conversion

Coursework completed under a different credit system, such as quarter credits, is converted using an appropriate method. Credit conversion does not guarantee acceptance of coursework or establish course equivalency.

Transfer Credit Limits and Residency Requirements

Transfer credit may be awarded when coursework meets the University’s evaluation criteria and satisfies an unfulfilled program requirement. Maximum allowances do not guarantee an award, and credit will not be awarded beyond program requirements solely to reach a maximum.

Undergraduate Programs

Undergraduate students may receive up to 90 transfer credits toward a 120-credit degree. Transfer credit, credit for prior learning, and credit awarded through examination may not exceed a combined total of 75% of required program credits. Students must complete at least 25% of required program credits through coursework at USU.

Graduate and Doctoral Programs

California Enrollment Requirements

For students whose enrollment remains governed by California requirements, transfer credit and residency requirements remain subject to the applicable University catalog and California Bureau for Private Postsecondary Education (BPPE) regulations, including 5 CCR §71770.

Transfer credit toward a master’s degree may not exceed 20% of required program credits. Doctoral transfer credit is generally limited to 30% of required program credits, subject to the program-specific maximums listed below and BPPE’s maximum of 30 graduate semester credits. Applicable catalog residency requirements continue to apply.

Georgia Enrollment Requirements

For students enrolled in programs governed by Georgia regulations, master’s and doctoral transfer credit is generally limited to 30% of required program credits. The program-specific maximums listed in the table below take precedence over this general limit.

Students must complete at least 70% of required program credits through coursework at USU, unless a higher residency requirement applies.

Maximum Transfer Credits by Program

Students whose enrollment remains governed by California requirements remain subject to the 20% master’s transfer credit limit, even when the table lists a higher maximum.

Transfer credit, credit for prior learning, and examination credit do not satisfy academic residency requirements. Separate Credit for Prior Learning (CPL) limits and combined credit limits are established in the University’s Credit for Non-Traditional Learning policy.

All credit awards remain subject to applicable program-specific, accreditation, and regulatory requirements. Exceptions authorized through institutional articulation agreements are addressed in the Articulation Agreements section.

Application of Credit

The University determines whether accepted transfer credit applies to general education, elective, core, concentration, or other degree requirements. Acceptance of credit does not guarantee that it will satisfy a particular requirement, reduce time to degree, or meet professional licensure, certification, or credentialing requirements.

The University does not award duplicate credit for the same course or learning.

Transfer Credit after Matriculation

Students seeking transfer credit after matriculating at USU, whether for previously completed coursework or coursework they intend to complete at another institution, must first consult their Academic Advisor. The Academic Advisor reviews how the coursework may affect program requirements, course sequencing, and progression and submits a Transfer Credit Evaluation Request to the Office of the Registrar on the student’s behalf. Students planning to take coursework at another institution must receive written approval before enrolling.

A Transfer Credit Evaluation determines only whether coursework can be applied toward USU’s academic program requirements.

All coursework remains subject to the University’s transfer credit evaluation criteria, program-specific requirements, and residency requirements. Transfer credit awarded after matriculation counts toward the program’s overall transfer credit maximum and does not provide an additional credit allowance. Credit is awarded only after receipt of an official transcript verifying successful completion.

Coursework must be completed and official transcripts submitted for transfer evaluation before the student begins the final 12 semester credits of the USU program. Transfer Credit Evaluation Requests will not be accepted once the student begins the final 12 semester credits.

Students must satisfy all prerequisite requirements before proceeding to subsequent coursework. Approval of transfer credit does not waive prerequisites or guarantee uninterrupted progression in the USU program.

Non-Transferable Courses

Courses that must be completed at USU and are not eligible for transfer credit are identified in the applicable program requirements in this catalog. Please refer to the Academic Programs section.

Block Transfer

Students entering the RN-to-BSN program will receive a 60-semester-credit nursing block based on completion of an associate degree in nursing or registered nursing from an accredited college or university and possession of a current, unencumbered U.S. registered nursing (RN) license. Degrees earned outside the United States require a foreign credential evaluation in accordance with the University’s admission and transfer credit policies.

