Policies

Advanced Standing A student may earn advanced standing at the University in a variety of ways: transfer of credit from another institution, the awarding of credit for armed services training, successful prior learning assessment, or by examination. A student without a degree who has earned advanced standing is classified on the basis of total semester hours accepted by the University. A student who has earned a baccalaureate degree and is working toward a second degree is classified as a fourth-year student.

Articulation Agreements or Transfer Credit The maximum number of semester hours that may be transferred to the student’s record is 87; no more than 70 may have been earned at a two-year institution or in a combination of a two-year institution, AP, and CLEP credits. A student must take 33 semester hours (of which a minimum of 15 hours are within the major) at Harrisburg University to meet residency and earn a degree from Harrisburg University. Unofficial or student copies of transcripts may be used to initiate the transfer credit evaluation process. However, official final transcripts from the institution of origin are required before the transfer evaluation process can be finalized by Records and Registration and academic credit is posted to the student’s permanent record. Certain 2-year associate degree programs covered under an existing articulation agreement are accepted into the University’s baccalaureate degree programs that satisfy the coursework requirements of the first and second year of study. An unofficial transcript may be used to initiate this transfer credit process. The official final transcript from the institution of origin reflecting the degree name and the date the degree was conferred is required to finalize the awarding of coursework credit or exemption. Domestic - In lieu of articulation agreements, academic credit earned at another regionally accredited institution of higher learning for college-level work is awarded when: a final grade of “C” (not “C-“) or higher is earned; a course is a reasonable substitute of a University course; the course is a reasonable substitute for competencies associated with one of the general education requirements; and, the course is considered college-level work, worthy of elective credit in the student’s intended program of study and the student has sufficient unsatisfied elective credit requirements to which this course may be applied. International - a World Education Services (WES) transcript evaluation, Educational Credential Evaluation (ECE), or AACRAO’s Electronic Database for Global Education (EDGE) transcript evaluation is required. If the original evaluation received by Records and Registration from one of these evaluators deems the student’s prior work to be at the college level and the quality of the completed work is assessed to be at the “C” or higher level, credit is awarded for the courses that apply to the student’s intended program of study at Harrisburg University, as indicated above for domestic transfer credit. If the prior work was earned under an educational system that did not assign credit values, the Harrisburg University semester hour value is assigned for each course being accepted. If the student completed courses that are evaluated to be at the college level, but Harrisburg University has no comparable course(s), the student is granted elective credit unless all required elective credit hours have been satisfied. Massive Open Online Courses (MOOC) - a massive open online course is an online course targeting large-scale interactive participation and is delivered via open access on the web. A MOOC that is successfully completed will be reviewed and considered for transfer credit. Coursework at Other Institutions - A student may study at other institutions and transfer the credit to the student’s record at Harrisburg University. Process for Approval - The student must complete an Off-Campus Course Request form at the Office of Records and Registration notifying the University of the student’s intention to enroll on a visiting basis at another higher educational institution. The request will be reviewed by Records and Registration, which may consult with an appropriate member of the University’s faculty. Prior to enrollment, a written response will be sent to the student stating whether or not the proposed course is acceptable. Process for Awarding of Credit - The student must arrange for an official transcript from the other college or university to be sent to Records and Registration. If the approved course was completed with a final grade of “C” or higher, the semester hours earned from the course will be posted to the student’s record as transfer credits and not calculated in the student’s GPA.

