Transfer Credit
General Criteria and Process
(Effective beginning Fall 2025)
- Official evaluation of acceptability for transfer — An official evaluation of all previously completed college credit is prepared by the Office of the Registrar after a transfer student has been approved for general admission to the university. The University Registrar makes the final determination for the university with respect to the transferability of credit. A maximum of 90 semester hours may be granted for credit. Students will still be required to meet all graduation requirements.
- Acceptability for transfer — At the time of admission to the university, previously earned college credit is evaluated by the Office of the Registrar in accordance with university regulations regarding the acceptability for transfer and a summary of all previous college work and all transferable work is prepared by the Office of the Registrar for use in advisement of the student. Such evaluation does not constitute an agreement to accept any specific credit in lieu of any specific requirement for graduation from Aurora University. The following general criteria are used by the Office of the Registrar in determining acceptability for transfer:
- Credit is accepted from regionally accredited post-secondary institutions and from institutions accredited by bodies recognized by the Council for Higher Education Accreditation (CHEA). Credit from U.S. institutions not accredited by CHEA may only be accepted through the process for assessment of prior learning and is subject to the same limitations as other assessed prior learning. Credit earned through StraighterLine, Sophia Learning, and other similar opportunities will require an American Council of Education (ACE) official transcript for consideration of transfer credit.
- Guidelines presented in the AACRAO “World Education Series” are applied to international institutions. Where credit and content determination cannot be made from international transcripts, a course-by-course evaluation in English from a member of the National Association of Credential Evaluation Services (NACES) is required at the student’s expense before transfer of credit will be considered. The University Registrar reserves the right to determine whether or not international transcripts meet the university’s requirements for acceptance as official records.
- In most cases, only courses bearing grades of C minus (C-) or higher may be transferred. The exception is that a “D” for an Illinois Articulation Initiative (IAI) course will be accepted if the IAI core requirements are met before entering Aurora University. Courses bearing grades such as “pass” or “credit” may be transferred provided the regulations of the sending institution indicate that such credit represents work at the level of “C-” or higher. The cutoff for numerical grades shall be determined by the University Registrar so that such grades are accepted on a basis consistent with the “C-” criterion. Coursework bearing “pass” or “credit” grades may only be accepted for inclusion in a specific program upon review and approval of the program faculty.
- In the case of credit that is to be included in a program, time limits on applicability to the program may be established by the program faculty. Time limits are determined with respect to the date of the student’s first attendance at Aurora University.
- Credit is ordinarily considered acceptable for transfer if it is comparable to coursework offered by Aurora University or generally considered to be part of a liberal arts based curriculum.
- Post-secondary technical credit may be accepted in transfer for inclusion in an approved student-initiated major; as general elective credit if certified by a program faculty as relevant to the student’s major area of study; or for inclusion in an established major upon approval of the program faculty.
- Credit deemed by the sending institution, or by Aurora University, to be remedial or pre-college in level will not be accepted in transfer. However, such credit may be considered by an academic unit as a basis for waiving course prerequisites.
- AA and AS General Education transfer articulation — Students holding an AA or AS degree from a regionally accredited college are deemed to have met all lower division General Education IDS requirements for graduation from Aurora University (see “General Education Requirements for Transfer Students”). These students still must participate in a junior-year mentoring, and assessment process.
- Transfer of credit by students matriculated at Aurora University — It is expected that, once enrolled at Aurora University, a student will earn all subsequent credit toward the degree at the university. Students retaking courses for grade replacement must do so at Aurora University.
- Credit earned by approved cross-registration at other schools that are members of the Council of West Suburban Colleges (North Central College, Benedictine University) is treated as though it were earned at Aurora University.
- No credit from other institutions earned while a student is matriculated at Aurora University may be accepted in transfer except under extenuating circumstances and upon prior, written approval of the University Registrar.
- Exception: Transfer credits earned during the last term immediately preceding the initial term of full-time enrollment at AU, will also be evaluated and counted as accumulated transfer credit referenced for the evaluation of required AU general education courses. This transfer grace period is available to students who are registered - during the single semester immediately preceding their initial full-time enrollment at AU, for no more than four credit hours at AU during the grace term, and at another institution concurrently. This policy will not apply to students pursuing their degree on a part-time basis.
- No credit may be transferred within the last 24 semester hours of the student’s degree except upon the prior, written approval of the University Registrar.
- The applicability of transferred credits to the completion of major requirements is decided by the University Registrar or Office of Academic Affairs.
- Aurora University does not accept credit for college-level GED examinations in transfer.
