Transfer

Undergraduate Transfer Credit Policy

This statement outlines important information for students who present undergraduate credit for transfer to a degree program at the University of Nebraska–Lincoln. Transfer credit is any post-secondary credit earned at an institution outside the University of Nebraska–Lincoln, including other institutions in the University of Nebraska System (NCTA, UNK, UNO, and UNMC).

The college within the University of Nebraska–Lincoln in which a student enrolls (the degree college) has the ultimate responsibility for determining how all credit, including transfer credit, will apply to a specific degree program. Evaluation of transfer credit is based on a review of the comparability of the nature, content, and level of the learning experience and its appropriateness to the student’s degree program. The acceptance and use of transfer credit are subject to limitations in accordance with the educational policies of The University of Nebraska–Lincoln.

Transfer Credit Practices

The University of Nebraska–Lincoln endorses the Joint Statement on Transfer and Award of Academic Credit approved by the American Council on Education (ACE), the American Association of Collegiate Registrars and Admissions Officers (AACRAO), and the Council for Higher Education Accreditation (CHEA). The current issue of Transfer Credit Practices of Designated Educational Institutions, published by AACRAO is an example of a reference used in determining transfer credit.

Applicants must request an official transcript sent to the Office of Admissions from each college attended. Failure to provide transcripts from all colleges or universities attended may result in denial of the application or dismissal from the university. Grades from institutions outside the universities in the NU System will be used for evaluation and admission, but will not become part of the University cumulative Grade Point Average (GPA). Each degree college determines its policy for acceptance and application of grades below C to degree requirements.

Credit Presented For Transfer From Within The University of Nebraska System

Credit earned at any institution within the University of Nebraska System will be accepted by the University of Nebraska - Lincoln. Applicability to degree requirements is determined by the student’s degree college. Direct course equivalencies with UNK, UNO, and UNMC, established by faculty, are maintained by the NU System and are available online at http://transfer.nebraska.edu. Applicability of courses without direct equivalents will be at the discretion of the degree college.

Inter-Institutional Agreements

Associate to Baccalaureate Agreements. Agreements have been established for specific programs at selected community colleges.

Transfer courses equivalents. Direct equivalents have been established by the University of Nebraska–Lincoln faculty review for courses from many institutions including Nebraska Community Colleges and Nebraska College of Technical Agriculture. Applicability of courses without direct equivalents will be at the discretion of the degree college. Transfer Course Equivalency tables are available online at http://admissions.unl.edu/nebraska/equivalency. While every effort is made to ensure accuracy, this information is subject to change.

Credit Presented For Transfer Which Requires Additional Review By The Degree College

The following types of transfer credit require additional review by the student’s degree college within the University of Nebraska - Lincoln to determine applicability to the student’s program of study.
 

• Credit in courses presented for transfer that do not have a direct equivalent as established by the University of Nebraska–Lincoln faculty review.
• Credit in courses determined by the University of Nebraska–Lincoln to be of a developmental, vocational, or technical nature.
• Credit in courses or programs in which the institution granting the credit is not directly involved.
• Credit presented for transfer from institutions not accredited by one of the regional accrediting commissions. (https://www.chea.org/regional-accrediting-organizations)
• In determining the acceptability of transfer credit from colleges that are not regionally accredited, acceptance practices indicated in the current issue of Transfer Credit Practices of Designated Educational Institutions, an AACRAO publication, will be used as a guide. For institutions not listed in the publication, guidance is requested from the designated reporting institution of the appropriate state.
• Credit presented for transfer from institutions outside the United States. Transfer credit from foreign educational institutions may be granted after a determination of the type of institution involved, its recognition by the educational authorities of the foreign country, and an evaluation of the content, level, and comparability of the study to courses and programs at the University of Nebraska–Lincoln. Credit may be granted in specific courses or assigned to general areas of study. Questions about foreign credentials and educational systems should be directed to the Office of Admissions.
• For any acceptable course taken in the Spring term of 2020 and receiving a grade of P, credit can be applied toward prerequisite and degree completion requirements. This was a temporary measure due to COVID and applies only to courses from the Spring 2020 term.

