Transfer Credits

Transfer Credits

Evaluation of transfer credits is the responsibility of the Office of Admissions, the Office of the Registrar, and, when applicable, a department chair. The following guidelines are used to evaluate transfer coursework:

  • No grade below a C is acceptable for transfer.
  • Pass/ Satisfactory grades are not considered a letter grade and therefore, not acceptable for transfer. 
  • Credits are transferable and recorded on a Mercyhurst transcript; letter grades and cumulative averages do not transfer.
  • Credit will generally be granted for courses reasonably equivalent in content and subject matter to current Mercyhurst courses.

The following limits apply for transfer students pursuing a bachelor’s degree: No more than 90 credits can be transferred into Mercyhurst. No more than 60 can be transferred from a junior or community college. No more than 45 credits of college or university coursework, taken as dual enrollment while in high school, are transferable. No more than six credits of physical education coursework are transferable. Orientation, internship, co-op, practicum, and student teaching coursework must be completed at Mercyhurst University. Some coursework might be ineligible for transfer, based on how long ago the credits were earned.

The following limits apply for transfer students pursuing an associate degree: No more than 30 credits can be transferred into Mercyhurst. No more than three credits of physical education coursework are transferable. Orientation, internship, co-op, and practicum coursework must be completed at Mercyhurst University. Some coursework might be ineligible for transfer, based on how long ago the credits were earned.

Certificate-seeking transfer students can transfer up to six credits from another college or university.

Generally, credits must come from a post-secondary educational institution regionally accredited by an agency recognized by the U.S. Department of Education. In certain circumstances, the university will consider accepting a maximum of 15 credits from non-regionally accredited institutions that are accredited by an agency recognized by the U.S. Department of Education and legally authorized to grant specialized associate degrees or higher. Coursework will be evaluated for transfer credit, only if the content of the coursework is in reasonable conformity to the Mercyhurst University curriculum and when a grade of B or higher has been earned.

Transfer Credits
For students enrolled at Mercyhurst, written permission must be obtained before taking courses at another accredited institution for transfer back to Mercyhurst. Full approval, including the submission of the off-campus course approval form, to the Registrar must occur prior to enrolling in a course. In addition to the requirements of meeting academic standards, the policies that guide transfer credit approval are as follows:

  • Students may transfer up to 6 credits per year.
  • No more than 6 of the last 30 credits can be transferred toward earning a baccalaureate degree.
  • A maximum of 90 credits can be transferred into the institution.

Taking a Course Off-Campus
For students enrolled at Mercyhurst, written permission must be obtained before taking courses at another accredited institution for transfer back to Mercyhurst. This includes courses taken during non-matriculation terms (i.e. over summer break) or online. Students seeking permission to enroll in a course off-campus must submit a course approval form to the Registrar and receive approval prior to enrolling in a course. Continuing students are not permitted to take more than six credits per academic year at another institution.

Note: students seeking to obtain credit for courses taken internationally, including short-term international settings (i.e. summer or January study abroad programs) are also required to apply for approval to study abroad through the Study Abroad Office prior to enrolling in a program or seeking to obtain credit for course transfers.

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