Transfer Credit Policies
Ottawa University values a student’s previous coursework and is concerned that no student be penalized in the process of transferring.
Undergraduate Policies:
Students must submit official transcripts from all colleges and universities attended to the registrar at their respective Ottawa University campus. Courses completed successfully at regionally accredited institutions of higher education are accepted at face value. Courses completed successfully at other institutions with CHEA-recognition are also accepted at face value. Credit is not accepted for credit by assessment from another institution. See the list below for accepted accreditations. Exceptions to accepted accreditations are covered through corresponding articulation agreements. Coursework is transferred as if it had been taken at Ottawa University. Semester credit hours are given for all passing grades, including D's. Although accepted in transfer, not all courses with D's fulfill specific degree requirements. Semester credit hours are not transferred for participation in varsity sports, remedial, developmental courses, or courses that do not apply toward the degree from the issuing institution. A maximum of four credits is accepted towards graduation requirements for courses deemed as skillbuilding (typing, word processing, etc.) or activity areas (softball, tennis, band, dance, etc.).
Ottawa University also recognizes the value of previous academic, professional, and community experiences. In addition to direct transfer, students may earn credit hours through other options such as credit by examination, credit by evaluation, military, credit, and credit by assessment.
- A maximum of 40 credit hours may be awarded for Ottawa University’s Credit by Assessment process. Students seeking credit through this prior learning assessment process will have their portfolios evaluated by an external evaluator, the Council for Adult and Experiential Learning (CAEL).
- A maximum of 32 credit hours may be awarded for credit by examination, including credit from Advanced Placement, CLEP, DSST (Dantes), Excelsior, and International Baccalaureate exams.
Credits recommended from the American Council of Education (ACE) for non-collegiate training programs transfer directly, provided that the student submits official documentation of completion to the registrar at their respective Ottawa university campus
Graduate Policies:
Students may transfer program applicable courses completed at a regionally-accredited institution with a grade of "B" or better as follows:
9 semester credit hours for a 36-44 hour degree; 12 semester credit hours for a 45-50 hour degree; and 15 semester credit hours for a 60 hour degree. Additional hours may be transferred into Ottawa University graduate programs of 50 semester credit hours or more with departmental approval.
Students with a master's degree from another regionally accredited institution containing coursework applicable to counseling may petition to transfer up to 30 semester credit hours of approved coursework toward Ottawa University's 50 to 60 semester credit hour professional counseling program.
Graduate credits recommended from the American Council of Education (ACE) for non-collegiate training programs transfer directly, provided that the student submits official documentation of completion to the registrar at their respective Ottawa university campus.
ACCEPTED ACCREDITATIONS
Commission on Higher Education, Middle States Association of Colleges and Schools
New England Association of Schools and Colleges
The Higher Learning Commission, North Central Association of Colleges and Schools
Northwest Commission on Colleges and Universities
Commission on Colleges, Southern Association of Colleges and Schools
Accrediting Commission for Community and Junior Colleges, Western Association of Schools and Colleges
Accrediting Commission for Senior Colleges and Universities, Western Association of Schools and Colleges
Association for Biblical Higher Education Commission on Accreditation
Association of Advanced Rabbinical and Talmudic Schools Accreditation Commission
Commission on Accrediting of the Association of Theological Schools in the United States and Canada
Transnational Association of Christian Colleges and Schools Accreditation Commission
Accrediting Council for Independent Colleges and Schools
Distance Education and Training Council Accrediting Commission
American Board of Funeral Service Education