Transfer credit is given for courses successfully completed (with a US grade of “C” (2.0) or its international equivalent or higher) at other postsecondary institutions, when the courses are comparable to those offered by University of the Potomac.
Students applying for transfer credit are required to present an official transcript of grades earned. To be considered official, transcripts must be in a sealed envelope from the institution of origin and bear all appropriate institutional markings. Students should submit transcripts from all previous colleges/universities attended. The University must receive official transcripts within the first semester of a student’s attendance.
Transfer credits are considered from the following sources:
- An accredited higher education institution recognized by the US Department of Education.
- Nationally recognized college-equivalency examinations such as Advanced Placement (AP), College Level Equivalency Program (CLEP) and DANTES/DSST (Defense Activity for Non-Traditional Education Support/DANTES Subject Standardized Tests).
- ACE-approved military training and service.
- Credit may be given for work experience. Students may request an exam in up to three courses in the field in which they are employed. These exams will be given upon submission of a recommendation by an employer or supervisor. Or, students may present portfolios for up to nine (9) credits or three courses. These portfolios will include a description of the work experience and an explanation of how it covers specific Potomac courses as well as a documenting letter from an employer or supervisor. Self-employed applicants may present a resume and a business card.
- Other recognized postsecondary institutions located outside the United States. Official transcripts from postsecondary institutions located outside the United States must be prepared in English and include an independent, official evaluation from a credential evaluator who is a member of the National Association of Credential Evaluation Services. www.naces.org.
Transfer credit requests are usually made at time of admission by providing an official or unofficial postsecondary transcript to the Admissions Advisor. A review of the transfer request is conducted and the applicant is provided with a preliminary unofficial evaluation that determines a possible number of credits eligible for transfer.
Official transcripts are required before transfer credit is granted. Students must have submitted official transcripts of prior college work to be eligible for graduation. Courses or degrees completed at another institution must be similar in content and duration to those offered in the University of the Potomac program for which an applicant has applied. Only courses for which a grade of “C” (2.0) or higher was earned are considered for transfer credit.
Students who wish to transfer in credits taken at another institution during their studies at Potomac may do so. However, it is in the student’s interest to clear the course the student intends to take with an academic advisor to ensure that the course is a Potomac equivalent prior to registering at the outside institution. Substitutions for specific courses are always considered. For example, a broad-based history course may be substituted for World Civilizations or a natural science course may be substituted for Environmental Science. Courses without equivalency will not be considered for transfer. As for any transfer credit, only courses for which a grade of “C” (2.0) or higher was earned are considered. Student must submit an official transcript of the course within one semester of having taken it.
University of the Potomac grants transfer credits of 60 semester hours to students who have completed Associate degrees awarded by an accredited US institution. Students whose associate degrees have been accepted in transfer are considered to have completed lower division requirements for a Bachelor of Science degree at Potomac. If there are prerequisite courses students need to take for upper division Potomac courses, students are required to take these.
At a baccalaureate level, no more than 60 hours of transfer credit earned through non-traditional methods such as CLEP, DANTES/DSST, military training and credit for work experience may be applied toward graduation requirements. At an associate level, no more than 30 hours of transfer credit earned through non-traditional methods such as CLEP, DANTES/DSST and military training may be applied toward graduation requirements.
A maximum of 90 semester credit hours of transfer credit may be applied toward a bachelor degree; a maximum of 45 semester credit hours of transfer credit may be applied toward an associate degree. No transfer credit is granted for certificate programs.
Transfer credits can affect the maximum time frame in which a student must complete a program and maintain financial aid eligibility. University of the Potomac reserves the right to deny transfer credit for certain technology-related courses that were not earned within the last five calendar years.