UCM Credit and Transfer Credit
There is no limit to the number of UCM or transfer credit hours applied to an undergraduate degree. Students must meet a minimum number of hours in residence at UCM for degree completion.
UCM Credit
UCM credits are hours earned through on-campus courses and online courses. This also includes courses completed at the UCM Lee’s Summit campus and other UCM sites.
Dual Credit
Dual credit courses enable a high school student to simultaneously receive high school credit and college credit at a highly reduced tuition rate. Credits are transcribed both at the high school and at the college from which they are earned. UCM Dual credit can be earned on campus, in high schools throughout Missouri, online, through virtual learning, or from a transfer institution. Courses are taught by university professors, or by approved adjunct faculty, and follow the same content and rigor as UCM courses with the same titles. Dual credit grades do factor into UCM academic standing.
Information about UCM’s dual credit program can be found online at ucmo.edu/dualcredit, by calling the Dual Credit Office at 660-543-4876 or in person (HUM 401).
Transfer Credit
Students are required to provide UCM with official copies of transcripts from all prior colleges and universities attended. This includes any international transfer institutions (see International Transfer Credit section). Failure to disclose a transcript may result in dismissal from UCM. In awarding transfer credit from Missouri institutions, Central Missouri follows the Credit Transfer Guidelines for Student Transfer and Articulation among MO College and Universities (Missouri CBHE, April 2013). Credit will be accepted from an accredited institution which is a candidate for accreditation, UCM recognizes the following accrediting bodies for the definition of “accredited institution:” Higher Learning Commission, Southern Association of Colleges and Schools, Middle States Commission on Higher Education, New England Commission of Higher Education, Northwest Commission on Colleges and Universities, and WASC Senior College and University Commission. Students who wish to appeal the decision of the University of Central Missouri in the articulation of transfer credit from another domestic, accredited institution of higher education may contact the Office of Undergraduate Admissions (WDE 1400, 660-543-4290). Questions about international transfer credit should contact the International Student Services Office (WDE 1800, 660-543-4092) directly via email at ISSS@ucmo.edu.
All undergraduate college-level coursework attempted at recognized accredited institutions (and appropriately accredited international institutions) and corresponding grades will be included on the UCM transcript of degree-seeking students. “W” grades (withdrawals) are not posted to the UCM transcript and developmental or remedial work is evaluated on an individual basis.
UCM does post and accept all college-level transfer grades (A-F). These grades are counted in a student’s cumulative GPA and are taken into consideration for academic standing calculations. UCM’s repeat policy, not the repeat policy of the transfer institution, will be applied to any course repeats. See details of the UCM Repeat Policy in this catalog.
Transfer credit will retain the leveling and credit hours total as designated by the original granting institution regardless of whether a UCM equivalent’s leveling or credit hour total is different. All courses taken at a two-year college and any 1000/2000 level courses taken at a four-year institution will not be applicable toward upper-level hour (3000/4000 level) requirements, even if these courses are articulated as UCM upper-level courses or are used as substitutions for upper-level UCM courses. Quarter hour transfer courses will be converted to semester hours at the rate of 1 quarter hour = 2/3 semester hours.
Students who hold an Associate of Arts (A.A.), an Associate of Arts in Teaching (A.A.T.), a bachelor’s degree from an appropriately accredited institution in Missouri (including post-baccalaureate UCM students), or who have met the Missouri 42-hour General Education Core requirements are considered to have met all 42 hours of Central Missouri’s requirements in General Education except any major- or minor-specific General Education courses, including state law requirements, Section 170.011 RSMO Supp (1988) (the constitutions of Missouri and the United States) and HB 1528/Section 170.013 the Higher Education Civics Achievement Examination.
Students who hold one of the degrees mentioned above from an appropriately accredited institution outside of Missouri have met the Missouri 42-hour General Education Core requirements except any major- or minor-specific General Education courses but must pass an exam on the constitutions of Missouri and the United States and the Higher Education Civics Achievement Examination. The constitutions of Missouri and the United States test is offered online, at no cost by the School of Social Sciences and Languages (Wood 203). Testing information can be obtained by calling 660-543-8840. The Higher Education Civics Achievement Examination is offered online through Blackboard, at no cost by the UCM Testing Center (HUM 216). Testing information can be obtained by calling 660-543-4919.
Transfer students who have completed an A.A., A.A.T, a bachelor’s degree from an appropriately accredited institution in the United States (including post-baccalaureate UCM students), or the Missouri 42-hour General Education Core must also complete any major- or minor-specific General Education courses. The state of Missouri requires certain General Education courses for teacher certification. These requirements are outlined for each teacher education major in Programs Alphabetically
For students with an associate’s degree other than the A.A. or A.A.T. (such as the A.S.), the university reviews transcripts and accepts applicable credit on a course-by-course basis.
International Transfer Credit
International transfer credit of all levels (undergraduate and graduate) and for all students (domestic and international) is handled by the International Student Services Office (ISS). All non-US transcripts should be submitted to ISS for authentication and evaluation. Applicants with questions about transcript evaluations should contact ISS via email at GISS@ucmo.edu or by calling 660-543-4621.
Military Service-Related Transfer Credit
Military service-related credit is posted as transfer credit and does not count towards upper-level hours requirements. This credit is denoted with a grade of CR (credit) on the Central Degree Audit and UCM transcript. Military service-related credits are not limited to a particular number of hours awarded and do not count towards the 30 hours of maximum CR credit explained under Other Types of Credit.
Credits from the Community College of the Air Force (CCAF)
Students with CCAF credit should have official transcripts sent to the Office of Undergraduate Admissions (WDE 1400, 660-543-4290).
Credits from the Joint Services Transcript (JST)
Credits earned by service personnel in specialized training programs of the United States Army, Navy, Marines or Coast Guard under certain circumstances may be accepted. The guidebook published by the American Council on Education (ACE) is used to determine the credit value. Official Joint Services Transcripts (JST) should be sent to the Office of Military and Veteran Services (UN 117, 660-543-8776) which will review and determine the appropriate credit, if applicable.
Elective Transfer Credit
Courses already determined to have UCM equivalents will be applied on the UCM transcript upon receipt of an official transcript from the credit granting institution. Accepted transfer courses that have no UCM equivalents will be deemed elective courses and appear with an ELCT course prefix on the Central Degree Audit and transcript. Any ELCT course accepted for more than 0 credit hours (e.g., not remedial or developmental) does count towards the degree hours but will require further evaluation to fulfill a particular major, minor, or general education course. To have an elective transfer course considered for articulation to one of UCM’s courses, students may contact articulation@ucmo.edu.
For courses unable to be articulated, students may seek a course substitution. For substitutions in the General Education requirements, students should meet with their Academic Success Advisor (660-543-4721, UN 128). For major or minor requirements and General Education courses required by the major or minor, students should visit with the school chair of the major or minor to discuss possible substitutions.
Graduate-Level Credit
Courses completed at the graduate level cannot be applied to undergraduate degree programs* and may not be repeated for undergraduate credit. *Exceptions apply to some graduate-level courses for students enrolled in accelerated degree programs.
Other Types of Credit
Other types of credit include: credit for prior learning, credit by exam, credit for official certifications, licenses, and diplomas, and validated credit. Students must be currently enrolled as a degree or certificate seeking student at UCM to be awarded these types of credit. Credit will be posted after the enrollment period for the semester had ended (typically during the second week of the semester).
Students may count a combined total of 60 credit hours of SC and CR credits towards their degree. Each type of credit, SC and CR, is limited to 30 credits. Military service-related credits, as noted above, and credits from certain consortium programs (Radiologic Technology/Medical Laboratory Science) do not count towards the 30 hours of maximum CR credit.
These types of credit involve credit only and do not include a letter grade. Therefore, credit only has an impact on hours earned and not on grade point average. With the exception of some of the credits from certain consortium programs (Radiologic Technology/Medical Laboratory Science), credit earned from these types of experiences does not count towards residency hours or upper-level hours at UCM.
