Transfer Credits

Transfer credit may be received only for courses taken at other institutions in which a grade of C or better was earned (C– grades are not transferable).

Fifty (50) percent of the student’s major program must be completed at Pace University. A major program is defined as those courses directly related to the student’s primary course of study (e.g., accounting, marketing, history, mathematics, computer science, etc.). For students in the Lubin School of Business, the business core requirement is considered part of the major program.

The number of transferable credits is limited by the degree program to which the credits will be applied.

A maximum of 90-96 credits (See below for Residency requirement limitations)may be transferred to a bachelor’s degree program from accredited four-year institutions (see below for limitations on transfer from two-year colleges). Specific credits are awarded dependent upon the program in which the student registers.

The number of transferable credits is limited by the degree program to which the credits will be applied. All students are required to complete a minimum of 25% of the total number of credits required for their degree “in residency”. Therefore if your program requires a total of 120 credits, the residency requirement is 30 credits. For programs that require a total of 128 credits or more, the residency requirement is 32 credits. Students are also required to complete 50% of their major and 50% of their minor requirements at Pace University. A major program is defined as those courses directly related to the student’s primary course of study (e.g., accounting, marketing, history, mathematics, computer science, etc.). For students in the Lubin School of Business, the business core requirement in the major field is considered part of the undergraduate major program. In addition, 50% of all business credits required for the BBA degree is to be completed at the University.

Pace University’s academic calendar is based on the semester system. College credit is accumulated based on semester hours. If the previous institution attended was not on a semester system, a credit conversion will be required and completed as follows:

Quarter hour system – A conversion of hours must be completed to reflect the proper number of credits for each course. To convert credit hours to the semester system from the quarter system, multiply by 0.667. The table below reflects the number of semester credits granted for quarter-hour credits.

Pace University does not offer “half” credit courses. If courses from the previous institution attended did not have whole semester hours, the credit hours of those courses will be rounded down (example: 2.5 credits are rounded down to 2). The contact hours of a half-credit course does not meet the contact hour requirement for a one-credit course at the University. Whenever possible, courses containing half credits will be grouped together to grant the most credit possible to the student.

A maximum of 68 credits may be transferred from accredited two-year institutions toward a bachelor’s degree program. Credit will be granted only for equivalent lower-division and some upper-level courses offered at Pace as determined by the appropriate academic department.

Courses transferred must be applicable and comparable to corresponding courses in which the student is, or will be, enrolled at Pace University. In cases where the student’s program at Pace provides for electives, the student may receive elective credit toward the degree requirement for those courses taken at another institution that are not offered at Pace.

• Institutions accredited by a regional affiliate of the Commission on Higher Education (e.g., The Middle States Association of Colleges and Schools);
• Institutions that have entered into transfer credit articulation agreements with Pace University (click here for more information);
• Other institutions, with the approval of the appropriate chairpersons and dean;
• Results of acceptable performance on standardized proficiency examinations.

Where a standardized proficiency examination is not available, a Pace departmental Challenge Proficiency Examination may be administered. The cost of each examination is one credit of tuition for each course challenged. This fee is paid prior to the examination.

Please follow the links below to see the courses from other institutions and examinations the University will accept for transfer credit:

• Transfer Credit Equivalencies
• College Level Examination Program (CLEP)
• Advanced Placement Examinations (AP)

After matriculating at Pace University, students may take a maximum of 12 credits at other colleges. You must submit a Permission to Enroll in a Course at Another Institution (CAAI) form for each course you plan to take before you register for them. The requirements that need to be met in order to receive approval and transfer credit for these courses are as follows:

• You must be a matriculated undergraduate student in good academic standing (GPA 2.0 or above.)
• You must be in good financial standing at the time of application.
• You must complete at least 50% of your major and minor requirements at Pace University.
• You must complete a minimum of 25% of the total number of credits required for your degree in residency.
• You may not study at another college or university during a term in which you are enrolled at Pace University.
• You must obtain preapproval from the college in which you are a major and from the department in which the equivalent Pace course is offered (if that course is not already listed on the university's Transfer Credit Equivalency Database.) Courses not preapproved will not be accepted for transfer credit.
• A maximum of 12 credits may be taken at other colleges/universities once you have matriculated at Pace (except for study abroad and other Pace approved off-campus programs.)
• You must attend only a regionally accredited 4-year college or university if you have completed 68 or more Pace and transfer credits combined. Courses taken at a 2-year college after exceeding 68 credits will not be accepted.
• You must earn a grade of “C” or better in order to have course credits transferred to Pace University.