Undergraduate Transfer Credit
Transfer Credit Calculation and Evaluation
The transfer grade point average is calculated on all academic transferred college work the applicant has undertaken, whether passed or failed. Transfer grades cannot be used to raise the institutional grade point average at Texas A&M University-San Antonio.
Although general credit may be granted, not all course work will be used for graduation requirements. For a timely evaluation, please see “Admission Deadlines” for information concerning submission of credentials to the Office of Admissions.
Transfer of Academic Credit from a Regionally Accredited Institution
The transfer of courses from other regionally accredited colleges and universities to the University is guided and controlled by the general provisions of the Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board (THECB) rules and regulations regarding transfer of credit, core curriculum and field of study courses.
A&M-San Antonio has an articulation agreement with the Alamo Colleges, as well as several other regional community colleges to facilitate the transfer of student and acceptance of lower level course credits.
Academic Fresh Start
The “Right to an Academic Fresh Start” legislation, passed by the 73rd Texas Legislature, entitles residents of this state to seek admission to public institutions of higher education as undergraduate students without consideration of courses undertaken ten or more years prior to enrollment. This law gives students the option of electing to have coursework taken ten or more years prior to the starting date of the semester in which the applicant seeks to enroll either counted as usual or ignored for admission purposes. Applicants who elect to apply for admission under this law and who are admitted as students may not receive any course credit for courses undertaken ten or more years prior to enrollment.
The intent of the “Fresh Start” legislation is to provide students with an opportunity to clear their academic records, if they choose to do so, of all college-level work accumulated ten or more years ago. Students may not pick and choose what is to be ignored and what is not. Either all college hours ten or more years old are ignored or they are counted. Applicants interested in seeking a “Fresh Start” should contact the Office of Admissions to obtain the form for academic fresh start. Students may request the form via e-mail at: beajaguar@tamusa.edu.
Graduation Under a Particular Catalog
The catalog designation a student receives from the University determines the curriculum and degree requirements that apply to the student. A student has the privilege of being graduated according to the curricular requirements as stated in the catalog of the year in which the student first registered for work in residence at the university, or the student may be graduated under any later catalog of a year in which the student was registered for residence work provided that requirements are met within six years of the date of the catalog chosen and provided further that the institution offers courses listed as requirements in previous catalogs.
A student who transfers from a public community college in Texas may choose to graduate under the University catalog in effect at the time the student first earned credit at the community college (maximum of four years earlier) or a later catalog in effect when the student earned credit at either the community college or the University.
If degree requirements are not completed within the six-year period, students must meet all requirements for the degree effective for the catalog under which they expect to graduate. Requirements for the degree include courses and grade-point averages required for graduation. It does not include other academic policies and rules, such as scholastic probation and academic dismissal.
Occasionally, course numbers may change or courses may be eliminated. Students with a catalog designation that has not expired who find that a required course is no longer offered should consult with their academic advisors to seek an appropriate substitution as approved by the department chair.
Certification or licensure requirements are subject to change. Students enrolled in programs leading to certification or licensure must meet all current requirements, regardless of the catalog chosen.
Graduation and Completion of Transfer Credit
Official transcripts for all transfer credit must be received by the first day of class in which the student expects to graduate. The first day of class for each semester is listed in the Academic Calendar. Failure to submit official transcripts in a timely fashion during the student’s final semester may result in the student’s degree being awarded in a subsequent semester. All students are encouraged to do a final graduation audit with an academic advisor in the department of their major at least one year prior to graduation to ensure that all transfer credit has been received, and if appropriate, applied to their degree plan.
Transfer of Credit from a Non-regionally Accredited Institution or Transfer of Vocational/Technical Credit
Applicants who have credit from a non-regionally accredited institution or vocational/technical credit will not be awarded credits at the time of admission. While some non-regionally accredited institutions provide ACE credit recommendations, the transferability of those credits is at the discretion of the University. Those wishing to petition courses that were not transferred at the point of admission may request a Course Evaluation Request form to be completed with an Academic Advisor for each course to be evaluated at the time of enrollment. The student will be required to provide documentation that references the content and learning outcomes of the course and the instructor’s academic qualifications. The University recognizes vocational/technical credit for coursework taken on a non-credit basis only in the Bachelor of Applied Arts and Sciences.
