Transfer Credit Evaluation

Transfer Credit Policy

Generally, Temple accepts academic, college-level courses beyond the developmental level completed with a grade C- or better, from accredited institutions. Credit is only awarded in academic subjects with a corresponding Temple department. Duplicate credit in the same course is not awarded in any case. Whenever possible, credit is allowed for courses completed more than 10 years before the date of admission. Courses evaluated for transfer from colleges and universities with different credit systems (e.g. quarter hours, units, etc.) are converted to semester hours (i.e., 2 quarter hour credits are equivalent to 1.5 semester hour credits; 3 quarter hour credits are equivalent to 2.0 semester hour credits; 4 quarter hour credits are equivalent to 2.5 semester hour credits).

Temple University also awards limited academic credit and course placement to students based on previous academic, employment, military and/or other learning experiences not earned in a traditional classroom setting. For more information about Temple’s Credit for Prior Learning policies see Credit for Prior Learning in the Academic Policies Section of the Undergraduate Bulletin.

Applicants must submit official transcripts from each college previously attended. The "official transcript" must be sent directly to Temple's Office of Undergraduate Admissions. Military transcripts and official score reports for standardized exams such as AP, IB, CLEP, etc. should also be sent directly to the Office of Undergraduate Admissions.

Admitted students receive an evaluation showing accepted transfer credits. Evaluation of transfer credits is based on a student's major. The student's school/college at Temple makes the final determination of which transfer credits are applicable to the student's degree program. Transfer evaluations may change for students who change majors or if additional transcripts or score reports are received.

Official copies of final transcripts and score reports, including but not limited to college/university transcripts, military transcripts, and Advanced Placement and International Baccalaureate Score Reports are required from all students. Without this information on file, students may not be able to register for future semesters and it may not be possible to receive accurate academic advising.

There is an expectation that final transcripts from all previously attended institutions be received no later than the start of the student's second semester.

Initial evaluation of transfer credits is made in the Office of Undergraduate Admissions.

Action By

Description of Action

Timeline

Student

Completes application for admission and sends official transcript(s) and official score reports to Undergraduate Admissions.

Undergraduate Admissions

Scans transcripts and/or score reports and electronically attaches to application.

As received

Undergraduate Admissions

Adds approved course equivalencies to an admitted student’s record.  Evaluations are based on the major a student indicates on their application.

Depends on when the application is complete, i.e. all transcripts, etc. received

Undergraduate Admissions

Sends offer letter and mails evaluation of credit to student.

As soon as evaluation completed

Student

Uses a DARS (Degree Audit Reporting System) report created after student accepts the offer of admission to see how courses articulate to their degree.

After tuition deposit is recorded in the system.

Student

Meets with academic advisor during new student orientation and reviews transfer equivalencies and DARS
to ensure course equivalencies are appropriate and correct.  If applicable goes over program to program grid.

Students can schedule an appointment with their advisor once the Online Orientation for Transfer Students is completed.

Process ends, if transfer equivalencies are correct and complete. 

Transfer Credit Appeals Process

Re-evaluation of credits will be facilitated by academic advisors in the students school/college according to standard Temple policies and procedures. Office of the Senior Vice Provost for Undergraduate Studies will assist with evaluation when necessary

Credit (re)evaluation/appeals process continues if:

1. additional transcript(s) are received with additional coursework
2. course(s) needs to be (re)evaluated for General Education (GenEd) Curriculum equivalency
3. course(s) needs to be (re)evaluated for College/school/department credit
4. student changes major, declaration of minor or a second major

Student may have to complete one or more of these processes. The entire process can take as little as a few days to as much as the entire semester, depending on the complexity of each student’s situation.  Factors that impact complexity: student’s major, student changing major, addition of certificate or minor, missing information or incomplete student record.

Action By

Description of Action

Undergraduate Admissions, Advising Office, Faculty, and Competency Center

1.  Additional transcript(s) received:

1. Additional transcript(s) reviewed by Advising Office.
2. Advising Office completes and submits a Transfer Credit Evaluation Change Sheet to Undergraduate Admissions.
3. Admissions processes credits for new students. Transfer Credit Evaluation Coordinator processes for continuing students. (May require consultation with faculty, if course equivalencies are not in Temple’s equivalency system.)
4. Student confirms change in DARS.

Student, Advisor

2.  General Education (GenEd) Equivalency Petition(s):

1. Student provides a course description or syllabus from the class(es) under review for GenEd credit.
2. Designated advisor within school or college evaluates course for GenEd using guidelines developed by transfer experts committee and submits GenEd Transfer Reevaluation Petition.
3. If GenEd petition is approved advisor posts credit through DARS exception.
4. Decision is posted on the Advising Database.
5. The academic advisor informs the student. 
6. Student contacts OSVPUS, if they have any questions regarding decision.
7. Student confirms change in DARS.

Student, Faculty, Advisor, and Competency Center

3. Evaluation for College/Department/School Credit:

1. Student provides course description and/or syllabus to the Department Chair (or Chair’s Faculty designee), who determines course equivalency if appropriate.  Department Chairs can be found in the Academic Programs section of the Undergraduate Bulletin.
2. Chair or designee provides information the student’s advising office.
3. Advising Office completes and submits a Transfer Credit Evaluation Change Sheet to Transfer Credit Evaluation Coordinator, who updates student’s record.
4. Student confirms change in DARS.
5. Student contacts advising unit, if they have any questions regarding decision.
6. If any questions, OSVPUS works with department and may recommend alternate solutions.

Student, Advisor, Faculty, and Competency Center

4. Student changes major:

1. Student meets with advisor, who reviews the transcript(s) and completes and submits a Transfer Credit Evaluation Change Sheet to Transfer Credit Evaluation Coordinator.
2. Transfer Credit Evaluation Coordinator updates student’s record.
3. Student confirms change(s) in DARS.

Undergraduate Admissions, Advising Office, Faculty, Competency Center, and  OSVPUS

5. Original Evaluation needs modification:

1. Advising Office completes and submits a Transfer Credit Evaluation Change Sheet to Undergraduate Admissions.
2. Undergraduate Admissions processes for new students. Transfer Credit Evaluation Coordinator processes for continuing students. (May require consultation with faculty, if course equivalencies not in Temple’s equivalency system.)
3. If course needs reevaluation for TA, OSVPUS will lead communication between internal and external constituencies.
4. Student confirms change in DARS.