Academic Catalog
Transfer Credit
During the admissions process, official transcripts from all previously attended educational institutions are evaluated for the maximum amount of transfer credit possible. The results of this evaluative process are communicated to students and their academic advisors on a Transfer Report. Any subsequent credits earned by students must also be communicated via an official transcript, evaluated by the Registrar’s Office, and officially reported. The University strongly recommends that students intending to transfer additional courses to Northwest verify that the intended course will be received prior to enrolling in the course. This is applicable to prospective and enrolled students. See the Northwest University Credit Transfer Guide on the Catalog index page for further details.
Transfer credits are usually considered during the admissions process, but at times enrolled students augment their schedules with credits from other institutions. All credits transferred into Northwest University after enrollment must be specifically approved to insure applicability to the student’s degree program by the Registrar’s Office and the Dean of the school or college that offers the course for which the course applies. See the Northwest University Credit Transfer Guide for further details.
Nontraditional Sources of Credit
Credits through Testing
Northwest University accepts credits earned through the Advanced Placement Testing Program (AP), International Baccalaureate (IB), the College Level Examination Program (CLEP), and the Defense Activity for Non-Traditional Educational Services (DANTES). Recommendations regarding college credit are made by the Registrar. For credits earned through testing while a matriculated student refer to Academic Policies and Information, Alternative Ways to Earn Credit.
Military Credit
Those having had military service may petition the Registrar’s Office for credits based on learning through military experience. Northwest considers the recommendations of the American Council on Education (ACE) in evaluating military-based credits.
Extension & Correspondence Credit
A limit of 20 semester credits from extension and correspondence courses may be applied to a four year program at the University or a pro rata thereof to programs less than four years in length. All credits earned through correspondence must be completed prior to the beginning of the final semester preceding graduation. Students should take no more than two correspondence courses concurrently, and correspondence courses taken during the academic year should be considered to be part of the student’s total academic load.
Prior Learning Assessment (PLA) Credit
Credit can be requested for learning from experiences that occurred outside of a traditional classroom setting. Students may submit a portfolio documenting such learning. PLA Evaluation is supervised by the LEAP Director of Prior Learning Assessment.
Traditional Sources of Credit
Transfer of Credit from Regionally or ABHE Accredited Colleges and Universities
Students desiring to transfer to the University from another institution accredited by one of the six regional associations or by the Association for Biblical Higher Education (ABHE) must follow the general instructions for admission and must see that transcripts of previous college work are sent to the Admissions Office. Course work in parallel courses or areas of instruction will be considered for transfer provided that they show a grade of C- or better. (Some majors may have a higher grade requirement for some courses.)
Transfer of Credit from Non-Regionally or non-ABHEC Accredited Colleges and Universities
Academic work presented from colleges and universities that are not accredited by one of the six regional associations or by the Association for Biblical Higher Education (ABHE) is subject to the following limitations and guidelines:
- transfer from all such sources is limited to a total of 30 credits;
- courses are considered on a course-by-course basis;
- acceptance of such credits is dependent upon the University’s evaluation of the equivalency of course work and level of instruction;
- all such transfer credit is considered at the time of admission or readmission to the University;
- transfer credit from such sources must be validated by completion of a minimum of two semesters enrollment and 30 credits at Northwest University with grades of C- or better, and possibly by examination;
- only evaluations and commitments made in writing by the Registrar’s Office will be considered as being applicable;
- college-level work considered occupational or remedial is not recognized for transfer; and
- enrolled students desiring to transfer credits from such institutions must obtain prior written approval from the Dean of the school or college into which the credits are to be transferred.