Special Situations, Qualifications, and Limitations, Related to Transfer of Credit

Applicability of Transfer Credit to Degree Requirements

The student’s degree college within the University of Nebraska–Lincoln has the ultimate responsibility for determining how all credit, including transfer credit, will apply to a specific degree program.

Transfer Credit From Two-Year or Four-Year Institutions

No more than 60 semester or 90 quarter credits earned at two-year colleges can be applied to an undergraduate degree from the University of Nebraska–Lincoln.

No more than 90 total hours may transfer from all institutions to the University of Nebraska–Lincoln for a degree program. Please consult the appropriate college section of the undergraduate catalog for college specific policies regarding transfer credit.

Lower Division Credit

Lower division courses transferred to the University of Nebraska–Lincoln will generally be used to meet lower division requirements. In the event that a lower division transfer course is used as a substitution for an upper division requirement at the university a student may be required to complete additional upper division hours for graduation.

Residency Requirement

The University’s colleges may require that specific courses or a certain number of credit hours be completed on the University of Nebraska–Lincoln campus to satisfy the residency requirement.

Dual Credit Earned While a Student is Enrolled in High School

When a student earns both high school and college credit for a course, the student must present a transcript from the original postsecondary institution offering credit for the course. Such courses will be evaluated as transfer credit.

Other Credit Earned While in High School

Many students enroll in one or more college courses while enrolled in high school. An official transcript of all courses attempted must be presented upon application unless the credit was earned at the University of Nebraska–Lincoln. Credit from institutions outside the University of Nebraska–Lincoln will be evaluated as transfer credit.

Credit Earned in the United States Armed Forces

Students with military service will be awarded 1 credit of military science for every three months of active duty up to a total of four credits. Credit for technical or specialized schools will be accepted to the extent that the material is applicable toward degree requirements at the University of Nebraska–Lincoln.

Credit by Examination (CBE)

Programs accepted at the University of Nebraska–Lincoln include the Advanced Placement (AP) Program, the International Baccalaureate (IB) Examinations, DSST Exams, Cambridge International A Level, the College Level Examination Program (CLEP), and departmental examinations. For information on specific exams and required scores accepted for credit at the University of Nebraska - Lincoln see: http://creditevaluation.unl.edu/credit-types. Credit by Exam may not be transferred directly to the University of Nebraska–Lincoln from another institution. Scores from these examinations should be sent to the University of Nebraska–Lincoln from the testing agency and credit will be awarded based on the University of Nebraska - Lincoln’s policies.

Students who anticipate applying to professional programs should inquire about the acceptability of Credit by Exam before registering for exams.

Credit by Departmental Examination

Credit by departmental examination allows regularly enrolled students to gain academic credit for knowledge they have acquired by self-study or experience. The student’s knowledge base is expected to parallel that of the specific University of Nebraska–Lincoln course for which the student wishes to gain credit.  Examinations for credit through the University of Nebraska–Lincoln departments may be taken only by currently enrolled students. A student is not permitted to receive Credit by Examination in a course that is a prerequisite for a course already taken. Credit earned by examination is not applicable for use in an advanced degree program. Credit granted by another college for placement exams or locally designed test-out examinations will not be accepted in transfer.

University of Nebraska–Lincoln Students Who Earn Credit at Another Institution

Current University of Nebraska–Lincoln students are urged to consult with the appropriate academic advisor before enrolling in any course intended to be applied to the student’s degree. Non-University of Nebraska–Lincoln credit for education abroad programs will be evaluated as transfer credit upon receipt of official transcripts. Current University of Nebraska–Lincoln students who wish to enroll in a course at another institution in the NU System should file an Intercampus Application, http://admissions.unl.edu/apply.aspx#admission-requirements/intercampus. Students must request official transcripts for all non-University of Nebraska - Lincoln courses.

University of Nebraska–Lincoln Students Who Wish to Transfer From One UNL College to Another

Current University of Nebraska–Lincoln students seeking to gain admission to another degree college must meet all standards for admission to the new college as a transfer applicant. The new college will evaluate all of the student’s credit, including transfer credit, to determine which credit will be applicable to degree requirements.