Transfer Credit Overview

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This page is a general overview of transfer credit, including:

  • What is transfer credit?
  • How does transfer credit work?
  • How do I transfer credit?

What is transfer credit?

Students who complete coursework considered parallel to NU coursework can receive transfer credit at NU. Students who might be eligible for transfer credit include:

  • High School students who completed college-level coursework
  • Transfer students (studied at another college/university before enrolling at NU)
  • Military veterans

NU carefully considers all transfer credits. If you have question, contact your Admissions Counselor or Academic Advisor.

Transfer Credit Categories

Common transfer credit categories include:

  • Credits from other colleges/universities (including High School dual enrollment credits)
    • Must have a minimum grade of C-
  • AP/IB/CLEP exams
    • AP Exams must have a minimum score of 3
    • IB HL credits must have a minimum score 4; SL credits must have a minimum score of 5
  • Military training

Policies

To qualify for transfer, credits must meet the following requirements:

  • Must have a letter grade of at least C-
  • No more than 30 credits can transfer from regionally unaccredited institutions
  • No more than 90 credits can transfer for any individual system

For more information, please consult the Transfer Policy in the Academic Catalog

How does transfer credit work?

Transferred credits must be submitted via official documentation (transcripts) to be considered, and then can apply to the degree depending on the type of coursework.

How does transfer credit apply to my degree?

Depending on the course, your credit may apply to Core Curriculum, major, or elective requirements. Any transfer course that meets a specific course requirement for your degree will count if it meets other transfer requirements (C- grade, etc.). Please contact your advisor if you have specific questions about your transfer credits.

How do I transfer credit?

Here are the steps for transferring credits:

  • Request your official transcripts from your previous school or tests from College Board / IB
  • Have them sent to Northwest University
  • Wait for the Registrar’s Office to evaluate them
  • Once you receive an email from the Transcript Analyst, view the result in your What-If plan in Self-Service
  • Contact Advising if you have further questions

Students with a Washington State Direct Transfer Agreement (DTA) degree will receive credit for the entire Core Curriculum except for 9 credits of Bible/Theology classes. The student’s diploma must specifically list “Direct Transfer Agreement” for it count as a DTA.

Depending on the amount of transfer credit a student is awarded, some degree requirements may be waived. Please visit the Transfer Tier System page for more information.

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