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CWU 504-21: Acceptance of Transfer Credits

Effective: July 8, 2026

Policy Review Date: 2029

Policy Executive: Provost and Executive Vice President of Academic Affairs

Responsible Office/Unit: Registrar’s Office

 

Policy Statement:

CWU prides itself on creating access and opportunities and welcomes students from other institutions and recognizes that valuable learning happens in many different environments including life experiences. This policy outlines how we evaluate and accept credits earned elsewhere—whether from other colleges, military service, or standardized tests—to help students complete their CWU degree efficiently. While CWU strives to be as flexible as possible in honoring transfer work, we also set clear limits on credit totals and maintain strict quality standards to ensure that transfer credits align with our own academic requirements. Our goal is to be student-ready and to create a fair and transparent path for students to transition into the CWU community without repeating work they have already mastered. 

Applicability:

This policy applies to all undergraduate and graduate students pursuing degrees, certificates, or other credentials at Central Washington University, including those seeking to apply transfer credits or Academic Credit for Prior Learning (ACPL) toward their graduation requirements. 

Content:

          Policy
          Appendix A – Acceptance of Transfer Credits Procedure

(1) Transfer Credit

A. In general, it is the university's policy to accept credits earned through college and university-level courses at institutions fully accredited by their respective regional accrediting association.

B. A student may transfer no more than 135 credits, including a maximum of 105 lower division credits to be applied to the 180-credit minimum toward graduation. Test credits (Advanced Placement, Cambridge, International Baccalaureate, College Level Examination Program), military credits, and non-traditional credit contributes to the 105 lower division credit limit.

C. Only official transcripts and official test score results will be used to evaluate credits for degree requirements.

D. Students who would like to petition their transfer equivalency may request a substitution through their academic department for major/minor requirements or file a general education petition through registrar services.


(2) Transfer Credit from Four-Year Institutions

A. A student may transfer no more than 135 credits, including a maximum of 105 lower division credits to be applied to the 180-credit minimum toward graduation.

B. Students who transfer from a regionally-accredited four-year institution after completing the general education at their prior four-year institution, will not be required to complete the CWU general education requirement. Students must submit evidence of prior general education completion to registrar services upon admission.

(3) Transfer Credit from Community Colleges

A. The university will accept a maximum of 105 community college credits. Course work exceeding that amount may be used to satisfy specific requirements but no additional credits will be accepted.

B. A student cannot earn an associate degree and bachelor degree in the same quarter.

C. Associate of arts degrees from a college accredited by the Northwest Commission on Colleges and Universities in the state of Washington approved by the Intercollege Relations Commission (ICRC) as a direct transfer agreement (DTA) associate degree with a cumulative grade point average of at least 2.00 will have satisfied the general education and the foreign language requirements of a bachelor’s degree.

D. Associate of science transfer degrees (AS-T Track 1 or 2) with a cumulative grade point average of at least 2.00 which are part of direct transfer agreements between CWU and Washington community colleges must meet additional general education requirements for a CWU bachelor’s degree, but will not be required to complete the foreign language requirement. (See Appendix A, Section (2).D)).

E. Associate degrees that are not part of the direct transfer agreement, such as applied career and technical degrees, will not automatically satisfy the general education requirements at CWU.

F. Academic transfer associate degrees with a cumulative grade point average of at least 2.00 from an accredited college outside the state of Washington may meet the general education and foreign language requirement of a bachelor’s degree. Review of the content/distribution of the associate degree is completed by a registrar services designee and recommended approval by the general education committee.

G. Transfer students with an Associate of Applied Science degree who enter a Bachelor of Applied Science program will be considered to have met the foreign language requirements for graduation.

(4) Prior Learning Assessment (PLA)

A. CWU is committed to providing access and opportunity for all students by recognizing and valuing their diverse prior learning experiences.

B. The Prior Learning Assessment (PLA) program at CWU allows undergraduate and graduate students to earn Academic Credit for Prior Learning (ACPL). ACPL is awarded for knowledge, skills, and competencies gained outside the classroom when they are demonstrably equivalent to established CWU course or program outcomes.

C. Methods for Awarding Credit for Prior Learning:

  1. Standardized examinations (such as CLEP and DSST/DANTES)
  2. Portfolio assessment,
  3. Course challenge,
  4. Experiential learning crosswalks (including professional training and industry certifications).

D. For institutional consistency, all references to PLA within CWU policies will include these four methods – see 4.C.

E. Academic Integrity:

  1. To ensure academic integrity, all PLA must be conducted and recommended by faculty and approved by the appropriate department chair before being applied to the student's transcript by the Registrar's Office.
  2. The academic department will determine the level of credit awarded (either lower-division or upper-division).3. Once awarded, ACPL can be applied toward degree programs, certificates, general education requirements, or general electives.

F. Credit Limit:

  1. ACPL granted through PLA is limited to no more than 25% of the total credits required for a CWU credential, including undergraduate and graduate degrees or certificates. ACPL in excess of this 25% limit cannot be applied toward the credential unless an exception is approved by the appropriate College Dean.
  2. Credits earned from military learning and experience, based on ACE Guide recommendations, as well as other forms of PLA, will be evaluated against the 25% cap on ACPL applicable toward degree requirements.

