Institutional Transfer Credit
Transfer credit may be awarded at AIU from any United States institution accredited by an agency recognized by the U.S. Department of Education. AIU will review official evaluations of transcripts from international institutions (see International Transcripts policy). Courses under consideration from another university or college other than AIU must be relevant and considered substantially similar to the coursework at AIU before transfer credit will be approved.
Transfer Credit Policy
AIU students must submit official transcripts from previously attended post-secondary institutions. AIU students submitting transcripts from international institutions must have an official evaluation from an AACRAO (American Association of Collegiate Registrars and Admissions Officers), or from a NARIC (National Academic Recognition Information Centre), NACES (National Association of Credential Evaluation Services, Inc.) or AICE (Association of International Credential Evaluators, Inc.) approved evaluation service on file with the University. The deadline for official transcripts and/or evaluations is prior to the first day of the second quarter/term of study. Students’ initial degree plans or schedules may change upon the receipt of official transcripts and/or international credential evaluation(s). Students may be allowed to apply for transfer credits from external institutions after the first term of study at the discretion of the appropriate academic administrator. Once students are in the last session of their degree program, no PLA credit will be awarded. Students currently enrolled at AIU or reentry students must seek prior approval from the appropriate academic administrator should they enroll in a course with the intention to apply transfer credit.
Following are general policies for the evaluation and award of transfer credit at each AIU campus:
- Earned degrees from accredited institutions with articulation agreements with AIU can be evaluated for block transfer.
- All other official college and military transcripts are evaluated on a course-by-course basis in accordance with AIU policies.
- Only undergraduate courses completed with a “C” (or equivalent) or above will be eligible for transfer credit at the undergraduate level. This assumes at least a 2.0 on a 4.0 grading scale.
- Only courses representing freshman-level or higher collegiate, degree-applicable course work will be eligible for undergraduate transfer credit, which excludes pre college level or remedial level courses.
- Only graduate level courses completed with a “B” (or equivalent) or above will be eligible for transfer credit at the graduate level. This assumes at least a 3.0 on a 4.0 grading scale.
- Comparable course-to-course transfer may be approved from accredited institutions based on demonstrated learning competencies consistent with AIU’s academic policies and standards in lieu of credit requirements.
- Maximum institutional transfer credit eligibility is determined by degree level, but may vary if military and/or prior learning assessment (PLA) credit is also applied to the student's degree program. Please reference the Residency Requirement policy for more information.
- Students enrolled in Associate degree programs may have up to 67.5 quarter credits, or 75% of their degree program credits applied as institutional transfer credit.
- Students enrolled in Bachelor's degree programs may have up to 135 quarter credits, or 75% of their degree program credits applied as institutional transfer credit.
- Students enrolled in Master's degree programs may have up to 18 quarter credits, or 40% of their degree program credits applied as institutional transfer credit.
- Due to the varying credit structures of Certificate programs, the amount of institutional transfer credit a student may earn in a Certificate program may vary. Please refer to the individual Certificate program page(s) for specifications.
- Notwithstanding the above policies and procedures, all transferred course credit is subject to review and approval by Academic Affairs.
- Any degree plans or schedules are tentative pending the receipt of official transcripts.