Transferability of Credits to FNU

Transferability of Academic Credit refers to the procedure that Florida National University (FNU) utilizes to ensure the academic quality of any credit or coursework recorded as part of a student’s official transcript. This policy addresses the process and academic oversight required to evaluate and accept transfer credits.

The credits to be transferred, which are part of an awarded degree for undergraduate programs, are based on the relevancy of the courses to the program being sought by the prospective student. The relevancy of prior coursework will be determined by appropriately credentialed and academically qualified personnel.

The credits to be transferred, which are not part of an awarded degree for undergraduate programs, should have an academic relevance to the prospective program of study and be contemporary with the academic discipline. FNU seeks to limit the number of courses a student must take multiple times as part of the transfer process but will balance that concern with an evaluation that the student is academically prepared to succeed. Students should be aware that courses establishing foundational knowledge, skills, or competencies in certain areas of study may not be accepted if they are older than 7 years from the date of enrollment at FNU. The purpose of limiting transfer credits that are over seven (7) years is to maintain programmatic relevancy, support student academic readiness, and contribute to future academic success.

FNU reserves the right to make the final determination on the transferability of credits to maintain academic integrity and best serve prospective students in their future programs.

Students who wish to continue their studies at FNU may transfer up to 65% of the total number of credits required for the completion of a program. That is:

A maximum of 78 credits towards a 120-credit program.

A maximum of 52 credits towards an 80-credit program.

A maximum of 49 credits towards a 75-credit program.

A maximum of 39 credits towards a 60-credit program.

A maximum of 29 credits towards a 45-credit program.

A maximum of 20 credits towards a 30-credit program.

Credit Transferability Procedure

1. The applicant submits an original official transcript of their courses from the previous institution(s) at the time of enrollment or within the student’s first semester of enrollment.
2. Personnel trained in transfer credit evaluation from the Office of the Registrar or the Academic Advising Center will render an interim transfer credit evaluation of the transcript. If necessary, a Division Head, Department Head, or Program Director will provide subject matter expertise in evaluating potential transfer credits. A copy of the interim transfer credit evaluation will be uploaded to the university’s Student Information System (SIS).
3. The University Registrar or the Vice President of Academics will give the final approval of the transfer credits.
4. This final approval of transfer credits will be uploaded to the student’s academic file and a notification will be sent to the Office of Financial Aid.

Note: Grade point averages are not transferred; but courses transferred will appear on the student’s transcripts with their respective/earned grades.

Exceptions – Students transferring to the RN-BSN Program with an ASN (Associate of Science in Nursing) Degree, and an active, unencumbered RN (Registered Nurse) License may receive 34 transfer credits. Students transferring to the BSPTA Program with a PTA (Physical Therapist Assistant) Degree, and an active, unencumbered PTA License may receive 31 transfer credits. 

Graduate Programs:

Up to six (6) credits can be transferred into a graduate program. The credits to be transferred must have been earned within five (5) years of the date of application to FNU and must have an earned letter grade of “B” (3.0) or higher on a 4.0 scale.

Graduate Certificates:

Graduate Certificates do not accept any external transfer credits.

For Business Graduate Certificates taken at FNU, those courses are drawn from the MBA program, and are transferable to graduates with a grade average of “B” or higher on a 4.0 scale. The prospective student must also meet the MBA admission requirements, at the time of enrollment, as outlined in the FNU Catalog.

Post-Graduate Certificates:

Post-Graduate Certificates in Nursing do not accept any transfer credits.

Note: Grade point averages are not transferred; but courses transferred will appear on the student’s transcripts with their respective/earned grades.

Minimum Grade for Transfer

Undergraduate transfer credits are granted only for those courses in which a grade of “C” (2.0) or better, on a 4.0 scale, was earned. Certain undergraduate Allied Health and Nursing programs require a higher GPA on transferable General Education courses, so students should consult with their Academic Advisor on specific program requirements.

Graduate transfer credits are granted for those courses in which a grade of “B” (3.0) or better, on a 4.0 scale, was earned.

Transfer from Regionally and Non-Regionally Accredited Institutions

FNU may accept credits from regionally accredited institutions applicable to the applicant’s program of study. FNU may accept credits from non-regionally accredited institutions for courses that are substantially equivalent in content to FNU’s courses, are applicable to the applicant’s program, and are evaluated on a course-by-course basis. The acceptance of classes from non-regionally accredited institutions is contingent upon appropriate faculty credentials and applicable course content to the student’s degree program. The student seeking transfer credits from a non-regionally accredited institution must provide any documentation requested by FNU to validate the credits, such as course syllabi and faculty credentials. Additionally, FNU may accept in-state transfer credits from nationally accredited institutions that participate in the Florida Statewide Course Numbering System.

FNU reserves the right to choose the credentialing institutions it recognizes.

International Credits

Credits from international institutions will be evaluated and granted on a course-by-course equivalency basis. The evaluation and award of International Transfer Credits is based on the relevance of the courses to the program being sought by the prospective student. The relevancy of prior coursework will be determined by appropriately credentialed and academically qualified personnel. The foreign transcript must be translated into English and evaluated by an authorized educational evaluations and translations agency. FNU recommends using an evaluator who is a member of the National Association of Credential Evaluation Services (NACES), Association of International Credential Evaluators (AICE), NAFSA: Association of International Educators, American Evaluation Association (AEA), or American Association of Collegiate Registrars and Admissions Officers (AACRAO). The evaluator must confirm the diploma is equivalent to a U.S. (United States). post-secondary degree.

FNU reserves the right to choose the credentialing institutions it recognizes.

CLEP and AP Credits

Credit may be awarded for CLEP and AP test scores in compliance with FNU’s policy on these tests. Credit will be awarded for DANTES test programs per the recommendations of the American Council on Education. A maximum of 9 credits will be accepted from test scores. The credits must be earned before the student is enrolled.

ACE (American Council on Education) Credits

Credit may be accepted from U.S. military service schools per the recommendations of the American Council on Education (ACE).

Experiential Learning Credits

Credit for Experiential Learning (prior college-level learning attained outside a formal institution setting) will be evaluated and assessed according to the FNU procedures for acceptance and equivalency of Experiential Learning credits.

Exclusions:

Credit is not awarded for developmental, preparatory, or vocational coursework.

Credit is not awarded for programmatic core courses in the following programs:

Associate of Science, Nursing

Bachelor of Science, Nursing

Associate of Science, Physical Therapist Assistant

Associate of Science, Radiologic Technology

Associate of Science, Respiratory Therapy

Associate of Science, Digital Medical Sonography Technology

Internal transfer of credits from one program to another at FNU

A student who wishes to change from one program to another should consult with the Division Head, Department Head, or Program Director of the new program regarding the transferability of credits. The student should also speak with their Academic Advisor and Financial Aid Advisor about any program changes. The Academic Advisor will help the student become fully aware of the best possible use of existing credits earned, and the impact on anticipated graduation dates. The Financial Aid Advisor will help the student become fully aware of the impact of a program change on financial aid and funding.

Courses that can be transferred to the new program, as either part of the required courses or as electives, will be reflected in the student’s ledger, the student’s transcripts, and Academic File. FNU students moving from one program to another program must complete at least 25% of the credits corresponding with the new program to graduate.