Undergraduate Transfer Credit

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Transfer Credit Policies and Procedures

  • Credits submitted only on official transcripts from other colleges or universities will be evaluated for admission to an undergraduate college by the Office of Admissions. Transcripts will become a part of the student’s permanent record maintained in the Office of the University Registrar. Transfer hours (and hours not accepted for transfer) from another institution are included in the overall GPA when determining honors for graduation. Final determination of transfer credit acceptance is ultimately made by an academic advisor in the student’s area of study.
  • In general, credits and grades earned at other University of Nebraska campuses will be accepted, computed into the student’s grade point average, and will become a part of the permanent record from which official transcripts will be made.
  • Only college-level courses with a grade of “C-” or better, CR (Credit), S (Satisfactory), and P (Pass)  will be accepted for transfer from regionally accredited two- and four-year colleges and universities.
  • Sixty-four (64) semester credit hours is the maximum allowed for transfer to most undergraduate UNO colleges from regionally accredited two-year colleges. The College of Engineering will allow a maximum of sixty-six (66) semester hours of credit.
  • All credit hours transferable are converted to semester credit hours (e.g., one-quarter hour equals 2/3 of a semester credit). 
  • Each UNO college has a required number of credit hours to be completed at UNO prior to graduation.
  • Students wishing to transfer credits from recognized institutions outside the United States may need to provide a course syllabus and catalog for evaluation of transfer credits.
  • Accepting Credit from Non-accredited Institutions: The student’s degree college within the University of Nebraska at Omaha has the ultimate responsibility for determining how all credit, including transfer credit, will apply to a specific degree program. This is on a course by course and case by case basis.

Transfer Articulation Guide

The Transfer Articulation Guide is a tool students can use to see how coursework from other colleges and universities typically transfers to the University of Nebraska at Omaha (UNO). The information is provided only as a guide and should be considered unofficial. Final determination of transfer credit acceptance is ultimately made by an academic advisor in the student’s area of study. View the articulation guide.

Change of Campus

A Change of Campus application will need to be completed for any student who is attending or has attended one of the four campuses of the University of Nebraska System within the last five years and is applying for admission as a degree-seeking student at a new NU campus. A new application for admission will need to be completed to the new campus. Learn more about the Change of Campus application.

Intercampus

An Intercampus application will need to be completed for students planning to attend a new Nebraska System Campus on a temporary/visiting basis, with the intention of returning to their current/home campus. Students should complete the Intercampus application online. Intercampus is for one term of enrollment only.

General Education Transfer Policy

Students admitted to UNO with a Bachelors degree from a regionally accredited institution will have fulfilled UNO’s general education requirements. Such students must still complete any general education requirements specified within their specific program of study, and any required prerequisites or other requirements stated in UNO’s Undergraduate Catalog.

Students admitted to UNO with an Associate of Arts (AA) or Associate of Science (AS) degree from a regionally accredited institution will have fulfilled UNO’s lower division general education requirements. Such students must still complete any upper division general education requirements, general education requirements specified within their specific program of study, and any required prerequisites or other requirements stated in UNO’s Undergraduate Catalog.

Credit by Exam

Credit by Exam: Standardized exams UNO accepts for credit include Advanced Placement, Cambridge International, CLEP, DSST and International Baccalaureate.

Advanced Placement Credit

The Advanced Placement Program is based on the belief that many students are capable of completing college-level courses while still in high school. With this belief in mind, the College Entrance Examination Board assists high schools in planning such courses and provides examinations for them.

The University of Nebraska at Omaha (UNO) participates in the Advanced Placement (AP) program of the College Entrance Examination Board (CEEB). Advanced Placement credit is based on criterion examination(s) administered by CEEB.

Students should contact their college advisor regarding the application of these credits to their academic program. Students must have official copies of their scores submitted to the Office of Undergraduate Admissions by College Board in order for credit to be awarded. To obtain copies of official grade reports, you can contact College Board directly at 888.CALL.4.AP. 

Learn more about how UNO accepts Advanced Placement exams.

Cambridge International

The Cambridge International (CI) Program is a curriculum leading to exams that reward students for their engagement in this rigorous college preparatory exam. High school students can take AS & A Level courses and exams to potentially earn college credit or advanced placement. Students who participate in this program enroll in specially designed courses through their high school and take international exams in June or November. Cambridge International A Level is typically a two-year course, and Cambridge International AS Level is typically one year.

  • The University of Nebraska at Omaha cooperates with the Cambridge International Program in its curriculum and examinations.
  • The results of the CI scores will be furnished to UNO at the request of the student.
  • The number of earned credits a student will receive at UNO will be determined by the performance in the CI course and the score received on the exam.
  • Credit will be granted for the Exam in coordination with the specific department reviewing the request.

Learn more about how UNO accepts Cambridge International exams.

College Level Examination Program

The University of Nebraska at Omaha (UNO) grants college credit for specific College Level Examination Program (CLEP) Exams with an acceptable score.

