Transfer & Prior Learning Credit

A student applying for advanced standing after having attended another accredited institution shall send an official transcript to the Admission Office (undergraduate students) or the Graduate and Professional Studies Office (graduate students). If requested, the student must provide copies of course descriptions and/or syllabi. The Registrar’s Office will determine whether credits are transferable to Lebanon Valley College.

Undergraduate Transfer Credit

Transfer Credit Requirements

Credits will be accepted if:

  • Grades are C– (1.670) or better.
  • Coursework and learning outcomes align with LVC curricula and standards.
  • Transferred credits count for credit hours but are not factored in the grade point average.
  • A maximum of 90 transfer and prior learning credits will be accepted toward a baccalaureate degree.

 

Accreditation Standards for Transfer:

  • U.S. institutions must be regionally accredited or hold accreditation from other, non-regional accreditors recognized by the U.S. Department of Education.
  • Non-regionally accredited U.S. institutions are reviewed on a case-by-case basis.
  • Institutions outside the U.S. must be recognized as a degree-granting institution in their home country.
  • International transcripts require a course-by-course evaluation by a U.S.-based service recognized by the National Association of Credential Evaluation Services.

 

General Education Requirements

  • General education requirements completed with at least 40 credits at a prior institution will be honored by LVC.
  • Partially completed requirements will transfer on a credit-match basis, with remaining credits completed within LVC’s 40-credit general education program.

 

Credit Requirements for Major

  • Transfer students are normally expected to complete at least 25% of required major credits at LVC.
  • Additional courses may be required by academic departments.
  • 300- and 400-level major coursework must be completed in residence unless otherwise approved.

 

Associate Degree Holders

  • Students with an associate of arts or science degree from a regionally accredited institution following a curriculum or program similar to LVC receive full credit acceptance (usually a minimum of 60 credits).
  • D-grade coursework will not count toward major requirements.

 

Transfer Articulation Agreements

LVC has agreements with:

  • Harrisburg Area Community College
  • Lehigh Carbon Community College
  • Montgomery County Community College
  • Reading Area Community College

 

Concurrent Enrollment

LVC students must obtain prior consent from advisors and the Registrar’s Office to take courses at another institution while enrolled at LVC.

 

Study Abroad/Away

  • Credits and grades from approved study abroad/away programs will be converted to LVC equivalents.
  • Planned courses must be pre-approved for transfer before starting the study abroad/away program.
  • Students in approved programs remain eligible for federal financial aid.
Graduate Transfer Credit

Transfer Credit Requirements

  • Coursework and learning outcomes must align with LVC’s graduate program curricula and standards.
  • Credits must be earned within seven years before admission to the LVC graduate program.
  • Only grades of “B” (3.00) or higher are eligible for transfer (B- or lower is not accepted).
  • Transferred credits count toward credit hours but are not factored in the grade point average.

 

Accreditation Standards for Transfer:

  • U.S. institutions must be regionally accredited.
  • Institutions outside the U.S. must be recognized as a degree-granting institution in their home country.
  • International transcripts require a course-by-course evaluation by a U.S.-based service recognized by the National Association of Credential Evaluation Services.

 

Transfer Credit Limits

Limits for degree programs:

  • Programs requiring fewer than 60 credits: Up to 9 credits (including a maximum of 6 core credits) may be transferred.
  • Programs requiring 60 credits or more: Up to 15 credits may be transferred.
  • These limits also apply to transferring credits from a previously earned graduate degree at LVC.

Limits for certificate programs:

  • Up to 3 credits from another institution may be transferred if part of a graduate degree.
  • No external credits may be transferred to stand-alone certificate programs.

 

Graduate Credits Taken as an Undergraduate

  • Except for programs with undergraduate direct admission to graduate programs, LVC students can apply up to 6 graduate credits earned during their undergraduate studies toward a graduate degree or certificate.
  • Approval is required from the Registrar and graduate program director.
  • At least 30 additional credits must be completed toward a master’s degree after earning a bachelor’s degree. Graduate credits earned as an undergraduate cannot be included in this total.
Undergraduate Credit for Prior Learning

Lebanon Valley College recognizes the ability of highly motivated matriculated students to master specific areas of study on their initiative and provides programs to allow these students the opportunity to gain credit. Except for those seeking a second bachelor’s degree, any matriculated student may earn a maximum of 30 credits toward a bachelor’s degree through credit for prior learning. Credit will be recorded with a satisfactory (S) grade.