Comprehensive Standard 3.4.4
The institution has a defined and published policy for evaluating,
awarding, and accepting credit for transfer, experiential learning,
advanced placement, and professional certificates that is consistent
with its mission and ensures that course work and learning outcomes are
at the collegiate level and comparable to the institution’s own degree
programs. The institution assumes responsibility for the academic
quality of any course work or credit recorded on the institution’s
transcript.
LSUA’s policy on admission of transfer students and evaluation of transfer credits is stated in the LSUA Catalog (p. 24-26) [1]  .
In accord with LSUA’s mission as an open admission institution,
admission of transfer students is based on current good standing
at the transfer institutions rather than on selective admission
factors. Students are required to submit official transcripts from all
colleges or universities attended and/or a copy of their official high
school transcript or GED if they have earned fewer than 12
non-remedial credit hours in college. Evaluation of transfer credit for
each student is completed upon receipt of all documents required for
admission. Articulation equivalencies are determined by qualified faculty in
the specific areas of instruction. These equivalencies are submitted to
Enrollment Services and are entered into the articulation matrix in the
student information system. Course work submitted by students for
evaluation for which equivalencies do not exist or have not been
defined is listed on the student record by title only. These
courses may be counted as elective credits. The LSUA Catalog (p. 26) [2] describes the process of appeal available to students who wish to dispute a transfer evaluation decision.
In general, credit earned in colleges or universities accredited by
regional accrediting associations is given full value. Credit earned
from a non-accredited college will be considered on the basis of
individual merit. Residency requirements also apply in the awarding of
transfer credit toward a degree. For a bachelor’s degree, 24 of the
last 30 semester hours must be resident hours. For an associate degree,
12 of the last 15 semester hours must be resident hours.
Credit earned by departmental or institutional examinations at other
regionally-accredited colleges and universities and listed on an
official transcript is recognized in the same way that residence credit
earned in those institutions is accepted. Students who have taken
subject examinations in the College Level Examination Program (CLEP) or
who have participated in the Advanced Placement Program of the College
Board (AP) must have examination scores sent directly to Admissions for
evaluation. Credit is not awarded for work or travel experience except
as validated by appropriate credit examinations at LSUA.
The university’s policy on course placement and advanced standing is described on pages 29-33 of the LSUA Catalog [3] . Credit
is awarded on the basis of the American College Test (ACT),
Advanced Placement Examination of the College Board (AP), College Level
Examination Program of the College Board (CLEP), LSUA Credit
Examinations, Military Service Credit, and Police Academy Credit.
University credit is also allowed according to the recommendation of
the American Council on Education (ACE) for satisfactory completion of
specific series schools.
To ensure that advanced-standing credit awarded is comparable
to the university’s own degree programs, the university policy for the
awarding of credits was developed and is maintained by qualified
members of the LSUA faculty. Standards for the awarding of credit via
departmentally-administered credit examinations are determined by
qualified faculty in the specific areas of study. Department chairs
review the College Board recommended guidelines for awarding credit via
Advanced Placement Examination and CLEP Examination and determine
appropriate standards for awarding LSUA credit. Credit is awarded only
in areas offered within the LSUA curriculum.
Documentation
[1] LSUA Catalog 2005, p. 24-26 (1335kb)
[2] LSUA Catalog 2005, p. 26 (1335kb)
[3] LSUA Catalog 2005, p. 29-33 (1335kb)
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