CPS TRANSFER POLICIES

The College of Professional Studies accepts a maximum of 90 total transfer credits toward a bachelor’s degree. Eligible transfer credits are considered from one or a combination of the following sources: other regionally accredited institutions, CLEP, Credit by Examination, AP, ACE, Industry Recognized Certifications, and Non-Credit Learning that has been assessed for credit by CPS. Transfer credits are accepted on the basis of course equivalency and/or credits earned. When equivalent courses are worth different credit amounts, the course at Villanova will be satisfied and the amount of credit earned at the other institution will transfer. Normally, once a student is matriculated at CPS, all credits must be earned at Villanova. Transfer credits have no impact on cumulative grade point average. Transferability is evaluated and determined by the College of Professional Studies and relevant academic departments as needed.

Procedure

At the time of application to the College of Professional Studies, prospective students must submit all official transcripts from institutions previously attended. Once the student is accepted to CPS, all transcripts are evaluated by the academic advisor and approved by the Director, Academic Advising and Student Services or their designee. Noncredit learning and Industry Certifications are submitted for assessment via the CPS Prior Learning Assessment Form. All pertinent documentation should be included at the time of submission.

Guidelines

Credits transferred from another institution of higher learning must be from a regionally accredited institution of higher learning and must have a grade of C or higher.

All transfer credits used to satisfy core and major coursework older than 5 years must be approved by Director, Academic Advising and Student Support and/or Department Chair or designee.

Under specific conditions, students may consider Credit by Examination. The process and procedures for Credit by Examination are managed by the College of Liberal Arts and Sciences and can be found in the UG Catalog: Credit by Exam.

AP credits are accepted with an examination score of 4 or higher. International Baccalaureate Higher Level course work is considered for credit with a score of 6 or 7. The policy and procedures for AP and IB credit are found in the Undergraduate Catalog: Advanced Placement and International Baccalaureate Credit.

CLEP Exams

The College Level Examination Program (CLEP) is a group of standardized tests created and administered by College Board. These tests assess college-level knowledge in thirty-six subject areas and provide a mechanism for earning college credits without taking college courses. Villanova considers credits earned through the CLEP Subject Examinations transfer credits. Prospective College of Professional Studies (CPS) students can gain credit by means of the CLEP Subject Examinations as long as:

  • The credit is applicable to your degree program
  • Credit will be given for the Subject Examinations listed below and NOT for the CLEP General Examinations

CLEP examinations with a score of 60 or higher are accepted for some subjects approved by their corresponding department chair. The list of accepted CLEP Examinations is updated annually and can be found below.

CLEP examinations with a score of 60 or higher are accepted for the following subjects only:

  • American Government
  • American Literature
  • Analyzing and Interpreting Literature
  • Calculus
  • Calculus with Elementary Functions
  • Chemistry
  • English Literature
  • Financial Accounting
  • General Biology
  • General Chemistry
  • History of US I: Early Colonization to 1877
  • History of US II: 1865 to Present
  • Human Growth & Development
  • Humanities
  • Information Systems
  • Introductory Business Law
  • Introductory Psychology
  • Introductory Sociology
  • Natural Sciences
  • Principles of Macroeconomics
  • Principles of Marketing
  • Principles of Microeconomics
  • Western Civilization I: Ancient Near East to 1648
  • Western Civilization II: 1648 to Present