Transfer Credit Policy - Undergraduate

Approved Sources for Transfer Credits

Higher Education Institutions: The New School will award transfer credit for college-level study completed at an institution of higher education recognized by the U.S. Department of Education and/or the Council for Higher Education Accreditation or comparable international agency for non U.S. institutions. Additional review and criteria for accepting transfer credits may be required in certain circumstances, as outlined below:
- Non-Institutionally Accredited Institutions: Transfer credits completed at a higher education institution that is not accredited by an institutional accreditor may require additional review by the academic unit responsible for delivering the corresponding curriculum at The New School. Students seeking transfer credit from non-institutionally accredited institutions should provide, at a minimum, a syllabus for each course so that course content, course objectives, learning outcomes, and faculty credentials, may be reviewed for alignment with The New School requirements. Additional documentation may be requested.
- Non-U.S. Institutions: Courses completed at non-U.S. institutions must be certified by their respective country’s Ministry of Education or equivalent. All applicants must submit an official transcript and an official translation if the transcript is not in English. Applicants who attended postsecondary institutions outside of the United States may have their transcript(s) evaluated by World Education Services (WES) or by another member of the National Association of Credit Evaluation Services (NACES). A course-by-course evaluation may be prepared for each transcript. The evaluation should examine and equate all course work on a "course-by-course" basis and include grading equivalents to U.S. colleges.
- College Credits Completed in Secondary (High) School: Students who have earned college credit while enrolled in high school may transfer these credits to The New School and apply them to their degree requirements. Courses must be comparable to New School offerings and either taken at an accredited institution or completed at a high school under the oversight of an accredited institution. All college coursework completed while the incoming student was a high school student must be recorded on an official college transcript and must carry a minimum grade of “C.”
Military Credits: The New School will award credit for military education based on the guidelines presented by the American Council on Education (ACE). Students must present a military transcript – AARTS (Army), SMART (Navy and Marine), CCAF (Air Force) or Joint Services Transcripts (JST) – credits will be awarded by the Registrar’s Office. Military coursework may be equated to equivalent New School courses, but in most cases students will be awarded general, non-liberal arts credit that may be applied to graduation requirements. Students should consult the appropriate department chairperson should they wish to apply military credits toward major and/or minor requirements.
Credit by Examination, Advanced Standing, and Prior Learning Assessment: Students may earn undergraduate transfer credit by examination, advanced standing, or through prior learning assessment according to the following criteria:
- AP Examination: Exams with minimum scores of 4 will be considered for undergraduate transfer credit. For some subjects, higher scores may be required, as determined by each college. Four credits will be awarded for each exam that meets the criteria for transfer.
- IB Diploma: Higher Level (HL) courses with grades 5, 6, or 7 may be awarded 8 undergraduate transfer credits per exam.
- Cambridge Exams: A Level exams for which a student earns a C or higher may be awarded 8 undergraduate transfer credits.
- French Baccalaureate: French Baccalaureate subjects for which a student earns a score of 13 or higher may be awarded 8 undergraduate transfer credits. For subjects with a score of 10-12, a student may receive 4 undergraduate transfer credits.
- College Level Examination Program (CLEP): Undergraduate transfer credit will be awarded to incoming students based on the CLEP Exam results. Credit is awarded in accordance with the American Council on Education (ACE) recommended guidelines.
  - Students enrolled in Eugene Lang College of Liberal Arts are not eligible to receive transfer credit for CLEP examinations.
- Prior Learning Assessment: Students admitted to the Bachelor’s Program for Adult and Transfer Students (BPATS) may be awarded transfer credit for learning in non-course, non-credit, or continuing education if evaluated through The New School’s Prior Learning Assessment process.

Transferable Content and Grades

Transfer credit will only be awarded for content that
- is relevant to curricula offered by The New School, as determined by program leadership and Deans’ offices (as appropriate),
- fulfills degree requirement(s) for the student’s program of study,
- has been earned at the level (undergraduate or graduate) to which it is being applied at The New School
Transfer credit will not be awarded for remedial, pre-college, or duplicative coursework.
At the graduate level, transfer credit will only be awarded for coursework (see definition below) in which the student has earned a grade of “B” or higher. Courses for which a grade of “Pass” (or equivalent) has been earned may be accepted for transfer provided that the Registrar (or equivalent) of the sending institution provides a statement that a “Pass” grade is equivalent to a grade of “B” or higher. For courses taken during the Spring 2020 term, courses will be evaluated on a case-by-case basis to determine if they qualify for transfer in the following circumstances: (i) without proof of grade equivalency (Pass/Fail courses) or (ii) if a grade of less than “B” was received (for letter-grade courses).
At the undergraduate level, transfer credit will only be awarded for courses in which the student has earned a grade of “C” or higher. Courses for which a grade of “Pass” (or equivalent) has been earned may be accepted for transfer provided that the Registrar (or equivalent) of the sending institution provides a statement that a “Pass” grade is equivalent to a grade of “C” or higher. For courses taken during the Spring 2020 term, students will (i) not be required to provide proof of grade equivalency for Pass/Fail courses and (ii) will be awarded transfer credit for any passing grade for courses in which a letter grade was earned.
Grades and grade point averages (GPA) are not transferred. Only the course description, name of the sending institutions and number of credits awarded for transfer appears on a student’s New School transcript.

