Transfer and Admission Practices
Transfer Admission
Transfer students must provide official transcripts from each previously attended institution by the end of their first semester of enrollment and complete the steps listed under “admissions procedures”. ACT or SAT scores are not required of students who have earned 16 or more college credit hours. Transfer students must have earned a minimum 2.25 cumulative GPA in their course work for unconditional admission to Rochester University.
Prior to admittance, students receive a transfer evaluation based on unofficial and/or official transcripts. Matriculated students have one semester to submit official transcripts. A registration hold is placed on a student’s account if official transcripts have not been received by the end of the first semester. The student will not be permitted to register for future semesters until the transcripts are received. Transfer evaluations for traditional students are final as of the Census date (Census date is the second Friday of each semester); transfer evaluations for students in an accelerated program are final as of the session start date.
Students whose prior academic experience includes coursework completed outside the United States or Canada must provide a transcript evaluation from a third-party evaluation company. For more information about evaluation of international transcripts, see “Transferring Credit for International Students.” Credit received on a basis other than the semester unit will be converted to semester hours.
Transfer Practices
Transfer students may transfer up to 45 credit hours toward the Associate Degree or 90 hours toward the Bachelor’s degree. For any degree, at least 50% of a student’s major and minor must be earned at Rochester University. Transfer credit is not applied toward the calculation of students’ Rochester University GPA. Rochester University grants credit for courses completed at regionally accredited postsecondary institutions when course grades are C- (1.7 on a four-point scale) or higher. Applicants should note that standards within individual majors may be higher. Composition A and B are exceptions; to transfer either of these classes, a minimum grade of C is required. Students cannot receive transfer credit for developmental or remedial coursework taken at other institutions.
If a prospective student from a non-regionally accredited institution meets Rochester University admissions requirements, they will be admitted to Rochester University. The student’s credits from prior non-regionally accredited colleges and universities will be accepted according to the following policy:
Rochester University may transfer credits for which a grade of C- (1.7 on a four-point scale) or higher was earned from partner institutions with articulation or memorandum of understanding agreements, institutions with candidacy status from a regional accrediting agency or from other accredited institutions provided that: 1) the institution grants a baccalaureate or associate degree; 2) the institution is a recognized member of the Council for Higher Education Accreditation (CHEA); 3) the courses presented for transfer are shown to have equivalency or are determined to be of traditional academic nature and are acceptable to a Rochester University department; and 4) the courses are taught by faculty with a master’s degree or above.
Michigan Transfer Agreement
Rochester University participates in the Michigan Transfer Agreement (MTA). In order to fulfill the agreement, students must successfully complete at least 30 credits with at least a 2.0 grade point average in each course and present an official transcript bearing the "MTA Satisfied" designation. These credits, which will be certified by a Michigan community college, should be met according to the following distributions:
- 1 course in English Composition
- A second course in English Composition or 1 course in Communications
- 1 course in Mathematics from one of three pathways: College Algebra, Statistics, or Quantitative Reasoning.
- 2 courses in Social Sciences (from two disciplines).
- 2 courses in Humanities and Fine Arts (from two disciplines excluding studio and performance classes).
- 2 courses in Natural Sciences including one with laboratory experience (from two disciplines).
In keeping with the Christian liberal arts philosophy of Rochester University, students will be required to complete coursework in the following areas in addition to the MTA:
Transfer students should verify MTA requirements and course selection with their community college adviser.
The MTA applies only to general education requirements and does not exempt students from meeting requirements of their specific program, major, or other graduation requirements at Rochester University. Students should check the 'Degree Information' section of this catalog to determine if any courses required for their major can be used to satisfy MTA.
Transferees who hold a bachelor’s degree from another regionally accredited institution are exempt from all general education requirements except for the Theological Literacy requirement and any specific general education courses or pre-requisites required for a major. All students must satisfy the writing proficiency requirement, which is outlined in the 'Course Information' section.