Periodic Review and Publication of Transfer Policies

As aligned with HLC’s Assumed Practices, each institution shall determine its own policies and procedures for accepting transfer credits.

An institution must periodically review its transfer policies and procedures to assess (1) their clarity to those who administer them, to the students who follow them, and to employers and other stakeholders; (2) consistency of their interpretation and application throughout the institution; and (3) their responsiveness to new types of learning opportunities outside institutions of higher education.

An institution shall have transfer policies that are publicly disclosed and that include, at a minimum:

1. Any established criteria the institution uses regarding the transfer of credit earned at another institution and any types of institutions or sources from which the institution will not accept credits;
2. A list of institutions with which the institution has established an articulation agreement; and
3. Written criteria used to evaluate and award credit for prior learning experience including, but not limited to, service in the armed forces, paid or unpaid employment, or other demonstrated competency or learning.

Policy History

Last Revised or Edited: November 2025, effective September 2026
First Adopted: October 1988
History:* revised February 2011; revised February 2009; revised and renumbered June 2012; renumbered November 2012 (former policy number 4.0(c)); revised April 2013; edited February 2021; revised June 2022; revised November 2025 (effective September 2026)
Notes:

* In the history, “revised” indicates that the HLC Board of Trustees adopted changes to the policy, and “edited” indicates that HLC staff made technical amendments or minor editorial revisions that did not require formal Board approval.