Credit by Examination A student is limited to earning no more than 70 semester hours of credit via standardized tests: 1) successful performance on an Advanced Placement (AP) examination; 2) successful performance on a College Level Examination Program (CLEP) examination; or 3) successful performance on a challenge examination created by the Harrisburg University faculty. Advanced Placement (AP) - a student who participates in the College Entrance Examination Board’s program in association with secondary schools may earn college credit for this work by: 1) completing the course offered in the secondary school, 2) sitting for the Advanced Placement examination offered in May of each year, and 3) arranging for an official AP score report from College Entrance Examination Board (CEEB) to be forwarded to Admissions at Transcripts@Harrisburgu.edu . See the AP chart indicating the required minimum score for each discipline and the University’s course equivalencies for which credit may be awarded. AP Subject Examinations Minimum Score Harrisburg University Course Granted 2024-2025 Curriculum Semester Hours African American Studies 3 General Education Elective 3 Art History 3 General Education Elective 6 Art/Studio 3 elective 3 Biology 4 BIOL 102 - General Biology and BIOL 103 - General Biology Laboratory 4 Calculus AB 3 MATH 220 - Calculus I 3 Calculus BC 3 MATH 260 - Calculus II 3 Chemistry 4 CHEM 151 - General Chemistry I Lecture and CHEM 152 - General Chemistry I Laboratory 4 Chinese Language and Culture 4 elective 9 Comparative Government and Politics 3 GEND Focus Area - Historical and Political Investigation or elective 3 Computer Science A 3 CISC 120 - Programming I 4 Computer Science Principles 3 GEND 122 - Computational Mind 3 Drawing 3 General Education Elective 3 Economics - Macro 3 GEND Focus Area - Historical and Political Investigation 3 Economics - Micro 3 GEND Focus Area - Leadership and Business 3 English Language and Composition 3 ENGL 105 - College Composition 3 English Literature and Composition 3 GEND 103 - The Examined Life II: Social Problems and Progress or elective 3 Environmental Science 3 ENVS 101 - Introduction to Environmental Science 4 European History 3 GEND Focus Area - Historical and Political Investigation or elective 3 French Language and Culture 3 elective 6 French Language and Culture 5 elective 9 German Language and Culture 3 elective 3 German Language and Culture 4 elective 6 German Language and Culture 5 elective 9 Government Politics - US 3 GEND Focus Area - Historical and Political Investigation or elective 3 History - US 3 GEND Focus Area - Historical and Political Investigation or elective 3 History - World History Modern 3 GEND Focus Area - Historical and Political Investigation or elective 3 Human Geography 3 elective 3 Italian Language and Culture 3 elective 6 Italian Language and Culture 4 elective 9 Italian Language and Culture 5 elective 12 Japanese Language and Culture 4 elective 9 Latin 3 elective 3 Music Theory 3 elective 3 Physics C-Electricity and Magnetism 5 PHYS 350 - University Physics II 4 Physics C-Mechanics 5 PHYS 331 - University Physics I Lecture and PHYS 332 - University Physics I Laboratory 4 Physics 1 4 PHYS 121 - General Physics I Lecture and PHYS 122 - General Physics I Lab 4 Physics 2 4 PHYS 131 - General Physics II Lecture and PHYS 132 - General Physics II Lab 4 Precalculus 3 MATH 140 - Precalculus 4 Psychology 3 GEND 130 - General Psychology 3 Research 3 General Education Elective 3 Seminar 3 General Education Elective 3 Spanish Language and Culture 3 elective 6 Spanish Language and Culture 4 elective 9 Spanish Language and Culture 5 elective 12 Spanish Literature and Culture 5 General Education Elective 3 *Upper Division taken with AP Spanish Language = 15 credits Statistics 3 MATH 280 - Introductory Statistics 3 College Level Examination Program (CLEP) - The University awards academic credit to a student who has performed satisfactorily on a College Entrance Examination Board CLEP general or subject examination when the test is a reasonable substitute for a requirement of the student’s program of study under the following conditions: The optional essay portion of a subject examination has been completed successfully: For all subjects (with the exception of Level 2 French, German, and Spanish) representing the performance of the student who has earned a grade of “C” in the corresponding course, a minimum score of 50 per the American Council on Education’s (ACE) credit-granting recommendations: For Level 2 (four-semester) foreign language examinations representing the performance of the student who has earned a grade of “C” in the corresponding course: 60 for German Language; 59 for French Language; and 63 for Spanish Language per the American Council on Education’s (ACE) credit granting recommendations. Official score reports must be sent to Admissions at Transcripts@HarrisburgU.edu before credit can be awarded. CLEP exam Equivalent HU Course(s) Credits Business Financial Accounting MEBA 320- Financial and Managerial Accounting 3 Information Systems Elective 3 Introductory Business Law BUAD 435-Business Law and Ethics 3 Principles of Management BUAD 220 - Principles of Business Management 3 Principles of Marketing BUAD 230 - Marketing 3 Composition and Literature American Literature 3 Analyzing and Interpreting Literature GEND 103 - The Examined Life II: Social Problems and Progress or General Education Elective 3 College Composition or College Composition Modular ENGL 105 - College Composition 3 English Literature GEND 103 - The Examined Life II: Social Problems and Progress or or General Education Elective 3 Humanities General Education Elective 3 World Languages World Languages (French, German, Spanish) Level 1 - General Education Elective Level 2 - General Education Elective 6 6 History and Social Sciences American Government GEND Focus Area - Historical and Political Investigation 3 History of the United States I : Early Colonization to 1877 GEND Focus Area - Historical and Political Investigation 3 History of the United States II: 1865 to Present GEND Focus Area - Historical and Political Investigation 3 Human Growth and Development Elective 3 Introduction to Educational Psychology Elective 3 Introductory Psychology GEND 102 - The Examined Life I: Psychology and The Self ; or GEND 130 - General Psychology 3 Introductory Sociology GEND 103 - The Examined Life II: Social Problems and Progress ; or GEND 120 - Self & Society: Introduction to Sociology 3 Principles of Macroeconomics GEND Focus Area - Historical and Political Investigation 3 Principles of Microeconomics GEND Focus Area - Leadership and Business 3 Social Sciences and History GEND Focus Area - Historical and Political Investigation 3 Western Civilization I: Ancient Near East to 1648 GEND Focus Area - Historical and Political Investigation 3 Western Civilization II: 1648 to Present GEND Focus Area - Historical and Political Investigation 3 Science and Mathematics Biology GEND Focus Area - Environmental and Life Sciences 3 Calculus MATH 220 - Calculus I 4 Chemistry GEND Focus Area - Scientific Inquiry 3 College Algebra MATH 120 - College Algebra 3 College Mathematics Elective 6 Natural Sciences GEND Focus Area - Environmental and Life Sciences 3 PreCalculus Elective 3 Challenge Examination - The University awards academic credit to a student who has performed satisfactorily on a challenge examination created by a member of Harrisburg University’s faculty. A student may do so by obtaining a Challenge Examination Form from Records and Registration, obtain the signature of the sponsoring instructor from the appropriate discipline, pay a fee equal to one-third the normal tuition charge for the course, and return the form to Records and Registration which will schedule a time and location for the examination. If successfully completed, student will receive a “P” on transcript.

