Division of Continuing Studies

Transfer Credit & Credit for Prior Learning

The Division of Continuing Studies believes in maximizing prior learning so students can finish what they have started without starting over. Our generous transfer credit and credit for prior learning practices value prior coursework, training, and experiences. DCS recognizes that not all college-level learning happens in the classroom, so there are established processes for awarding curriculum credit for college-level learning obtained through other institutions and prior learning experiences outside of traditional academic study to seamlessly transition credit towards our degree programs. 

Standards for Assessing Learning

Since 1974 the Council for Adult and Experiential Learning (CAEL) has worked with colleges and universities in both the public and private sectors to support the learning goals of adults. CAEL has created standards for assessing CPL.

The Division of Continuing Studies has adopted CAEL’s ten standards for assessing learning: https://www.cael.org/ten-standards-for-assessing-learning

1. Credit or competencies are awarded only for evidence of learning, not for experience or time spent.
2. Assessment is integral to learning because it leads to and enables future learning.
3. Assessment is based on criteria for outcomes that are clearly articulated and shared among constituencies.
4. The determination of credit awards and competence levels are made by appropriate subject matter and credentialing experts.
5. Assessment advances the broader purpose of equity and access for diverse individuals and groups.
6. Institutions proactively provide guidance and support for learners’ full engagement in the assessment process.
7. Assessment policies and procedures are the result of inclusive deliberation and are shared with all constituencies.
8. Fees charged for assessment are based on the services performed in the process rather than the credit awarded.
9. All practitioners involved in the assessment process pursue and receive adequate training and continuing professional development for the functions they perform.
10. Assessment programs are regularly monitored, evaluated and revised to respond to institutional and learner needs.

Credit for Prior Learning

DCS determines how Credit for Prior Learning (CPL) credits are applied toward graduation requirements in accordance with the policies of the institution, college, and program. Duplicate credit for the same learning is not awarded. For example, students who may have previously taken and passed an English Composition I course at two prior institutions will only get credit for the most recent course taken and passed.

Learning experiences vary, and as such, academic credit for prior learning is highly individualized and must be determined on a case-by-case basis. Many adult and contemporary learners apply some method of CPL towards their BMS or BSLS degree. Our professional academic advisors work closely with you to determine how the credits may apply to your program of study and your future goals.

All modalities outlined are currently available only to degree-seeking students enrolled in a DCS academic program. Students enrolled in UNO programs outside of DCS should adhere to the policies established by the respective program and college. Due to the nature of our student population, DCS provides the broadest and most flexible CPL policy at UNO. As such, students who change to a non-DCS program at UNO may find that CPL credits do not apply to their new program in the same manner. Students are encouraged to work closely with a DCS academic advisor to determine if CPL is an option.

Transfer Credit

The Division of Continuing Studies offers a generous transfer policy, accepting credits from most colleges and universities, including regionally accredited institutions, nationally accredited institutions, and non-U.S. tertiary institutions. Students may apply a maximum of 64 credit hours from two-year institutions towards their BMS or BSLS degree. 

Transfer Credits from Postsecondary Institutions (Colleges and Universities)

In order to determine if coursework taken at a postsecondary institution other than UNO is eligible for transfer and how it applies, DCS relies on the recommendations of the Joint Statement on the Transfer and Award of Credit (AACRAO, CHEA, & ACE, 2021). The three considerations that determine the transferability of credit includes:

1. The educational quality of the institution.
2. The comparability of nature, content, and level of the course that is to be transferred to UNO and applied to the academic program.
3. The appropriateness and applicability of the credit in relation to the plan of study.

Institutional Accreditation

Accreditation serves as the basic indicator that an institution meets certain minimum standards in order to give students and policymakers confidence in the effectiveness of academic quality. As such, DCS recognizes the value of accreditation and has outlined a process for identifying postsecondary credit that may transfer to our programs.

Regionally Accredited Institutions

Coursework of comparable content and scope to the UNO curriculum will generally be transferred if it was completed at colleges and universities accredited by one of the six regional accrediting agencies recognized by the Council for Higher Education Accreditation (CHEA) and the U.S. Department of Education (USDE). Courses must be successfully completed with a grade of C- or better.

The six regional accrediting agencies that operate in the U.S. are:

• Middle States Commission on Higher Education
• New England Association of Schools and Colleges
• North Central Association of Colleges and Schools
• Northwest Commission on Colleges and Universities
• Southern Association of Colleges and Schools
• Western Association of Schools and Colleges

Nationally Accredited Institutions

DCS recognizes that institutions may offer programs that are recognized by programmatic or specialized accrediting agencies. Students who have successfully completed coursework at colleges and universities that do not hold regional accreditation may request evaluation of credit for applicability of transfer. As a rule, DCS requires that the institution and/or program be recognized by an accrediting body that is recognized by both CHEA and USDE during the time of attendance.

Non-U.S. Tertiary Institutions

UNO recognizes the value of postsecondary coursework completed outside of the U.S. higher education system and provides pathways for international credits to be applied toward degree programs. Due to the diversity of languages, curriculum, structure and grading schema of non-U.S. colleges and universities, UNO requires a certified translation to accompany transcripts not issued in English by World Education Services, www.wes.org, or Educational Credential Evaluators, www.ece.org. The translation should be literal and not interpretive. In many cases, international credits will be converted to the U.S. semester system. A DCS academic advisor can provide a list of organizations that provide transcript translation services.

Coursework Not Accepted for Transfer Credit

The following coursework will not be accepted for transfer credit and will not count toward a degree at UNO:

• Courses in which the grade earned is below a C- on 4.0 grading scale (except from the NU system).
• Courses identified by UNO as remedial, such as remedial English, Mathematics and developmental reading.
• Portfolio-based experiential credits awarded by another institution.

Standardized Exams

Standardized examinations are available in disciplines from physics to studio art, from computer science to foreign language. Typically, DCS awards credit for introductory-level courses; although, some students use examinations to demonstrate advanced knowledge. Students may apply a maximum of 30 hours of exam credit towards their BMS or BSLS degree. 

Eligible Exams

Credit may be earned by successfully completing eligible examinations:

• Advanced Placement Exams (AP): https://apcentral.collegeboard.com
• International Baccalaureate Exams (IB): https://ibo.org
• College Level Exam Program (CLEP): https://clep.collegeboard.org/
• DANTES Subject Standardized Test (DSST) (formerly DANTES): https://www.getcollegecredit.com/

Note: AP and IB examinations are normally completed as part of a high school curriculum.

Course and Credit Equivalencies

Course and credit equivalencies for AP, IB, CLEP, and DSST examinations are regularly evaluated and updated. Be advised that examinations accepted for credit, the minimum score required, and hours/courses awarded are subject to change by UNO and DCS at any time without notice. Course and credit equivalencies for AP, IB, CLEP, and DSST are posted on the UNO website. Courses not listed on the articulation guide may be eligible for transfer and fulfillment of general elective requirements.

Evaluated Non-College Programs

Adult and contemporary learners can demonstrate college-level knowledge and competencies gained from courses, examinations and certifications offered by employers, federal agencies, professional associations, apprenticeship programs, online education providers and other organizations. Courses and training are rigorously reviewed by a team of faculty experts who make recommendations for course-level and credit-hour equivalencies.

Eligible Credit Recommendations

Credit may be awarded for learning assessed by the following organizations:

• American Council on Education (ACE)
  ACE’s College Credit Recommendation Service (CREDIT) has reviewed over 35,000 courses, exams, and learning experiences for academic credits since it was founded in 1974. For more information, visit http://www.acenet.edu/nationalguide.
• National College Credit Recommendation Service (NCCRS)
  Formerly known as National PONSI, the NCCRS has been evaluating training and education programs for college credit equivalencies since 1973. For more information, visit http://www.nationalccrs.org/course-credit-directory.
• DCS Faculty Academic Policy Committee (FAPC)
  The FAPC provides academic guidance and oversight for DCS academic programs. In conjunction with UNO faculty, the committee is responsible for reviewing and approving select nontraditional college credit recommendations that may be applied to the BMS or BSALS programs. The committee does not evaluate individual credit requests on an ad hoc basis.

Military Training and Experience

DCS is dedicated to bridging military service with undergraduate curriculum. As part of this commitment, we award academic credit for military training and learning experiences from all branches of the U.S. Armed Forces. As with all methods of CPL, credit awards are at the full discretion of DCS.

• Army, Coast Guard, Marine Corps and Navy
  In 2013, the Army, Coast Guard, Marine Corps and Navy transitioned to the Joint-Services Transcript (JST) for active-duty, reserve and veteran members. JST replaced the following systems: AARTS (Army), SMART (Navy and Marines), CGI (Coast Guard) and Form DD-295 (all branches). JST CPL credits are posted as other institutional credits, rather than transfer credits. For instructions on how to order a JST, visit https://jst.doded.mil/faq.html.
• Air Force
  Air Force training is certified by the Community College of the Air Force (CCAF). CCAF is regionally accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools through Air University, therefore, CCAF courses are considered transfer credits at UNO. For instructions on how to order CCAF transcripts, visit https://www.airuniversity.af.edu/Barnes/CCAF/Display/Article/803247/community-college-of-the-air-force-transcripts/.
• Defense Language Institute (DLI)
  Operated by the U.S. Department of Defense (DoD), DLI provides linguistic and cultural instruction to members of the DoD and federal agencies. DLI courses are considered transfer credits at UNO as it is regionally accredited by the Western Association of Schools and Colleges. For instructions on how to order an official transcript, visit www.dliflc.edu.

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DCS Policies

Academic Amnesty

Academic amnesty gives students the opportunity to rebuild their University of Nebraska system cumulative grade point average (GPA). Students must have been out of the Nebraska system for at least one year to be eligible for academic amnesty and only 'F' and 'D' grades earned within the University of Nebraska system (UNO, UNL, UNK, UNMC) prior to the year out will be included in the amnesty. All UNO colleges will accept the results of the DCS amnesty. Consult a DCS academic advisor to learn more. 

Credit/No Credit (CR/NC) Grades

DCS students may elect to receive a grade of Credit (CR) or No Credit (NC) in lieu of a letter grade. A student earns a CR with a C- grade or higher. Please see University policy regarding eligibility. Students planning to apply to graduate of professional programs should consult with those programs on their acceptance of non-graded credit.

• Bachelor of Multidisciplinary Studies: Students may apply up to 24 credit hours on a Credit/No Credit basis, with a maximum of six credit hours allowed in the Multidisciplinary Core (Block 1, 2, 3). 
• Bachelor of Science in Applied Leadership Studies: Students may apply up to 24 credit hours on a Credit/No Credit basis, with a maximum of six credit hours allowed in the Leadership Competencies or Leadership Context Blocks. 

No Activity Drop Policy

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Student Groups