Policies

For each CLEP examination that awards 3 or 6 credits, MCLA requires a minimum score of 50, representing the mean test score of students who earn a C in the corresponding college-level course.

The College will grant course credit for an AP score of 3 or higher.

For each CLEP examination awarding 3 or 6 credits, MCLA requires a minimum score of 50, representing the mean test score of students who earn a C in the corresponding college-level course.

CLEP Scores for 12 Credits of Language For each CLEP examination that awards 3 or 6 credits, MCLA requires a minimum score of 50, representing the mean test score of students who earn a C in the corresponding college-level course.

A student who has earned a minimum of 12 semester hours of college- level credit from an accredited institution may be considered as a transfer student. Transfer applicants are evaluated on the basis of their previous college course work. Massachusetts community college students who complete an associate degree and enroll in an approved MassTransfer program receive guaranteed admission, full transfer of credits and a tuition discount based upon final GPA. or A.S.) from a State University of New York (SUNY) institution • Minimum 2.5 GPA Program Benefits: • Maximizes transfer credits to provide students with a clear plan to complete a general education transfer block. • Automatic satisfaction of most core curriculum requirements for the potential of 60 transfer credits. Students who have been academically suspended from the College must meet specific criteria and complete six transferable credits, with a GPA of 2.0 or better, outside of MCLA to be considered for readmission.

Students at MCLA may earn a total of 15 credits for alternative learning credit, prior learning credit, and/or internships. In the rare event that a student is approved to receive 15 credits of prior learning credit and there are extenuating circumstances when an internship is required for their program of study or is deemed necessary, the Dean of Academic Affairs may grant an exception to the total 15 credit limit.

Admission Admission • Matriculation (p. 217) • Nursing Program Admission (p. 217) • Readmission (p. 217) • Transfer Credit Policy for Core Curriculum (p. 217) • Transfer Students and FSEM Requirement (p. 217) Matriculation Students may earn up to 24 undergraduate credits at MCLA with a non- matriculated status. MCLA Undergraduate Catalog 2023-2024 217 Pre-nursing students who are not accepted into the Nursing Major will be reclassified as an undeclared (UND) major and directed to meet with an advisor to discuss future steps. Students who have been academically suspended from the College must meet specific criteria and complete six transferable credits, with a GPA of 2.0 or better, outside of MCLA to be considered for readmission. Transfer Credit Policy for Core Curriculum Transfer students enrolling at MCLA with a designated Massachusetts Transfer Compact Associate's Degree will be waived out of the four Communication Competencies and Tier I and Tier II requirements in each domain. Transfer Students and FSEM Requirement Students with a minimum of 12 credits of earned transfer coursework will not be required to complete the FSEM Core Curriculum Requirement.

218 Attendance, Registration, & Schedules Attendance, Registration, & Schedules Attendance, Registration, & Schedules • Add Drop (p. 218) • Class Attendance (p. 218) • Class Status (p. 219) • Core Curriculum Repeat Policy (p. 219) • Course Load (p. 223) • Course Overload and Per Credit Charge Policy (p. 219) • Course Repeat Policy (p. 219) • Credit Hour Policy (p. 219) • Declaration of Major (p. 220) • Final Exam (p. 220) • Leave of Absence (p. 220) • Online and Hybrid Course Policy (p. 220) • Transfer Credit Policy for Core Curriculum (p. 223) • Transfer Students and FSEM Requirement (p. 223) • Withdrawal from Course and College (p. 223) Add Drop The deadline for adding and dropping semester-long courses will be seven academic days after classes begin.

Consistent with MCLA's transfer credit policy, students receive equivalent credit for courses in which a grade of C- or above (for undergraduate courses), or its equivalent in the case of study abroad courses, is earned.

Transfer Credit Policy for Core Curriculum Transfer students enrolling at MCLA with a designated Massachusetts Transfer Compact Associate's Degree will be waived out of the four Communication Competencies and Tier I and Tier II requirements in each domain. Transfer Students and FSEM Requirement Students with a minimum of 12 credits of earned transfer coursework will not be required to complete the FSEM Core Curriculum Requirement.

