General Rules:

All external credits are reviewed by the appropriate Dean's Offices.

Final decisions about what can be accepted are determined there based on your program requirements and Niagara University policies. 

Some courses are unable to be transferred into certain majors or programs

Some courses (Skills, Physical Ed., HIS 199) will not be transferable.

Courses must meet the requirements of the program to be transferable for specific major or general education requirements.

A max of 10 courses can transfer into your major courses/advised electives

You cannot get credit for the same course twice. 

Avoid duplicating any credit you may have already obtained.  If you are unsure, hold off and check with your Dean's Office.

You can check to see if your credit is posted through MyNU

Note that webadvisor pulls from the live system, while there is a delay on MyNU. Credit is generally posted part way through the first semester for new students

Transfer credit taken while at NU should be posted within a couple of weeks after the transcript is sent to the Dean’s Office.

Types of Credit:

Transfer Credit (Includes college credit taken in high school)

• A 3 credit course with a C grade or better required to be reviewed for credit.

AP Credit

• Score of 3 or higher required to be reviewed for credit

College Level Exam Placement (CLEP)

• Score of 50 or higher required to be reviewed for credit

International Baccalaureate (IB)

• Score of 5 or better required to be reviewed for credit

Military Experience

• Have Military Science review your DD 214.

NUStep Credit (Technically this is not transfer credit)

• NUStep is a program through which Niagara University courses are offered through local high schools. NUStep credits will appear on your Niagara University Transcript
• Let your advisor know if you have taken NUStep courses

Other Types of Credit

• It may be possible to transfer in other types of credit (PONSI, etc...), but the transferrability of it will be determined by the Dean's Office.

Where to Send your Official Scores:

If you are in the Admissions process or haven't finished your first semester at NU send your official scores/transcripts to the Admissions Office.

If are already a student at Niagara University, send the official scores/transcripts to your Dean's Office.

Transfer Credit Options After Starting At NU:

Transfer Credit Permission Form (Current Students - Summer/Winter Courses)

• Use this form to preapprove any additional transfer courses to insure that they will be transferable toward your degree program.
• If you need flexibility and can't take courses at NU, then we recommend looking at institutions local to you or checking out the SUNY Learning Network.

Official scores/transcripts must be sent to your Dean's Office once completed.

Cross Registration Option

• As long as you are full-time at NU you can take your 5th course at another area institution. Contact Records for more information about this option.

Can you take additional transfer courses in your senior year (Last 10 Rule)?

• First, ask yourself, have you transferred in more than half your credits ~60+ credits.
  • If the answer is yes, then you cannot take additional transfer courses during your time at NU.
  • If the anser is no, then you may be able to take more transfer credit.  We recommend that you discuss this with the Assistant to the Dean for Academic Affairs and make sure that it corresponds to the requirements outlined in your senior check.

Alternate Credit Options for NU Students:

Challenge Exams

This option allows you potentially, if eligible, take an exam in an area that you have a strong background to get credit for a course. This is most commonly used for language courses and CIS 232.  For more information about this process and your eligiblity print off the challenge exam approval form available here. Courses that cannot be challenged are marked in the catalog with a bullet

Life Experience Portfolios

Make an appointment with the Assistant to the Dean for Academic Affairs if interested in this option.  Note: most students tend to opt for the challenge exams instead.