Credit from Other Sources

General Policies

The following general policies apply to credits earned or sought from sources other than courses offered by St. Lawrence and courses taken by cross-registration. 

1. The student must be matriculated as a full-time student at St. Lawrence University, with the exception of an employee of St. Lawrence University or other member of the Associated Colleges who may be part-time.
2. At entrance, acceptability of credit is determined by the registrar; at other times it is determined by the registrar and/or committee in consultation with the appropriate department chair(s).
3. Credit is given no grade value and does not become a part of the student’s cumulative or major or minor GPA. For a unit to be transferred, it must have a minimum grade of C or 2.0 on a four-point system.
4. Upon entrance, the equivalent of two years’ work may be counted toward graduation. Sixteen units must be completed at St. Lawrence.
5. Matriculated students in good academic standing (having a minimum GPA of 2.0 and the proper number of completed units) may transfer up to eight units of credit.
6. Matriculated students on academic notice may apply to pursue coursework at another institution. However, the approved credit will not appear on the student transcript until the student is back in good academic standing at St. Lawrence University.
7. Transfer credit will not be granted to students while they are under academic suspension. A student readmitted from academic suspension may request the registrar for transfer of credit earned elsewhere while under suspension. 

Specific Policies

In addition to the general policies, the following specific policies apply to particular means of obtaining credit.

1. Transfer credit from other institutions:
   • To be assured of receiving credit toward graduation from St. Lawrence University, matriculated students must obtain prior approval of individual courses or programs of study. If they intend to study off campus during a regular fall or spring semester, such approval must be obtained from the CIIS committee and the appropriate department chair(s). Off-campus summer programs are approved by the Registrar and the appropriate department chair(s).
   • The credit value of transferred work undertaken during an academic year by a matriculated student shall be assessed against the standard of the expected normal full load of the host institution. In other cases:
     • A maximum of two three-semester-hour courses may be transferred to St. Lawrence as one St. Lawrence unit each.
     • Beyond two courses, credit value of semester-hour courses shall be assessed in accordance with a table of values maintained by the registrar, wherein 1 unit at St. Lawrence University is the equivalent of 3.6 semester or credit hours.
2. Advanced placement and credit toward graduation are granted to students who achieve a rating of 4 or 5 on the Advanced Placement Examination in the following subjects: 

AP SLU Equivalent 

*German scores of 4 will receive 1 unit of credit equivalent to GER 101. Scores of 5 will receive 2 units of credit equivalent to GER 101 and GER 102. 

***Laboratory Qualification: Students must demonstrate significant lab experience to the Physics department chair to receive any credit.  

Note: Students earning a score of 4 or 5 on the General Biology AP exam may earn 1.25 units for Biology 102 if they successfully complete Biology 101. For a complete explanation of this option, refer to the “Advanced Standing” section of the Biology section in this Catalog. 

Courses are acceptable in lieu of departmental prerequisites and fulfill distribution requirements, as indicated. The effect of advanced credit upon the department major requirements is determined by each department chair. 

3. International Baccalaureate and credit toward graduation are granted to students who achieve a rating of Higher Level Examinations in which a score of 5 or higher in the following subjects: