Incoming Transfer Credit Guidelines
Transfer Coursework
Prairie State College accepts transfer coursework from nationally and regionally accredited institutions. Coursework from non-accredited institutions is not accepted. PSC offers two-year associate level degrees and certificates. The College accepts freshman to junior level coursework (100 – 300 level). Acceptable 300 level coursework will be considered towards the completion of Associate degrees and certificates on an individual basis.
Courses not considered to be college level, such as developmental or remedial will be used to determine placement and the completion of prerequisites. Coursework will not transfer if the student repeated the transfer course at PSC (see repeat policy for additional information).
International transcripts must receive evaluation through a member of the National Association of Credential Evaluation Services (i.e. ECE evaluation, WES evaluation). A course by course evaluation is required for transfer consideration.
The Testing Center is an on-campus resource for students seeking to transfer credit for college level examination program (CLEP), International Baccalaureate (IB) and advanced placement (AP). Students seeking credit hours for prior learning experience should also consult the Testing Center, applicable fees may apply. Military Joint Services Transcripts are evaluated based on the student’s program of study and applicable transfer coursework.
Evaluation of Coursework
Transfer coursework is evaluated based on the student’s area of study. Completion
of the Transcript Evaluation Request Form with the declared area of study and transfer institutions is necessary to receive
an accurate and comprehensive evaluation.
PSC credits are expressed in semester hours. Transfer credit received from institutions granting other measures of credit will be converted to semester hours (i.e. quarter, trimester, etc.). Consequently, students may satisfy a course requirement but have a credit hour deficiency in order to complete a given program category.
The College maintains a database of courses articulated from transfer institutions. The Registrar, or his or her designee, will articulate all transfer coursework from regionally and nationally accredited post-secondary institutions. If a course is not articulated, the Credentials Analyst will review the course based on the information available (i.e. course description, syllabus, use of course at transfer institution, etc.). The division coordinator may also be consulted to determine the most appropriate evaluation of coursework.
College Residency Requirement
In order to satisfy the college residency requirement for an associate degree, a minimum
of 15 credit hours, excluding proficiency credit, must be successfully completed at
PSC. Students in certificate programs must complete at least half of the credit hour
requirements for a certificate program at PSC.
Time Limits and Grade Criteria
Transfer coursework may be accepted for courses in which a passing grade was received.
Quality points will be awarded only for work completed at PSC. The College does not
transfer final grades from coursework completed at transfer institutions.
Coursework is not eligible for transfer if the student received a final course grade lower than C and the GPA from the institution is below a C average, grades of C- will not transfer. A course with a grade of D will not transfer and/or be considered for prerequisite completion if PSC has designated the course requires the student earned a grade of C or higher. The course prerequisites, general education designation or program requirements at the transfer institution may also be used as factors to evaluate the coursework. Additionally, certain programs may have time restrictions and grade requirements for courses taken towards prerequisite or program requirements (i.e. Nursing, dental hygiene, surgical technology, information technology, etc.).
Re-evaluating an Articulated Course
Students have the ability to speak with the Credentials Analyst if questions arise
with respect to the articulation or application of coursework. Students may also
be asked to provide a course description, syllabus or additional information for further
consideration. A student may submit a Course Articulation Review form to the Office
of Enrollment Services if additional concerns exist pertaining to the articulation
of coursework