In addition to the 60-credit nursing block, students may transfer up to 30 semester credits of general education coursework distributed across multiple subject areas to provide a broad foundation in the liberal arts and sciences. These additional credits are evaluated course-by-course and must satisfy the RN-to-BSN program’s general education requirements. Additional coursework may be required following the Office of the Registrar’s evaluation.

The combined award may not exceed 90 semester credits toward the 120-credit degree, except as authorized under an approved articulation agreement. See Articulation Agreements. Duplicate credit shall not be awarded because of overlapping tests, college-level courses, or both.

Articulation Agreements

The University may establish articulation agreements with other educational institutions to define approved course equivalencies and the application of credit toward USU program requirements.

Aspen University

USU maintains articulation agreements with Aspen University for the following programs:

• Doctor of Education

• RN-to-BSN

• Master of Science in Nursing – Nurse Educator

• Doctor of Science in Computer Science

• Master of Business Administration

Credit is awarded according to the eligibility requirements, approved coursework, and credit limits specified in each agreement. Students should contact the Office of the Registrar for information about eligibility, approved coursework, credit limits, and other requirements under these agreements.

Articulation agreements may be executed throughout the academic year. Information about active agreements is available in the catalog, on the University website, or through the Office of the Registrar.

Exceptions to standard transfer credit limits may be approved through a formally executed institutional articulation agreement that is in effect and applicable to the student’s enrollment. Such agreements must identify the approved coursework, its application to degree requirements, and applicable residency requirements. All exceptions must comply with applicable accreditation standards, regulatory requirements, and financial aid requirements.

Previously Earned USU Credit toward an Additional Degree

Students who have completed a degree with United States University and wish to pursue an additional degree using the same course credits will be subject to review and approval by the college dean.

MSN Graduates Applying to a Second MSN Degree at USU

Students who have previously completed an MSN degree at USU may transfer applicable credits toward a second MSN program, provided the following conditions are met:

MSN-HCL or MSN-ED Alumni Pursuing MSN-FNP

The following courses must be completed within two years of the start of the new MSN program. If more than two years have passed since the original course completion date, the student must retake these courses:

• MSN 570: Advanced Pathophysiology

• MSN 571: Advanced Pharmacology

• MSN 572: Advanced Physical Assessment

MSN 572: Advanced Physical Assessment cannot be transferred from another institution.

The following courses must be completed within five years of the start of the new MSN program. If more than five years have passed since the original course completion date, the student must retake these courses:

• MSN 560: Transitions in Practice: The Role of the Advanced Practice Nurse

• MSN 561: Theoretical Foundations of Advanced Practice Nursing

• MSN 563: Evidence-Based Inquiry for Scholarship and Practice

• MSN 565: Nursing Leadership and Health Policy

MSN 600: Evidence-Based Capstone Project cannot be applied toward the second MSN program.

MSN 553 cannot be accepted in place of MSN 572 for students pursuing the MSN-FNP degree.

MSN-FNP Alumni Pursuing MSN-HCL or MSN-ED

The following courses must be completed within five years of the start of the new MSN program. If more than five years have passed since the original course completion date, the student must retake these courses:

• MSN 560: Transitions in Practice: The Role of the Advanced Practice Nurse

• MSN 561: Theoretical Foundations of Advanced Practice Nursing

• MSN 563: Evidence-Based Inquiry for Scholarship and Practice

• MSN 565: Nursing Leadership and Health Policy

MSN 600: Evidence-Based Capstone Project cannot be applied toward the second MSN program.

MSN 572 can be accepted in place of MSN 553 for students pursuing the MSN-ED degree.

Administration and Related Policies

The Office of the Registrar administers transfer credit evaluation in collaboration with academic departments and program leadership. The University maintains documentation of evaluations and decisions in accordance with its records-retention procedures and periodically reviews this policy to support consistency, transparency, academic quality, and compliance with applicable requirements.

Credit earned through examinations or Credit for Prior Learning is governed by the applicable University policy and may be subject to separate or combined credit limits.

