Transfer Credit Policy

Advanced Placement/Dual Enrollment

The College participates in the Advanced Placement Program administered by the College Entrance Examination Board. Students who demonstrate superior performance in the Advanced Placement Examination (a score of 4 or 5) will be awarded Advanced Placement credit. See the Advanced Placement Equivalency Chart for more specific information concerning the placement of AP courses within the academic program.

Students who successfully complete dual enrollment courses at accredited institutions should submit an official college transcript to the Office of Admission by June 1. Credit for dual enrollment courses is ordinarily not awarded for courses required for high school graduation. Providence College will only accept courses for credit which were taught on a college campus and/or by a full-time college instructor. Students who wish to obtain academic credit for dual enrollment courses should plan to meet with the dean of undergraduate studies during their first semester at Providence College.

Students who are granted Advanced Placement (AP), International Baccalaureate (IB), or dual enrollment credit are still required to complete the College’s full-time, eight-semester requirement.

*Note: History majors with an Advanced Placement grade of 5 on the A.P. U.S. and/or European History exam(s) will be given a one-course reduction in the required courses for the specific area(s) and will be given flexibility in choosing the remaining two courses (i.e., any two courses for the particular area). For instance, a major with a grade of 5 in U.S. History would be required to take only two courses in U.S. History and may choose any U.S. History courses for those required courses. A major with a grade of 5 in European History would be required to take only two courses in European History and may choose any European History courses for those required courses. History majors with an Advanced Placement grade of 5 on the World History exam will be given a one-course reduction, which will satisfy the requirement for a course in non-Western history. A limit of two A.P. scores of 5 will be recognized by the Department for reduction of the total number of courses in the major. History majors with an Advanced Placement grade of 4 on the A.P. U.S. and/or European History exam(s) will be given flexibility in choosing any three courses for the U.S. and/or European History. For such students, the required number of History credits to be earned for the major would remain at 33.

DECLARATION OF A CORE FOCUS: Only one AP course can be used toward fulfilling a Core Focus. Free electives count toward degree requirements but are not applicable to major/minor/core requirements without approval.

IMPORTANT: If you have earned AP or IB credits, you should not repeat the equivalent course at Providence College. You can earn credit for a given course ONLY ONCE. If you have a question about your AP or IB credits, consult with your advisor or dean. AP Credits may be removed for students who earn credits in similar or repeat courses at Providence College.

International Baccalaureate (IB) Exam Chart

Providence College recognizes credit earned through the International Baccalaureate (IB), an internationally recognized curriculum and examination program. Of the two IB examination levels (Higher Level and Standard Level), the College recognizes the Higher Level examinations where a score of 5,6, or 7 has been achieved. Each successfully passed examination in the Higher Level of the IB program will earn three credits. Official documentation of each successfully completed examination with the conditions noted must be submitted to the Office of Admission prior to a student’s matriculation at the College.

Providence College recognizes the following Higher Level examinations:

IMPORTANT: If you have earned AP or IB credits, you should not repeat the equivalent course at Providence College. You can earn credit for a given course ONLY ONCE. If you have a question about your AP or IB credits, consult with your advisor or dean.

Transfer Credit

Ordinarily, the College accepts transfer credits for courses taken at another accredited institution in which students have earned grades of “C” or better. It is the College’s policy to accept credits, but not grades. Only grades earned at Providence College (including the School of Continuing Education) are computed in the student’s grade point average.

Credits earned at other institutions through summer school or intersession courses may be approved only for the purpose of rectifying deficiencies in credit hours earned or to fulfill specific program requirements as authorized, not for the purpose of accelerating the advancement of graduation class year status.

In all instances, prior approval must be obtained from the Office of the Dean of Undergraduate Studies. An official transcript from the accredited institution must be forwarded to the Office of the Registrar.