Transfer of Credit Policy

Residency Requirements
Credits Earned At The U.S. Armed Forces Institute
College Level Examination Program (CLEP)
Advanced Placement Program
Credit By Challenge Examination
Challenge Examination Requirement & Process
Transfer Of Credit After Matriculation
Notice Concerning Transferability Of Credits

ARTICULATION AGREEMENTS

University of Silicon Valley has established articulation agreements with the following post-secondary institutions.

• Cañada College and University of Silicon Valley
• Evergreen Valley College and University of Silicon Valley
• Ohlone College and University of Silicon Valley
• San Jose City College and University of Silicon Valley
• West Valley College and University of Silicon Valley

Agreement Archive

If you are interested in transferring courses from another institution not listed above check out University of Silicon Valley’s Transfer Information database here. Be advised that this listing is to serve as a guide and may change at any time. The Transfer Information Database is constantly undergoing updates to include more academic institutions and courses.

EVALUATION OF TRANSFER CREDIT

University of Silicon Valleyhas developed and implemented a transfer credit policy and implementation practices for consistent application to all students. Full and accurate disclosure of policies and practices are important to ensure to all University of Silicon Valleytransfer applicants that the transfer process is built on a strong commitment to fairness and effectiveness.

Award of transfer of credit toward program completion is based upon; 1) comparability of transfer credit to requirements of the specific course in a selected program of study, and 2) compliance with stated criteria for this credit at University of Silicon Valley.

Criteria for consideration of transfer of credit are contingent on the following conditions:

1. For undergraduate students, coursework completed must have a minimum grade of “C”.  For graduate students, coursework completed must have a minimum grade of “B”. Courses taken for credit with a “P” grade may be transferred if a clearly defined institutional policy identifies the “P” grade as equivalent to a “C” or better for undergraduate work, or a grade of “B” or better for graduate study.
2. USV does not accept work experience, physical education, English as a second language (ESL), or developmental/remedial courses.
3. USV will consider foreign postsecondary official transcripts if evaluated and translated by a member of National Association of Credential Evaluation Services (NACES) or Association for International Credentials Evaluators, INC. (AICE).
4. Courses completed beyond ten (10) years are evaluated on a case-by-case basis.
5. Coursework must have been completed at the same level (upper or lower) as course for which is deemed comparable.
6. Coursework must be awarded for credit value comparable to, or greater than, that required for USV course (i.e., semester or quarter converted basis must equal or exceed that required by USV).
   • Conversion of quarter credit to semester credits is as follows:
     -- 3 semester credits equate to 4.5 quarter credits. (multiply semester credits by 1.5)
     -- 4.5 quarter credits are equal to 3 semester credits (divide credits by 2/3rds)
7. Official Transcripts must be sent directly to the Registrar’s Office within 30 calendar days of the start of a semester. Transcripts marked “Unofficial” or “Issued to Student” will not be considered for evaluation for transfer credit.

RESIDENCY REQUIREMENTS

At a minimum, a student enrolled in an undergraduate program must complete at least 25% of the program of study in residence with University of Silicon Valley (example: Program of study with 120 credits must complete a minimum of 30 credits in residence).

At a minimum, a student enrolled in a graduate program must complete at least 75% of the program of study in residence with University of Silicon Valley (example: Program of study with 30 credits must complete 22 credits in residence).

CREDITS EARNED AT THE U.S. ARMED FORCES INSTITUTE

Credit will be awarded, at the sole discretion of the College, for U.S. Armed Forces Institute (USAFI) courses if in compliance with the Guide to the Evaluation of Educational Experiences in the Armed Forces, published by the American Council on Education (ACE).

COLLEGE LEVEL EXAMINATION PROGRAM (CLEP)

Students may receive college credit for certain courses through exams administered by the College Level Examination Program (CLEP) and the Defense Activity for Non-Traditional Education System (DANTES). Both programs are governed by the College Entrance Examination Board. Minimum passing scores are detailed in the tables below.

ADVANCED PLACEMENT PROGRAM

Students may receive college credit for certain courses based on scores of the Advanced Placement Test (AP). Credit in appropriate courses will be given for examinations passed with a score of 3 or higher. These tests are administered by national testing organizations and test results must be sent directly to the College by the organization in order to be valid. The following Advanced Placement Courses transfer directly into USV courses:

CREDIT BY CHALLENGE EXAMINATION

Under certain circumstances as determined by the appropriate Program Director/Chair and as approved by the Dean of the College, students may demonstrate competency and receive course credit by successfully completing associated examinations and/or assignments rather than attending class and meeting the course learning outcomes.

There is a $75.00 non-refundable fee for taking a Challenge examination. Examination may only be taken one (1) time. Challenge exams will only be given for lower division courses, excluding developmental/remedial courses. A course previously failed, withdrawn, audited, or one in which a student has received an Incomplete grade, may not be challenged.

The following courses are available for challenge:

Students that desire to challenge must see the Registrar's office. Please note that challenge examinations are not counted when determining full or part time status for the term.

CHALLENGE EXAMINATION REQUIREMENT & PROCESS

• There is a $75.00 non-refundable fee for taking a challenge examination. Examination may only be taken one (1) time.
• Certain required courses may be challenged by examination. See course listings for challenge examination availability in the catalog or on the website.
• Challenge exams will only be Offered for lower division courses (100, 200 level).  Challenge examinations are not available for developmental/remedial courses, if required.
• A course previously failed, withdrawn, or one in which a student has received an Incomplete grade, may not be replaced by taking a challenge examination.
• A course previously taken on an audit basis may not be replaced by taking a challenge examination.

TRANSFER OF CREDIT AFTER MATRICULATION

A student who is requesting to attend another academic institution may do so by completing a Transfer of Credit after Matriculation Permission Form available from the Registrar’s Office. Students should not register at another academic institution until receiving confirmation University of Silicon Valley has approved the proposed transfer credit.  Students may only transfer a maximum of 20 semester credits after matriculation.

Approval requires the action of the Dean of the College and Registrar.

Students may need to provide the following information:

• Name of Institution
• Course Numbering System
• Credit Hour Policy
• Course Description
• USV Equivalency
• Proof of Registration

Students that are attending another academic institution should consult with the Registrar; it is advised that students register for at least six credits with University of Silicon Valley to be an active student. Students that are not registered for one (1) semester may be withdrawn, excluding summer semester.

No transfer credits will be accepted during the last 12 semester units of course work.

NOTICE CONCERNING TRANSFERABILITY OF CREDITS AND CREDENTIALS EARNED AT OUR INSTITUTION

The transferability of credits you earn at University of Silicon Valley is at the complete discretion of an institution to which you may seek to transfer. Acceptance of the baccalaureate and/or master degree you earn in the educational program is also at the complete discretion of the institution to which you may seek to transfer. If the baccalaureate and/or master degrees that you earn at this institution are not accepted at the institution to which you seek to transfer, you may be required to repeat some or all of your coursework at that institution. For this reason you should make certain that your attendance at this institution will meet your educational goals. This may include contacting an institution to which you may seek to transfer after attending University of Silicon Valley to determine if your baccalaureate and/or master degree will transfer.