- Aurora University will accept credit from an accredited graduate school toward a bachelor’s degree at Aurora University. The student is not required to have received a graduate degree prior to submitting an official transcript for credit.
- The application of courses transferred toward meeting general degree requirements will be determined by the University Registrar or Office of Academic Affairs. Professionally oriented courses (e.g., pastoral counseling or Sunday School administration) will not apply toward general degree requirements.
- Study abroad credit taken outside of AU travel study/May courses taught by AU faculty is posted as transfer credit.
Transfer Articulation
AU makes available on its transfer admission web site (https://aurora.edu/admission/transfer/index.html), both 2+2 Plans and Transfer Plans to assist prospective students in choosing courses at many Illinois and Wisconsin community or technical colleges which will transfer into specific AU academic programs. AU utilizes the Transfer Evaluation System (TES) to provide prospective students information on how individual courses will transfer into the university.
Transfer Articulation Agreements
Aurora University and the College of DuPage have formally established a transfer articulation agreement between the two schools to aid in and encourage the transfer from the College of DuPage to Aurora University.
Nontraditional Sources of Credit
Aurora University recognizes the validity of college-level learning achieved in settings other than accredited institutions of higher education, provided that this nontraditional learning is validated in accordance with generally recognized standards of good practice and awarded through the processes provided in the university’s academic regulations. There are multiple ways to receive credit through previously learned competencies and prior learning experiences. These include:
- Credit by Military Service
- Credit by Credential
- Credit by Portfolio
- Credit by Examination (CLEP tests - subject and general, including credit for language fluency)
All nontraditional sources of credit must be awarded by the semester before a student applies for graduation.
Military Credit
Credit for prior learning from recognition of military experience and training as documented on a Joint Service Transcript (JST) or another military transcript, such as CCAF or DD214 forms. This is done in conjunction with the American Council on Education (ACE) recommendations and standards. The Joint Services Transcript should be submitted to the assigned admissions counselor for review. Credit is awarded based on ACE’s recommendations and will be transcribed as part of the admissions process.
Credit by Credential
Aurora University will grant students a minimum of 40 semester hours of block elective credit for having completed an Applied Associate of Science (AAS) degree from an accredited university or college. Transcripts will be evaluated to determine if other course credit can be transferred as well.
Credit by Portfolio
A portfolio assessment program is available to students who have significant prior learning through career achievements and lived experiences. Those interested in completing a portfolio for evaluation must submit the request form and enroll in the non-credit, free Credit by Portfolio online course. Students completed the Credit by Portfolio course can then enroll in the credit bearing Credit by Portfolio Submission course and pay a $150 fee. The Portfolio Submission course is self-driven and must be completed within 90 days of the approved application. The completed portfolio will then be evaluated for additional credit by the department chair, admissions personnel, or the individual deemed to have expertise with the course content. If approved, credit will be awarded by the Registrar’s office.
There is no guarantee that a submitted portfolio will result in an award of credit. Portfolio reviewers base their evaluation on national standards established by the Council for Adult and Experiential Learning (CAEL) and on expertise in the subject matter. Appeals may occur when the institution denies the student credit for their claim. An appointed officer in the Office of Academic Affairs will review appeals. The decision of the officer is final. To appeal, the student must demonstrate one the following criteria applies:
- The standard assessment process was not followed.
- Feedback from the portfolio assessor was not sufficient.
- The student demonstrates evidence of bias in the review process.
Credit by Examination
- CLEP/AP/IB/DANTES/STAMP — Examination credit through the College Level Examination Program (CLEP), the Advanced Placement Program (AP), the International Baccalaureate Program (IB), the Defense Activities for Non-Traditional Educational Support program (DANTES), and the Standards-Based Measurement of Proficiency (STAMP), is granted by Aurora University as outlined in this catalog, to provide a means of measuring the academic achievement of those students who, through extensive reading and experience, may be able to meet the standards set as a basis for granting college credit.
- Certification Exams – AU offers credit for many professional certification exams such as those offered by Cisco, CompTIA, ICDL, Microsoft, Oracle, SAS, and Sun. Refer to the American Council on Education (ACE) CREDIT Program. (https://www.acenet.edu/national-guide/Pages/default.aspx)
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Prior approval of the University Registrar must be secured by filing a Petition for Prior Approval before current students take examinations for credit.
- Limitations on Use:
- No more than one-fourth of the courses presented for the major shall be by examination.
- No more than 4 semester hours of examination credit may be used to meet the General English Composition requirement.
- Fees
- Students are expected to pay all fees required by testing agencies.