Core Complete Transfer*
If a student successfully completes the 42 semester credit hour core curriculum at a Texas public institution of higher education, that block of courses may be transferred to any other Texas public institution of higher education and must be substituted for the receiving institution's core curriculum. A student shall receive academic credit for each of the courses transferred and may not be required to take additional core curriculum courses at the receiving institution.
A student who transfers from one institution of higher education to another without completing the core curriculum of the sending institution shall receive academic credit within the core curriculum of the receiving institution for each of the courses that the student has successfully completed in the core curriculum of the sending institution. Following receipt of credit for these courses, the student may be required to satisfy the remaining course requirements in the core curriculum of the receiving institution.
* 19 Tex. Admin. Code § 4.28 (2012)
Transfer Credit for Military Service
Although not required for admission evaluation, the university requires submission of the Joint Services Transcript (JST) in order for military credit to be awarded. ACE transfer credit guidelines are used for awarding credit. These guidelines can be found at: http://www.acenet.edu/higher-education/topics/pages/military-evaluations.aspx. Although general credit may be granted, not all course work will necessarily be used for degree requirements. The university accepts the College Credit for Heroes (CCFH) evaluation. Students wishing to be awarded transfer credit from CCFH must also submit an official JST.
DLPT scores will be accepted if they are posted on an official JST or sent directly to A&M-San Antonio.
The university has created a Texas Success Initiative (TSI) Military exemption waiver form to make the military TSI exemption clearer and the process easier for military members. For additional assistance, please visit the TSI Office.
Undergraduate Students Subject to Senate Bill (SB) 1231
Undergraduate students who completed a high school program, or the equivalent, and entered a Texas public institution of higher education for the first time on or after the fall semester of 2007 are subject to the requirements of SB 1231.
Beginning with the 2007-2008 academic year, undergraduate students subject to SB 1231 will be permitted only six (6) non-punitive drops during their undergraduate studies. Therefore, drops falling under SB 1231 annotated on official transcripts received from other colleges and/or universities will be transferred to Texas A&M University-San Antonio for the purpose of maintaining the number of drops accumulated by the student.
For additional information on drops subject to SB 1231, refer to the section of the catalog titled “Academic Regulations” under the sub-title of “Dropping a Course.”
Resolution of Transfer Disputes for Lower Division Courses
The following procedures shall be followed by Texas A&M University-San Antonio in the resolution of credit transfer disputes involving lower division courses:
- If the admission office nor the appropriate college or program advisor at Texas A&M University-San Antonio does not accept course credit earned by a student at another institution of higher education, the university shall give written notice to the student and to the sending institution that transfer of the course credit is denied. Texas A&M University-San Antonio shall provide written notice of the reasons for denying credit for a particular course or set of courses at the request of the sending institution.
- A student who receives notice as specified in No. 1 above may dispute the denial of credit by contacting a designated official at either the sending institution or Texas A&M University-San Antonio.
- Texas A&M University-San Antonio, the sending institution, and the student shall attempt to resolve the transfer of the course credit in accordance with Coordinating Board rules and guidelines.
- If the transfer dispute is not resolved to the satisfaction of the student or the sending institution within 45 days after the date the student received written notice of denial, Texas A&M University-San Antonio shall notify the Commissioner of its denial and the reasons for the denial.
- The Commissioner of Higher Education or the Commissioner’s designee shall make the final determination about a dispute concerning the transfer of course credit and give written notice of the determination to the involved student and institutions.
The Coordinating Board shall collect data on the types of transfer disputes that are reported and the disposition of each case that is considered by the Commissioner or the Commissioner’s designee.
If Texas A&M University-San Antonio has cause to believe that a course being presented by a student for transfer from another institution is not of an acceptable level of quality, it should first contact the sending institution and attempt to resolve the problem. In the event that Texas A&M University-San Antonio and the sending institution are unable to come to a satisfactory resolution, Texas A&M University-San Antonio may notify the Commissioner of Higher Education, who may investigate the course. If its quality is found to be unacceptable, the Board may discontinue funding for the course.
Transfer Credit Toward Undergraduate Programs by Examination
Texas A&M University-San Antonio participates in several nationally recognized, standardized testing programs. These exams are designed, monitored, scored and validated by authoritative educational testing agencies and enjoy wide acceptance throughout higher education. Students may transfer in an unlimited number of hours of credit earned through the examinations described below. However, students must meet A&M-San Antonio residency policies to earn a degree. All credit-by-exam score reports must be sent directly to A&M-San Antonio for evaluation of transfer credit.
College Level Examination Program (CLEP)
Sponsored by the College Board, the CLEP affords students the opportunity to earn college-level credit in a variety of college subjects, as well as through a series of general examinations that cover broad areas of collegiate education. Preparation for CLEP exams may be based on self-study or prior formal instruction.
Through CLEP exams it is possible to earn up to 90 college-level credits. A&M-San Antonio does not accept CLEP exams that duplicate coursework previously transferred for credit. Students may not receive CLEP exam credits and course credit. CLEP exams are offered at testing centers across the nation and by special arrangement at military installations around the world. A&M-San Antonio accepts test scores regardless of where the tests are administered. CLEP sponsors two types of exams: general and subject.
- CLEP General Examinations
CLEP General Examinations provide a comprehensive measure of achievement in five basic areas of liberal arts and sciences. Each examination assesses the extent to which the student has mastered general knowledge in the area. - CLEP Subject Examinations
The CLEP Subject Examinations measure achievement in specific undergraduate courses common to U.S. institutions of higher education. Subject exams stress understanding, the ability to perceive relationships, and the student’s grasp of principles, concepts and factual materials in individual subjects. Subject Examinations consist of multiple-choice questions covering more than 30 college-level subjects. To receive credit at A&M-San Antonio for these exams, students must earn at least the minimum score recommended by the ACE Guide. The awarding of A&M-San Antonio credit follows College Board recommendations.
| Exam Title | Credit Granting Score | Semester Hours | A&M-San Antonio Equivalent |
|---|---|---|---|
| Business | |||
| Financial Accounting | 50 | 3 | ACCT 2301 |
| Financial Accounting | 64 | 3 | ACCT 3302 |
| Principles of Management | 50 | 3 | MGMT 3311 |
| Principles of Marketing | 50 | 3 | MKTG 3311 |
| Composition & Literature | |||
| American Literature | 50 | 3 | ENGL 2326 |
| College Composition | 50 | 6 | ENGL 1301 and ENGL 1302 |
| College Composition Modular | 50 | 3 | ENGL 1301 |
| English Literature | 50 | 6 | ENGL 2321 and ENGL 2331 |
| History & Social Sciences | |||
| American Government | 50 | 3 | GOVT 2305 |
| History of the United States I | 50 | 3 | HIST 1301 |
| History of the United States II | 50 | 3 | HIST 1302 |
| Human Growth and Development | 50 | 3 | PSYC 3327 |
| Introductory Psychology | 50 | 3 | PSYC 2301 |
| Introduction Sociology | 50 | 3 | SOCI 1301 |
| Principles of Macroeconomics | 50 | 3 | ECON 2301 |
| Principles of Microeconomics | 50 | 3 | ECON 2302 |
| Western Civilization I | 50 | 3 | HIST 2321 |
| Western Civilization II | 50 | 3 | HIST 2322 |
| Science & Mathematics | |||
| Biology | 50 | 6 | BIOL 1308 and BIOL 1309 |
| Calculus | 50 | 4 | MATH 2313/ MATH 2113 |
| Chemsitry | 50 | 6 | CHEM 1311 and CHEM 1312 |
| College Algebra | 50 | 3 | MATH 1314 |
| Natural Sciences | 50 | 6 | BIOL 1308 and BIOL 1309 |
| Pre-Calculus | 50 | 3 | MATH 2312 |
| World Languages | |||
| French Language: Level 1 | 50 | 6 | FREN 1311 and FREN 1312 |
| French Language: Level 2 | 59 | 9 | FREN 1311, FREN 1312, and FREN 2311 |
| German Language: Level 1 | 50 | 6 | GERM 1311 and GERM 1312 |
| German Language: Level 2 | 60 | 9 | GERM 1311, GERM 1312, and GERM 2311 |
| Spanish Language: Level 1 | 50 | 6 | SPAN 1313 and SPAN 1315 |
| Spanish Language: Level 2 | 63 | 9 | SPAN 1313, SPAN 1315, and SPAN 2313 |
