Transfer Credit
New First-Year Students
Because academic success at the University of the South almost always requires four full years of high school preparation, the University does not normally award transfer credit for college courses earned at another college or university prior to a student’s graduation from high school. Students may be considered for placement in higher-level courses on the basis of such course work.
Students wishing to transfer college credits earned during the summer prior to enrollment at the University of the South must have those courses approved for transfer in advance by the Office of the University Registrar.
Advanced Placement, International Baccalaureate, and A-level Credit
Graduation credit in fulfillment of general education requirements and for elective courses may be obtained through many of the Advanced Placement (AP), and International Baccalaureate (IB) higher level tests and GCE A-level examinations. Credit will be awarded subject to the following guidelines: A student earning a 4 or 5 on a given AP examination, or a 5 or higher on IB higher level tests or a grade of B or higher on A-level examinations may be deemed to have met one general education learning objective aligned with that AP examination, as determined by the Curriculum and Academic Policy Committee and the College Faculty.
- Students may earn a maximum of eight course credits (32 semester-hours) for satisfactory AP, or IB or GCE A-level examination results.
- A maximum of one elective course credit (four semester hours) may be awarded for a score of 4 or 5 on an AP examination or a score of 5, 6, or 7 on a higher-level IB examination or a grade of B or higher on an A-level examination in most subject areas as identified in the lists below.
- If a student presents satisfactory scores on AP, and IB and A-level examinations in the same subject area, credit is awarded for only one examination except if a student presents satisfactory scores on two distinct examinations in the subject areas of economics, history, or politics where a maximum of two elective course credits (eight semester hours) may be awarded in those areas.
A current list of alignments follows:
| AP Examination Satisfies | IB Examination Satisfies | A-Level Examination Satisfies |
|---|---|---|
| Art History G2 | Anthropology G4 | Biology G5 |
| Biology G5 | Biology G5 | Chemistry G5 |
| Calculus AB G5Q | Chemistry G5 | Classical Studies G4 |
| Calculus BC G5Q | Chinese G6 | Computer Science G5Q |
| Chemistry G5 | Computer Science G5Q | Economics G4 |
| Chinese Language and Culture G6 | Dance G2 | English Literature G1 |
| Computer Science A G5Q | Economics G4 | French G6 |
| English Language and Composition None | English A1 G1 | German G6 |
| English Literature and Composition G1 | English A2 None | History: European G4 |
| Environmental Science G5 | Film G2 | History: United States G4 |
| European History G4 | French B G6 | History: International G4 |
| French Language and Culture G6 | Geography G4 | Mathematics G5Q |
| German Language and Culture G6 | German G6 | Music G2 |
| Government and Politics: Comparative G4 | History: Africa G4 | Physics G5 |
| Government and Politics: United States G4 | History: Americas G4 | Psychology G5 |
| Human Geography G4 | History: Asia/Oceania G4 | Spanish G6 |
| Italian Language and Culture G6 | History: Europe/Middle East G4 | Thinking Skills G3 |
| Japanese Language and Culture G6 | Mathematics G5Q | |
| Latin G6 | Music G2 | |
| Macroeconomics G4 | Philosophy G3 | |
| Microeconomics G4 | Physics G5 | |
| Music Theory G2 | Psychology G5 | |
| Physics 1 G5 | Spanish B G6 | |
| Physics 2 G5 | Theatre Arts G2 | |
| Physics C: Electricity and Magnetism G5 | Visual Arts G2 | |
| Physics C: Mechanics G5 | ||
| Psychology G5 | ||
| Spanish Language and Culture G6 | ||
| Spanish Literature and Culture G6 | ||
| Statistics G5Q | ||
| Studio Art: Drawing G2 | ||
| Studio Art: Three-Dimensional Design G2 | ||
| Studio Art: Two-Dimensional Design G2 | ||
| United States History G4 | ||
| World History G4 |
Transfer Students
The College allows some transfer credits for students who have been enrolled as degree seekers at another college or university prior to enrolling at Sewanee. The Office of the University Registrar assesses transfer work on a course-by-course basis to determine comparability to courses offered by the College of Arts and Sciences and applicability toward a University of the South program of study. Academic work with a grade of C or above from other institutions is generally accepted for credit hours only. (No credit will be accepted for a grade of C minus or lower.) Grades for such courses appear on the transcript, but they are not figured for GPA, final class ranks, academic honors, or eligibility for membership in the Order of the Gown. As each degree-seeking student must earn at least sixty-four semester hours of credit at Sewanee, transfer credit is limited to sixty-four semester hours.
Quarter hours are converted to semester hours at 2/3 their face value (example: five quarter hours equal three semester hours).
The University of the South does not award transfer credit for course work taken on a non-credit basis or for “life experiences.”
Off-Campus Study
Students planning to take courses during a summer session at another institution must obtain permission from the Office of the University Registrar to attend and approval of specific courses to be taken. Forms are available in the Office of the University Registrar. Students seeking to enroll in a Summer study abroad program other than a Sewanee summer abroad program must also have the approval of the associate dean for global education.
Academic Credit for Internships
A student awarded academic credit for a supervised internship through an approved off-campus program of study (e.g., study abroad), who also has prior approval from the major department to count the internship as part of the major, is normally allowed to transfer this academic credit to count toward a degree at Sewanee. This transfer of credit is subject to the approval of the associate dean of undergraduate academic affairs. Internships that are associated with such programs of study but are outside the discipline of the major are considered on a case-by-case basis by the College Standards Committee. Public affairs internships may serve as the basis of enrollment in POLS 445 through which credit may be earned. Internships offered independently of programs of study do not receive academic credit unless the internship has been recommended for credit by the Curriculum and Academic Policy Committee and approved by the College Faculty. Students may seek Independent Study (444) credit when required by the internship site/sponsor and may consult the associate dean of undergraduate academic affairs.