Core Curriculum Core Curriculum • Core Curriculum Prerequisite Policy (p. 225) • Core Curriculum Repeat Policy (p. 225) • Course Substitutions for Tier II Language Requirement for Students with Disabilities (p. 225) • Tier II Language, Culture, and Communication Requirement (p. 225) • Transfer Credit Policy for Core Curriculum (p. 225) • Transfer Students and FSEM Requirement (p. 225) Core Curriculum Prerequisite Policy Tier I courses may carry prerequisites deemed necessary by placement evaluation (e.g. Transfer Credit Policy for Core Curriculum Transfer students enrolling at MCLA with a designated Massachusetts Transfer Compact Associate's Degree will be waived out of the four Communication Competencies and Tier I and Tier II requirements in each domain. Transfer Students and FSEM Requirement Students with a minimum of 12 credits of earned transfer coursework will not be required to complete the FSEM Core Curriculum Requirement.

Experiential Learning Experiential Learning • Alternative Learning Policy (p. 227) • Independent Study Policy (p. 227) • Internship Policy (p. 227) • Off Campus Study Policy (p. 228) • Prior Learning Credit Policy (p. 228) • Study Abroad/Study Away Policy (p. 229) • Teaching Assistantship Policy (p. 229) Alternative Learning Policy A student may apply for Alternative Learning Credits for experiences incurred as a matriculated MCLA student for which they have not otherwise been awarded credit, and that either do not reasonably well fit the definitions of Internship, Independent Study, or Independent Research, or for which application for such mechanisms was not a reasonable expectation. Students at MCLA may earn a total of 15 credits for alternative learning credit, prior learning credit, and/or internships. In the rare event that a student is approved to receive 15 credits of prior learning credit and there are extenuating circumstances when an internship is required for their program of study or is deemed necessary, the Dean of Academic Affairs may grant an exception to the total 15 credit limit. Students are limited to a maximum of 12 credit hours of independent study and independent research credit, combined.

2. Students at MCLA may earn a total of 15 credits for alternative learning credit, prior learning credit, and/or internships. In the rare event that a student is approved to receive 15 credits of prior learning credit and there are extenuating circumstances when an internship is required for their program of study or is deemed necessary, the Dean of Academic Affairs may grant an exception to the total 15 credit limit. Consistent with MCLA’s transfer credit policy, students receive equivalent credit for courses in which a grade of C- or above, or its equivalent in the case of study abroad courses, is earned. Prior Learning Credit Policy Matriculated students of MCLA may earn up to 15 credits for learning outside of college. To apply for credit for prior learning, students create and submit portfolios documenting life experiences (work, community, military service, etc.). Credits awarded for prior learning are regarded as transfer credits. Prior learning credits awarded will not be included in the 45 MCLA credits required for graduation. Students at MCLA may earn a total of 15 credits for alternative learning credit, prior learning credit, and/or internships. In the rare event that a student is approved to receive 15 credits of prior learning credit and there are extenuating circumstances when an internship is required for their program of study or is deemed necessary, the Dean of Academic Affairs may grant an exception to the total 15 credit limit. Any student seeking credit for prior learning via portfolio should initiate planning no later than achieving 60 credits towards graduation at MCLA, and plan to submit the portfolio for credit review no later than achieving 90 credits towards graduations. The student is required to consult with appropriate department chairs to confirm the relevance and to establish the learning objectives of the courses they propose to substitute for their prior learning experiences. Any student seeking to submit a portfolio for prior learning credit must enroll in MCLA’s Experiential Credit Portfolio (ACAD 395) course for support and assistance with portfolio preparation.

Finally, credit for prior learning is never guaranteed. INDIVIDUAL DEPARTMENTS WILL BE ALLOWED TO USE THEIR DISCRETION REGARDING APPROPRIATE CREDIT EARNED AS WELL AS GRADING MODE. MCLA Undergraduate Catalog 2023-2024 229 Students enrolled in a credit-bearing Teaching Assistantship will not be eligible for College work-study funds or any form of remuneration for the conduct of work done as a Teaching Assistant.

