Admission and Transfer Policies

Michigan Transfer Agreement

Rochester Christian University participates in the Michigan Transfer Agreement (MTA). To fulfill the agreement, students must successfully complete at least 30 credits with a grade point average of at least 2.0 in each course and present an official transcript bearing the "MTA Satisfied" designation. These credits can be certified by a Michigan community college or Rochester Christian University, provided the student has completed credit at the institution. The credits 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)

• REL 1002 Introduction to Christian Faith and REL 1013 Survey of Biblical Literature
• IDS 4001 Vocations and the Common Good
• ENG 1123 College Composition B only if students have not taken an equivalent course with 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 Christian 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.

Transfer Students Pursuing a Second Bachelor Degree

Transferees who hold a bachelor’s degree from another regionally accredited institution are exempt from all general education requirements except for the "Calling" 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.

Re-Enrollment

To return to Rochester Christian University after an absence of 12 or more months, students must email the Center for Advising and Vocation Services at advising@RCU.edu a minimum of 45 days prior to the first day of classes of the term in which the student expects to enroll. Once the student emails advising, they will receive a re-enrollment form. When the re-enrollment form is received, the Center for Advising and Vocation Services will process it and contact Student Financial Services, the Office of the Registrar, the Business Office, and the Center for Student Life to make them aware of the student’s desire to return to Rochester Christian University. If the student was suspended or dismissed for academic, financial, or social reasons, all departments must approve the student’s readmission to Rochester Christian University. Students who re-enroll after an absence of 12 or more months may only be readmitted under the latest degree plan offered for the degree and major being pursued. Returning students who completed their original general education requirements may have new general education requirements waived. Students who are service members who had a disruption in enrollment due to service activity will be promptly readmitted with the same academic status they had when they last attended RCU or were accepted for admission to RCU.

Transfer Students

Students are considered transfer students if they are transferring in a minimum 16 credits from a college or university. Transfer students must provide official transcripts from each previously attended institution in order to be registered for classes. Students must also complete the steps listed under the Traditional Students Admission Procedures section of this catalog. Transfer students must have earned a minimum 2.25 cumulative GPA in their coursework for unconditional admission to Rochester Christian University.

Students receive a transfer evaluation based on unofficial and/or official transcripts. A registration hold is placed on a student’s account if official transcripts from previous institutions have not been received. The student will not be permitted to register until the official transcripts are received. Transfer evaluations for traditional students are final as of the Census date (Census date is the first Friday of each semester); transfer evaluations for students in an RCU Online program are final as of the session start date. 

Transfer Practices

Undergraduate transfer students may transfer up to 45 credit hours toward the associate degree or 90 hours toward the bachelor's degree. For any undergraduate degree, at least 50% of a student’s major and minor must be earned at Rochester Christian University. Transfer credit is not applied toward the calculation of students’ Rochester Christian University GPA. Rochester Christian 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 college or institution meets Rochester Christian University's admissions requirements, they will be admitted to Rochester Christian University. The student’s credits from prior non-regionally accredited colleges or institutions will be accepted according to the following policy:

Rochester Christian 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, from 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) or the United States Department of Education (USDE); 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 Christian University department; and 4) the courses are taught by faculty with a master’s degree or above. 

To ensure academic rigor, consistency, and alignment with institutional learning standards, the university does not accept for academic credit any courses completed through institutions or providers that offer coursework in a self-paced format, regardless of delivery method (online or otherwise).

Self-paced courses are those that allow students to progress through instructional content and complete assessments at their own pace, without a fixed academic term, a structured schedule, or regular instructor-led engagement. The following platforms are examples of providers whose courses are not eligible for transfer credit due to their self-paced instructional model:

StraighterLine
Study.com
Sophia Learning

Courses from other institutions or providers utilizing a self-paced model will also be denied transfer credit. The university reserves the right to evaluate the instructional format of any external course and make a final determination regarding transferability. The absence of a platform from the examples listed above does not imply eligibility for transfer credit.