There are a number of limitations on the types and quantities of courses that may be transferred. It is the student's responsibility to follow all of the required procedures in order to transfer courses to his or her Catholic University record.
Below are some individual items that are important to keep in mind as you explore off-campus courses. A complete overview of policies and procedures is available in the Academic Transfer of Credit policy.
Courses not eligible for transfer
- Independent study
- Internships
- Courses not providing credit toward graduation at the offering institution
- Courses meeting long hours over a few days
- Courses lasting less than 3 weeks
- Courses that overlap a Catholic University session for which the student is enrolled
- Courses of fewer than 3 semester credits (or 5 quarter credits)
- "Life experience" credit
- CLEP credit done after matriculation at any college or university
- Courses not appropriate for a liberal arts degree
- Courses taken at a college that is not accredited by a regional accreditation entity within the American Council on Education
Online courses must be approved by the student's School. Some Schools within Catholic University do not accept online courses for transfer. Coursework may be acceptable for Catholic University credit even if no equivalent course is offered at Catholic University. However, courses in subject areas not granted credit at Catholic University (for example, "student success," physical education, recreation, or emergency medical training) may not be transferred.
Residency requirements
1. 10 of the last 12 courses must be taken at Catholic University.
Students who wish to take courses elsewhere between the junior and senior years should take note of this "10 of last 12" requirement.2. At least half of courses for a degree must be taken at Catholic University.
New transfer students may bring in up to 20 courses total. At least half of the courses required for graduation must be taken at Catholic University.
3. Transferred courses after matriculation are limited to a total of two times years in residence at Catholic University. Summer transfer is limited to two courses per year.
First-year students may subsequently transfer to their degree program a maximum of eight courses from other colleges; a student who enters as a sophomore, six courses; a student who enters as a junior, four courses. (Courses transferred at the time of matriculation are not included in this limitation; however, as indicated above, total transfer courses are limited to half the number required for the Catholic University degree.) Courses taken through Catholic University study abroad programs are not transfer courses; however, study abroad courses through non-Catholic University programs require transfer. Transfers from summer school sessions at other institutions are limited to two courses per year, and are subject to the general limitations above.
Additional cautions
A matriculated student may not transfer courses taken elsewhere during a fall or spring semester when the student is enrolled at Catholic University.
No credit will be given for a transfer course whose Catholic University equivalent has also been taken by the student.
Transfer credit is not posted on the student's record until an official transcript is received directly from the institution where the course was taken. It is the student's responsibility to request a transcript from the institution. The address is noted on the Off-Campus Course Evaluation Form.
A minimum grade of C- is required for any transferred course.
Transfer courses do not affect Catholic University grade point average.
Evaluations will not be handled by telephone.
Evaluation of equivalency does not guarantee that credit will be given for the course. To receive credit, a course must meet all applicable University policies.