Transfer of Credit

Academic Year

Under special circumstances, a regularly enrolled undergraduate Simmons student may obtain credit for, at most, one course taken at another college during a regular academic semester if a petition naming the course, institution, and amount of credit requested is approved in advance by the Administrative Board. The student must demonstrate to the Board that the course is unavailable at Simmons and is an important part of their program.

In addition to the petition to the Administrative Board, the student must also complete a Petition for Transfer Credit. Both forms are available in the Office of the Registrar. The course is included in the credit restriction listed under "Heavy Academic Programs." Credit is not transferred for any course completed with a grade of less than C. In some disciplines such as nursing, a grade of C+ is required. Grades received in these courses are not included in the GPA. If the student is a financial aid recipient, they should discuss the impact of this decision on their financial aid package for that semester with a financial aid counselor.

Summer Credit

Before enrolling in summer courses at institutions other than Simmons, students are required to complete the Petition for Transfer Credit form in the Office of the Registrar. When considering a summer school course for transfer credit, the following guidelines must be observed:

  • No credit is given for work done in a summer session lasting less than three weeks.
  • Credit granted will never exceed the face-value credit assigned by the host institution.
  • For a summer session of five weeks or less, face-value credit not exceeding one semester hour per week of the session will be granted. For example: A student who enrolls in two three-credit courses in one five-week session will receive a maximum of five transfer credits.
  • In a summer session of six to eight consecutive calendar weeks, face-value credit not exceeding eight semester hours will be granted.
  • No more than 16 semester hours of summer school credit from other institutions may be credited toward the Simmons degree. This includes summer credit completed at other institutions prior to matriculating at Simmons. A maximum of 16 semester hours of credit may be earned in one summer, regardless of whether the courses are taken at Simmons or at another institution.
  • The lowest grade accepted for transfer credit is C. Credit for a course taken elsewhere with a grade of P can transfer if the instructor from the institution is willing to convert the Pass Grade to a letter grade.
  • Quarter-hour credits transfer as two-thirds of a semester hour.
  • Courses to fulfill a KCA (Key Content Area) requirement must be indicated on the Petition for Transfer Credit form and a course description must be provided. Summer courses to be considered for the language requirement or major must receive prior approval from the appropriate department chairperson. A course description must be attached to the Petition to Transfer Credit..
  • Grades for course work accepted as transfer credit are not factored into the Simmons grade point average. Credit only is listed on the transcript.
  • Petitions submitted without the required signatures, course information, exact beginning and ending dates and credit hours cannot be processed and will be returned the student for proper completion. Students with questions about these policies or the interpretation of credit should consult the personnel in the Office of the Registrar's.