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POLICY NUMBER: AS.070
EFFECTIVE DATE: 07/27/25
APPROVAL DATE: 07/27/25 PURPOSE: To establish clear guidelines for evaluating and awarding transfer credits that ensure academic integrity, alignment with Life University’s curriculum standards, and support timely student progression.
ADDITIONAL AUTHORITY: N/A
SCOPE: This policy outlines the criteria, limitations, and procedures for the evaluation and acceptance of transfer credits into Life University’s undergraduate, graduate, and Doctor of Chiropractic (D.C.) programs, including credit type, source accreditation, grade requirements, time limits, and conversion rules.
APPROVAL AUTHORITY: President
RESPONSIBLE AUTHORITY: Academic Affairs, Registrar
RECIPIENTS: N/A
PUBLICATIONS: N/A
DEFINITIONS: N/A
POLICY TITLE
Transfer Credit Policy
POLICY STATEMENT
Credits earned at another college that is accredited by an agency recognized by the U.S. Department of Education may transfer into one of Life University’s programs if the course submitted for consideration is of comparable scope and content to one of Life University’s courses. Transfer credit is at the discretion of the Dean and/or Chief Academic Officer.
- For undergraduate programs, an overall maximum of 75% of total credit hours required for thedegree will be accepted.
- A maximum of 30 credits, combined from the list below can come from alternative creditoptions
- College Level Examination Program (CLEP)
- Prometric DSST Exams (DANTES)
- Advanced Placement (AP)
- International Baccalaureate (IB)
- American Credit Evaluation (ACE) (Military credits only)
- National College Credit Recommendation Service (NCCRS) approved credits
- Another 30 credits maximum can come from military schools and training.
- All other transfer credits must come from accredited institution.
- Transferred credits must have a grade of C or better.
- Courses with a grade of Pass (P) will be considered if “P” is equivalent to a “C”or better. This is determined by reviewing the grade scale of the institution wherethe course was completed.
- For graduate programs, an overall maximum of 25% of total credit hours required for the degreewill be accepted.
- Transferred credits must have a grade of B or better
- Courses with a grade of Pass (P) will be considered if “P” is equivalent to a “B”or better. This is determined by reviewing the grade scale of the institution wherethe course was completed.
- For the DC program, an overall maximum of 75% of total credit hours required for the degreewill be accepted.
- Advanced standing/placement or transfer credit for the Doctor of Chiropractic degreemay be considered for academic coursework taken as part of a graduate program (i.e.master’s, professional or doctoral level coursework) (M.S., D.C., M.D., Ph.D., etc.) fromanother accredited institution.
- Transferred credits must be earned with five (5) years prior to the date of admission intothe DC Program.
- Transferred credits must have a grade of C or better
- Courses with a grade of Pass (P) will be considered if “P” is equivalent to a “C”or better. This is determined by reviewing the grade scale of the institution wherethe course was completed.
- Exceptions may be made to accept older credits if the entering student holds anearned doctorate or professional degree in one of the health sciences (i.e., D.C.,M.D., D.O., D.D.S., D.P.M.) or a graduate degree (Master’s Level or above) in anacademic discipline closely related to the health sciences.
- Once a student has been admitted to the D.C. program, transfer credit is not allowed for Master-level or above coursework without prior written permission.
Unofficial transcripts may be reviewed to determine transfer credit eligibility; however, official transcripts must be submitted to Life University for transfer credits to be awarded to a student’s academic record.
Program-specific credits in graduate and undergraduate programs may not be older than ten (10) years old. General education courses have no time limit. Generally, 100- and 200-level courses are for associate’s level work; 300- and 400-level courses are for bachelor’s level work; and 500- and 600-level courses are for master’s level work. When transferring credits, no 100- or 200-level courses may be used to satisfy 300-, 400-, 500-, and 600-level courses, and no 300- and 400-level courses from another institution may be used to satisfy 500- and 600-level courses at Life University. However, higher-level courses from another accredited institution may be used to satisfy lower-level courses at Life University if the course descriptions are similar.
A sufficient number of credits earned from the transferring institution must equal the credits granted by Life University for a course. Transfer credits that are awarded under a semester system will be converted to quarter credit hours. Any conversion that has a partial credit hour of .50 or above will be rounded up to the next whole credit. Any conversion that has partial credit hour of less than .50 will be rounded down to the next whole credit.
The University will not accept transfer credits from a third-party transcript. Each transfer course must be presented on the college transcript from which the course was completed. For International students, transcripts must be evaluated by Global Education Group, Josef Silny & Associates, World Education Services, InCred, or a NACES approved organization. Please refer to ER.003 International Evaluation Services for Admissions & Transfer Credit Evaluations Policy for more information.
The University will not accept any course for credit that is described as having remedial or developmental content.
Transfer credits apply to the program, shortening the time to complete as well as the cost of the program. Transfer credits are not calculated as part of a student’s cumulative grade point average (GPA).
PROCEDURE(S)
Upon receipt of unofficial transcripts, the Registrar’s office will make the initial awarding of transfer credit based on the requirements of this policy. This review will be completed as part of the initial application process and completed within five (5) business days of the request.
Official transcripts are required as part of the full enrollment application. Transfer credits will not be awarded to a student’s academic record until official transcripts are received.
Should a student wish to appeal any decision made in the awarding of transfer credit, they may submit a transfer appeal request to the Registrar’s Office. The Registrar’s Office will submit the appeal to the Dean for review. The Dean will review the request, compile appropriate data and make a final determination regarding the request. Any changes to transfer credit awarded will be communicated to the Registrar’s office via a Transfer Credit Appeal form and signed by the Dean.
OTHER NOTES
N/A
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