Time Limits for Awarding Transfer Credits

New Students:
- Credits earned more than ten (10) years prior to admission may require additional review to be considered for transfer.
- Students applying to The New School must submit official transcripts from all previously attended colleges as part of the admissions application process. All transcripts must be submitted no later than at the conclusion of the first term of matriculation.
Continuing Students:
- Prior approval is required for courses taken at other institutions, via the External Credit Request Form, while a student is enrolled at The New School. All official transcripts must be received by the end of the subsequent semester to be considered. For students who are completing their final semester/final requirements at another institution or are studying abroad in their final semester, the official transcript must be submitted to the Registrar’s Office before the degree conferral date. All transcripts received after the degree conferral date will delay the awarding of the degree to the next degree conferral date.

Transfer Credit Limits

Transfer credits include advanced standing, transfer credits earned before matriculation at The New School, and transfer credits awarded after matriculation.

Transfer credit may make up, in total, no more than half of a student’s major requirements. Students who have completed experiences in excess of maximum allowable transfer credits may work with program leadership and/or the Dean's Office (as appropriate) to elect which credits to apply to their record, up to the maximum.

Undergraduate Transfer Limits:

Advanced Standing for New Matriculated Students: Students may not exceed the maximum number of credits permitted for advanced standing. Students who have completed experiences in excess of maximum may work with an Admissions Counselor or Student Success Advisor to elect which credits to apply to their record, up to the maximum.
- Entering a Bachelor’s program: These students may transfer a maximum of 32 credits to apply toward advanced standing credit.
- Entering an Associate’s program: These students may transfer a maximum of 30-31 credits, depending on their program, to apply toward advanced standing credit.
Credit Limits for Transfer Students: Students may not exceed the maximum number of transfer credits permitted for their degree:
- Associate of Applied Sciences: Students in AAS programs may transfer a maximum of 30-31 credits.
- Bachelor’s Program for Adults and Transfer Students (BPATS): BPATS students may transfer a maximum of 84 credits, of which up to 30 credits may be awarded via the Prior Learning Assessment process.
- BA/BFA: Students may transfer a maximum of 42 liberal arts credits and 42 relevant studio credits from another institution.
- BFA Jazz and Contemporary Music: Students may transfer a combined maximum of 64 credits to The New School.
- BFA Dramatic Arts: Students may transfer a combined maximum of 36 credits to The New School.
- Bachelor of Music: Students may transfer a combined maximum of 60 credits to The New School.
- Other Bachelors’ Programs: Students in all other Bachelors programs may transfer a maximum of 60 credits from another institution to The New School.

Graduate Transfer Limits:

College of Performing Arts: Transfer credits are not accepted for graduate programs
New School for Social Research
- Master’s Programs: At least 27 of the credits required for a master’s degree must be earned in residence. Not more than three (3) credits earned at another university may be accepted for transfer.
- PhD Programs: Credits for graduate courses completed at other institutions may be transferable up to a maximum of 30 credits at the discretion of the department. Individual departments may have slightly different rules, possibly more restrictive, regarding transfer credit, but the ten-year rule [see C(1)(a)], grade minimum [see B(3)], and all other parts of this policy apply to all transfer credits.
Parsons and Parsons Paris
- No credits may be transferred toward the following programs:
  - Fashion Design and Society MFA (60 credits must be earned in residence)
  - Fashion Design and the Arts MFA- Parsons Paris (60 credits must be earned in residence)
  - Interior Design MFA (60 credits required in residence)
  - Photography MFA (60 credits required in residence)
  - Communication Design MPS (30 credits required in residence)
  - Strategic Design and Management MS (36 credits required in residence)
  - Fashion Management MPS (30 credit required in residence)
- A maximum of six credits may be transferred toward the following programs:
  - Fashion Studies MA (36 credits required in residence)
  - History of Design and Curatorial Studies MA (36 credits required in residence)
  - Theories of Urban Practice MA (30 credits required in residence)
  - Design and Technology MFA (54 credits required in residence)
  - Fine Arts MFA (54 credits required in residence)
  - Lighting Design MFA (54 credits required in residence)
  - Textiles MFA (54 credits required in residence)
  - Transdisciplinary Design MFA (54 credits required in residence)
  - Data Visualization MS (24 credits required in residence)
  - Design and Urban Ecologies MS (54 credits required in residence)
- A maximum of nine credits may be transferred toward the Industrial Design MFA (51 credits required in residence)
- Candidates for the MArch must complete at least 90 credits in residence except those granted advanced standing, who must complete at least 60 credits in residence. Students granted Advanced Placement in the Master of Architecture may be waived a maximum of 30 credits.
- MFA candidates in the Interior Design and Lighting Design double-major must complete at least 90 credits in residence.
Schools of Public Engagement
- MA in Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages: Students may transfer a maximum of 6 credits earned in another graduate program to meet MA TESOL elective requirements.
- International Affairs: Students may transfer up to 9 credits toward the 42-credit MA in International Affairs and 6 credits toward the 30-credit MS in International Affairs.
- MFA in Creative Writing: Transfer credits not permitted
- Milano School of Policy, Management, and Environment
  - Master’s Programs: Students may transfer up to 9 credits for a 42-credit program (MS in Environmental Policy and Sustainability Management, MS in Public and Urban Policy).
  - PhD Programs: The transfer of credits is determined by the director of the PhD program based on the following policy:
    - Students with masters degrees from another institution or another division of The New School can transfer a maximum of 30 credits.
    - Students with masters degrees earned at the Milano
    - School can transfer a maximum of 36 credits.
    - Students with a masters degree and at least one full year of doctoral coursework from another institution can transfer a maximum of 42 credits.
  - Advanced Certificates: Credits may not be transferred.
- School of Media Studies
  - Master’s Programs: Students in the MA in Media Studies or the MS in Media Management can apply for the transfer of up to nine graduate credits from outside the School of Media Studies to be used toward their degree credit requirements. A maximum of nine credits can be transferred from other graduate programs at The New School, and up to six of these nine credits can be transferred from another graduate institution (including institutions attended prior to The New School). These credits can be applied to seminar, production, or methods course requirements, depending on the nature and content of the course.
  - Advanced Certificates: Credits may not be transferred