| Spanish Language with Writing: Level 1 | 50 | 6 | SPAN 1313 and SPAN 1315 |
| Spanish Language with Writing: Level 2 | 65 | 12 | SPAN 1313, SPAN 1315, SPAN 2313, and SPAN 2315 |
DANTES Subject Standardized Tests (DSSTs)
A form of prior learning assessment, DSSTs offer students a cost effective, time saving way to use their knowledge acquired outside of the classroom (perhaps from reading, on-the-job training, or independent study) to accomplish their educational goals. A&M-San Antonio does not accept DSST exams that duplicate coursework previously transferred for credit. Students may not receive DSST exam credits and course credit. A&M-San Antonio awards credit for the following DSSTs subject standardized tests based on the scores below:
| Exam Title | Credit Granting Score | Semester Hours | A&M-San Antonio Equivalent |
|---|---|---|---|
| Art of the Western World | 400 | 3 | ARTS 1301 |
| Business Mathematics | 400 | 3 | MATH 1324 |
| Criminal Justice | 400 | 3 | CRIM 1301 |
| Foundations of Education | 400 | 3 | EDCI 1301 |
| Introduction to Geography | 400 | 3 | GEOG 1303 |
| Principles of Statistics | 400 | 3 | MATH 1342 |
Advanced Placement (AP) Examinations Exam Title
The AP Exams were designed by the College Entrance Examination Board (College Board) to enable students to pursue college-level studies while still in secondary school. They are specifically intended to stimulate both students and teachers to higher achievement and to help eliminate the needless duplication of studies later in college. Exams are available in more than 30 different areas, such as biology, calculus, chemistry, classics, European history and psychology. AP exams are graded on a five-point scale in which one (1) is the lowest and five (5) is the highest. Students must achieve a score of three (3) or higher to receive credit at A&M-San Antonio. A&M-San Antonio does not accept AP exams that duplicate coursework previously transferred for credit. Students may not receive AP exam credits and course credit.
| Exam Title | Credit Granting Score | Semester Hours | A&M-San Antonio Equivalent |
|---|---|---|---|
| AP Art History | 3 | 3 | ARTS 1301 |
| AP 2-D Art and Design | 3 | 3 | ARTS 1311 |
| AP 3-D Art and Design | 3 | 3 | ARTS 2316 |
| AP Drawing | 3 | 3 | ARTS 2323 |
| AP Music Theory | 3 | 3 | MUSI 1301 |
| AP English Language and Composition | 3 | 3 | ENGL 1301 |
| AP English Language and Composition | 4 | 6 | ENGL 1301 and ENGL 1302 |
| AP English Literature and Composition | 3 | 3 | ENGL 2321 |
| AP Human Geography | 3 | 3 | GEOG 1302 |
| AP Macroeconomics | 3 | 3 | ECON 2301 |
| AP Microeconomics | 3 | 3 | ECON 2302 |
| AP Psychology | 3 | 3 | PSYC 2301 |
| AP United States Government and Politics | 3 | 3 | GOVT 2305 |
| AP United States History | 3 | 6 | HIST 1301 and HIST 1302 |
| AP World History | 3 | 6 | HIST 2321 and HIST 2322 |
| AP Statistics | 3 | 3 | MATH 1342 |
| AP Calculus AB | 3 | 4 | MATH 2313 and MATH 2113 |
| AP Calculus BC | 3 | 8 | MATH 2313, MATH 2113, MATH 2314, and MATH 2114 |
| AP Pre-Calculus | 3 | 3 | MATH 2312 |
| AP Biology | 3 | 3 | BIOL 1308 |
| AP Biology | 4 | 6 | BIOL 1308 and BIOL 1309 |
| AP Chemistry | 3 | 3 | CHEM 1311 |
| AP Chemistry | 4 | 6 | CHEM 1311 and CHEM 1312 |
| AP Physics C: Electricity and Magnetism | 3 | 3 | PHYS 2326 |
| AP Physics C: Mechanics | 3 | 3 | PHYS 2325 |
| AP Physics 1: Algebra-Based | 3 | 3 | PHYS 1301 |
| AP Physics 2: Algebra-Based | 3 | 3 | PHYS 1302 |
| AP Chinese Language and Culture | 3 | 6 | CHIN 1311 and CHIN 1312 |