Students may return to MCLA after one semester of suspension provided they have completed the following steps specified on their suspension notice: 1. Completion of 6 or more transfer credits with grades of “C” or higher in all classes at an accredited institution (credits earned before the date of the

• P, PS = Pass* • I = Incomplete* • NP = No Pass* • NR = Not Reported* • AU = Audit* • PC = Pass Continue* • U = Unsatisfactory* r • W = Withdrawal* • WX = Withdrawal from the College* * Not reflected in grade point average Repeated courses are indicated as follows: • E = Course repeated and not included in Term GPA • I = Course repeated and included in Term GPA Transfer Credit – Credit earned at other accredited institutions and applied toward degree programs at MCLA is awarded based upon equivalency and an earned grade of “C-”, or higher for undergraduate credit; and a grade of “B”, or higher for graduate credit. Transfer credit, MCLA requirement waivers, and experiential credit/prior learning are indicated on the record with a grade of “T” and are not included in the grade point average.

The development and implementation of efficient and creative methods for identifying and evaluating prior learning and experience is the responsibility of nurse educators. Students who have been academically suspended from the College must meet specific criteria and complete six transferable credits, with a GPA of 2.0 or better, outside of MCLA to be considered for readmission.

Transfer credits may be applied toward certificate programs, per existing transfer credit protocols, with a minimum of 50% of required certificate credits taken at MCLA.

Transfer credits are accepted up to a maximum of six (6) credit hours for core or elective courses with grades of B or better and must be no more than five years old, taken at an accredited institution.

Independent Study Policy Internship Policy Off Campus Study Policy Prior Learning Credit Policy Study Abroad/​Study Away Policy Teaching Assistantship Policy Grading Graduation Nursing Policies Radiologic Technology Policies Other Policies and Information Course Descriptions Faculty Listing Academic Calendar Campus Map Graduate Course Catalog Course Search Print Options Home › Undergraduate Course Catalog › Academic Policies & Information › Experiential Learning › Alternative Learning Policy Alternative Learning Policy A student may apply for Alternative Learning Credits for experiences incurred as a matriculated MCLA student for which they have not otherwise been awarded credit, and that either do not reasonably well fit the definitions of Internship, Independent Study, or Independent Research, or for which application for such mechanisms was not a reasonable expectation. Students at MCLA may earn a total of 15 credits for alternative learning credit, prior learning credit, and/or internships. In the rare event that a student is approved to receive 15 credits of prior learning credit and there are extenuating circumstances when an internship is required for their program of study or is deemed necessary, the Dean of Academic Affairs may grant an exception to the total 15 credit limit.

Graduate education students who have completed graduate work at another recognized institution may transfer it to MCLA to apply toward the completion of a graduate program under the following provisions: The credits must be from an accredited graduate program, be of graduate level at the school where taken and have a minimum grade of "B." The credits must have been earned within five years prior to the time of the student's admission to this institution as a graduate student. Not more than six (6) credits may be accepted at time of matriculation and no more than 12 semester hours of credit altogether may be accepted in transfer. The Graduate Curriculum Committee of the Education Department reserves the right to approve or reject any request for transfer credits.

Transfer credits may be applied toward certificate programs, per existing transfer credit protocols, with a minimum of 50% of required certificate credits taken at MCLA.

Transfer credits may be applied toward certificate programs, per existing transfer credit protocols, with a minimum of 50% of required certificate credits taken at MCLA.

Transfer credits may be applied toward certificate programs, per existing transfer credit protocols, with a minimum of 50% of required certificate credits taken at MCLA.

Transfer Credit Policy Experiential Learning Grading Graduation Nursing Policies Radiologic Technology Policies Other Policies and Information Course Descriptions Faculty Listing Academic Calendar Campus Map Graduate Course Catalog Course Search Print Options Home › Undergraduate Course Catalog › Academic Policies & Information › Credit Earned Outside of MCLA › CLEP Scores for 12 Credits of Language CLEP Scores for 12 Credits of Language For each CLEP examination that awards 3 or 6 credits, MCLA requires a minimum score of 50, representing the mean test score of students who earn a C in the corresponding college-level course.