G. ACPL credits cannot be used to fulfill CWU residency requirements. Detailed procedures, fees, and guidelines for the PLA program will be maintained in the PLA Implementation Handbook by the Registrar, with updates approved by the Provost or designee to ensure compliance with institutional and accreditation standards.

(5) Other Forms of Credit

A. Other Forms of Credit: e.g. Advanced Placement (AP); College Level Examination Program (CLEP); International Baccalaureate (IB); Cambridge International.

B. By policy, undergraduate elective credit is granted by the university for scores of three (3) or higher on the Advanced Placement Exam and for scores of four (4) or higher on Standard-Level and Higher-Level IB Exams.

C. Determination of the specific course credit awarded for AP, IB, and Cambridge coursework is made by the appropriate academic department or program. Credit is granted according to the evidence-based assessment of published student learning outcomes from the course for which credit is sought. A list of transfer credit equivalencies is kept by the Registrar, reviewed by biennially, and published in the CWU course catalog. Should a specific CWU or general education course equivalency not be granted, students may request a written rationale for such decision.

D. Acceptance criteria and processes for the following credit-types considered by CWU are as follows:

  1. Advanced Placement Credit. The University will grant, at a minimum, elective credit for College Board Advanced Placement (AP) exams completed with a score of three (3) or higher. Credit for advanced placement is recorded with a grade of S (satisfactory). Students must request that their official AP test scores be sent to registrar services at CWUCentral. Standards of acceptance of AP credit will be established by appropriate academic departments or program and listed in the official catalog.
  2. College Level Examination Program (CLEP). Students will be awarded college-level quarter credits with a grade of S for each score at the 40th percentile or greater on the College Level Examination Program (CLEP) humanities, social science/history and natural sciences examinations. These credits will meet the general education requirements in the appropriate areas. Students may also be awarded credit for subject examinations as determined by appropriate academic departments at the time of application for credit.
  3. International Baccalaureate. Central recognizes the International Baccalaureate (IB) program as a coherent and challenging course of study and responds individually to each participant’s IB transcript for award of college credit. The university will grant, at a minimum, elective credit for International Baccalaureate (IB) higher level exams completed with a score of four (4) or higher. Standards for acceptance for specific courseof IB credit will be established by the appropriate academic departments and listed in the official catalog. CWU recognizes the International Baccalaureate Diploma and awards up to 45 quarter credits (30 semester credits). With the receipt of a Diploma, credit will be awarded for 3 courses (15 quarter credits) and distributed evenly among the three general education breadth or knowledge areas. These credits will not be applied to lab or writing courses. An additional 30 quarter credits (20 semester credits) may be awarded in the areas of the students’ higher level subject exams with a score of 4 or higher.
  4. Cambridge International, Pearsons (Edexcel), Assessment and Qualifications Alliance and Oxford Cambridge and RSA (OCR). Once students have submitted the original exam certificate directly from the exam agency, they will be awarded up to 15 quarter credits for each A-level exam with a passing grade. Up to 7.5 quarter credits will be granted for each AS-level exam with a passing grade. A satisfactory (S) grade will be posted for A-level or AS-level exams.
  5. Military Credit
    a. Matriculated students seeking to use Veterans Affairs Educational benefits must submit official military transcripts (Joint Services Transcript or Air University) for evaluation.
    b. Students may receive up to 45 credits for completion of military educational experiences as recommended by the American Council on Education.
    c. Military credit recommendations that are direct equivalents to CWU course offering may be articulated to that specific course with departmental approval. If direct course equivalents do not exist, elective credit will be awarded when possible.
  6. DANTES. Credit for DANTES Subject Standardized Tests (DSSTs) will be awarded for college-level academic subjects using the minimum score and credit amount as recommended by the American Council on Education and approved by the academic department.
  7. Credit will be accepted from non-U.S. institutions of higher education when:
    a. Linked to CWU either by a bilateral or consortial agreement or verified by registrar services as a legitimate, recognized institution of higher education (tertiary level) within a particular country, if the student has received a passing grade recognized by the institution, and
    b. When an official record or transcript has been received by the university.

(6) Exclusions and Exceptions

A. Exclusions

  1. Credit will not be granted for:
    a. College or universities not regionally accredited;
    b. Non-credit courses and workshops;
    c. Developmental or college preparatory courses;
    d. Sectarian religious studies;

B. Exceptions

  1. Consideration for an exception to CWU 504-21(6).A may be made by written petition to the dean of the appropriate college after the student has earned a minimum of 45 credits at CWU with a cumulative GPA of at least 2.5.
  2. Notwithstanding the above, if students submit items listed in CWU 504-21(6).A.1. as part of a portfolio assessment for Prior Learning Assessment (PLA), credits may be awarded immediately upon successful completion of the assessment. The student is not required to complete 45 credits at CWU prior to the award of these credits.

(7) Reverse Transfer Agreement

A. Students transferring to Central Washington University from a Washington state community or technical college (WA CTC) before earning a WA CTC associate’s degree will be able to apply academic credits they earn at CWU toward completion of an associate degree from their former WA CTC.

