Transfer Credits

Transfer credit at the graduate level is defined by Bridgewater State University to include appropriate graduate credit taken at an accredited institution other than Bridgewater State University both prior to and after acceptance to a Bridgewater State University graduate program. It should be noted, however, that not more than six graduate credits, taken both prior to and after acceptance, can be transferred from other graduate schools. All courses to be used as transfer credit into a graduate program must have the approval of the students' adviser and program coordinator and be recorded on students' Graduate Program Proposal forms. Details regarding the matter of transfer credit as it applies to Bridgewater State University master's degree and CAGS programs are provided below. Students are strongly urged to process their forms for transfer credit early in their graduate program rather than waiting until they apply to graduate.

The College of Graduate studies will limit the total number of graduate transfer credits to six in programs of fewer than 40 credits. In programs requiring 40 or more graduate credits, students may request to transfer up to nine graduate credits. The total number of transfer credits includes courses taken at Bridgewater State University prior to matriculation and/or graduate courses taken at other accredited institutions before or after matriculation.

Bridgewater State University has one form used for acceptance of transfer credit. The Graduate Transfer Credit Approval form is for courses being requested to transfer from an accredited institution other than Bridgewater State University. Blank copies of the form are sent to students in their acceptance packages by the College of Graduate Studies.

All transfer courses are subject to the regulations governing time limits in that no graduate courses offered for the degree may be more than six years old when degree requirements are completed.

After students have been admitted to graduate programs, a maximum of six graduate credits of grade B or better taken at institutions (accredited at the graduate level) other than Bridgewater State University may be transferred if prior approval is received by the students' adviser and program coordinator (although students should make every attempt to enroll in BSU graduate courses). An official transcript of courses taken at another accredited institution after acceptance must be sent directly to the College of Graduate Studies at Bridgewater State University. Students' advisers and program coordinators may also request a copy of the course syllabus and/or course description. Students are responsible for submitting the completed transfer credit form to the College of Graduate Studies once it is approved by the students' adviser and program coordinator.

Transfer Credit - Master's Degree and CAGS Programs
Program exceptions are noted in the appropriate department sections of the university catalog. These credits include any credits earned in courses in which students are enrolled at the time of acceptance. It does not include program prerequisites. Approval is subject to the following conditions:

(1) Not more than six credits being transferred are from an accredited institution other than Bridgewater State University

(2) A grade of B or better has been earned in all courses being transferred

(3) Courses being transferred have not been used to fulfill the requirements of another degree or certificate

(4) Graduate transfer credits may not be more than six years old at the time program requirements are completed

Transfer Credit - Graduate Certificate Programs
Given the limited number of courses required in this graduate certificate program, students enrolled in a graduate certificate program at Bridgewater State University cannot transfer courses from other institutions, with the exception of the Teaching English to Students of Other Languages (TESOL) certificate program. Applicants for TESOL may transfer one three-credit course. Students are permitted to enroll in one course at Bridgewater State before being admitted fully into a graduate certificate program.

Transfer Credit - Accelerated Post Baccalaureate & Master of Arts in Teaching
Students can transfer two Bridgewater State University (BSU) courses (6 credits) from an Accelerated Post Baccalaureate program into a Master of Arts in Teaching (MAT). Additionally, students can also transfer two BSU MAT courses for a total of 12 transfer credits after approval from advisor and MAT coordinator.

Last Modified: May 11, 2012