Consistent with MCLA's transfer credit policy, students receive equivalent credit for courses in which a grade of C- or above (for undergraduate courses), or its equivalent in the case of study abroad courses, is earned.

P, PS = Pass* I = Incomplete* NP = No Pass* NR = Not Reported* AU = Audit* PC = Pass Continue* U = Unsatisfactory* W = Withdrawal* WX = Withdrawal from the College* * Not reflected in grade point average Repeated courses are indicated as follows: E = Course repeated and not included in Term GPA I = Course repeated and included in Term GPA Transfer Credit – Credit earned at other accredited institutions and applied toward degree programs at MCLA is awarded based upon equivalency and an earned grade of “C-”, or higher for undergraduate credit; and a grade of “B”, or higher for graduate credit. Transfer credit, MCLA requirement waivers, and experiential credit/prior learning are indicated on the record with a grade of “T” and are not included in the grade point average.

P, PS = Pass* I = Incomplete* NP = No Pass* NR = Not Reported* AU = Audit* PC = Pass Continue* U = Unsatisfactory* W = Withdrawal* WX = Withdrawal from the College* *: Not reflected in grade point average Repeated courses are indicated as follows: E = Course repeated and not included in Term GPA I = Course repeated and included in Term GPA Transfer Credit - Credit earned at other accredited institutions and applied toward degree programs at MCLA is awarded based upon equivalency and an earned grade of “C-”, or higher for undergraduate credit; and a grade of “B”, or higher for graduate credit. Transfer credit, MCLA requirement waivers, and experiential credit/prior learning are indicated on the record with a grade of “T” and are not included in the grade point average.

B. All students academically suspended from the college must minimally meet the following conditions for readmission: At least six credits of transferable credit from another institution or six credits from MCLA earned as a non-matriculated student during the suspension period with a GPA of at least 2.0.

B. All students academically suspended from the college must minimally meet the following conditions for readmission: At least six credits of transferable credit from another institution or six credits from MCLA earned as a non-matriculated student during the suspension period with a GPA of at least 2.0.

Internship Policy Off Campus Study Policy Prior Learning Credit Policy Study Abroad/​Study Away Policy Teaching Assistantship Policy Grading Graduation Nursing Policies Radiologic Technology Policies Other Policies and Information Course Descriptions Faculty Listing Academic Calendar Campus Map Graduate Course Catalog Course Search Print Options Home › Undergraduate Course Catalog › Academic Policies & Information › Experiential Learning › Independent Study Policy Independent Study Policy Independent Study is advanced-level coursework in a subject area not covered in depth by the normal course offerings of an academic department. Students are limited to a maximum of 12 credit hours of independent study and independent research credit, combined.

Transfer credits are accepted up to a maximum of six (6) credit hours for core or elective courses with grades of B or better and must be no more than five years old, taken at an accredited institution.

2. Students at MCLA may earn a total of 15 credits for alternative learning credit, prior learning credit, and/or internships. In the rare event that a student is approved to receive 15 credits of prior learning credit and there are extenuating circumstances when an internship is required for their program of study or is deemed necessary, the Dean of Academic Affairs may grant an exception to the total 15 credit limit.

Students at MCLA may earn a total of 15 credits for alternative learning credit, prior learning credit, and/or internships. In the rare event that a student is approved to receive 15 credits of prior learning credit and there are extenuating circumstances when an internship is required for their program of study or is deemed necessary, the Dean of Academic Affairs may grant an exception to the total 15 credit limit.

Transfer of graduate credits from another institution will be considered on a case-by-case basis. Any potential transfer credit must have earned a grade of "B" or better. Requests for transfer credit (maximum of six credits) must be submitted to the Program Director.

