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Graduate Transfer Credit

Students may transfer, with departmental approval, graduate credit from an accredited graduate school under the following conditions:

Requirements

  1. The credit-offering institution is accredited by the cognizant regional accrediting association to offer graduate degree programs appropriate to the level of credit to be transferred.
  2. The credit is fully acceptable at the issuing institution in satisfaction of its advanced degree requirement.
  3. The credit must be approved by the student’s advisor as applicable in terms of content to the student’s program of study at WSU, and must carry a minimum grade value of 3.00 on a 4.00 point scale, with no course having a grade that generates fewer than 3.00 points on a 4.00 scale.
  4. Short courses must be at least three days in length or 15 hours of instruction per credit.
  5. Taught by a faculty member of the institution, not a professional brought in to teach the course.
  6. The course must be clearly marked as graduate level credit, with no other designation, such as: professional development or continuing education.

Master's and specialist programs

Master’s and specialist degree programs may include no more than one-third of the total hours or 12 hours (whichever is greater), of graduate work completed at another regionally accredited graduate school. No more than six hours of the transfer amount may be coursework from an earned master’s degree. Some programs may require lower limits on transfer credit, so students should consult individual program descriptions. Doctoral, Master of Fine Arts (MFA), and other lengthier programs have special transfer credit allowances, as indicated in their program descriptions.

Doctoral programs

Doctoral programs may include a maximum of one-third of the coursework hours required, beyond what may be accepted from a previously earned master’s degree.

Thesis and dissertation hours

Terminal activity hours specifically related to thesis and dissertation research may not be transferred from another institution. Some exceptions may apply for degree programs in which research hours constitute a larger portion of the program requirements. These instances and specific amounts must be approved by both the department and the Graduate School.

Transcripts

An official transcript containing the requested transfer work must be on file in the Graduate School. If transfer work is shown on the transcripts provided with your original admission to the Graduate School, you do not need to provide new records. Approval by the graduate degree program is necessary to ensure that the coursework has been accepted as an integral part of the candidate’s program. Students assume responsibility for initiating the request for transfer of graduate credit as part of their degree plan.

Time limits

Transfer credit that is accepted must have been in courses started six years or less before the semester in which the degree work is completed, unless the transfer work is from a previously earned graduate degree.

Repeat courses

WSU courses repeated at another institution may be used to fulfill program requirements. However, the repeated course transferred from another institution will not be counted in the WSU grade point average.

Course level requirements

Transfer hours cannot be used to satisfy the 60 percent course level requirements unless transfer hours are of appropriate level, and from Kansas Board of Regents institutions.

Additional information

Graduate credit work from another university is posted on the WSU transcript only after it has been approved for transfer through the approved plan of study, and once the official transcript, sent directly from the transfer institution, has been received and accepted. Only the specific courses approved for transfer are posted. Official Wichita State University transcripts reflect only a total number of transfer hours accepted and the transfer institution’s name. Additional detail, including course name and grade, appears only on the unofficial transcript.

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