Grade Description Numerical Value A Superior achievement 4.00 A- 3.67 B+ 3.33 B Above average achievement 3.00 B- 2.67 C+ 2.33 C Average achievement 2.00 C- 1.67 D+ 1.33 D Minimum achievement 1.00 F Fail 0.00 FD Fail - Disciplinary 0.00 AU Audit Not applicable CR Credit Not applicable I Incomplete Not applicable LB Laboratory Not applicable NP No Pass Not applicable NR Not reported Not applicable P Pass Not applicable #F Fail - Forgiven Not applicable PLA Prior Learning Assessment Not applicable TR Transfer credit Not applicable TA Transferred credit earned with superior achievement Not applicable TA- Not applicable TB+ Not applicable TB Transferred credit earned with above-average achievement Not applicable TB- Not applicable TC+ Not applicable TC Transferred credit earned with average achievement Not applicable TP Transfer Pass Not applicable TS Transfer Satisfactory Not applicable W Withdrawal Not applicable WA Administrative withdrawal Not applicable WF Withdrawal after the period to withdraw with a “W” grade 0.00 Grades of “AU”, “CR”, “I”, “NP”, “NR”, “P”, “#F”, “PLA”, “TR”, “TA”, “TA-“, “TB+”, “TB”, “TB-“, “TC+”, “TC”, “TP”, “TS”, “W”, or “WA” are not included in the calculation of a student’s grade point average (GPA). Prior Learning Assessment (PLA) - The “PLA” grade is used to indicate credit that has been awarded by the University for prior learning.

This statutory obligation includes, but is not limited to, admissions, course offerings, transfer of credit, financial aid, scholarships, student employment, internships, educational and social programs, and student advisement and counseling.