Prior Learning Credit Policy Study Abroad/​Study Away Policy Teaching Assistantship Policy Grading Graduation Nursing Policies Radiologic Technology Policies Other Policies and Information Course Descriptions Faculty Listing Academic Calendar Campus Map Graduate Course Catalog Course Search Print Options Home › Undergraduate Course Catalog › Academic Policies & Information › Experiential Learning › Prior Learning Credit Policy Prior Learning Credit Policy Matriculated students of MCLA may earn up to 15 credits for learning outside of college. To apply for credit for prior learning, students create and submit portfolios documenting life experiences (work, community, military service, etc.). Portfolio content must demonstrate achievement of learning outcomes for specific courses in the MCLA curriculum. All experiences referenced in the portfolio must predate enrollment at MCLA. Credits awarded for prior learning are regarded as transfer credits. Prior learning credits awarded will not be included in the 45 MCLA credits required for graduation. Students at MCLA may earn a total of 15 credits for alternative learning credit, prior learning credit, and/or internships. In the rare event that a student is approved to receive 15 credits of prior learning credit and there are extenuating circumstances when an internship is required for their program of study or is deemed necessary, the Dean of Academic Affairs may grant an exception to the total 15 credit limit. This exception would only be allowed in very rare instances. Any student seeking credit for prior learning via portfolio should initiate planning no later than achieving 60 credits towards graduation at MCLA, and plan to submit the portfolio for credit review no later than achieving 90 credits towards graduations. To initiate the process, the student must contact the Associate Dean of Graduate & Continuing Education (DGCE) for consultation on the application process. After speaking with the Associate Dean, the student must submit an application outlining the plan for the portfolio, a resume, a list of potential course matches from the MCLA course catalog, and a 2-3-page summary of credit-worthy experiences. The application must be submitted to the Associate Dean of DGCE at MCLA. The student is required to consult with appropriate department chairs to confirm the relevance and to establish the learning objectives of the courses they propose to substitute for their prior learning experiences. The main elements of the portfolio include the application, narrative, resume, and documentary evidence. The portfolio must include a substantial, reflective narrative describing the experiences, and relevant learning, and show how these match the learning outcomes of courses selected from MCLA’s course catalog. Appropriate documentary evidence is required to support the student’s explanation of the overall value of the experience and the specific skills, abilities, and knowledge gained. Any student seeking to submit a portfolio for prior learning credit must enroll in MCLA’s Experiential Credit Portfolio (ACAD 395) course for support and assistance with portfolio preparation. ACAD 395 is a 3-credit course the student must complete successfully before the student can submit the portfolio for credit review. A student may request waiver from the ACAD 395 requirement if recommended by all department chairs related to the proposed submission. Waiver is based on the determination of the chairs’ assessment of student’s ability to present a successful portfolio, as measured by demonstrating a detailed understanding of how learning was applied later, and the implications of learning in new and novel situations. The student must submit the completed portfolio to the Associate Dean for DGCE. A per-credit fee is assessed at the time of submission. The Associate Dean transmits the portfolio to the appropriate academic department for faculty review. The final decision on the recommendation for the awarding of credit is made by the Dean of DGCE or their specified designee. The College has established due dates for portfolio submission that are posted on the DGCE website. Portfolios received by the due dates will be reviewed, evaluated, and returned within 8-12 weeks of receipt. Portfolios received after the due dates may take longer than 12 weeks to review and return. Students who do not receive credit, or who receive fewer credits than proposed, may revise their portfolios and resubmit for an additional review. Finally, credit for prior learning is never guaranteed. Students should work with their advisors to develop alternate degree completion plan in cases where credit awards are lower than for which they applied. © 2025-2026 Back to top Close this window