Credit for Non-Traditional Learning

Credit by Examination

United States University (USU) may award credit for approved examinations, including Advanced Placement (AP), College Level Examination Program (CLEP), and DSST, when applicable to a student’s degree program and permitted by University policy. A minimum score of 3 is required for AP examinations, and a minimum score of 50 is required for CLEP examinations. Program-specific or examination-specific requirements may establish higher minimum scores. Students should contact the Office of the Registrar for acceptable DSST examinations and minimum score requirements.

Official scores must be sent directly to the Office of the Registrar by the issuing organization. Examination credit is subject to applicable score requirements, course equivalencies, program requirements, and University credit limits.

Approved examination credit is recorded on the student’s transcript as Credit (CR) and is not calculated into the student’s grade point average. Awarding examination credit does not remove or replace a grade previously earned at USU, including a failing grade.

Credit recommendations from the American Council on Education (ACE), including recommendations for military training, professional training, and other nontraditional learning, may be considered under the University’s Transfer Credit Policy or Credit for Prior Learning Policy, as applicable. ACE recommendations do not guarantee an award of credit.

Credit for Prior Learning

United States University (USU) may award credit for prior learning (CPL) when students demonstrate learning equivalent to the academic level, content, rigor, and learning outcomes of applicable degree requirements. Eligible learning may be demonstrated through approved professional certifications, non-collegiate coursework, structured training, or other University-approved assessments. Credit is awarded for demonstrated learning rather than experience or participation alone.

CPL is subject to applicable laws and regulations, institutional accreditation standards, and program-specific accreditation, licensure, certification, and credentialing requirements.

Assessment and Approval

CPL assessments use established criteria and are conducted by qualified faculty in the relevant subject area. Faculty document the evidence reviewed, the basis for determining equivalency, the credit value, and the applicable degree requirements. Awards require approval by the appropriate Dean or designee. Supporting documentation is retained in accordance with University records-retention procedures.

USU does not award CPL for field experience, including clinical experiences, practicums, internships, or student teaching.

Credit Limits

CPL is subject to the limits established by this policy and any more restrictive program-specific or applicable regulatory requirements. Credit is awarded only when demonstrated learning satisfies an applicable degree requirement and is not awarded beyond applicable degree requirements solely to reach a maximum.

For undergraduate programs, CPL may not exceed 25% of required program credits. The combined total of CPL, transfer credit, and credit awarded through examination may not exceed 75% of required program credits.

For graduate programs, CPL may not exceed 30% of required program credits. The combined total of CPL, transfer credit, and credit awarded through examination may not exceed 30% of required program credits.

For students whose enrollment remains governed by California requirements, applicable BPPE restrictions on prior experiential learning continue to apply. The general CPL maximums do not override those restrictions.

These limits are maximum allowances and do not guarantee an award of credit.

Application and Recording of Credit

CPL does not automatically satisfy professional licensure, certification, or credentialing requirements. Before CPL is applied to requirements associated with a regulated program, the academic program must document that the award is permitted under applicable requirements and obtain the required academic approval.

The University does not award duplicate credit for the same course or learning. Approved CPL is recorded as Credit (CR), is not calculated into the student’s grade point average, and does not satisfy academic residency requirements. Transcript entries identify CPL and describe the learning recognized.

Administration

The Office of the Registrar administers CPL recording and documentation in collaboration with academic departments and program leadership. Academic departments assess equivalency, and the appropriate Dean or designee approves awards.

Students interested in credit for prior learning should contact the Office of the Registrar for information regarding eligibility, documentation requirements, and the assessment process.

The University periodically reviews CPL assessments, procedures, and awards for consistency, academic quality, and compliance with applicable requirements. CPL is administered in coordination with the University’s Transfer Credit Policy and applicable credit-by-examination policy.

Notice Concerning Transferability of Credits and Credentials Earned at Our Institution

The transferability of credits you earn at United States University is at the complete discretion of an institution to which you may seek to transfer. Acceptance of the degree or certificate you earn in the educational program is also at the complete discretion of the institution to which you may seek to transfer. If the credits or degree, or certificate that you earn at this institution are not accepted at the institution to which you seek to transfer, you may be required to repeat some or all of your coursework at that institution. For this reason you should make certain that your attendance at this institution will meet your educational goals. This may include contacting an institution to which you may seek to transfer after attending United States University to determine if your credits or degree, or certificate will transfer.