Students may transfer a maximum of 64 semester hours, or 96 quarter hours, toward a Willamette degree. No more than 32 of these hours may be earned prior to receiving the secondary school degree. In most cases, courses taken at regionally accredited colleges or universities will receive full credit if they are comparable to courses offered at Willamette, or otherwise consistent with the goals and standards of Willamette's undergraduate degree programs. Remedial courses and purely skills-based courses will not receive transfer credit. Courses with grades below C- (C minus) will not receive credit. Transfer courses are not used in computing the Willamette University grade point average. To be eligible for transfer credit, college courses must be described in the college catalog and recorded on the college transcript.
Once matriculated at Willamette University, students must submit a Transfer Credit Request form prior to enrolling in proposed transfer courses. Current students thinking about taking a class during the summer and transferring the credit to Willamette University may find the Transfer Credit Decision Aid form helpful.
At least 60 semester hours must be earned in residence at Willamette University, and at least 32 of the final 40 semester hours must be earned in residence or in Willamette-sponsored off-campus study programs.
Information for First Year Students
In most cases, college credits earned prior to secondary school graduation, including those earned in concurrent (or dual) enrollment programs, are eligible for transfer credit up to a cap of 32 semester hours.
Willamette University encourages student participation in the Advanced Placement (AP) program sponsored by the College Board, the International Baccalaureate (IB) program, and concurrent (or dual) enrollment programs. No college credit is granted for College Level Examination Program (CLEP). Many AP scores of "4" and "5" will be granted a minimum of 4 semester hours. Willamette will grant 4 semester hours for many IB Higher Level examinations passed with a score of "5" and up to 8 semester hours for many Higher Level exams passed with a score of "6" or "7." Willamette will also grant 4 additional semester hours to students who earn the full IB Diploma with a score of 30 or above. A current listing of AP and IB course equivalencies is available on the Registrar's Office website.
For students admitted as first-year students, a 32 semester hour cap (the equivalent of 48 quarter hours) applies collectively to all courses taken prior to matriculation at Willamette, including college, AP, IB, and concurrent (or dual) enrollment credits.
Students should consult the Office of the Registrar with any questions regarding the transferability of credits.
Information for Transfer Students
Satisfaction of specific general education requirements and major requirements will be determined on the basis of a course-by-course evaluation of the transcript(s). Please note that at the time of admission, the fulfillment of general education requirements are assessed. Any upper level transfer credit that is major or minor specific can be granted after matriculation, by the respective department.