Academic Credit Evaluation

Santa Clara awards credit based on the Advanced Placement Program, the International Baccalaureate Program, University of Cambridge International Examinations, courses completed at other colleges and universities, and courses completed in University-approved study abroad and domestic study programs using the criteria outlined herein. Students may not take a course for credit for which they have received advanced placement, International Baccalaureate, University of Cambridge, or transfer credit. Credit is not awarded for the College-Level Examination Program (CLEP).

Advanced Placement (AP) Credit

Santa Clara participates in the Advanced Placement Program to recognize college-level academic achievement prior to matriculation and to encourage students to pursue advanced studies in their areas of interest. Credit or placement is determined by the appropriate department based on review of the student's Advanced Placement scores, sometimes in the context of supplemental departmental examinations.

The following chart indicates the subject examination, required scores, and Santa Clara credit granted through the Advanced Placement tests. Courses waived will always satisfy relevant requirements in the major of the department that offers the course. However, only some courses waived will satisfy requirements in the Core Curriculum.

Courses waived by AP test scores, when relevant, may satisfy Second Language, Mathematics, Natural Science, and Social Science requirements in the Core Curriculum. No other undergraduate Core requirement can be satisfied with AP test scores.

Final decisions on academic credit for some AP scores are made individually by the appropriate academic department in consultation with the Office of the Registrar.

*See department chair for evaluation of credit toward major or minor.

International Baccalaureate

Santa Clara University recognizes the International Baccalaureate (IB) Program for admission and advanced placement.

The following chart indicates the subject examination, required scores, and Santa Clara credit granted through the International Baccalaureate higher level tests. Courses waived will always satisfy relevant requirements in the major of the department that offers the course. However, only some courses waived will satisfy requirements in the Core Curriculum.

Courses waived by IB scores, when relevant, may satisfy Arts, Second Language, Mathematics, Natural Science, and Social Science requirements in the Core Curriculum. No other undergraduate Core requirement can be satisfied with IB test scores.

No credit is awarded for IB subsidiary level examinations. Final decisions on academic credit for some IB scores are made individually by the appropriate academic department in consultation with the Office of the Registrar.

*See department chair for evaluation of credit toward major or minor.

University of Cambridge International Examinations

Santa Clara University accepts selected University of Cambridge International Advanced (A) Level examinations with letter grades of A (a) or B (b). Advanced Subsidiary (AS) and Ordinary (O) Level examinations are not awarded credit. Final decisions on academic credit for A Level subject examinations are made individually by the appropriate academic department in consultation with the University Registrar. Courses waived will satisfy relevant requirements in the major of the department that offers the course. However, only some courses waived will satisfy requirements in the Core Curriculum.

Transfer Credit and the Core Curriculum

Two sets of rules for awarding transfer credit for Core areas are in place, one for students admitted as first-year students and another for transfer students.

All students must satisfy the following Core requirements at Santa Clara University: Civic Engagement; Science, Technology & Society; Advanced Writing; Experiential Learning for Social Justice; and Pathways.

Students admitted as first-year students must also satisfy Critical Thinking & Writing and Cultures & Ideas 1 and 2 with courses completed at Santa Clara University.

In contrast, students admitted as transfers are encouraged to complete Critical Thinking & Writing 1 and 2 and Cultures & Ideas 1 and 2 before their first quarter at Santa Clara. For transfer students only, transfer credit for Critical Thinking & Writing may include exemptions granted at other schools and credit granted through Advanced Placement and International Baccalaureate test scores. Information about possible substitutions for Critical Thinking & Writing and Cultures & Ideas courses is available in the Office of the Registrar.

Students who transfer to Santa Clara University should consult Chapters 7 and 8 as well as the chapters relevant to their school or college.

Units Taken at Other Institutions

Credit is awarded for coursework completed at other colleges and universities subject to certain limitations. Courses from accredited institutions are generally transferable if they are similar in nature to courses listed in the Santa Clara University Undergraduate Bulletin. Courses from California community colleges are also generally transferable under the same conditions and if designated as transferable to the University of California. Courses of a trade or technical nature do not transfer. Courses from colleges not accredited, trade schools, extension programs, or correspondence programs do not transfer.

Transfer students can receive credit for coursework completed at other colleges and universities prior to matriculation at Santa Clara for no more than half of the total number of quarter units required for the specific Santa Clara degree. After enrolling at Santa Clara, students can receive credit for coursework completed at other colleges and universities for no more than 10 quarter units of free electives, subject to the limitation that no more than half of the total number of quarter units required for a Santa Clara degree can be earned at another institution. Transfer credit earned after initial enrollment at Santa Clara may not be used to fulfill Undergraduate Core Curriculum, college or school, department, or program requirements.

Transfer credit for all coursework completed at other colleges and universities requires approval from the Office of the Registrar and the chair of the department offering the equivalent Santa Clara course. The student must have earned a grade of "C" or better in a course for transfer credit to be granted. Courses taken on a pass/no pass or credit/no credit basis are not accepted as transfer credit. Grades for units earned at other institutions are not included in a student's Santa Clara academic history or in the calculation of the Santa Clara grade point average.

Study Abroad and Domestic Study Programs

Qualified undergraduate students may apply to study abroad for a summer, quarter, or semester in a country and academic environment that will enrich their overall college experience, contribute positively to the life of the University, and engender responsible participation in a global, multicultural society.

Units and grades earned through study abroad programs and domestic off-campus study programs that have been approved through regular University processes are included on the Santa Clara University transcript and may be used to fulfill major, minor and Core requirements with prior approval by the department chair or Core Director. Grades earned in approved study abroad and domestic off-campus study programs are included in the calculation of the Santa Clara grade point average. The third-level Core Curriculum requirement in Religion, Theology & Culture cannot be fulfilled with a study abroad course.

Units earned for coursework in study abroad and domestic off-campus study programs not approved by the University through the regular application process are subject to the policies governing transfer credit and may not fulfill major, minor, or Core requirements. See the sections on transfer credit earlier in this chapter and in Chapter 7.