Credit Transfer & Evaluation

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Credit Transfer & Evaluation

Building Your Academic Path at TUOS

At The University of Ontological Science, we recognize that knowledge acquisition transcends institutional boundaries. Our credit transfer and evaluation process honors your previous academic achievements while ensuring the integrity and coherence of your TUOS degree. We aim to provide a transparent, equitable, and thorough evaluation of your prior learning as you integrate it into your intellectual journey with us.

Transfer Credit Principles

TUOS evaluates transfer credits based on these foundational principles:

  • Academic Quality: Credits must be earned at regionally accredited institutions or internationally recognized universities
  • Curricular Relevance: Coursework should align with TUOS’s academic programs and philosophical approach
  • Recency: Knowledge currency is considered in certain rapidly evolving fields
  • Performance: Minimum grade requirements ensure transfer credits reflect successful learning
  • Degree Integrity: Residency requirements preserve the distinctive character of a TUOS degree

Eligibility Requirements

Institutional Accreditation

Credits must be earned from:

  • Regionally accredited colleges or universities in the United States
  • Nationally recognized technical or specialized institutions (evaluated on a case-by-case basis)
  • International institutions recognized by their country’s ministry of education or equivalent authority

Course Level and Content

  • College-level coursework (typically 100-level or above)
  • Non-remedial, non-developmental content
  • Equivalent or comparable to courses offered at TUOS
  • Relevant to your degree program or general education requirements

Grade Requirements

  • Undergraduate transfers: Minimum grade of C (2.0) or higher
  • Graduate transfers: Minimum grade of B (3.0) or higher
  • Pass/Fail courses: Only if “Pass” is equivalent to the minimum grade requirement and original grade documentation is available

Credit Limits

  • Undergraduate Students: Maximum of 60 transfer credits for a bachelor’s degree (half of the 120 required credits)
  • Graduate Students: Maximum of 9 transfer credits for a master’s degree (one-quarter of the 36 required credits)
  • Doctoral Students: Maximum of 12 transfer credits, subject to program approval

Types of Transfer Credit

Traditional College Coursework

Course-by-course evaluation comparing content, learning outcomes, and credit hours with TUOS equivalents.

Credit by Examination

  • Advanced Placement (AP): Scores of 4 or 5 typically eligible for credit
  • International Baccalaureate (IB): Higher Level exams with scores of 5-7 eligible for credit
  • College Level Examination Program (CLEP): Minimum score of 50 required for most examinations
  • DSST/DANTES: Subject standardized tests evaluated individually

View AP/IB/CLEP Credit Equivalency Tables

Military Training and Experience

  • Joint Services Transcript (JST) evaluated using American Council on Education (ACE) recommendations
  • Credits awarded for military training that has collegiate equivalence
  • Military Occupational Specialties (MOS) may qualify for credit in related fields

International Credits

  • Evaluated by a NACES-approved credential evaluation service
  • Course-by-course evaluation required
  • Official translation of transcripts needed for non-English documents
  • Calendar conversion applied for institutions using different credit systems

Prior Learning Assessment

  • Credit for demonstrated college-level learning acquired through professional experience
  • Portfolio assessment process to document and validate learning
  • Maximum of 15 undergraduate credits available through this pathway
  • Evaluation fee: $250 per portfolio submission

Transfer Credit Evaluation Process

Step 1: Submit Required Documentation

For U.S. Institutions:

  • Official transcripts sent directly from the issuing institution to TUOS Admissions Office
  • Course syllabi for specialized courses or courses without clear TUOS equivalents

For International Institutions:

  • Course-by-course credential evaluation from approved evaluation services:
    • World Education Services (WES)
    • Educational Credential Evaluators (ECE)
    • SpanTran: The Evaluation Company
  • Original language transcripts and certified English translations

For Military Credit:

  • Joint Services Transcript (JST)
  • Community College of the Air Force (CCAF) transcript
  • DD-214 form

For Examination Credit:

  • Official score reports sent directly from the testing agency

Step 2: Initial Evaluation

Once all documentation is received:

  1. Admissions specialists conduct a preliminary review
  2. Faculty subject matter experts evaluate specialized coursework
  3. International credentials undergo authentication and conversion
  4. Military transcripts are aligned with ACE recommendations

Step 3: Credit Determination

Each course is evaluated based on:

  • Alignment with TUOS curriculum
  • Credit hours or equivalent academic content
  • Course level and rigor
  • Learning outcomes comparison
  • Recency of completion (especially for technical subjects)

Step 4: Credit Application

Approved credits are designated as:

  • Direct Equivalents: Matched to specific TUOS courses
  • Department Electives: Applied toward departmental requirements without direct equivalency
  • General Electives: Count toward overall degree requirements

Step 5: Notification and Appeals

  • Initial credit evaluation provided within 4-6 weeks of complete submission
  • Detailed transfer credit report available in the Student Portal
  • Students may appeal decisions by submitting additional documentation
  • Appeals must be initiated within 45 days of initial evaluation

