Transfer credit

Transferable credits are college/university-level credits taken at a regionally accredited institution with content equivalent to a course or appropriate to a curriculum offered at UMass Dartmouth. Courses taken at institutions not holding regional accreditation will be evaluated independently and on a course-by-course basis.

Most vocational or non-college level courses are not transferable.
Only credits from courses with a "C-" or higher grade will transfer and appear on the UMass Dartmouth transcript.
The number of college credits that can be applied towards your bachelor’s degree varies depending upon the requirements of your degree major.
In order to receive a bachelor’s degree from UMass Dartmouth, transfer students must complete at least 45 credits of coursework at UMass Dartmouth; and at least 30 of those UMass Dartmouth credits must be advanced and specialized.
If a transfer course has been taken more than once at another institution, UMass Dartmouth will accept the best grade awarded to the student for that course.
Other credits that may be applied to the UMass Dartmouth degree include:
- credit by exam: AP, CLEP, IB, CIE (see below)
- military credits (see below)

UMass Dartmouth reserves the right to re-evaluate the transferability of specific courses offered by other institutions, and to amend the course and/or program offerings without prior notice. The awarding of transfer credit for courses taken at other regionally accredited institutions prior to admission is determined by the Admissions Office and dean, or designee, of the appropriate college.

For detailed information, please refer to "Transfer Admission to the University" section in the "Admission to the University" portion of the Undergraduate Catalog.

Freshman and transfer applicants may have examination results or other educational experiences converted to credit at the university.

CLEP Examinations

The university has approved the use of the College Board College Level Examination Program (CLEP). UMass Dartmouth awards credits for CLEP Subject Examination scores at or above the 50th percentile. The equivalence of CLEP courses is determined by the academic department for that subject. This credit may be used to satisfy distribution requirements or as electives, but not normally for credit in the major program. Please note that credit is not awarded for the CLEP General Examination.

Registrar's Office: More information about CLEP

Advanced Placement

Through the Advanced Placement (AP) program of the College Board, we award advanced placement or college credit for AP examination scores of 3 or higher. We require official scores of AP examinations in order to evaluate AP courses for credit.

Registrar's Office: More information about AP

Cambridge International Examinations

UMass Dartmouth also recognizes Cambridge International A Levels for matriculation purposes. Advanced credit is given for A Levels on a case by case basis at the discretion of the University.

Registrar's Office: More information about CIE

IB Credit

International Baccalaureate (IB) Diploma Program: The University of Massachusetts Dartmouth recognizes the IB Diploma Program and awards special consideration for students presenting IB credentials on an individual basis. Students who complete the IB Diploma Program and the IB examination(s) are eligible to receive credit and advanced placement standing. Diplomas should be sent directly to the Office of Admissions from the testing agency, as well as a copy of the exam certificate with exam scores. Students may earn transfer credit for Higher Level exams in which they score between 4 -7. Depending on the subject, students may earn between 6-8 credits per exam. The area of general education and number of credits will be determined by the courses taken. The awarding of credit may change at the discretion of the University.

IB Exam Information

Military credit

In accordance with the Valor Act, UMass Dartmouth grants credit hours for military educational experiences as recommended by the American Council on Education's (ACE) Guide to the Evaluation of Educational Experiences in the Armed Services.

The University will transfer no more than 6 credit hours for Basic Combat Training.

Military education credit will be allowed for Baccalaureate credit with no limit on credit. However, students must complete all degree program requirements, the university's 30 credit upper level requirement, as well as the university's 45 credit in residency requirement.

Baccalaureate credit will be allowed for Defense Language Institute and Defense Language Proficiency Test, which may satisfy the university’s language requirement for a B.A. degree. DSST credit will be granted provided passing score is achieved, as set by the ACE guidelines.

You may request an evaluation of your military credit by selecting that UMass Dartmouth receive an official copy of your Joint Service Transcript (JST).