Apr 20, 2024  
2012-2013 University Catalog 
    
2012-2013 University Catalog [Archived Catalogue]

Transfer Credit and Course Equivalency


Policies 
Course Substitutions     Credit by Audition or Portfolio     Credit by Examination     Credit for Continuing Studies Coursework     Credit for ESL Institute Coursework     Credit from Non-Accredited Institutions     Residency Requirements     Transfer Credit
 


 

Course Substitutions

Occasionally a student may not be able to enroll in the exact course required for their degree program, or the department may recommend an alternate course to better suit a specific academic goal. In these cases, the student is to request an approval for a course substitution from their program director. The director will complete a Course Substitution form, listing the required course and the approved course being substituted. Forms must be submitted to the Office of the Registrar directly from the program director and will not be accepted directly from the student.

Credit by Audition or Portfolio

A maximum of 18 credits may be granted to applicants by portfolio review or audition for artistic experience independent of any coursework. Credit by portfolio or audition is granted only for work done prior to matriculation at The University of the Arts.

Academic standing and course credit based on portfolio review are determined by the appropriate department director during the admission process. This portfolio work cannot have been part of the assigned work for a secondary or post-secondary course.

Credit by Examination

Programs at the University may require students to sit for placement examinations prior to placement in a required sequence of courses. Students who demonstrate sufficient mastery of skills or course material will be placed in the appropriate level in the sequence. At the discretion of the program director, they will either be provided credit for previous courses in the sequence, or will be asked to complete other courses in the major as substitutes for those courses, or a combination of the two.

Audition credit requires the approval of the Audition Committee and the school director. Academic standing and course credit based on the audition are determined during the admission process.

Credit  for Continuing Studies Coursework

The University of the Arts Continuing Studies courses provide knowledge and essential skills in specific fields and are taught by highly qualified faculty with in-depth experience in their subject areas. Continuing Studies courses at The University of the Arts may be applicable to degree programs at the University. Credit is awarded based on a review of the student’s Continuing Studies transcript and portfolio.

Credit  for ESL Institute Coursework

Students that successfully complete the ESL Institute, earning a minimum 2.0 cumulative GPA, and matriculate into an undergraduate degree program will be awarded 3.0 credits for their ESLI coursework. These credits will be applied as undergraduate free electives. This policy does not apply to graduate students as this coursework is not commensurate with graduate level study.

Credit from Non-Accredited Institutions

Based on the applicant’s portfolio or audition and academic record, credit may be awarded at the time of admission by the department director of the intended major. The maximum number of credits awarded may not exceed the number of credits earned at the non-accredited institution (as adjusted to conform with the University’s credit evaluation policies). These credits may be assigned to fulfill specific requirements of the University of the Arts degree as agreed upon by the department director and the Registrar.

Students who have completed course work at institutions outside the United States will have those credits evaluated appropriately. In some cases they may be asked to have their transcripts evaluated by an outside agency. Applicable fees are the responsibility of the student. A full evaluation may be obtained from the following agencies:

Academic Credentials Evaluation Institute, Inc. (ACEI)
PO Box 6908
Beverly Hills, CA 90212

World Education Services
Bowling Green Station
P.O. Box 5087
New York, NY 10274-5087

Residency Requirements

Graduate Students

Graduate students must complete all coursework in residence at the University except those credits permitted as transfer.

Undergraduate Students

Undergraduate students must complete a minimum of four full-time semesters in residence at the University preceding graduation and must earn a minimum of 48 credits. The final 12 credits applied toward degree requirements must be earned in residence at the University.

Transfer Credit

Graduate Students

A maximum of six transfer credits may be awarded for graduate-level courses or upper-level undergraduate courses taken for graduate credit, completed at a regionally accredited institution, passed with a grade of B- or better, similar in content, and of the same standards to those offered at The University of the Arts. Students will only be given credit for courses applicable to their degree requirements, which are approved by the Graduate Program Director and the Registrar.

Credits transferred from other institutions become part of the student’s academic record. However, grades will not be recorded on the transcript nor used in determining the student’s grade point average.

Students who wish to take liberal arts courses at another institution must secure prior approval from the Dean of Liberal Arts on a transfer credit evaluation form. Such courses may not duplicate courses already taken for credit at The University of the Arts. Additionally, except for courses in a foreign language or in American Sign Language, courses transferred in after matriculation to meet liberal arts elective requirements must be upper-division courses at other institutions (those intended for Juniors and Seniors).

Undergraduate Students

Transfer credit may be awarded for courses successfully completed at regionally accredited institutions, which are similar in content, and of comparable standards to those offered at the University of the Arts. A minimum grade of C must have been achieved for a course to be evaluated for transfer. Transfer credit will only be awarded for courses applicable to degree requirements. Students may be requested to provide course descriptions and/or syllabi to ensure proper evaluation. Students must adhere to the residency requirements articulated above. Contact the Office of the Registrar for further information.

Credits transferred from other institutions become part of the student’s academic record. However, grades will not be recorded on the transcript or used in determining the student’s grade point average.

Applicants are given a preliminary transfer credit evaluation at the time of admission. The final award of transfer credit and placement level are subject to receipt of official final transcripts and verification by the Office of the Registrar at the time of enrollment.

Liberal Arts Distribution Transfer Requirements

A maximum of 36 transfer credits can be applied to a student’s liberal arts distribution. The maximum award is evaluated for transfer students during the admission process. Transfer credit awarded must adhere to the undergraduate transfer credit policy articulated above.

All students must complete the required Liberal Arts Humanities Seminar and Period Interpretation coursework at the University of the Arts. Transfer credit is not accepted for completion of these required courses.

Post-matriculation, students may transfer a maximum of 15 credits toward their liberal arts distribution. Students who receive 15 transfer credits or more during the admission process are ineligible to receive additional transfer credit once they have matriculated, unless granted advanced permission by the Dean of Liberal Arts.

Students who wish to take liberal arts courses at other institutions must secure prior written approval from the Dean of Liberal Arts. Courses may not duplicate those already taken for credit at the University. Additionally, except for courses in a foreign language or in American Sign Language, courses transferred post-matriculation to meet Liberal Arts elective requirements must be upper division courses at other institutions (those intended for juniors and seniors). Contact the Division of Liberal Arts for further information.