| AP Chinese Language and Culture | 4 | 12 | CHIN 1311,CHIN 1312, CHIN 2311 and CHIN 2312 |
| AP French Language and Culture | 3 | 6 | FREN 1311 and FREN 1312 |
| AP French Language and Culture | 4 | 12 | FREN 1311, FREN 1312, FREN 2311 and FREN 2312 |
| AP German Language and Culture | 3 | 6 | GERM 1311 and GERM 1312 |
| AP German Language and Culture | 4 | 12 | GERM 1311, GERM 1312, GERM 2311 and GERM 2312 |
| AP Italian Language and Culture | 3 | 6 | ITAL 1311 and ITAL 1312 |
| AP Italian Language and Culture | 4 | 12 | ITAL 1311, ITAL 1312, ITAL 2311 and ITAL 2312 |
| AP Japanese Language and Culture | 3 | 6 | JAPN 1311 and JAPN 1312 |
| AP Japanese Language and Culture | 4 | 12 | JAPN 1311, JAPN 1312, JAPN 2311 and JAPN 2312 |
| AP Latin | 3 | 6 | LATI 1311 and LATI 1312 |
| AP Latin | 4 | 12 | LATI 1311, LATI 1312, LATI 2311 and LATI 2312 |
| AP Spanish Language and Culture | 3 | 6 | SPAN 1313 and SPAN 1315 |
| AP Spanish Language and Culture | 4 | 12 | SPAN 1313, SPAN 1315, SPAN 2313 and SPAN 2315 |
| AP Spanish Literature and Culture | 3 | 3 | SPAN 2320 |
International Baccalaureate (IB)
In compliance with Senate Bill 111, International Baccalaureate Examinations are accepted by Texas A&M-San Antonio to those that have earned the IB Diploma and received an exam score of a 4 or higher on the Standard Level exams. Students must have completed the examinations before they graduated from high school. Up to 24 semester hours of course specific college credit in subject appropriate areas can be awarded. Some course credit may be awarded to those that did not earn the IB Diploma, but successful completed the IB subject area exams for the Higher Level and received a score that meets the Texas A&M-San Antonio standard. A&M-San Antonio does not accept IB exams that duplicate coursework previously transferred for credit. Students may not receive IB exam credits and course credit.
Transcripts must be sent directly to Texas A&M-San Antonio from the examining body.
| Exam Title | Credit Granting Score | Semester Hours | A&M-San Antonio Equivalent |
|---|---|---|---|
| Computer Science (Standard Level) | 4+ | 3 | CSCI 1336 |
| Computer Science (Higher Level) | 4+ | 6 | CSCI 1336, CSCI 1337 |
| English (Standard Level) | 4+ | 3 | ENGL 1301 |
| English (Higher Level) | 4+ | 3 | ENGL 1301 |
| History (Standard Level) | 4+ | 3 | HIST 1301 |
| History (Higher Level) | 4+ | 6 | HIST 1301, HIST 1302 |
| Math Analysis and Approaches (Standard Level) | 4+ | 3 | MATH 2312 |
| Math Analysis and Approaches (Higher Level) | 4+ | 7 | MATH 2312, MATH 2313, MATH 2113 |
| Math Applications and Interpretation (Standard Level) | 4+ | 3 | MATH 1314 OR MATH 1324 |
| Math Applications and Interpretation (Higher Level) | 4+ | 6 | MATH 1314 OR MATH 1324, MATH 2312 |
| Music | 4+ | 3 | MUSI 1306 |
| Philosophy (Standard Level) | 4+ | 3 | PHIL 1301 |
| Philosophy (Higher Level) | 4+ | 3 | PHIL 1301 |
| Spanish (Standard Level) | 4+ | 3 or 6 | SPAN 2313 OR SPAN 1313, SPAN 1315 |
| Spanish (Higher Level) | 4+ | 6 or 12 | SPAN 2313, SPAN 2315 OR SPAN 1313, SPAN 1315, SPAN 2313, SPAN 2315 |
| Other Language | 4+ | 6 | Based on exam |
| Theatre Arts | 4+ | 3 | Completion of Core 050 |
| Visual Arts | 4+ | 3 | ARTS 1301 |
Transfer Pathways
Transfer pathways and articulation agreements are mutually beneficial partnerships between two or more institutions to transfer coursework. Developed to align coursework between institutions, these agreements benefit students by facilitating a seamless transition from another institution to A&M-San Antonio. Following the suggested transfer sequences should save students time and money.