Effective January 1, 2019 Thomas Jefferson University accepts Transfer Credit (with the exception of students enrolling in the combined B.S./OTD Occupational Therapy program*) for college level courses previously taken and awarded grades of C or higher from other institutions of higher learning with accreditation recognized by Jefferson, in all modes of delivery. This new transfer grade policy will also be in effect for any Jefferson undergraduate student who requests permission to study off campus during the winter or summer terms. Courses completed at institutions that are neither regionally accredited nor accredited by agencies listed as accreditors by the United Stated Department of Education may be considered by some academic programs for transfer equivalencies. Students should consult with Enrollment Management to determine if their program accepts these credits. Developmental courses, even those taken at accredited institutions, will not be awarded credit by the University. Major credit is awarded only for courses for which Thomas Jefferson University maintains a program of study or significant coursework in a subject area constituting a cluster, minor, or concentration in University curricula. Free elective credit may be awarded for courses that fit no Thomas Jefferson University major.  Credits will never be awarded for the same course twice.  Prior credits completed in design studios are subject to portfolio review by a faculty member from the responsible department to determine eligibility for transfer credit. Credits completed more than 10 years previous to admission to the University, are reviewed by individual academic departments, and if still aligned with University curricula, credit is awarded. (See Time Limit to Degree and Obsolete credits) Transfer courses evaluated for credit from institutions with different credit systems, (i.e. quarters, trimesters, credit units) will, wherever possible, be equated with the University’s semester system of credit. Thomas Jefferson University transfers credits not grades. All students begin with a new cumulative grade point average (GPA) when they matriculate at the university. Applicants should submit official transcripts to the Undergraduate Admissions office together with course syllabi as soon as possible to expedite the transfer credit process.

For applicants that have taken coursework internationally, the Office of Admissions prefers a course by course academic credential evaluation from a National Association of Credential Evaluation Services (NACES) member credentialing organization.

Applicants who do not have a NACES evaluation are required to submit official transcripts (along with an official English translation) to the Office of Admissions for review. Jefferson reserves the right to outsource student academic credentials to our NACES member partner through secure digital means as the need requires.

Thomas Jefferson University awards limited academic credit for previous academic, military, competency testing, and learning experiences earned by validation. Joint Service Transcripts and official scores report for AP, CLEP, DSST, and IB exams should also be sent to the Undergraduate Admissions office. (See Credit for Prior Learning)

Admitted students will receive an evaluation of credit from the admissions office showing accepted transfer credits, excluding those that require a portfolio review. Evaluation of transfer credit is based upon a student’s major program. Only those credits which advance progress in the major they are accepted into will be harvested and applied to the curricula at Thomas Jefferson University. Transfer evaluations may change in the case of students changing major or timely receipt of additional official transcripts and test scores. Students pursuing minors and concentrations must complete at least half of the minor or concentration in residence at Thomas Jefferson University. Students pursuing specializations must consult with their academic advisor about how to best use transfer equivalencies to meet specialization requirements.

Students who require a portfolio review will receive information from admissions explaining how to schedule a portfolio review. It is critical that students requiring portfolio review outreach as soon as possible to make an appointment for review. In order for students to receive credit for portfolio reviewed courses, students must have both the materials produced during the courses as well as an official transcript including the final grade for the course with them at the review. Design coursework accepted for free elective credit at the portfolio review session will be harvested only if open free elective credit slots remain to be filled on the Thomas Jefferson University curriculum guide, also referred to as a checksheet.

It is expected that final transcripts from all previously attended institutions, all official test score reports, and materials required for portfolio review be received by Undergraduate Admissions and the reviewing department by the last day of a student’s first semester. Failure to comply with this expectation will result in student failure to make progress in their degree and/or advance to degree completion without re-taking courses previously completed at other institutions but lacking official documentation. The University will not honor receipt of final transcripts, portfolio review requests, and official test scores after the last day to ADD a course during the student’s second semester of enrollment.

Transfer credit awarded does not count toward the minimum number of credits in residence in the following categories; 

• Baccalaureate Degree - 60 credits
• CPS - 33 credits (30 credits for students entering Fall 2024-25 forward).
• Major Core - 12 credits
• College Studies Core - 6 credits
• Hallmarks Core - 6 credits

*Combined B.S./ OTD Occupational Therapy program: Transfer students with less than 16 earned credits from an institution with accreditation recognized by Jefferson can be considered for admission. Students will be awarded transfer credit for no more than half of the non-science professional prerequisite courses provided a “B-” or better is earned in each course from an institution with accreditation recognized by Jefferson. These prerequisite courses include , Lifespan Human Development, Abnormal Psychology, Statistics, and one Sociology / Anthropology / Cultural Studies course . . Transfer credit may be awarded for all other applicable degree requirements provided a “C” or better is earned in the course from an institution with accreditation recognized by Jefferson.

Validation of Credit

Validation of Credit forms are used when:

1. The transfer course doesn't automatically transfer to Thomas Jefferson University and needs to be evaluated by the University program that offers the same or similar type of course.
2. The transfer course should be made directly equivalent to a Jefferson course.
3. Transfer credit  are evaluated on a credit-for-credit basis; a 3-semester credit hour class completed at another institution will receive the same 3 credits at Thomas Jefferson University; a 4-semester credit hour class completed at another institution will receive the same 4 credits at Thomas Jefferson University. A quarter-hour credit is converted into a semester credit whereby a 3-quarter hour class is equivalent to 2 semester hours, a 4-quarter hour class is equivalent to 2.67 semester hours, and a 5-quarter hour class is equivalent to 3.33 semester hour.

With review students may receive credit for courses that are from non-regionally accredited institutions and/or non-accredited by the US Department of Education.

Appealing Transfer Credit & Credit for Prior Learning Decisions

Thomas Jefferson University provides traditional day division students with the opportunity to appeal Transfer Credit and Credit for Prior Learning decisions. The University requests that students appeal their credit awards as soon as possible and no later than the last day to ADD a course in the student’s second semester of enrollment. Steps in the appeal include:

1. If questioning credit awarded before the start of the semester, please contact the transfer admissions counselors
2. Notify academic advisor about dissatisfaction with credit award
3. Provide advisor with official documentation supporting students request for re-evaluation
4. Advisor recommends student to Academic Success Center
5. Materials sent to responsible department for review by Academic Success
6. Department/program makes final decision and notifies Academic Success
7. Decision is communicated to the student, and to the registrar if changes to the transcript need to be made.

Health Science Transfer Credit Limits & Restrictions