The following policies govern the evaluation and application of transfer credit in circumstances requiring additional guidance beyond the general transfer credit information contained elsewhere in this catalog. These policies apply to all undergraduate students unless otherwise specified. Individual academic units may establish additional transfer credit policies or restrictions. Students should consult the transfer credit policies of their respective academic unit for additional information.

• Transfer Guarantees and Course Equivalency

The University of Dayton recognizes the value of statewide transfer guarantees, articulation pathways, and transfer agreements that promote student mobility and degree completion. These initiatives, including Ohio's Ohio Transfer 36 (OT36), Transfer Assurance Guides (TAGs), Military Transfer Assurance Guides (MTAGs), Career-Technical Assurance Guides (CTAGs), and similar programs established by other states and institutions, provide important pathways for students transferring between colleges and universities.

In alignment with the spirit and intent of these transfer initiatives, the University evaluates approved coursework for equivalency to the University of Dayton curriculum based on course content, learning outcomes, academic rigor, and level. Transfer credit is equated at the level and in the manner that most accurately reflects the completed coursework.

Courses approved under statewide transfer guarantees, articulation pathways, or transfer agreements may satisfy Common Academic Program (CAP), major, minor, certificate, concentration, or elective requirements, depending on the established University of Dayton course equivalency and applicable University policies. The University is committed to recognizing students' prior academic achievement while maintaining the academic integrity, coherence, and distinctiveness of a University of Dayton education.

• Prior and Nontraditional Credit Recognition

The University of Dayton will review credit recommendations from nationally recognized evaluation services, including the American Council on Education (ACE) and the National College Credit Recommendation Service (NCCRS). Credit recommended through these organizations is evaluated using the same academic standards applied to other transfer coursework to determine equivalency based on content, learning outcomes, academic rigor, and level.

A recommendation from ACE or NCCRS does not guarantee the award of transfer credit or its applicability toward a specific degree program. Credit accepted through these evaluation services is subject to all applicable University transfer credit policies and degree requirements.

Transfer credit may also be awarded for other forms of recognized prior learning as described elsewhere in this catalog, including credit by examination, military training and experience, and other approved learning experiences evaluated under University policy.

• Stale Credit Transfer Policy

(For definitions of Acceptance of Transfer Credit, Applicability of Transfer Credit, and Stale Transfer Credit, see the Glossary of Transfer Credit Terms at the end of this policy.)

This policy applies to all undergraduate students at the University of Dayton.

To ensure that students receiving a degree or certificate are up-to-date in their discipline, UD does not accept coursework towards satisfying requirements for the major, minor, or certificate if the course was taken more than ten years ago. Generally, course credit earned more than ten calendar years prior to matriculation is considered stale transfer credit. This means that for 2026-27, credits earned before 2016 will not be accepted. However, certain discipline-specific course transfer credits earned less than ten years prior to matriculation may be accepted but no longer be considered current or relevant and not be applied to major, minor, or certificate requirements. See the catalog for specific areas. See your Assistant Dean if you have any questions.

Requests for exceptions to the Stale Transfer Credit Policy may be made by the student’s respective Dean’s office when deemed appropriate and in the best interest of the student’s education. These requests will be reviewed by a committee of representatives from each academic unit and the Provost’s office. Decisions will be made promptly, typically not exceeding ten business days.

• Stale Credit and Previously Earned Degrees and Credentials

This section applies to students entering the University of Dayton with a previously earned associate degree, bachelor's degree, or transcripted certificate from an accredited institution.

There are no time restrictions for accepting and applying credits earned as part of a recognized credential, except in the discipline-specific cases described in the Stale Transfer Credit Policy. Students entering with a recognized credential will be required to complete any Common Academic Program (CAP) requirements mandated by the CAP Transfer guidelines.

Additional considerations for students pursuing a Second Bachelor Degree:

• Eligibility for financial aid is limited for students pursuing a second bachelor's degree. Students should contact the Office of Financial Aid to explore eligibility.
• If the student’s prior bachelor’s degree was earned at the University of Dayton, Common Academic Program (CAP) requirements will be waived.

*Non Transcripted certificates such as: Micro-credentials, professional certifications, certificates of completion, professional licenses, non-credit training or professional development programs, workforce development certificates, are not accepted as transfer credit. 

• Retaking Courses in Which Prior Credit Was Awarded

At the University of Dayton, students may encounter various circumstances, including the stale credit policy, that prompt them to enroll in a course for which they have already been awarded credit through transfer, advanced placement (AP), CLEP, or other means.** It is important to note that a student may not receive credit for the same course more than once. When a student chooses or is asked to retake such a course, and subsequently earns a grade deemed sufficient to fulfill degree or major requirements, the Transfer Credit's office will take action to update the student's academic record accordingly.

Specifically, the Transfer Credit Office will mark the credits affiliated with the transfer or AP course as "excluded." While the course listing will remain visible on the student's academic record, the credits associated with the retaken course will no longer apply towards the student's degree program requirements nor contribute to the calculation of "total hours applied."

This policy ensures that students can fulfill academic requirements in alignment with their educational goals and program standards while maintaining the integrity and accuracy of their academic records.

The University of Dayton is committed to supporting students in navigating their academic journey effectively and transparently.

**This policy applies only when transfer credit or other prior learning credit has been awarded before enrollment in the equivalent University of Dayton course. It is separate from the University's Course Retake Policy. Transfer coursework may not be used under the Course Retake Policy to replace a grade earned at the University of Dayton.

Glossary of Transfer Credit Terms

• Acceptance of Transfer Credit: The University's determination that coursework or other recognized prior learning is eligible to be posted to a student's academic record.
• Applicability of Transfer Credit: The determination of how accepted transfer credit fulfills specific degree, major, minor, certificate, Common Academic Program (CAP), or elective requirements. Acceptance of transfer credit does not guarantee applicability toward a student's degree requirements.
• Course Equivalency: The University of Dayton course or departmental credit assigned to accepted transfer coursework based on an evaluation of course content, learning outcomes, academic rigor, and level.
• Departmental Elective Credit: Transfer credit awarded within an academic discipline when coursework does not have a direct University of Dayton course equivalent. Departmental elective credit is generally assigned the appropriate departmental prefix, a course number ending in "XX", and are titled "Accepted Transfer Credit".
• Prior Learning Credit: Credit awarded for learning demonstrated outside traditional University of Dayton coursework, including transfer credit, credit by examination, military training and experience, and other forms of recognized prior learning.
• Recognized Credential: An associate degree, bachelor's degree, or transcripted certificate awarded by an accredited institution and recorded on an official academic transcript.
• Stale Transfer Credit: Previously earned transfer credit that is accepted by the University but is no longer considered current or relevant for application toward major, minor, or certificate requirements in accordance with University policy.
• Transfer Credit: College-level credit accepted by the University of Dayton from another institution or through another approved source of prior learning.