Credit for Prior Learning (CPL)
Credit for Prior Learning is an assessment completed by UCM faculty and staff to evaluate the student’s knowledge and expertise acquired, outside of formal higher education. This evaluation is accomplished to 1) determine if the knowledge and experience warrants college-level credit and 2) meets the required course objectives. The American Council on Education (ACE) and the National College Credit Recommendations Services (NCCRS) evaluate courses and industry training to provide credit recommendations to institutions of higher learning. UCM is recognized as an ACE institution. This recognition means UCM will evaluate any course or training that has been ACE approved. This does not mean credit is granted but an evaluation will be conducted. Any and all credit awarded is determined by the UCM faculty and administrative staff. Students interested in obtaining CPL should contact Online and Learning Engagements’ Director of Academic Outreach (HUM 410, 660-543-8926) for guidance and assistance.
Credit by Exam
Credits by exam are based on nationally normed standardized exams (such as AP, IB, and CLEP). This type of credit is denoted with an SC on the Central Degree Audit and transcript.
Nationally Normed Standardized Exams
The following exams are those accepted for review at UCM for possible course credit. Tests marked by an asterisk (*) are administered by UCM’s Testing Services.
Requirements for Course Credit by Examination
- Only test scores obtained within the past 10 years are accepted.
- Not all exams have a course equivalent at UCM.
- Only official test score reports sent from the test company directly to Testing Services, JCKL 1250 will be reviewed. Please check with the testing company on how to send official scores.
- Exam scores sent prior to the students first semester will not be applied.
- Students eligible to receive course credit by examination must be actively attending classes at UCM and are responsible for notifying Testing Services at the Course Credit Request Form link. Please do not enroll in a course in which you anticipate receiving CLEP credit.
- Course credit by examination does not carry a letter grade and does not impact your grade point average. Course credit by examination placed on the transcript counts toward credit hours earned but not “enrolled hours” for a semester and may not be usable in a particular degree.
- Duplicate credit is not permitted. Students may not earn credit if they have previously earned a grade in the same course from UCM or another institution, as indicated on your transcript; or if credit has been earned via AP, DSST, IB exam or with a Biliteracy Certification.
- Required scores and course equivalents are determined by UCM academic department faculty and are subject to change, without notice, pending faculty review. Eligibility restrictions may apply. For details, contact your Academic Success Advisor, your faculty advisor or check the Undergraduate Catalog for information regarding the fulfillment of the General Education Program.
- Course credit by examination cannot be applied to upper-level hour requirements or in-residence hours.
- Course credit received by examination may or may not apply to a degree program.
- Students seeking course credit by examination when currently enrolled in the course must complete the exam prior to the 100% refund date for the course.
Course Credit by Examination from Other Institutions
Course credit by examination from other institutions is not automatically transferred to UCM. Review course credit by examination equivalencies on ucmo.edu/testingservices or contact Testing Services (testingservices@ucmo.edu or 660-543-4919, JCKL 1250) to determine if a course equivalent for the exam taken is available at UCM. If a course equivalent is available and the test score is less than 10 years old contact the test company to request an official score report be sent to Testing Services.
Credit for Official Certifications, Licenses, and Diplomas
In certain instances, academic schools will evaluate official certifications, licenses, and diplomas granted by fully accredited national and state boards and officially recognized professional organizations to determine whether undergraduate credit may be assigned by the Vice Provost for Academic Programs and Services toward the fulfillment of degree requirements in a major or minor. Appropriate university schools reserve the right to test competencies and performances in these areas and to determine the hours and the nature of the credit to be assigned, if any. Paperwork signed by the academic school chair, college dean, and Vice Provost for Academic Programs and Services will be submitted by the academic school to the Registrar’s Office for processing. This type of credit is denoted with a CR on the Central Degree Audit and transcript.
Seal of Biliteracy
The Missouri Seal of Biliteracy is an award granted by a local district to recognize a student who has attained proficiency in English and one or more other world language(s) before high school graduation. The recognition of attaining biliteracy becomes a part of the high school transcript for these students and serves to certify attainment of biliteracy for the community, employers and universities. Students wishing to receive credit for the Biliteracy award should send their official scores to the Testing Center.
Validated Credit
A student can earn college credit by demonstrating specific competencies. These tests or measurements vary by school and are free to the student. Validated credit is an option within three areas of the General Education program: Composition (for ENGL 1020 , if ENGL 1080 is passed with a grade of C or higher), Modern Foreign Language, and Mathematical Reasoning. See the appropriate school for more information. Validated credit is denoted with a CR on the Central Degree Audit and transcript.
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