Undergraduate Policies

Students must submit official transcripts from all colleges and universities attended to the University Registrar.  Courses completed successfully at regionally accredited institutions of higher education are accepted at face value.  Courses completed successfully at other specific institutions with CHEA-recognition are also accepted at face value (see currently accepted listing below).  A maximum of 80 credit hours of lower division credit is accepted in transfer towards a bachelor’s degree.  Credit is not accepted for credit by assessment from another institution.  See the list below for accepted accreditation.  Exceptions to accepted accreditation 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, or developmental courses.  A maximum of four credits is accepted towards graduation requirements for courses deemed as skill-building (typing, word processing) 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. Students utilizing veteran's educational benefits must submit all educational, vocational, and military transcripts for evaluation.  Prior credit will be granted as appropriate.

Credits are awarded for successful completion of examinations from approved national testing programs including Advanced Placement (AP), Berlitz, College-Level Examination Program (CLEP), Excelsior College, DANTES, and International Baccalaureate (IB).  Semester credit awards are based on recommendation of the American Council on Education (ACE), wherever applicable.  Students who seek to transfer credit by examination must request official score reports be sent directly to the University Registrar.  A maximum of 32 credits is accepted for credit by examination.

Students may choose to earn credit for prior learning by working through a process established by the Council on Adult and Experiential Learning (CAEL).  A maximum of 40 credits is accepted for this type of credit by assessment.

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 University Registrar.

Ottawa University has evaluated various instructional programs that are not currently evaluated by ACE, but demonstrate the academic outcomes and rigor expected in college-level learning and are applicable to Ottawa University programs.  Examples include health care training and registries and other professional training programs.

Ottawa University transfers directly all associate and baccalaureate military credit evaluated by ACE.  Students should submit their AARTS or SMART transcript to the University Registrar.