Prior Learning Credit Policy Matriculated students of MCLA may earn up to 15 credits for learning outside of college. To apply for credit for prior learning, students create and submit portfolios documenting life experiences (work, community, military service, etc.). Portfolio content must demonstrate achievement of learning outcomes for specific courses in the MCLA curriculum. All experiences referenced in the portfolio must predate enrollment at MCLA. Credits awarded for prior learning are regarded as transfer credits. Prior learning credits awarded will not be included in the 45 MCLA credits required for graduation. Students at MCLA may earn a total of 15 credits for alternative learning credit, prior learning credit, and/or internships. In the rare event that a student is approved to receive 15 credits of prior learning credit and there are extenuating circumstances when an internship is required for their program of study or is deemed necessary, the Dean of Academic Affairs may grant an exception to the total 15 credit limit. This exception would only be allowed in very rare instances. Any student seeking credit for prior learning via portfolio should initiate planning no later than achieving 60 credits towards graduation at MCLA, and plan to submit the portfolio for credit review no later than achieving 90 credits towards graduations. To initiate the process, the student must contact the Associate Dean of Graduate & Continuing Education (DGCE) for consultation on the application process. After speaking with the Associate Dean, the student must submit an application outlining the plan for the portfolio, a resume, a list of potential course matches from the MCLA course catalog, and a 2-3-page summary of credit-worthy experiences. The application must be submitted to the Associate Dean of DGCE at MCLA. The student is required to consult with appropriate department chairs to confirm the relevance and to establish the learning objectives of the courses they propose to substitute for their prior learning experiences. The main elements of the portfolio include the application, narrative, resume, and documentary evidence. The portfolio must include a substantial, reflective narrative describing the experiences, and relevant learning, and show how these match the learning outcomes of courses selected from MCLA’s course catalog. Appropriate documentary evidence is required to support the student’s explanation of the overall value of the experience and the specific skills, abilities, and knowledge gained. Any student seeking to submit a portfolio for prior learning credit must enroll in MCLA’s Experiential Credit Portfolio (ACAD 395) course for support and assistance with portfolio preparation. ACAD 395 is a 3-credit course the student must complete successfully before the student can submit the portfolio for credit review. A student may request waiver from the ACAD 395 requirement if recommended by all department chairs

Prior Learning Credit Policy Matriculated students of MCLA may earn up to 15 credits for learning outside of college. To apply for credit for prior learning, students create and submit portfolios documenting life experiences (work, community, military service, etc.). Portfolio content must demonstrate achievement of learning outcomes for specific courses in the MCLA curriculum. All experiences referenced in the portfolio must predate enrollment at MCLA. Credits awarded for prior learning are regarded as transfer credits. Prior learning credits awarded will not be included in the 45 MCLA credits required for graduation. Students at MCLA may earn a total of 15 credits for alternative learning credit, prior learning credit, and/or internships. In the rare event that a student is approved to receive 15 credits of prior learning credit and there are extenuating circumstances when an internship is required for their program of study or is deemed necessary, the Dean of Academic Affairs may grant an exception to the total 15 credit limit. This exception would only be allowed in very rare instances. Any student seeking credit for prior learning via portfolio should initiate planning no later than achieving 60 credits towards graduation at MCLA, and plan to submit the portfolio for credit review no later than achieving 90 credits towards graduations. To initiate the process, the student must contact the Associate Dean of Graduate & Continuing Education (DGCE) for consultation on the application process. After speaking with the Associate Dean, the student must submit an application outlining the plan for the portfolio, a resume, a list of potential course matches from the MCLA course catalog, and a 2-3-page summary of credit-worthy experiences. The application must be submitted to the Associate Dean of DGCE at MCLA. The student is required to consult with appropriate department chairs to confirm the relevance and to establish the learning objectives of the courses they propose to substitute for their prior learning experiences. The main elements of the portfolio include the application, narrative, resume, and documentary evidence. The portfolio must include a substantial, reflective narrative describing the experiences, and relevant learning, and show how these match the learning outcomes of courses selected from MCLA’s course catalog. Appropriate documentary evidence is required to support the student’s explanation of the overall value of the experience and the specific skills, abilities, and knowledge gained. Any student seeking to submit a portfolio for prior learning credit must enroll in MCLA’s Experiential Credit Portfolio (ACAD 395) course for support and assistance with portfolio preparation. ACAD 395 is a 3-credit course the student must complete successfully before the student can submit the portfolio for credit review. A student may request waiver from the ACAD 395 requirement if recommended by all department chairs related to the proposed submission. Waiver is based on the determination of the chairs’ assessment of student’s ability to present a successful portfolio, as measured by demonstrating a detailed understanding of how learning was applied later, and the implications of learning in new and novel situations. The student must submit the completed portfolio to the Associate Dean for DGCE. A per-credit fee is assessed at the time of submission. The Associate Dean transmits the portfolio to the appropriate academic department for faculty review. The final decision on the recommendation for the awarding of credit is made by the Dean of DGCE or their specified designee. The College has established due dates for portfolio submission that are posted on the DGCE website. Portfolios received by the due dates will be reviewed, evaluated, and returned within 8-12 weeks of receipt. Portfolios received after the due dates may take longer than 12 weeks to review and return. Students who do not receive credit, or who receive fewer credits than proposed, may revise their portfolios and resubmit for an additional review. Finally, credit for prior learning is never guaranteed. Students should work with their advisors to develop alternate degree completion plan in cases where credit awards are lower than for which they applied.

