The number and/or type of credits that will transfer depend upon a number of factors including your current or prospective major, means of earning credit, grades earned, and the University's Bridges General Education Curriculum requirements.

Transfer credit may be granted based on completion of coursework at U.S. institutions that are (or were at the time coursework was completed) fully accredited by one of the nation's regional accrediting associations. Credit may also be awarded for completed coursework at tertiary-level international institutions formally recognized by that country's accrediting body, ministry of education, or its equivalent.

Transfer and advanced-standing credit may also be earned through exams and approved prior training as described below.

Awarding of Transfer and Advanced-Standing Credit
Transfer credit and advanced-standing credit will only be awarded based on the receipt and evaluation of official transcripts and/or test scores. First-time freshmen and undergraduate transfer students should send official transcripts to the Office of Undergraduate Admissions. International students should send official transcripts, credential evaluations, and related documents, to the Office of International Programs. (All new, incoming students should verify any additional requirements as described in the Admissions/International Admissions sections of this catalog.)

All transfer and advanced-standing credit is recorded with a grade of "T," which carries no quality points and therefore is not included in the grade point average.

Students may be granted transfer credit or advanced-standing credit according to the various means and regulations described below. Policies at the school level may vary, and students are subject to additional regulations and any restrictions or limitations imposed at the school level.

Transfer and advanced-standing credit may be granted based on:

  • Coursework completed at regionally-accredited colleges or universities or comparable tertiary-level international institutions
  • Advanced Placement® (AP) exams administered by the College Board
  • College Level Examination Program® (CLEP) administered by The College Board
  • Completion of military training, education, and occupational experiences through The Defense Activity for Non-Traditional Education Support (DANTES) program as reflected on the Joint Service Transcript (JST) based on American Council on Education (ACE) recommendations
  • International Baccalaureate® program
  • College in High School (regionally-accredited institutions only; not available in all schools)
    Professional education and training based on American Council on Education (ACE) recommendations (not available in all schools)
  • Duquesne University Credit-by-Examination (not available in all schools)
  • Credit for experiential learning (not available in all schools)

Currently-Enrolled Duquesne Students
Enrolled Duquesne University students seeking to take courses elsewhere for transfer toward their Duquesne degree must first meet with their Student Success Coach and obtain written permission to do so. Courses must be taken at a regionally-accredited college or university and must be passed with a grade of "C" (or 2.0 on a 4.0 scale) or better. Schools may impose stricter requirements based on the student's program of study and the nature of the course. If prior approval is not obtained, the school reserves the right to deny the awarding of credit. Currently enrolled Duquesne students who obtained permission to take courses elsewhere should send official transcripts to their Student Success Coach.

Regulations
The following minimum requirements apply to the evaluation and awarding of transfer and advanced-standing credit. Students must also consult with their schools to determine if school-level policies vary from the university-level requirements. Some educational and articulation agreements may vary, and the requirements and stipulations of such agreements will prevail. Credit that does not apply toward the Duquesne University degree will not be accepted in transfer. Courses taken at an institution using units or credits other than semester credits will be converted to semester credits upon transfer.

Bachelor's degree candidates are required to complete a minimum of 30 credits in residence at Duquesne University. In addition, the last 30 credits of a student's program must be completed in residence at Duquesne University. Any student seeking to take any of the last 30 credits at another institution must seek approval of the school's Student Standing Committee or dean. Such students who expect to graduate are advised to seriously consider whether or not to enroll elsewhere in their last semester, as any delay in the receipt of official transcripts may delay the awarding of the degree.

Transfer credit evaluations, course equivalencies, and applicability of such coursework toward the Duquesne program of study are determined at the school level.

  • For courses completed at regionally-accredited colleges or universities and international institutions, a minimum course grade of "C" (2.0 on a 4.0 scale) is required. Credit will not be granted for a grade of "P" (Pass) or its equivalent unless the "P" grade is equivalent to a "C" (or 2.0 on a 4.0 scale) or better.
  • A maximum of 60 credits may be transferred from a two-year regionally-accredited institution (or its equivalent).
  • A maximum of 90 credits may be transferred from a four-year regionally-accredited institution (or its equivalent).
  • A maximum of 90 total credits may be awarded as transfer or advanced-standing credit, including but not limited to college transfer credit, DANTES/JST credit, CLEP, AP, and credit-by-exam.
  • Current or returning students who have earned, or will have earned, a total of 60 credits at Duquesne must seek approval of their dean to take additional coursework from any two-year institution.
  • Students who have failed or withdrawn from a Duquesne course may not subsequently receive CLEP credit for that course.
  • JST credit, if awarded, may only count as elective credit toward a student's program of study.
  • A course that is taken for fewer credits than its Duquesne equivalent may be transferred but will be awarded credit based on the original credit value of the course. The transfer of this course may fulfill a program requirement but result in fewer credits applied toward the degree; it will not lower the minimum credits required to graduate. Any such credit deficiencies must be fulfilled in order for a student to graduate.
  • A course that is taken for more credits than its Duquesne equivalent will be awarded credit based on the Duquesne credit value for the course. Any remaining credits for that course cannot be transferred as general elective credits.
  • Transfer credit and advanced-standing credit will be revoked if a student subsequently enrolls and earns credit for the same course at Duquesne.