CLEP exams are given by appointment in the UNO Testing Center.

Learn more about how UNO accepts CLEP exams.

DANTES Subject Standardized Tests (DSST)

The University of Nebraska at Omaha (UNO) grants college credit for specific DANTES Subject Standardized Tests (DSST) with an acceptable score.

DSST exams are given by appointment in the UNO Testing Center.

Learn more about how UNO accepts DSST exams.

International Baccalaureate

The International Baccalaureate (IB) program is a comprehensive and rigorous curriculum leading to exams for students aged between 16 and 19. Students who participate in this program enroll in specially designed courses through their high school and take international exams in May.

  • The University of Nebraska at Omaha (UNO) cooperates with the International Baccalaureate Program (IB) in its curriculum and examinations program.
  • The results of the IB scores are furnished to UNO at the request of the student.
  • The number of earned credits a student will receive at UNO will be determined by the performance in the IB course and the score received on the exam.
  • To earn transfer credit, a score of five (5) or higher, in most exams, is required.
  • Credit will be granted for both the Standard Level (SL) and the Higher Level (HL) scores.

Learn more about how UNO accepts International Baccalaureate exams.

Credit by Department

Credit by Department: Knowledge that could be applied to current course curriculum and assessed by either an exam or learning assessment of the department's choosing.

Credit by Department allows students the opportunity to gain academic credit for prior learning they have acquired by self-study or experience. Tests may be taken in many subject areas, and credit may be earned by achieving acceptable scores on these tests. Departments may also establish other ways than an exam for a student to show proficiency and earn academic credit. Contact the department to see what opportunities exist. Benefits include saving tuition dollars and shortening the time it takes to earn a degree.

Learn more about Credit by Department.

Credit by Department and Credit by Exam Guidelines

  • Students must be enrolled and matriculated at UNO to have the credit applied to their record.
  • Students can only attempt assessment one time for credit evaluation.
  • A student who has failed to earn credit in a college course may not attempt assessment in the same course. Neither will credit be granted to raise a grade earned in any course.
  • Credit by Department and Credit by Exam may not be earned in any course taken on an audit basis.
  • A maximum of 30 hours of Credit by Department and Credit by Exam may be applied toward completion of a degree (i.e., CLEP, DSST, Credit by Department, etc) (the College of Business has a limit of 24 hours)
  • Credit by Department and Credit by Exam may not be used as part of the terminal residency requirements, so you should check the requirements of your college.
  • Credit earned will be recorded with a “CR” grade and this credit will not be used in calculating grade point average. The credit will be recorded on the transcript.
  • Student must be granted permission by the Academic Department to attempt a Credit by Department assessment
  • Students attempting assessment in courses, for which they are currently enrolled in, must do so before they have completed one month of the course. If the student receives assessment credit for the course, they will need to withdraw from their currently enrolled equivalent UNO course and will be subject to applicable refund rates.

Credit for Prior Learning

Credit for Prior Learning: Student-provided credential, microcredential, artifact or certification that can be assessed or validated by College for credit.

Evaluations will be determined on a case-by-case basis by the individual academic department in which the student is majoring to determine how credit will apply to their specific degree program.

Credit for Prior Learning Guidelines

  • Students must be enrolled and matriculated at UNO to have the credit applied to their record.
  • Credit for Prior Learning may not be used as part of the terminal residency requirements, so you should check the requirements of your college.
  • Credit earned will be recorded with a “CR” grade and this credit will not be used in calculating grade point average. The credit will be recorded on the transcript.
  • Evaluation will be determined on a case-by-case basis by the individual academic department in which the student is majoring to determine how credit will apply to their specific degree program. Evaluation Standards for Assessing Learning:
  1. Council for Adult and Experiential Learning (CAEL)
  2. American Council on Education (ACE)
  3. National College Credit Recommendation Service (NCCRS)
  4. Department Committees, such as Faculty Academic Policy Committees

American Council on Education (ACE) Credit

Acceptance of transfer credit from American Council on Education (ACE) evaluated courses will be determined on a case-by-case basis by the individual academic unit/College in which the student is majoring.

Military Credit

Students must submit official transcripts to UNO to have military credit considered for evaluation:

  • Army, Coast Guard, Navy and Marine service members, reservists, guard and veterans can request the Joint Services Transcript.
  • Air Force Active Duty, Guard and Reservists or retired or separated Air Force Members may request transcripts from the Community College of the Air Force.

Military Credit will be evaluated by the student’s advisor in the college upon admission.

Retroactive Credit

Retroactive Credit in English, Spanish, French, German, and Calculus is available for eligible students, based on specific criteria and processes, outlined in each of the departmental links below. A common required criteria of all departments is the successful completion of specified higher-level coursework at UNO in the relevant subject.

Please see the links below and contact the specific department(s) for more information.

Information on how to request eligible retroactive credits, once listed criteria have been met, is outlined within each of the above links.