Transfer Credit for Previous Education

Effective for applicants to the Summer I  2015 Term (June 15, 2015), the transfer credit for previous education section has been updated.


Students who request to transfer credits from previously attended institutions must submit sealed official transcripts to the Registrar’s Office from originating institutions. Only official transcripts from institutions accredited by agencies recognized by the U.S. Department of Education will be accepted for transfer credit evaluation. In addition to official transcripts, copies of course descriptions, school catalogs, and course syllabi may also be required for evaluation purposes. Military service veterans are required to provide official transcripts for all prior postsecondary educational courses successfully completed in order to be reviewed for potential transfer credits.

Decisions regarding transfer credit are made by the program Academic Dean at the campus to which the student is applying.  The program Academic Dean will review transcripts from previous institutions to determine what credit, if any, will be granted.

Sealed official transcripts must be received prior to the first day of the first semester in which the student commences his or her education at the University. However, deadlines to submit official transcripts may be more stringent for some programs, see the program-specific requirements for clarification.

If official transcripts are not received within the appropriate time frame, credit may be awarded at the program Dean’s/Chair’s discretion.


Approved Transfer Credits

If approved, the student will be notified of the transfer credit(s) granted. The Veterans’ Administration will also be notified of the credit(s) granted to veteran students. Students are expected to attend all classes in their program of study until their transfer credit request has been evaluated and approved.

Credits will be considered for transfer if all of the following criteria are met:

1. The course(s) meet(s) the learning outcomes of the categorical area(s) noted within the General Education program structure.

2. A grade of 2.0 or better was achieved for undergraduate credits, unless otherwise noted under program-specific pre-requisite requirements.

3. The course recency requirements are met.

a. All science courses must have been taken within the last 5 calendar years.

4. The transfer credit meets the requirements of the specific academic program for which they are being considered.  Each program maintains its own transfer credit requirements.

5. All courses considered for transfer must be considered college-level in content by the originating institution and West Coast University.

6. The course(s) must be comparable in content and level to the West Coast University course(s) being sought for transfer.


Students may meet each categorical requirement via transfer credit or courses taken at West Coast University. Students must achieve a minimum of 46 credits to complete the overall General Education program requirement to progress into the chosen academic core.

It is important to remember that each academic program has its own recency requirements for transfer credit. The University’s recency policy includes a requirement that all science courses have been completed in the 5 calendar years prior to admission.  See program specific requirements for clarification.  

Although satisfaction of the aforementioned criteria is essential, the University does not guarantee acceptance of transfer credit.  Decisions regarding transfer credits by the applicable academic administrator are considered final.