WX = Withdrawal from the College* * Not reflected in grade point average Repeated courses are indicated as follows: E = Course repeated and not included in Term GPA I = Course repeated and included in Term GPA Transfer Credit – Credit earned at other accredited institutions and applied toward degree programs at MCLA is awarded based upon equivalency and an earned grade of “C-”, or higher for undergraduate credit; and a grade of “B”, or higher for graduate credit. Transfer credit, MCLA requirement waivers, and experiential credit/prior learning are indicated on the record with a grade of “T” and are not included in the grade point average.

Transfer Credit Matriculated students seeking to enroll in course work at other accredited institutions concurrent with their enrollment at MCLA or during semesters they may be away from the College may request these credits transfer to MCLA. All such enrollments must be approved in advance by the Education Department and the Registrar using the Request for Off-Campus Study Approval form . An official transcript must be sent to the Registrar's Office upon completion of the course. Graduate education students who have completed graduate work at another recognized institution may transfer it to MCLA to apply toward the completion of a graduate program under the following provisions: The credits must be from an accredited graduate program, be of graduate level at the school where taken and have a minimum grade of "B." The credits must have been earned within five years prior to the time of the student's admission to this institution as a graduate student. Not more than six (6) credits may be accepted at time of matriculation and no more than 12 semester hours of credit altogether may be accepted in transfer. The Graduate Curriculum Committee of the Education Department reserves the right to approve or reject any request for transfer credits. Students will be notified in writing whether credit has been accepted. The credits must fit into the student's Plan of Study. That is, the courses must be consistent with the expressed rationale and objectives that the student has written for their area of concentration and overall program of study.

Transfer Credit Policy Experiential Learning Grading Graduation Nursing Policies Radiologic Technology Policies Other Policies and Information Course Descriptions Faculty Listing Academic Calendar Campus Map Graduate Course Catalog Course Search Print Options Home › Undergraduate Course Catalog › Academic Policies & Information › Credit Earned Outside of MCLA › Transfer Credit Policy Transfer Credit Policy Incoming students may transfer a maximum of 75 semester-hour equivalents, provided they have earned a grade of C- or better in each course (with the exception of MassTransfer ; see below) . Transfer credits will only be accepted from institutions that are regionally accredited at the post-secondary level. Courses eligible for transfer must demonstrate comparability in nature, content, and level to those offered at MCLA. Efforts will be made to assign exact MCLA course equivalents when possible; otherwise, a generic course number will be assigned. The Office of the Registrar will evaluate student transcripts to determine which credits transfer and what program requirements are satisfied by transferred credits , in collaboration with Department Chairs and Core Domain Leaders. Credits will be awarded based on semester-hour equivalents and quarter-hour credits wi ll be converted at the discretion of the Office of the Registrar. Advanced Placement (AP) The College will grant course credit for an AP score of 3 or higher. An official grade report from College Board must be sent to MCLA to receive AP credit. All Prospective and Entering students should send their AP results to the Office of Admissions; all Continuing and Returning Students should send their AP results to the Office of the Registrar. No Advanced Placement (AP) credits will transfer if they are earned after matriculation at MCLA. International Baccalaureate (IB) MCLA accepts International Baccalaureate (IB) program courses, provided they are taken at the Higher Level (HL) and the student earns a minimum grade of 4. Additional information about the International Baccalaureate program can be accessed at ibo.org . MassTransfer Students who complete an associate degree from a Massachusetts Community College with a cumulative GPA of 2.0 or higher are guaranteed full transfer of college-level credits, including courses with “D” grades. Students may be required to repeat courses if their declared major requires a higher grade in courses already completed at a community college. Students who have completed the General Education Transfer Block at a Massachusetts Community College will satisfy all core requirements at MCLA with the exception of Tier III CCAP . Reverse Transfer S tudents who have completed coursework towards an associate degree at a public Massachusetts community college before transferring to MCLA can utilize credits earned at the college to fulfill the remaining requirements for their associate degree at that community college. First Year Seminar Students with a minimum of 12 credits of earned transfer coursework, with the exception of AP, CLEP, IB, early college, dual enrollment, or similar coursework, will not be required to complete the FSEM Core Curriculum requirement. New York Transfer Transfer students enrolling at MCLA with an Associate of Arts or Associate of Science degree from a public community college from New York state with a 2.5 GPA will satisfy all core requirements at MCLA with the exception of Tier III CCAP . © 2025-2026 Back to top Close this window