- CLEP, AP, PEP, or NLN test credit earned while attending another institution and prior to attendance at Aurora University will not be assessed a recording fee.
Seal of Biliteracy
AU accepts the State Seal of Biliteracy. Incoming students receive eight hours of credit in the relevant language. Students who receive credit for the seal are not eligible for AP credit in the associated language. The student will be subject to the AU course placement policy for foreign language. A student must request credit for the seal at the point of enrollment at AU. Seal credit will only be granted within three years of the student’s high school graduation.
| Seal of Biliteracy | Spanish | French | Other Languages |
|---|---|---|---|
| World Languages | SPN-1120 & SPN-1220 (8 SH) | FRN-1120 & FRN-1220 (8 SH) | Foreign Language Elective (8SH) |
College Level Examination Program (CLEP) General Examinations
The General Examinations are designed to be taken before college work is begun. Students who have any college credits must seek prior approval. If courses have been taken prior to the test date, appropriate reductions in the amount of credit usually awarded will be made by the Office of the Registrar.
A student who has received CLEP credit in English cannot also receive college credit for ENG-1000 Introduction to Academic Writing. A student who has received four semester hours of CLEP credit in mathematics may not take MTH-1100 College Algebra for college credit.1 A student who has received eight semester hours of CLEP credit in mathematics may not take MTH-1100 College Algebra or MTH-1310 Precalculus for college credit.1
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Note to CLEP Recipients Who Intend to Take Additional Mathematics Courses: In some instances the results of the Aurora University Mathematics Competency Examination may suggest that a student needs to take one of the courses prohibited above. In that instance, a student should decide whether to take the course as an auditor, take the course for college credit and accept a reduction in CLEP credit, or proceed to the next level of mathematics with the understanding that he/she may have some difficulty.
CLEP Subject Examinations — Credit cannot be awarded if a student has had classroom credit in the subject area. Students who have any college credits must seek prior approval. The following options are available:
College Level Examination Program (CLEP) — Aurora University awards appropriate credit from the College Level Examination Program.
Composition and Literature
| Subject | Score (Minimum) | AU Credit (4SH) |
|---|---|---|
| American Literature | 50 | ENG-2420 or ENG-2430 |
| Analyzing/Interpreting Lit | 50 | English Elective |
| College Composition | 50 | ENG-1000 |
| College Composition Modular | 50 | Does Not Transfer (DNT) |
| English Literature | 50 | ENG-2520 or ENG-2530 |
| Humanities | 50 | General Elective |
World Languages
| Subject | Score (Minimum) | AU Credit (4SH) |
|---|---|---|
| French Language: Levels 1&2 | 50 | FRN-1120, FRN-1220 (8 SH) |
| German Language: Levels 1&2 | 50 | Foreign Language Elective (8 SH) |
| Spanish Language: Levels 1&2 | 50 | SPN-1120, SPN-1220 (8 SH) |
| Spanish w/ Writing: Levels 1&2 | 50 | SPN-2200, SPN-2300 (8 hours) |
History and Social Sciences
| Subject | Score (Minimum) | AU Credit (4SH) |
|---|---|---|
| American Govt. | 50 | PSC-1300 |
| History of the U.S. I: to 1877 | 50 | HIS-1200 |
| History of the U.S. II: 1865 - Present | 50 | HIS-1210 |
| Human Growth/Development | 50 | PSY-3250 |
| Intro to Educational Psych | 50 | EDU-2260 |
| Introductory Psychology | 50 | PSY-1100 |
| Introductory Sociology | 50 | SOC-1100 |
| Principles of Macroeconomics1 | 50 | Economics Elective |
| Principles of Microeconomics1 | 50 | Economics Elective |
| Social Sciences/History | 50 | Social Behavior Science Elective |
| Western Civ I: to 1648 | 50 | History Elective |
| Western Civ II: 1648 - Present | 50 | History Elective |
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If Microeconomics and Macroeconomics are both successfully completed, 4SH of credit will be awarded for ECN-2030 Principles of Economics and 4SH of credit will be awarded in Economics elective credit.
