Transfer Credit Policy

Official Transcripts

Official transcripts are required for the awarding of transfer credit. An official transcript is required for each school a student attended. North Central College will not accept credit earned at one school that is listed on another school’s transcript.

A transcript will be accepted as an official document if it meets the following criteria:

  • Indicates North Central College or the student as the recipient of record,
  • Is sent electronically directly from the issuing institution,
  • Is a printed transcript in the original sealed envelope, with school insignia

 

Regional Accreditation

College credit is accepted for transfer from colleges and universities with regional accreditation, covering the period of time the student was enrolled. This includes accreditation candidacy periods if accreditation was granted unless otherwise specified by the academic program.

The College may also accept credit from colleges who are members of the American Council on Education (ACE). Students should note that credit of this type is typically awarded as elective credit. Courses that are vocational or technical in nature, or courses designed strictly for professional programs are not usually transferable.

 

Associate Degrees

As a participating IAI (Illinois Articulation Initiative) institution, students transferring with an Associate in Arts (AA) or Associate of Science (AS) degree will have satisfied the general education requirements for a Bachelor Degree. A maximum of 64 credits will be accepted. Additional coursework may be used to satisfy specific degree requirements but not overall degree hours.

Students transferring from an Associate Degree granting institution (i.e. Community College, Junior College or other 2 year college) can transfer a maximum of 64 credits, with or without having earned an AA or AS degree. Students having earned an associate’s degree other than the AA or AS may or may not have met the general education requirements at North Central College. A course-by-course evaluation will be completed to determine which general education requirements have been met. Coursework beyond the 64 credit maximum may be used to satisfy specific degree requirements but not overall degree hours.

 

Bachelor Degrees

Students transferring with a Bachelor Degree seeking to complete a second degree at North Central College must complete a minimum of 32 hours and meet all degree requirements for the second degree.

 

Credit for Military Training

Students with military training should submit their Joint Services Transcript (JST) directly to the Registrar’s Office. The amount of elective credit awarded is limited.  

 

How Credits Apply

  • Transfer students who are awarded less than 28 total credits hours from one or more institutions must complete the Cardinal Directions requirements for First Year students.
    • Transfer courses and credit hours will be applied to appropriate degree requirements where applicable.
  • Transfer students who are awarded 28 or more total credits hours from one or more institutions must complete the Cardinal Directions requirements for Transfer Students.
    • Transfer courses and credit hours will be applied to appropriate degree requirements where applicable.
    • iCon requirements will be satisfied.
  • Transfer students with an eligible AA or AS degree are awarded up to 64 credit hours and must complete the CARD*200 Transfer Seminar.
    • Transfer courses will be applied to appropriate degree requirements where applicable.
    • Area and Mission Designations will be satisfied.
    • Quantitative and Writing Requirements will be satisfied.
    • iCon Requirements will be satisfied.

 

No Credit is granted for:

  • Religion courses with a missionary or evangelical basis (as opposed to analytic)
  • ROTC credit earned at previously attended institutions.
  • Courses determined to be equivalent to remedial level (pre-college level), regardless of the course level from the transfer institution.
  • High School courses (except those through Dual Credit programs in which College credit was earned)
    1. Students should submit their College transcript to the Office of Admissions.
  • High School equivalency test preparation courses.
  • Continuing Education (CPU) or non-credit courses.
  • Course credit awarded at another institution through demonstrated competency or proficiency testing such as Advanced Placement or CLEP.
    1. Students may submit their official scores to the Office of the Registrar for evaluation of credit. Credit is awarded based on the student’s scores and catalog year of entry.
  • Course credit awarded or waived at another institution through college entry testing such as ACT or SAT scores.
  • Course credit awarded from a school that is not a college or university (e.g. they are not a degree conferring institution), regardless if they are members of the American Council on Education (ACE).
     

Semester, Quarter and Trimester Systems

North Central College is on the semester credit hour system. Quarter hours are accepted by converting to semester hours (multiply by 1.5). Trimesters will be converted (multiply by 1.5) if the home institution follows a quarter credit system.
 

Residency Credits

  • Regardless of the number of credits awarded in transfer, students must complete a minimum of 32 of the last 40 credits at North Central College.
  • At least 12 credit hours in the student’s major, 8 credit hours in the minor, and/or 4 credit hours in the concentration must be earned at North Central.
     

Dual Enrollment

  • North Central College continuing students are welcome to take coursework at another institution during summer semester to transfer back to North Central. Courses must be evaluated for transferability prior to beginning the course. This is accomplished by submitting the Request to Transfer Course Work form to the Office of the Registrar. This form is found in the HUB.
  • During the Fall and Spring semesters, students may be enrolled concurrently through the Consortium Exchange agreement with Aurora and Benedictine Universities.
  • Students wishing to take coursework at another institution during the Fall or Spring semesters outside of the Consortium Agreement with Aurora and Benedictine Universities must request approval through the Office of the Registrar before beginning the course. This is accomplished by submitting a General Petition and a Request to Transfer Course Work form to the Office of the Registrar. Courses will only be approved if they are transferable equivalent courses that are required for the degree and that the student is unable to take at NCC due to lack of course offering or a schedule conflict with another required course, thus delaying the student’s timely graduation. Students approved must still comply with the residency requirement.