Transfer Credit Policy Incoming students may transfer a maximum of 75 semester-hour equivalents, provided they have earned a grade of C- or better in each course (with the exception of MassTransfer; see below). Transfer credits will only be accepted from institutions that are regionally accredited at the post-secondary level. Courses eligible for transfer must demonstrate comparability in nature, content, and level to those offered at MCLA. Efforts will be made to assign exact MCLA course equivalents when possible; otherwise, a generic course number will be assigned. The Office of the Registrar will evaluate student transcripts to determine which credits transfer and what program requirements are satisfied by transferred credits, in collaboration with Department Chairs and Core Domain Leaders. Credits will be awarded based on semester-hour equivalents and quarter-hour credits will be converted at the discretion of the Office of the Registrar. Advanced Placement (AP) The College will grant course credit for an AP score of 3 or higher. An official grade report from College Board must be sent to MCLA to receive AP credit. All Prospective and Entering students should send their AP results to the Office of Admissions; all Continuing and Returning Students should send their AP results to the Office of the Registrar. No Advanced Placement (AP) credits will transfer if they are earned after matriculation at MCLA. International Baccalaureate (IB) MCLA accepts International Baccalaureate (IB) program courses, provided they are taken at the Higher Level (HL) and the student earns a minimum grade of 4. Additional information about the International Baccalaureate program can be accessed at ibo.org. MassTransfer Students who complete an associate degree from a Massachusetts Community College with a cumulative GPA of 2.0 or higher are guaranteed full transfer of college-level credits, including courses with “D” grades. Students may be required to repeat courses if their declared major requires a higher grade in courses already completed at a community college. Students who have completed the General Education Transfer Block at a Massachusetts Community College will satisfy all core requirements at MCLA with the exception of Tier III CCAP. Reverse Transfer Students who have completed coursework towards an associate degree at a public Massachusetts community college before transferring to MCLA can utilize credits earned at the college to fulfill the remaining requirements for their associate degree at that community college. First Year Seminar Students with a minimum of 12 credits of earned transfer coursework, with the exception of AP, CLEP, IB, early college, dual enrollment, or similar coursework, will not be required to complete the FSEM Core Curriculum requirement. New York Transfer Transfer students enrolling at MCLA with an Associate of Arts or Associate of Science degree from a public community college from New York state with a 2.5 GPA will satisfy all core requirements at MCLA with the exception of Tier III CCAP.

Transfer of graduate credits from another institution will be considered on a case-by-case basis. Any potential transfer credit must have earned a grade of "B" or better. Requests for transfer credit (maximum of six credits) must be submitted to the Program Director.

Students at MCLA may earn a total of 15 credits for alternative learning credit, prior learning credit, and/or internships. In the rare event that a student is approved to receive 15 credits of prior learning credit and there are extenuating circumstances when an internship is required for their program of study or is deemed necessary, the Dean of Academic Affairs may grant an exception to the total 15 credit limit. Students are limited to a maximum of 12 credit hours of independent study and independent research credit, combined. Students at MCLA may earn a total of 15 credits for alternative learning credit, prior learning credit, and/or internships. In the rare event that a student is approved to receive 15 credits of prior learning credit and there are extenuating circumstances when an internship is required for their program of study or is deemed necessary, the Dean of Academic Affairs may grant an exception to the total 15 credit limit.