Prior Learning Assessment The University may award undergraduate academic credit for prior knowledge, skills and abilities acquired through non-accredited and work-related learning experience equivalent to: the outcomes of a specific course; or, the outcomes of college-level work not currently offered at the University. The experience and evidence provided should have a direct relation to the material taught in a course in the University’s curriculum and should extend over a sufficient period to provide substantive knowledge in the relevant area. A baccalaureate degree-seeking student who is in good academic standing, has completed a minimum of 6 semester hours in a program of study at Harrisburg University, and demonstrates the qualities to receive such credit may petition the Provost through the academic advisor for consideration of prior learning assessment. The petition must include the following: a detailed description of the relevant experience; appropriate supporting evidence; the equivalent University program, course number, and title; and, the number of semester hours sought. A student may receive a maximum of 18 semester hours of credit for prior learning. However, not more than 6 semester hours of that credit may be substituted for core courses in the program of study. The prior learning assessment process is a way to demonstrate to a mentor, who is an expert in the field, college-level knowledge in a particular course area. These college-level skills and knowledge may be from applicable work experience, volunteer activities, training programs, hobbies, religious activities, homemaking skills, prior independent reading or special accomplishments. This process is not an independent study. Working with a mentor, the student is guided to develop an online, electronic portfolio to demonstrate prior college-level learning. The student can choose between standard prior learning assessment and individualized prior learning assessment. Standard prior learning assessment is an option when existing course descriptions match the college-level learning that the student wants to demonstrate. Individualized prior learning assessment occurs when the student proposes a course description that does not currently exist in the course catalog for Harrisburg University. Prior learning assessment cannot be awarded for physical education courses, field experiences, student teaching, cooperative education, practicum courses, internships, projects, seminars, independent study or laboratories. It is important for the student to understand that life and learning experiences alone are an inadequate basis for the award of prior learning credit. To be eligible for prior learning assessment, the outcomes of the non-collegiate learning experience must be documented, be applicable to the student’s program of study, be related to a course, and be assessed as being similar to or meeting the requirements of learning gained through college-level learning experiences. Approval of prior learning credit must be made in writing from the academic advisor, the appropriate faculty member, and the Provost. A per semester hour charge of $225.00 is incurred by the student for the number of semester hours sought under prior learning assessment. For more information about prior learning assessment, contact Records and Registration.

Prior Learning Assessment Charge A student who submits an application for prior learning assessment is charged a per semester hour amount of $225 for the number of semester hours of the course equivalent sought. This charge is imposed at the time of application. No refund will be made if the application is unsuccessful. Refer to the section on Prior Learning Assessment (PLA) for further information.

Course Delivery Modes Directed Studies Add/Drop Period and Course Withdrawals Audit Policy Class Attendance Advanced Standing Off-Campus Study Program Dual Programs Dual Concentrations Graduation Requirements Requirements for Earning a Second HU Bachelor’s Degree Finalizing the Academic Record Grades and Grading Early Warning Deferred Examination Policy Final Examination Policy Final Grading Process Final Grade Appeal Release of Grades Repeated Courses Course Substitutes Academic Honors Academic Standing Policy Withholding of Records Official Withdrawal from the University Procedure Unofficial Withdrawal Standards of Academic Integrity Disciplinary/Academic Dismissal Calendar, Credit System and Final Examinations The University operates on a semester calendar and uses the semester hour credit system.

Transfer credit hours from another institution that are accepted toward a program of study are counted as both attempted semester hours and earned semester hours in the program pursuit calculation to determine satisfactory academic progress for Title IV, HEA student assistance program purposes. Grades for transfer credit hours are not included in the calculation of the cumulative grade point average.

Transfer Credit Appeal A student who wishes to appeal a transfer credit decision may submit a copy of the syllabus from the course in question to Records and Registration no later than 30 days from the date of the transfer evaluation. Appeals will be reviewed and granted or denied by the program lead and amended on the student’s record. When cases of unusual or extenuating circumstances occur, a student may appeal the transfer credit decision beyond the 30-day limit.