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Admissions Policies for Transfer Students

Admissions Policies for Transfer Students

Application Procedures and Requirements

In general, the University of Massachusetts Lowell will accept on an hour-for-hour basis semester credits with grades of C- (1.70 on a 4.00 scale) or better as shown on official transcripts of record which are received directly from other regionally accredited collegiate institutions and which are applied to an initial baccalaureate degree. No credit will be recognized for the grade of P unless the catalog of the transferring institution specifically states that P is equivalent to a final course grade of C-. Quarter credits are recognized on a prorated basis of three quarter credits to two semester credits. (Students who are interested in transferring credits for an additional baccalaureate degree should consult the appropriate section below concerning such admission.) Preference for admission to the University is based upon the record of each individual transfer applicant at the end of the semester preceding admission. All credits to be transferred must be identified at the time of application for transfer. The University reserves the right to deny credit for course work taken by the student prior to admission if it is identified and presented after transfer.

In general, the University of Massachusetts Lowell will accept departmental test credits with grades of C- or better as shown on official transcripts of record which are received directly from other accredited institutions.  No credit will be recognized for the grade of P or S unless the catalog of the transferring institution specifically states that P or S is equivalent to a final minimum course grade of C-

Students who transfer from four-year institutions must complete a minimum of 30 semester credits at the University of Massachusetts Lowell to be eligible for a Lowell baccalaureate degree. The University will not reduce the minimum residency requirement of 60 semester credits for students who present 60 or more semester credits from a two-year college. The records of applicants 1) who have completed associate degree programs, who have completed military courses or training, or who have established matriculation at other accredited institutions of higher education and 2) who are eligible to return to such institutions for the semester in which they seek  admission to the University are routinely processed by the Office of Undergraduate Admissions for regular transfer admission.

Required Credentials for Transfer Applicants

It is the responsibility of students seeking transfer to arrange for all official transcripts and notations on courses in progress to be forwarded to the Office of Undergraduate Admissions directly from all previous institution(s).

Additionally, final transcripts of all completed courses must be forwarded to the Office of Undergraduate Admissions following the completion of previously designated courses in progress. Transfer students whose records are incomplete on the first day of semester classes may be prohibited from attending courses and may be required to withdraw from the university.

An applicant who has attended one or more institutions must request each registrar to mail directly to the Office of Undergraduate Admissions a transcript of his or her record, even if credits were not earned or credits are not presented for transfer.

Transfer students must meet one of the following criteria:

  1. 12 or more transferable college credits and a minimum of 2.5 college GPA;
  2. Up to 23 transferable college credits, a minimum 2.0 college GPA, and a high school transcript that meets the admission standards for freshmen applicants; or
  3. 24 or more transferable credits and a minimum 2.0 college GPA.

Transfer students who have fewer than 12 transferable college credits must meet the admission standards for freshmen applicants.

Evaluation of Transfer Credentials

A preliminary evaluation of course credits to be transferred to the University is made by the Office of Undergraduate Admissions at the time of application. Students seeking transfer should be aware that this evaluation by the Office of Undergraduate Admissions is preliminary in nature and that acceptance of transfer credit and assignment of a year of graduation or other status is subject to final review by the student’s major department when the student is formally accepted for matriculation by one of the colleges of the University. Credit which is acceptable according to general University standards is not necessarily acceptable for specific programs. This is especially true when program transfer quotas have been imposed. The Office of Undergraduate Admissions will advise applicants when their admission to the University does not guarantee acceptance into their preferred professional programs. The applicability of grades received in transferred courses for the determination of the grade-point average of the student’s major at the University of Massachusetts Lowell is determined by policies of each of the colleges.

Massachusetts public community colleges may award other associate degrees and certificates with a primary objective other than student transfer to a four-year institution. Course credits from such programs presented for transfer will be evaluated by the four-year institution for applicability to Core Curriculum requirements, to unrestricted elective courses, and to requirements in the student’s major field.

To view the list of courses approved by departments for transfer into the University of Massachusetts Lowell, visit the Office of the Registrar website.

University Restrictions Concerning Transfer Credit Recognition

Courses completed at non-public institutions which are not accredited by the major regional accrediting associations will not be credited to degree programs of the University. Nor will credit be granted for courses which are unacceptable to the transfer institution for its own associate or baccalaureate programs or which are completed within post-secondary school diploma programs. Non-credit CEU courses, adult-enrichment or refresher courses, and secondary school correspondence and home study courses also are not recognized for transfer credit. The University reserves the right to refuse recognition for courses which were taken more than ten years prior to the date when a student applies for transfer when, in the opinion of department chairpersons and program directors, the knowledge attained in such courses is deemed to be out of date and/or in need of verification. Competencies which a student has achieved through such courses, or by any other means, may be recognized for credit if verified by the College Level Examination Program (CLEP) or departmental examinations.

College and Program Restrictions Concerning Transfer Credit

Many colleges and programs impose additional restrictions on the acceptability of transfer credit. The College of Health Sciences and the Manning School of Business have special regulations governing the acceptance of transfer credits for professional courses. Transfer applicants to these colleges should consult the dean of the college or the appropriate department chairperson concerning transfer credit for these courses.

As a general rule, courses of a professional nature from any curriculum are not accepted in transfer when a student seeks admission to a different curriculum or program at the University of Massachusetts Lowell. Transfer applicants should consult the appropriate dean or departments for current regulations.

Initial Review of Transfer Students for Compliance with University Retention Standards

For the purpose of determining academic standing, student records are reviewed each semester. Transfer students are initially evaluated for retention purposes at the end of the semester in which they have attempted their first 18 credits at the University.