Sciences and Mathematics
| Subject | Score (Minimum) | AU Credit (4SH) |
|---|---|---|
| Biology | 50 | BIO-1210/BIO-1210Z |
| Precalculus | 50 | MTH-1310 |
| Calculus | 50 | MTH-2210 |
| Chemistry | 50 | CHM-1200/CHM-1200Z |
| College Algebra | 50 | MTH-1100 |
| College Mathematics | 50 | MTH-1030 |
| Natural Sciences | 50 | General Elective |
Business
| Subject | Score (Minimum) | AU Credit (4SH) |
|---|---|---|
| Financial Accounting | 50 | ACC-2010 |
| Information Systems | 50 | CSC-1010 |
| Introductory Business Law | 50 | BUS-2010 |
| Principles of Management | 50 | Business Elective |
| Principles of Marketing | 50 | MKT-2300 |
DANTES Test Credit
Aurora University accepts appropriate credit from the DANTES testing program. Subject areas are accepted if they meet the general requirements for acceptance of other forms of credit (i.e., are nontechnical in nature, are in technical fields otherwise deemed appropriate for inclusion in the student’s degree, or meet other guidelines for transfer of technical credit).
Advanced Placement Program (AP)
Aurora University awards appropriate credit from the Advanced Placement Program.
Capstone Diploma Program
| AP Exam | Score | AU Credit (4SH) |
|---|---|---|
| Research | n/a | Does Not Transfer (DNT) |
| Seminar | n/a | Does Not Transfer (DNT) |
Arts
| AP Exam | Score | AU Credit (4SH) |
|---|---|---|
| Studio Art: 2-D Design | 3, 4, 5 | ART-1210 |
| Studio Art: 3-D Design | 3, 4, 5 | ART-1310 |
| Art History | 3, 4, 5 | Art Elective |
| Studio Art: Drawing | 3, 4, 5 | ART-2100 |
| Music Theory | 3, 4, 5 | MUS-2600 |
English
| AP Exam | Score | AU Credit (4SH) |
|---|---|---|
| English Lang/Comp | 3, 4, 5 | ENG-1000 |
| English Lit/Comp | 3, 4, 5 | English Elective |
History and Social Sciences
| AP Exam | Score | AU Credit (4SH) |
|---|---|---|
| Comparative Govt./Politics | 3, 4, 5 | Political Science Elective |
| European History | 3, 4, 5 | History Elective |
| Human Geography | 3, 4, 5 | Social Behavior Science Elective |
| Macroeconomics1 | 3, 4, 5 | Economics Elective |
| Microeconomics1 | 3, 4, 5 | Economics Elective |
| Psychology | 3, 4, 5 | PSY-1100 |
| U.S. Govt./Politics | 3, 4, 5 | PSC-1300 |
| U.S. History | 3, 4 | HIS-1200 |
| U.S. History | 5 | HIS-1200, HIS-1210 (8 SH) |
| World History | 3, 4 | HIS-1300 |
| World History | 5 | HIS-1300, HIS-1400 (8 SH) |
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If Microeconomics and Macroeconomics are both successfully completed, 4SH of credit will be awarded for ECN-2030 Principles of Economics and 4SH of credit will be awarded in Economics elective credit.
Math and Computer Science
| AP Exam | Score | AU Credit (4SH) |
|---|---|---|
| Calculus AB | 3, 4, 5 | MTH-2210 |
| Calculus BC | 3 | MTH-2210 |
| Calculus BC | 4, 5 | MTH-2210, MTH-2220 (8 SH) |
| Computer Science A | 3, 4, 5 | CSC-1700 |
| Computer Science Principles | 3, 4, 5 | CSC-1010 |
| Statistics | 3, 4, 5 | MTH-2100 |
Sciences
| AP Exam | Score | AU Credit (4SH) |
|---|---|---|
| Biology | 3 | BIO-1210/BIO-1210Z |
| Biology | 4, 5 | BIO-1210/BIO-1210Z, BIO-1220/BIO-1220Z (8SH) |
| Chemistry | 3 | CHM-1200/CHM-1200Z |
| Chemistry | 4, 5 | CHM-1310/CHM-1310Z |
| Environmental Science | 3, 4, 5 | BIO-2200 |
| Physics 1: Algebra Based | 3, 4, 5 | PHY-2210/PHY-2210Z |
| Physics 2: Algebra Based | 3, 4, 5 | PHY-2220/PHY-2220Z |
| Physics C: E&M | 3, 4, 5 | PHY-2250/PHY-2250Z |
| Physics C: Mech | 3, 4, 5 | PHY-2240/PHY-2240Z |
World Languages & Culture
| AP Exam | Score | AU Credit (4SH) |
|---|---|---|
| Chinese Lang/Culture | 3, 4, 5 | Foreign Language Elective (8SH) |
| French Lang/Culture | 3, 4, 5 | FRN-1120, FRN-1220 (8SH) |
| German Lang/Culture | 3, 4, 5 | Foreign Language Elective (8SH) |
| Italian Lang/Culture | 3, 4, 5 | Foreign Language Elective (8SH) |
| Japanese Lang/Culture | 3, 4, 5 | Foreign Language Elective (8SH) |
| Latin | 3, 4, 5 | Foreign Language Elective (8SH) |
| Spanish Lang/Culture | 3, 4, 5 | SPN-1120, SPN-1220 (8SH) |
| Spanish Lit/Culture | 3, 4, 5 | Spanish Elective |
International Baccalaureate Program (IB)
Aurora University awards appropriate credit from the International Baccalaureate Program (IB).
