Transfer Credits for Master's and Specialist Degree Programs
(Update of Graduate Policy GP1.7)
| Applies to: | Original Policy Date: | Date of Last Review: | Approved by: |
|---|---|---|---|
| Master’s and Specialist Degree Students | June 2008 | May 2025 | Dr. John Z. Kiss, Provost and Senior VP for Academic Affairs |
Policy Owner: Office of Graduate Programs
Policy Purpose
This policy establishes guidelines and requirements for the transfer of graduate-level academic credits from other institutions to master's and specialist degree programs at the Florida Institute of Technology (Florida Tech), ensuring academic quality and consistency in the evaluation and acceptance of transfer credits at graduate level.
Policy Scope
This policy applies to all students enrolled in master's degree or specialist programs at Florida Tech, regardless of modality or location. It encompasses regular transfer credits, credits from foreign institutions, and credits transferred as part of joint-degree or dual-degree programs.
Policy Statement
Florida Tech permits the transfer of graduate-level credits from accredited institutions to master's and specialist degree programs, subject to specific limitations and approval requirements. This policy ensures the maintenance of academic standards while providing flexibility for students with qualifying graduate coursework from other institutions.
Definitions
Transfer Credit: Academic credit earned at another institution that is accepted toward a master's degree or specialist program at Florida Tech.
Joint-Degree Program: A program offered in collaboration with another institution leading to a single degree.
Dual-Degree Program: A program offered in collaboration with another institution leading to two separate degrees.
Accredited Institution: An educational institution that has been recognized by an appropriate accrediting body.
Procedures/Guidelines
Graduate level transfer credits are subject to statute of limitations as described in Policy on Statute of Limitations for Master’s and Specialist Degree Programs.
Transfer credit requirements for fast-track Florida Tech students are described in Policy on Fast-Track Master’s Degree Programs.
- Standard Transfer Credits
Students may transfer up to 12 semester credit hours from accredited institutions, provided the following conditions are met:
- The courses must be graduate level at the original institution.
- A minimum grade of B- or equivalent must have been earned.
- The credits must not have been previously applied toward an undergraduate degree.
- The transfer credit request must be approved by both the academic unit head and the Office of Graduate Programs.
- Foreign Institution Credits
- Transfer credits from foreign universities will be evaluated on a case-by-case basis.
- Such credits are subject to the same 12-credit-hour maximum and other requirements as domestic transfers.
- Additional documentation, such as course syllabi and institutional accreditation, may be required.
- Previously Applied Graduate Credits
- Courses previously applied toward a graduate degree at another institution may be considered for transfer.
- These courses must meet all standard transfer credit requirements.
- The relevance of the courses to the current degree program must be clearly demonstrated.
- Joint-Degree and Dual-Degree Programs
Special provisions apply to established joint-degree or dual-degree programs:
- Up to one-half of total required credits may be transferred from the partner institution involved in a Florida Tech joint-degree or dual-degree program.
- Courses must be periodically reviewed and monitored by the respective college dean and the Office of Graduate Programs.
- The specific number of transferable credits must be established before program announcement.
- No additional transfer credits from other institutions are permitted in joint-degree or dual-degree programs.
- Transfer Credit Request Process
- The student initiates the transfer credit request by completing the Graduate Request to Study at Another Institution and Transfer Credits form, including:
- Course information (number, title, credit hours)
- Institution information
- Term and year the course was/will be taken
- The student must submit the following supporting documentation:
- Official course syllabus
- Official transcript (if course is already completed)
- Course descriptions from the institution's catalog
- Any additional materials requested by the academic unit
- The approval process follows these steps:
- The academic unit head reviews the request to ensure the course aligns with the student's program requirements and meets academic standards.
- The Office of Graduate Programs validates that the request meets all graduate policy requirements.
- The Office of Transfer Credit Evaluation performs a final review to verify the accreditation status of the institution and course equivalency.
- Each reviewing entity must document their decision and any conditions or notes in the designated sections of the transfer credit request form.
- The Office of Registrar will notify the student of the final decision and, if approved, ensure the credits are properly recorded in the student's academic record.
- All documentation related to the transfer credit request will be maintained in the student's permanent academic file.
Responsibilities
The Office of Graduate Programs implements the policy based on the standards established by recommendation from the Graduate Council and approved by the Provost. The Office of Graduate Programs monitors for effectiveness and compliance, reviews the policy at least annually, and recommends updates or revisions as needed. The Office of Graduate Programs is responsible for communication, compliance, and enforcement of this policy.
In collaboration of the Office of Graduate Programs, the Office of the Registrar is responsible for providing final approval of transfer credits and maintaining records.
Graduate Students are responsible for submitting timely transfer credit requests with appropriate documentation.
Academic Unit Heads are responsible for reviewing and approving transfer credits within their academic unit and for submitting the request to the Registrar through the Office of Graduate Programs.
College Deans are responsible for monitoring and reviewing partner institution courses in joint/dual-degree programs where applicable.
Compliance Reference
- SACSCOC Standards
- Standard 9.5: Institutional Credits for a Graduate/Professional Degree
- Standard 10.8: Evaluating and Awarding Academic Credit
- Program-Specific Accreditation Requirements where applicable
- Partner Institution Agreements for Joint/Dual-Degree Programs where applicable
- The student initiates the transfer credit request by completing the Graduate Request to Study at Another Institution and Transfer Credits form, including: