Body
Unit Policy
Title
School of Social Work: Transfer of Course Credit Policy and Procedure
Introduction
Purpose
This policy explains the requirements and process for MSW students to request transfer of graduate course credit into the MSW program. It outlines eligibility criteria, credit limits, required documentation, and review procedures.
Scope
This policy applies to MSW students seeking to transfer graduate course credits from another accredited institution or another graduate program at UNC Chapel Hill.
Policy
Requests for transfer of course work are reviewed by the Graduate School after recommendation by the School of Social Work. Transferred courses must be taken within the last 6 years, relevant to the MSW degree, related to the student’s professional goals, and course content and level of instruction must be commensurate with that offered by the School. For more information, consult the Graduate School Handbook (http://handbook.unc.edu/coursecredit.html).
2-Year and 3-Year MSW program students may transfer a maximum of 7.5 semester hours of credit into the MSW program from another accredited institution or from another graduate program at UNC Chapel Hill. Online MSW students may transfer a maximum of 6 credit hours into the MSW program, and 12-Month Advanced Standing students may transfer a maximum of 3 credit hours into the MSW program. Transfer credits will substitute for elective credits only. Students may not transfer credits for a required Generalist or Specialization course, including field education.
Three criteria must be met:
- Grades earned on transferred work must be the equivalent of B or better; courses taken on a pass/fail or satisfactory/unsatisfactory basis cannot be used for transfer credit;
- The course must have been taken at the graduate level, for graduate credit; and
- Although the transferred course may be used as an elective, it must be relevant to the MSW degree and the student’s Plan of Study.
- The course must have been taken within the last six years.
To have courses reviewed for possible transfer, a student must first consult with the faculty advisor to be certain that the course is relevant to the MSW degree, pertinent to the student’s learning and career goals, and commensurate with similar courses offered by UNC Chapel Hill. If these conditions are satisfied, the students may submit the following materials to the Associate Dean for Student Affairs:
- The course syllabus, or other documentation explaining the content of the course including the course description, reading list, requirements (including assignments and grading criteria, and information about the types of tools and methods used to engage students in learning);
- A statement from the student indicating how this transferred course will contribute to the student’s professional goals and MSW degree;
- An official transcript, if it is not already on file at the Graduate School; and
- A completed Transfer of Credit form (available at http://gradschool.unc.edu/pdf/wtrnform.pdf).
The Associate Dean for Student Affairs will review the request and supporting documentation in consultation with the Associate Dean for MSW Education, and if the course transfer is approved, will make a recommendation to the Graduate School. Transfer of Credit forms are available on the MSW Student Intranet. Because the process requires several steps, students should initiate their requests as early as possible—well in advance of the anticipated graduation date.
The School is not able to award academic credit for life experience or previous employment experience. Similarly, the School does not accept life experience or previous employment as a replacement for academic courses or practicums.
Related Requirements
External Regulations
Contact Information
Primary Contact
Name: Andrea Murray-Lichtman, Associate Dean for MSW Education
Email: ajmurray@email.unc.edu