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Transfer Eligibility

Undergraduate transfer process

 

Preliminary Transfer Credit Evaluation:

 

Newly admitted students with transfer courses from domestic institutions will receive a preliminary transfer credit evaluation usually two to three weeks after submission of official transcripts and complete admission packet.

 

Acceptability of Transfer Courses by JCSU:

The university generally will accept a maximum of 64 credit hours from a recognized and accredited junior, community, or technical college, or 90 credit hours from a recognized, accredited four-year institution. The university does not accept grade points, Pass/Fail, CLEP, Dante, or Credit for Military Training and Educational Experiences; however, a grade of P/Pass during COVID may be accepted.

 

Generally, college-level courses completed at accredited institutions will transfer, provided the course is similar in level, scope, and content to courses offered at JCSU and a grade of C- or higher is earned. Acceptance of courses for transfer credit is based on the following:

 

  • direct equivalency to a Johnson C. Smith University course (whether within or outside of the major),
  • direct equivalency to a general education requirement, or
  • no direct equivalency but acceptable as a general elective.

 

It is important to note that the evaluation of transfer courses is an ongoing process that typically continues through the first semester at the University by advisors. However, this may extend past the first semester depending on when the final official  transcript and, if necessary, course syllabi are reviewed by the program.

 

NC Community College Articulation Agreement:

 

Students who have earned an A.A. (Associate in Arts) or A.S. (Associate in Science) from a North Carolina Community College may receive credit for completing JCSU’s general education requirements (Foundation and Pillar courses) if they have earned a minimum of 60 credit hours in approved college-level courses with a grade of C or higher.

 

Exceptions:

 

  1. Under no circumstances will grades below C- transfer to JCSU.
  2. Should a student earn an A.A./A.S. with a grade lower than C in any of the following courses, they will be required to repeat the equivalent at JCSU: ENG 111, ENG 112, COM 231, or MAT 143, 152, or 171.
  3. If a JCSU major requires a particular course that is part of the general education curriculum and the student has not completed that course, they will have to fulfill that requirement at JCSU. For example, Psychology and Dance majors both require BIO 143 (Intro to Biology); if a student took Geology to fulfill their science requirement, they will have to take BIO 143 at JCSU as part of their major course work.
  4. In some cases, students may be required to take additional prerequisite courses that do not count towards their major but may count as free electives.
  5. A minimum of 122 hours is required to earn a degree; some degree programs require additional hours.

 

International Transcripts:

 

  • Academic transcripts submitted to the Office of Admissions or the Office of Registrar for evaluation should be certified original documents.
  • Documents in language other than English must be accompanied by an official English translation.

 

Transfer Course Notations:

 

  • Transfer courses that have already been evaluated will be listed on the JCSU transcript and have the course type notation of “TR.”
  • Transfer courses not accepted by JCSU are not listed on the JCSU transcript.

 

Acceptability vs. Applicability of Transfer Courses:

 

The Office of Admissions and the Office of the Registrar oversee course subject matter to determine the acceptability and the awarding of transfer credit. They consult with the Deans and academic departments, when necessary, for course clarifications and guidance.

 

A transfer course must be accepted by JCSU before it can be applicable toward degree requirements (general education, specific major requirements, and total credits needed to graduate).

 

Transfer Course Evaluation Request:

 

Students are responsible for submitting all final official transcripts detailing their entire academic record prior to enrolling at the University. Only official transcripts from the institution at which credits were received will post to a student’s JCSU record. Dual-enrollment credits earned by students while attending high school must be submitted from the college or university through which credit was earned; students will not receive credit for college courses notated on a high school transcript.

 

Dual Enrollment Transfers:

 

Dual-enrollment credits earned by students while attending high school must be submitted from the college or university through which credit was earned; students will not receive credit for college courses notated on a high school transcript. Students are responsible for submitting all final official transcripts detailing their entire academic record prior to enrolling at the University. Only official transcripts from the institution at which credits were received will post to a student’s JCSU record.

 

 

Credit by Examination (AB and IB):

 

The university accepts transfer credit through two examinations only: Advanced Placement Exam (AP) and International Baccalaureate (IB). Students satisfactorily completing Advanced Placement (AP) Examinations in disciplines offered by the university with a score of 3 or above will be accepted for college credit. Students satisfactorily complete an IB examination with a score of 4 or higher will be accepted for college credit. Please refer to the University Catalog for detailed information.

 

Current students may obtain credit by attending another college or university if the following conditions are met, as outlined in the University Catalog:

 

  1. The proposed institution of study must offer courses equivalent to those at JCSU and be accredited by one of the following regional accrediting:
     
    • Accrediting Commission for Community and Junior Colleges (ACCJC) Western Association of Schools and Colleges
    • Higher Learning Commission (HLC)
    • Middle States Commission on Higher Education (MSCHE)
    • New England Commission of Higher Education (NECHE)
    • Northwest Commission on Colleges and Universities (NWCCU)
    • Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges (SACSCOC)
    • WASC Senior College and University Commission (WSCUC)
    • Transnational Association of Christian Colleges and Schools
  2. The student must secure approval of transfer credit in writing from instructors, advisors, Chairs of the Departments at JCSU, and the Office of the Registrar by obtaining the proper signature on a Transfer of Credit form before enrolling in the course. The form can be obtained from the Office of the Registrar, and, after being properly executed, should be returned there. Elective credits may be received for certain courses that do not correspond to any offered at JCSU provided approval is first received from the appropriate Department Chair.
  3. Approved courses in which the student receives a grade of C or better are transferable. Quality points and grades are not transferable; credit hours are transferable. Credit will not be accepted for courses where a grade below C was earned
  4. The maximum number of credit hours an undergraduate student may take in any consortium or transient period is 15. If an undergraduate transfer student is approved to take course work at another university in a consortium and/or or as a transient, they are still required to complete a minimum of 25% of their credit hours at Johnson C. Smith University and may not take more than the maximum amount of hours required for transfer students.

 

International Transcripts:

 

  • Academic transcripts submitted to the Office of Admissions or the Office of Registrar for evaluation should be certified original documents.
  • Documents in language other than English must be accompanied by an official English translation.
  • Students requesting credit for specific JCSU course equivalencies need to include detailed course descriptions (in English) with their transcript or evaluations from a nationally recognized educational evaluation service for consideration (e.g. WES or IEE).

*The evaluation of transfer courses is an ongoing process that typically continues through the first semester at the University by advisors. However, this may extend past the first semester depending on when the final official  transcript and, if necessary, course syllabi are reviewed by the program.

*The University reserves the right to deny transfer credit based on falsification of documents. The university also reserves the right to modify this policy to remain within compliance.