  1. The decision to pursue a reverse transfer rests solely with the student.
  2. It is the responsibility of the student to notify their WA CTC of their intent to apply for a reverse transfer and to send their CWU transcripts to thei5r WA CTC in order to earn the associate’s degree.
  3. It is the responsibility of the student to provide CWU with a transcript from their WA CTC upon conferral of their WA CT associate’s degree.

B. Eligibility

  1. Eligible students are all students who, prior to transferring to CWU, have earned at least 60 transferable quarter credits, including 30 or more credits completed at one or more WA CT.
  2. The CWU registrar will electronically notify eligible transfer students that they qualify to pursue reverse transfer after their first quarter of enrollment at CWU.

History: 

Responsibility: Faculty Senate; Authority: Provost/VP for Academic & Student Life; Reviewed/Endorsed by Provost’s Council 09/29/2015; 06/05/2018; 01/26/2021; Cabinet/UPAC; Review/Effective Date: 10/7/2015; 06/13/2018; 02/20/2019; 02/16/2020; 11/04/2020; 04/14/2021; Approved by: James L. Gaudino, President
Reformatted and Assigned new Policy Number - Previous Policy CWUP 5-90-030, June 2025
Procedure CWUR 2-90-030 attached as Appendix A, June 2025
2/6/2026 – Housekeeping updates
July 8, 2026 – Updates to Policy, Approved by: A. James Wohlpart, President

Appendix A - Acceptance of Transfer Credit Procedure

 

(1) Transfer Credit from Four-Year Institutions

A. Transfer course equivalents to university courses apply toward the baccalaureate degree exactly as do the CWU courses for which they are being articulated, equivalency is established by the appropriate academic department chairs. Once established, transfer course equivalencies will be maintained by registrar services and articulated in the same manner for all students, other transfer courses that have not been established as exact equivalents may also be allowed in the degree program with approval from the appropriate academic department chair and, as appropriate, college dean.

B. Colleges that operate on a semester basis (i.e., divide the academic year into two parts, exclusive of summer) give semester credits, Equivalent quarter credits are semester credits multiplied by one and half,

(2) Transfer Credit from Community Colleges

A. Transfer course equivalents to university courses apply toward the baccalaureate degree exactly as do the CWU courses for which they are being articulated. Equivalency is established by the appropriate academic department chairs. Once established, transfer course equivalencies will be maintained by registrar services and articulated in the same manner for all students, other transfer courses that have not been established as exact equivalents may also be allowed in the degree program with approval from the appropriate academic department chair and, as appropriate, college dean.

B. Transferable academic associate of arts degrees with a cumulative grade point average of at least 2.00, as determined by registrar services and approved by the General Education Committee, from a college accredited by the Northwest Commission on Colleges and Universities will meet the general education requirements. Transferable academic associate of arts degrees within Washington State must be approved by the Joint Transfer Council (JTC), applied career, and technical education degrees cannot be used to satisfy the general education requirements.

C. After initial enrollment at CWU, transfer students without a transferable associate degree from a Washington State community college wishing to complete such a degree must complete it a minimum of one quarter prior to earning their bachelor degree.

D. Students who enter with an associate of science transfer (AS-T Track 1 or 2) degree with a cumulative grade point average of at least 2.00 must complete the following additional requirements to meet the general education requirements:

  1. Academic Writing II
  2. Three additional general education courses chosen from the Individual and Society, Community Culture and Citizenship, Global Dynamics, Creative Expression, or Humanities knowledge areas.
    a. Students may only take one course per knowledge area.
    b. Student may take courses from the same department or interdisciplinary program in no more than two knowledge areas.

(3) Other Forms of Credit

A. Students may receive credit or advanced placement, or both, depending upon the scores achieved in the college entrance examination board advanced placement (AP) test, Credit or placement on the basis of AP test scores will be established by the appropriate individual academic departments.

B. Credits for successful completion of College-Level Examination Program® (CLEP®) tests will be accepted in accordance with procedures established by the Academic Affairs Committee.

  1. Students will be awarded five college-level quarter credits for each score at the 50th percentile on the CLEP® humanities, social science/history, and natural sciences examinations, These credits will meet the general education requirements in the appropriate academic areas.
  2. Students may also be awarded credit for subject examinations as determined by appropriate academic departments at the time of application for credit.

C. Credit for completing individual areas of study within the international baccalaureate program may be accepted, Individual students must petition the Registrar services for review of their program of study and examination scores, Standards for acceptance will be established by the appropriate academic departments.

D. Credit will be accepted from non-U.S. institutions of higher education:

  1. linked to CWU either by a bilateral or consortial agreement or
  2. certified by the CWU office of international studies and programs as a legitimate, recognized institution of higher education (tertiary level) within a particular country, if the student has received a passing grade recognized by the institution, and
  3. when an official record or transcript has been received by the university.
(4) Students will be notified after completing 30 credits at CWU that they are eligible to utilize the Reverse Transfer Agreement to earn an associate degree at the appropriate community or technical college.