EFFECTIVE DATE: June 08, 2016
ISSUE #: 5
PRESIDENT: Michael A. Olivas (Interim)
PURPOSE
1.1 This PS establishes uniform university policies and procedures for the analysis and
evaluation of college credits earned at other institutions of higher education to be
transferred to the University of Houston-Downtown (UHD).
1.2 This PS further specifies guidelines and procedures to be followed by students wishing to
transfer credit to UHD.
1.3 This PS also addresses credit that may be earned for service in the armed forces of the
United States.
DEFINITIONS
2.1 Regional Accrediting Associations: The six regional associations that accredit public and
private colleges and universities in the United States which include: Middle States
Association of Colleges and Schools (MSACS), New England Association of Schools &
Colleges, Inc. (NEASC), North Central Association of Colleges and Schools (NCA),
Northwest Commission on Colleges and Universities (NWCCU), Southern Association of
Colleges and Schools (SACS), Western Association of Schools and Colleges (WACS).
2.2 Workforce Education Course Manual (WECM): A web-based inventory of current
workforce education courses available for use by Texas public two-year colleges and
authorized by the Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board (THECB).
2.3 Lower-Division Academic Course Guide Manual (ACGM): The official list of courses
approved for general academic transfer that may be offered by public community and
technical colleges in Texas.
POLICY
3.1 Transfer Credit from Institutions of Higher Education
3.2.1 The college or university from which academic credit is to be transferred must be
accredited by a recognized regional accrediting association. WECM courses, both
vocational and technical, may be accepted by some programs, depending on the
specific programs, depending on the specific program, provided these courses are
from an accredited institution that is recognized by THECB.
3.2.2 Students wishing to transfer credit to UHD must provide the admissions office with
an official transcript from each college or university attended, including any other
university in the UH System.
3.2.3 Official transcripts of all work attempted at other colleges and universities must be
submitted to UHD prior to admission regardless of whether credit was earned. If
transcripts are not presented a hold is placed on the student record until the official
day of record. Students may not omit any part of a college record.
3.2.4 Transcripts are considered official only when they bear the signature of the registrar
and the seal of the issuing school and are sent directly from the registrar’s office of
each school attended. Official transcripts become the property of UHD and cannot be
returned after the student enrolls.
3.2.5 At least 30 semester credit hours of course work toward the degree must be taken at
UHD and 18 hours must be in the upper division and approved by the student’s major
department (See PS 03.A.06). UHD department-approved study abroad credit,
although processed as transfer credit, will count toward University residency
requirements.
3.2.6 A student enrolled in any degree program at UHD who wishes to take courses at
another college or university, including any other university in the UH System, and
apply the credits earned toward his degree, must have prior approval of the
appropriate officer of the student’s degree program. Courses taken without such
approval may not be counted toward the fulfillment of degree requirements. A student
taking courses under these provisions is responsible for having his official transcript
from the second institution, including any other university in the UH System
forwarded to the registrar’s office a UHD and for requesting that an official
evaluation of this transcript be made and reported to the appropriate officer of the
student’s degree program.
3.2.7 For a course taken more than once, the highest grade will be transferred. Course that
have an F or W will not be accepted for transfer. Grades from the transfer institution,
including any other university of the UH System, do not count toward the student’s
UHD GPA. Developmental courses do not transfer for credit but may allow the
student to move forward.
3.2.8 Transfer courses determined to be substantially equivalent to a UHD course will be
transferred as the UHD course equivalent. The determination of which courses are
substantially equivalent will be made in consultation with the relevant department.
Having the same title and textbook is not sufficient to determine if a course is
substantially equivalent. Transfer courses not substantially equivalent will be
articulated under the UHD subject equivalent and at the level at which they were
taught at the original institution. WECM courses will not transfer as academic courses
although they may be accepted for credit hours towards a degree by some programs.
3.2.9 The number of hours credited for a transferred course will be calculated as UHD
equivalent hours. In the case that the number of transferred hours for a course is less
than the number of hours required by UHD, the missing hours must be fulfilled under
the electives area of the degree plan.
3.2.10 Courses taken at other colleges or universities that do not correspond to courses listed
in the UHD catalog or to courses offered by the university may transfer as credit to
fulfill degree or elective requirements with appropriate approval by academic dean
or designated representative.
3.2.11 International credit must be evaluated by a standard evaluation service and reviewed
by the appropriate officer of the student’s degree program.
3.2.12 The department or program chair of the student’s major, with the advice and consent
of the appropriate academic dean, will decide on the application of transfer credit to
the degree program.
3.2 Credit for Military Service
3.2.1 Awarding Course credit for military service will follow Texas Education Code, Sec.51.3042.
3.2.1.1 UHD will award up to 12 hours of credit to satisfy any elective outside the
student’s major or minor course requirements for the student’s degree
program if the student:
(a) Graduated from public or private high school accredited by generally
recognized accrediting organization or from high school operated by
the United States Department of Defense; and
(b) Is an honorably discharged former member of the armed forces of the
United States who:
(i) Completed at least two years of service in the armed forces; or
(ii) Was discharged because of a disability.
3.2.1.2 UHD may award additional course credit for a student’s military service and
training as the institution and dean or dean’s designee considers appropriate
in fulfilling degree requirements.
PROCEDURES
Procedures for this policy are imbedded in the Policy section
EXHIBIT
PS.03.A.06: Graduation and Commencement Policy
REVIEW PROCESS
Responsible Party (Reviewer): Vice President for Academic Affairs
Review: As needed
Signed original on file in Employment Services and Operations.
POLICY HISTORY
Issue #3: 05/29/1987
Issue #4: 07/22/2014
Issue #5: 06/08/2016
REFERENCES
Texas Education Code, Section 51.3042
PS 03.A.06: Graduation and Commencement Policy