Residency Requirements

Students must meet the residency requirements for their program.

Associate of Applied Science Students: Must earn at least 30 credits in residency at The New School.
All Bachelor’s Students (unless otherwise specified): Must earn at least 60 credits in residency at The New School.
- Once senior status is attained (minimum of 90 credits), courses may not be taken off campus without the written approval of the Program Director and the school or college dean.
All College of Performing Arts Undergraduate Degrees (BFA/BM): Require full-time study. Students in their last semester of undergraduate study are permitted part-time study if the total remaining required program credits are under the threshold needed for full time study (12 credits). Matriculated students must request permission to take courses elsewhere during their course of study.
- BFA Dramatic Arts: In addition to the above policy statement, students transferring into the BFA Dramatic Arts program must be in residence for seven semesters of full-time study. Transfer students may receive permission to complete the degree program in six semesters. This permission is granted upon admission in conjunction with review of credits transferred from other institutions and will not be granted after matriculation into the program.
Bachelor’s Program for Adults and Transfer Students (BPATS): must earn at least 36 credits in residency at The New School.
Individual Academic Programs: may require more credits in residence than this policy requires.
Study Abroad Credits: Do not count towards the residency requirement unless the institution or program abroad has a pre-approved standing agreement with The New School or by written exception by the appropriate member of the college’s dean’s office before the student embarks on the curricular experience.

General Requirements for Residency and Transfer Credit Limits

Credits earned via an articulation agreement are considered “in residency” if specified in the agreement or by written permission of the appropriate member of the program or dean’s office, before the student embarks on the curricular experience. If not specified in the articulation agreement, the decision to award credits “in residency” will be made via the college processes that are used to determine “in residency” status for new articulation agreements. These decisions will apply to all students who earn credits under the same circumstances.
Individual academic programs determine their residency requirements and transfer credit limits. Students should consult the relevant program pages in the Academic Catalog for this information.
Transfer credit will not be awarded for Continuing and Professional Education students.

Displaced Persons and Other Extenuating Circumstances

Extreme Events: If a student cannot provide the appropriate copies of official transcripts or other documentation from their previous institutions due to sudden or extreme events such as the loss of diplomatic relations between the United States and another country, the rise of an unstable government, civil war, ongoing intense crime or violence, or violent events, The New School will accept unofficial copies of documents until said events have been resolved. If the student is found to have falsified documentation or credentials, consequences for such actions will follow those outlined in the Student Code of Conduct, Academic Integrity and Honesty Policy and any other applicable University Policy.
Natural Disasters: In cases of natural disaster, students will have one year following the event to obtain copies of appropriate or required documentation. Extension can be granted in extenuating circumstances, at the discretion of the Registrar’s Office. If said documentation is permanently lost to the student, The New School will first address legal obligations required within guidelines provided by state and federal entities. Second, The New School will follow national or international best practice.
Stateless Persons or Refugees: A unique pathway will be developed for each displaced person or refugee if an alternative pathway to completing their education is needed. The following steps may be implemented to assess a student’s academic history and develop a completion pathway:
- An application for admission
- A sworn or personal statement from the applicant
- A personal interview with faculty and staff
- Assembling a portfolio of available background and evidence including: any available transcripts (including partial and non-formal transcripts; past student identifications; class lists; proof of tuition payments; admittance to or proof of state examinations; copies of license or certificates; copies of diplomas; or copies of professional identification