Download Transfer Credit Appeal Form

Special Transfer Programs and Articulation Agreements

Community College Partnerships

TUOS maintains articulation agreements with select community colleges to facilitate seamless transfer:

  • Guaranteed admission with specified GPA
  • Course-by-course equivalency guides
  • Pre-approved transfer pathways
  • Joint advising programs

Partner Institutions:

  • Metropolitan Community College
  • River Valley College System
  • Lakeside Community College
  • Horizon Technical College

View Complete Articulation Agreements

Transfer Pathways Program

Designed transfer curricula for specific majors that provide:

  • Clear roadmap from associate’s to bachelor’s degree
  • Guaranteed junior standing upon completion
  • Pre-mapped course equivalencies
  • Minimal credit loss

2+2 Programs

Structured programs allowing students to complete:

  • 2 years at a partner community college
  • 2 years at TUOS to complete a bachelor’s degree
  • Seamless transition between institutions
  • Cost-effective degree completion

Timeline and Deadlines

Activity Timeline
Initial transcript submission With application or before orientation
Preliminary evaluation 4-6 weeks from submission
Additional documentation requests May extend timeline by 2-3 weeks
Appeals process 45 days from initial evaluation
Final transfer credit posting Before the end of first semester
International evaluation processing 6-8 weeks from submission

Note: Delays may occur during peak admission periods. Early submission is strongly encouraged.

Transfer Credit Policies by Academic Area

Humanities and Philosophy

  • Core ontology courses typically must be completed at TUOS
  • Literature, history, and introductory philosophy courses readily transferable
  • Advanced theoretical courses evaluated case-by-case by department faculty

Sciences

  • Lab sciences require comparable laboratory hours
  • Science credits older than 10 years evaluated for content currency
  • Mathematics placement assessment may be required regardless of transfer credit

Language and Communication

  • Foreign language credits accepted with proficiency verification
  • Composition credits must meet the university’s writing standards
  • Speech/communication courses evaluated for public speaking components

Professional Programs

  • Professional accreditation requirements may limit transferability
  • Clinical experiences rarely transferable without equivalent standards
  • Technical courses evaluated for theoretical foundations

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: How do I know which of my courses will transfer before I apply?
A: You can request a preliminary credit evaluation by submitting unofficial transcripts through our Transfer Credit Estimator tool. This provides a non-binding estimate of transferable credits.

Q: Will my GPA transfer with my credits?
A: No, while courses and credits transfer, grades do not factor into your TUOS GPA. Your GPA at TUOS will be calculated based solely on coursework completed here.

Q: What if my previous institution was on quarters rather than semesters?
A: We convert quarter credits to semester credits using a 2/3 ratio. For example, a 4-quarter-credit course typically converts to 2.67 semester credits.

Q: Can I transfer credits after I’ve enrolled at TUOS?
A: Current students must receive prior approval before taking courses at another institution. Complete the Permission to Study Elsewhere Form before enrolling in external courses.

Q: How do transfer credits appear on my TUOS transcript?
A: Transfer credits appear with the course title, credits awarded, and a “TR” grade notation. The original grade does not appear on your TUOS transcript but remains on your originating institution’s transcript.

Q: What if a course I took covers the same material as two different TUOS courses?
A: In some cases, a single transfer course may satisfy multiple TUOS requirements if the content coverage is sufficient. This determination is made during the faculty review process.

Transfer Student Resources

Transfer Student Orientation

Specialized orientation program addressing the unique needs of transfer students:

  • Credit evaluation workshops
  • Academic planning sessions
  • Major-specific advising
  • Community-building activities

View Orientation Calendar

Transfer Advising Center

Dedicated advisors specializing in transfer student success:

  • Credit maximization strategies
  • Progress-to-degree planning
  • Double-counting opportunities
  • General education completion pathways

Schedule a Transfer Advising Appointment

Transfer Student Association

Student organization focused on transfer student community:

  • Peer mentoring
  • Social events
  • Academic support
  • Advocacy initiatives

Join the Transfer Student Association

Contact Information

Office of Transfer Services
Academic Building, Room 220
transfer@tuos.edu
(555) 123-4575

Office Hours:
Monday-Friday: 9:00 AM – 5:00 PM
Extended hours (until 7:00 PM) on Wednesdays

Transfer Credit Specialists:

  • Humanities and Philosophy: Dr. Eleanor Richards, e.richards@tuos.edu
  • Sciences and Mathematics: Dr. James Martinez, j.martinez@tuos.edu
  • Professional Programs: Dr. Sophia Williams, s.williams@tuos.edu
  • International Credentials: Ms. Amara Patel, a.patel@tuos.edu

At TUOS, we recognize that knowledge transcends institutional boundaries. Our transfer credit philosophy honors your previous academic achievements while ensuring the distinctive character and intellectual integrity of your TUOS degree. We are committed to a thoughtful evaluation process that respects your prior learning while preparing you for the distinctive ontological inquiry that defines our academic community.