Transfer Credit - Graduate

The following criteria applies to each individual graduate degree program at Springfield College that does not already have its own transfer credit policy (see the individual graduate program’s listing in the Academic Programs section of this catalog for confirmation.)

For a course to be eligible for transfer credit, it must have been taken at an accredited institution for graduate credit, carry a grade of B or better, and either have been taken within the five years prior to the student’s matriculation or while the student is within their degree completion period in their existing Springfield College graduate program.  In addition, any course that has already been used towards a conferred graduate degree is not eligible for transfer credit unless the student is pursuing their initial doctoral degree.  It cannot apply to a Post-Baccalaureate or Post-Master’s certificate program, a second Master’s degree, a Certificate of Advanced Graduate Study (CAGS), or a second doctoral degree if it was used towards any previously conferred graduate degree.  Extension credits from another accredited institution are only eligible where the work is accepted towards a graduate degree program at that other institution, prior learning is only eligible in cases where the experience is pre-approved and listed in the Prior Learning Assessment - Graduate policy, and correspondence courses are not eligible.  Eligible courses completed on a quarter system at the previous institution will be converted by dividing the number of quarter credits by 1.5 (e.g. 1.5 quarter credits = 1 semester hour.)

Transfer credit must be approved by the indiviudal program. Accepted transfer credit will only be considered a direct equivalent to a Springfield College course in cases where the transfer credit total matches or exceeds the minimum number of credits of the equivalent course.  In addition, the maximum amount of accepted transfer credit differs based on an individual graduate program’s degree type and minimum cumulative credit total, as follows:

• Master’s, CAGS, or Doctorate degree program with 48+ credits = Maximum of 9 transfer credits
• Master’s, CAGS, or Doctorate degree program with 47 or less credits = Maximum of 6 transfer credits
• Post-Baccalaureate or Post-Master’s Certificate program = Maximum of 3 transfer credits

In extraordinary cases, exceptions to this policy can be approved by the Associate Vice President for Academic Affairs following a petition from the graduate student with support from the student’s Department Chair and Dean.