Arts
| Higher Level (HL) | Score | AU Credit (4SH) |
|---|---|---|
| Art History | n/a | Does Not Transfer (DNT) |
| Dance | n/a | Does Not Transfer (DNT) |
| Film | 4, 5, 6, 7 | COM-2300 |
| Music | 4, 5, 6, 7 | MUS-1550 |
| Theatre | 4, 5, 6, 7 | THE-1200 |
| Visual Arts | 4, 5, 6, 7 | Art Elective |
| Philosophy | 4, 5, 6, 7 | PHL-1100 |
Sciences
| Higher Level (HL) | Score | AU Credit (4SH) |
|---|---|---|
| Biology | 4, 5, 6, 7 | BIO-1210/BIO-1210Z |
| Chemistry | 4, 5 | CHM-1310/CHM-1310Z |
| Chemistry | 6, 7 | CHM-1310/CHM-1310Z, CHM-1320/CHM-1320Z (8SH) |
| Computer Science | 4, 5, 6, 7 | CSC-1010, CSC-1700 (8SH) |
| Math: Analysis/Approaches | 4, 5, 6, 7 | MTH-1310, MTH-2210 (8SH) |
| Math: Applications/Interpret | 4, 5, 6, 7 | MTH-2100, MTH-2210 (8SH) |
| Physics | 4, 5, 6, 7 | PHY-2210/PHY-2210Z, PHY-2220/PHY-2220Z (8SH) |
English
| Higher Level (HL) | Score | AU Credit (4SH) |
|---|---|---|
| Language A: English Lit | 4, 5, 6, 7 | English Elective |
| Language A: Lang/Lit | 4, 5, 6, 7 | Foreign Language Elective or ENG-1000 |
| Language B: Other than English | n/a | See Foreign Languages |
Foreign Languages
| Higher Level (HL) | Score | AU Credit (4SH) |
|---|---|---|
| Classical Languages | 4, 5, 6, 7 | Foreign Language Elective (8SH) |
| French | 4, 5, 6, 7 | FRN-1120, FRN-1220 (8SH) |
| German | 4, 5, 6, 7 | Foreign Language Elective (8SH) |
| Spanish | 4, 5, 6, 7 | SPN-1120, SPN-1220 (8SH) |
Social Sciences
| Higher Level (HL) | Score | AU Credit (4SH) |
|---|---|---|
| Economics | 4, 5, 6, 7 | ECN-2030 |
| Geography | 4, 5, 6, 7 | General Elective |
| Global Politics | 4, 5, 6, 7 | General Elective |
| American History | 4, 5, 6, 7 | HIS-1200, HIS-1210 (8SH) |
| World History | 4, 5, 6, 7 | HIS-1300, HIS-1400 (8SH) |
| Psychology | 4, 5, 6, 7 | PSY-1100 |
| Social/Cultural Anthropology | 4, 5, 6, 7 | SOC-2150 |
Business
| Higher Level (HL) | Score | AU Credit (4SH) |
|---|---|---|
| Business Management | 4, 5, 6, 7 | BUS-1020 |
Other
| Higher Level (HL) | Score | AU Credit (4SH) |
|---|---|---|
| Design Technology | n/a | Does Not Transfer (DNT) |
| Sports, Exercise, Health Science | n/a | Does Not Transfer (DNT) |
Credit for Departmental Challenge Examinations
In those cases where no nationally-normed examination is available or appropriate to support the awarding of credit in a subject area required in a major, the program faculty may establish a departmental challenge examination for the awarding of a maximum of four (4) semester hours to be used in lieu of a specific major course. Such examinations are subject to the same approval process as that prevailing for new courses. A testing fee for such examinations will be established by the Vice President for Finance. Students may present for graduation a maximum of eight (8) semester hours by departmental challenge examinations; such credit may be applied only toward major requirements and does not meet other general degree requirements. Departmental challenge credit shall be designated as lower or upper division by the program faculty.