Transfer Credit Policy
The University's practice is to build transparency and fairness with a commitment to students in order to apply a consistent policy with transferability of credits. Award of transfer credit is based on comparability and applicability of specific courses, and, in compliance with regulatory standards or codes. Therefore, the University highly suggest all students to submit transcripts from all previously attended colleges or universities for review upon application for admissions. Any transcripts received, or requests for evaluation, after acceptance may not be processed in time and students who begin studies may not be awarded credit.
Criteria for Evaluation of Coursework
The following criteria are used during an evaluation of previously completed coursework in order to determine transfer credit.
Students will be required to submit official transcripts in order to award any transfer credit. Transcripts must be sent directly to the Office of the Registrar prior to matriculation. Transcripts marked “Unofficial” or “Issued to Student” will not be considered for award of transfer credit.
Students applying for an undergraduate program must have a minimum grade of ‘C’ in order to be considered for transfer and a minimum grade of ‘B’ for those in a graduate program. Courses taken for credit with a Pass grade may be considered for transfer if the prior institution clearly defines the Pass grade as equivalent to a ‘C’ or higher for undergraduate coursework, or ‘B’ or higher for graduate coursework.
The University does not accept work experience, physical education, English as a second language (ESL), or developmental/remedial courses. Due to constant technology and industry changes, the University may not always accept courses completed beyond ten (10) years in general education and in core courses beyond five (5) years may not be accepted. These courses will be evaluated on a case-by-case basis.
The University will consider foreign postsecondary courses for transfer. These courses must be evaluated and translated, if not in English language, by a member of NACES or AICE.
All coursework must be completed at, minimally, the same level for which is deemed comparable (Upper or Lower Level).
Courses must be awarded for credit value comparable to, or greater than, that required by the University. Example: Semester to quarter conversion must equal or exceed that required by the University.
| Quarter Hours |
Equivalent Semester Hours |
| 5 |
3.33 |
| 4 |
2.66 |
| 3 |
2.00 |
| 2 |
1.33 |
| 1 |
0.66 |
Award of credit may only be from institutions approved by the Bureau for Private Postsecondary Education (BPPE), public or private institutions of higher learning accredited by an accrediting association recognized by the U.S. Department of Education, or any institution of higher learning. Institutions not accredited will be reviewed by the Dean of the College in which student is applying. This includes foreign institutions offering a program. Credits may be considered for transfer if they can provide documents that the institution at which the credits were earned offers degree programs equivalent to degree programs approved by BPPE or accredited by an accrediting association recognized by the U.S. Department of Education.
Residency Requirements
In order to be compliant with the California Code of Regulations (5 CCR §71770(b)) the University has established its residency requirement. The University will award a maximum of 75% of the credits applied toward an undergraduate program derived in combination of any or both of credits earned from prior institutions or Challenge examinations and standardized tests (e.g., CLEP).
The University may award a maximum of 20% of graduate semester credits received by another institution at the graduate level. For doctoral programs, no more than 20% of semester credits received by another institution may be awarded.
Articulation Agreements
The University makes every effort to build agreements with other institutions of higher learning. Below is a listing of current agreements the university has established.
- Santa Monica College
- Straighterline
- Student Education - TeacherReady Program
Agreements may be executed throughout an academic year and published on the University website. Before publishing onto the Catalog or addendum.
Non-Transferable Courses
Courses that are non-transferable, meaning the course will not be accepted into a USU program, will be denoted in this catalog under specific program information. Please refer to the Academic Programs section.
Block Transfer
Students who completed an Associate Degree for Transfer (ADT) at an accredited college or university in the United States may receive a block transfer of up-to 60 semester credits. An Associate of Applied Science or an Associate degree from a foreign country will require a course-by-course evaluation by a recognized agency as stated within our general admission policy. Additional courses may still be required to meet program specific requirements after an official evaluation by the Office of the Registrar is completed.
Students entering the BSN program will receive 60 semester credits as a block transfer for an associate degree in nursing that resulted in a current, unencumbered registered nursing license (US). Any coursework completed beyond the 60 semester credit block transfer will be evaluated course-by-course to ensure students have a broad background in liberal arts/general education. Duplicate credit shall not be awarded because of overlapping tests, college-level courses, or both.
Credit for Non-Traditional Learning
Credit for Prior Learning
Students may earn college credits for courses where they can demonstrate college-level competence in certain areas of study by way of evaluation and assessment with select professional certification(s). No more than 25% of a program (measured in credit hours) can be awarded by credit for prior learning. A listing of those certificates can be found on the university website or by contacting the Office of the Registrar. Credits earned will appear on the Student’s transcript as Credit (CR) and will not be calculated into a student’s GPA.
Credit by Examination
Credit by examination allows students to earn college credits for courses where they can demonstrate college-level competence in certain areas of study. Students may earn credit by examination by submitting passing scores from the Advanced Placement (AP) test, College Level Examination Program (CLEP), DSST, or select American Council on Education (ACE) evaluations where transfer may be recommended. These scores must be sent from the issuing organization directly to the Office of the Registrar. Credits earned will appear on the Student’s transcript as Credit (CR) and will not be calculated into a student’s GPA. (Students may not apply for credit by examination for courses that they have already taken and received a failing grade).
Advanced Placement (AP)
For a listing of acceptable Advanced Placement (AP) tests for transfer, please refer to the Transfer Admission page on the University Website. A minimum score of three (3) is required in order to award credit.
College Level Examination Program (CLEP)
For a listing of acceptable CLEP tests for transfer, please refer to the on the Transfer Admission page University Website. A minimum score of 50 (C-Level) is required in order to award credit.
DSST
A listing of acceptable DSST tests for transfer can be located on the University Website. Please contact the Office of the Registrar for acceptable minimum score requirements. Students must use code 9492 on the “Score Report Recipient” to have scores mailed directly to the University.
American Council on Education (ACE)
Credits may be awarded for military training and/or experience, informal online learning, and other college-level learning acquired outside a traditional academic institution based on the evaluation and recommendation by ACE. Students must submit transcripts of all coursework taken.
Transferability of Credits after Matriculation
The University understands that there may be instances that students may complete courses at another institution after matriculating into a program at United States University. A student who is requesting to attend another academic institution may do so by completing a Request for Transfer of Credit form available from the Office of the Registrar. It is recommended that students do not register at another academic institution until receiving confirmation that the University will approve the request. Students may transfer a maximum of 15 credits after matriculation in an undergraduate program and 3 credits in a graduate program. All other requirements under Transfer Credit Policy apply: i.e., residency requirements.
Transferability of credits will not be accepted when a student is within 12 semester credits of graduation. Students wishing to transfer courses that are prerequisites for other USU coursework may not be allowed to proceed in their sequence of study until all prerequisites have been met.
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.