Policies

International Baccalaureate (IB): Students who have completed an International Baccalaureate (IB) diploma will be awarded credit for all standard level and higher level exams with a grade of 4 or higher.

Students who have not completed an IB diploma will receive credit for higher level exams with grades of 4 or higher.

Transfer credit evaluations may impact initial course schedules, so it is essential that final transcripts of all previous college work be received well in advance of the registration date.

Credit for Prior Learning Assessment Program SUNY Oneonta recognizes that learning occurs within and outside formal educational settings and that some students have acquired skills and knowledge in other contexts that may be equivalent to university-level learning and credit. SUNY Oneonta also recognizes a student’s right to clear and concise information concerning how Credit for Prior Learning (CPL) might help support their progress toward degree completion. As such, it is the University’s policy that a student’s learning achievements are eligible for evaluation as university credit. Credit may be granted only if the learning has been of university level, and the learning relates to the applicant’s degree program. Any awarded CPL is considered transfer credit. Whenever possible, credit for prior learning will be calibrated to industry and professional credentials (e.g., licenses, certificates, apprenticeships), verified through non-collegiate evaluators such as the American Council on Education (ACE) or through performance on standardizes exams such as Advanced Placement (AP) exams and College-Level Examination Program (CLEP). CPL will also be assessed through a portfolio review process. Students who seek an assessment of prior learning should contact the Transfer Credit Coordinator in Admissions. The Student Learning Center The Student Learning Center provides a wide range of services that foster the academic development of students, from their first year in college through their graduate studies. Its goal is to assist students in developing skills that will allow them to become independent, life-long learners. The Student Learning Center works with students, faculty, and professional staff to nurture, support, and sustain a diverse campus learning environment that empowers students to become engaged, confident, and self-aware learners who can communicate clearly and achieve their goals in higher education and in life.

The Office of Undergraduate Admissions evaluates transfer credit and makes assignments to specific programs based upon the student’s request.

Post-matriculation Transfer Credit Policies Students must obtain Prior Approval from Academic Advisement before taking courses through another institution. If students are taking courses through another institution during a fall or spring semester and are not registered in any courses at Oneonta, they must request an Academic Leave of Absence along with their Prior Approval. Students may take approved course work at any regionally accredited college provided the transfer of the course work is required and does not place the student in violation of SUNY Oneonta residency requirements: 45 s.h. must be earned in residence. 30 s.h. of the last 60 s.h. must be earned in residence. At least one-half the credits required for a major must be earned in residence. At least one-half the credits required for a minor must be earned in residence. Note: Credit earned through a SUNY study abroad program is considered credit earned in residence. Students must obtain a grade of “D-” or higher for the transfer credit to be awarded. General Education categories fulfilled at one SUNY institution will be considered fulfilled at SUNY Oneonta regardless of whether transfer credit is granted. Students may not attempt to take courses for which credit has previously been earned at SUNY Oneonta.

All transfer credit hours accepted by SUNY Oneonta are counted as both attempted and completed credits and are included in the maximum timeframe calculation. When considering an appeal: Transfer credit hours that do not fulfill graduation requirements in the student’s current program are excluded from the maximum timeframe calculation.

Applications must be accompanied by: High School Equivalency Diploma (HSED) via a GED score report with date of completion, or official high school transcript showing award of diploma, or official transcripts from all post-secondary institutions attended a grade point average of 2.0 or higher is required for admission as a non-degree student. All new pre-matriculated non-degree students are required to make an individual advisement appointment prior to registration. Visiting students who wish to transfer credit earned at Oneonta must submit a signed transcript request form to the Oneonta Registrar’s Office to have an official transcript mailed to their home institution.

Transfer Credit and Grading Policies for Course Work Completed at Other Institutions The transcript of each student who has completed coursework at another institution prior to admission to SUNY Oneonta is evaluated by the Admissions Office to determine the number of semester hours and the appropriate course equivalents. Only credit satisfactorily completed at regionally accredited institutions of higher education, institutions accredited by the New York State Board of Regents, or through approved external programs will be accepted. Credit is granted on a semester hour (s.h.) basis. Students transferring from institutions using a credit system other than semester hours will have their credit converted to semester hours. Credits transfer, but only grades earned at SUNY Oneonta are used in computing the Oneonta grade point average. SUNY Oneonta grants the maximum number of credits possible for courses completed from approved sources and when grades/scores meet the minimum standards: Traditional Courses: Credit will be granted for courses with passing grades (P; D- or higher). Note: Some programs require grades higher than those acceptable for transfer. Students in such programs may need to repeat coursework to meet minimum grade standards. In such cases, the transfer credit will be excluded from the record once the repeat is completed. Minimum grade requirements may be found under each program’s requirements in the Undergraduate Catalog . Advanced Placement (AP): Credit is granted for AP exams where the grades earned are 3, 4, or 5. College-Level Examination Program (CLEP): credit is granted for scores that meet or exceed the American Council of Education recommendation for the exam. International Baccalaureate (IB): Students who have completed an International Baccalaureate (IB) diploma will be awarded credit for all standard level and higher level exams with a grade of 4 or higher. Students who have not completed an IB diploma will receive credit for higher level exams with grades of 4 or higher. NYS Seal of Bi-literacy: Students earning the New York State Seal of Bi literacy will receive credit (three semester hours) equivalent to the fourth-semester class in the language designated by the Seal. Completing the Seal of Bi-literacy will also fulfill the Dragon Academy World Languages requirement. Armed Forces Credit: Some training courses provided by the Armed Forces may be equivalent to college courses and transfer credit may be granted by presenting certificates or form DD295 describing the training received. The American Council on Education Guide to the Evaluation of Educational Experiences in the Armed Services is used to determine the acceptability of satisfactorily-completed courses and the level they are to be accepted. Credit is granted only in disciplines where SUNY Oneonta has academic programs or departments. Non-collegiate-sponsored Instruction: Early in 1974, the New York State Education Department developed a system for evaluating formal learning experiences sponsored by non-collegiate institutions; that is, by organizations whose primary focus is not education. They include private industry, professional associations, labor unions, voluntary associations, and government agencies. The American Council on Education ( ACE ) and the National College Credit Recommendation Service (NCCRS) administer an evaluation system and recommend the awarding of credit earned through these learning experiences. These guides are used to determine the acceptability of credit earned for successfully completed courses/learning experiences/training. International Coursework: Credit will be granted as approved by evaluations from a credential evaluation service that is a member in good standing with the National Association of Credential Evaluation Services ( NACES ). Students wishing to attend another institution while matriculated at SUNY Oneonta, must contact Academic Advisement to obtain prior approval. See restrictions under Post-matriculation Transfer Credit Policies . Degrees and Dragon Academy (General Education): Students who have earned A.A. or A.S. degrees from a SUNY institution or a B.A. or B.S. from any regionally accredited institution will be considered to have completed the Dragon Academy program. SUNY Transfer Credit Appeal: This process is designed for pre- or post-matriculated students transferring from a two-year SUNY Associate’s degree program into a SUNY four-year institution. If you have questions concerning the evaluation of your credit and/or whether or not you qualify for the SUNY appeal process, please contact a transfer counselor in the Office of Admissions.