6.0 TRANSFER & PLACEMENT POLICIES

6.1 Transfer Evaluations 

Once a student is accepted to Kennesaw State University, the transcripts are evaluated for eligible transfer credit for the student’s selected degree program. Transfer credit may be awarded from regionally accredited institutions, military experience, and credit by exam as outline below. 

Transfer credit evaluations are determined by the Registrar transfer evaluation staff in collaboration with academic departments. Transfer credit evaluations must adhere to USG transfer policies, reciprocity agreements, and other approved articulation agreements. 

Transfer credit/grades completed at other institutions will not be used in calculating grade point averages at Kennesaw State University.

Transfer credit may be awarded for course work with a minimum grade of “D”. However, a minimum grade of “C” is required for ENGL 1101  & ENGL 1102  and major-related courses and/or prerequisites, unless otherwise noted in the catalog.  Provided that native and transfer student are treated equally, institutions may impose additional reasonable expectations, such as a grade of “C” in Area A-F courses.  

Transfer credit for readmission students will be re-evaluated in accordance with the transfer evaluation policies in effect for the term a student is readmitted to KSU. 

Copies of transcripts from other universities cannot be reissued to the student. 

For additional transfer information and links to transferable courses, please visit transfer.kennesaw.edu 

6.2 Accreditation/Transfer Credit Practice 

Transfer Credit is awarded from institutions holding Regional Accreditation status. Credit may be accepted for alternative accrediting bodies specifically recognized by AACRAO as long as the acceptance practice is reported as “AG” (generally accepted) by the flagship institution of that state. 

6.3 Transferring Core Curriculum within University System of Georgia (USG) 

Students transferring to Kennesaw State University (KSU) from another University System of Georgia (USG) institution, or from KSU to another USG institution may take advantage of the General Education Program Transfer Rules outlined in Academic & Student Affairs Handbook 2.4.9. Students successfully completing a course in one institution’s Areas A-E will receive full credit in Areas A-E for the course upon transfer to another USG institution as long as the following conditions are met: 

• The course is within the Area hours limitations of either the sending institution or the receiving institution and  
• The student does not change from a non-science or engineering major to a science or engineering major, or a non-health major to a health major 

Please note that additional courses may be required if they are prerequisites to major courses. Area F (lower division major) courses require a grade of “C” or better. 

6.4 Technical College Systems of Georgia (TCSG) 

Credit will be accepted from TCSG institutions in observance of USG/TCSG transfer policy outlined in the Academic & Student Affairs Handbook Section 2.17. Additionally, credit may be accepted for collegiate-level coursework at SACSCOC-accredited TCSG institutions. 

6.5 International Transfer Credit Practice 

International transcripts must be evaluated and endorsed/certified/accredited by an evaluation agency. The evaluation agency must be a current member of the National Association of Credential Evaluation Services (NACES) or Association of International Credential Evaluators, Inc (AICE). A course-by-course evaluation is required.  

For transfer credit evaluations, international course descriptions must have been translated by a recognized translation service and certified as a true and correct translation. 

6.6 Military Transfer Credit Practice  

Military Transfer Credit may be awarded for undergraduate students accepted to Kennesaw State University Fall 2012 or later who have served in the U.S. Military and who desire to have their military experience considered for transfer credit. Students must request their official Joint Services Transcript (JST) be sent directly from JST to the Office of the Registrar. 

Students should submit their JST transcript for evaluation prior to the add/drop period of their first term of matriculation at Kennesaw State University in order to allow for accurate academic advisement and accurate determination of financial aid eligibility.  The final deadline for any military transfer credit to be awarded to a student’s record is the last day of classes of their first term of matriculation at Kennesaw State University Students seeking to have any military transfer credit added to their record after this deadline must submit an appeal for review by the Office of the Registrar and the Office of Financial Aid in order to determine if any military transfer credit can be awarded. 

All experience and coursework listed on a JST transcript will be evaluated for applicability toward a student’s current degree program. Students may have the option of accepting or declining the military credit determined to be applicable toward their degree program. As of Fall 2019, awarded military transfer credit will receive a grade of “K”.  From Fall 2012 to Summer 2019, all awarded military transfer credit received a grade of “S”.  For more information regarding these types of grades please refer to the 3.0 GRADING POLICIES    section of this catalog.  All previously awarded military transfer credit will remain as a grade of “S” on a student’s record. Regardless of the term credit is awarded, military transfer credit cannot be removed from a student’s record. 

If a student changes their degree program at a future date, they have the option to submit an appeal for the Office of the Registrar and the Office of Financial Aid to review and determine if the student is eligible for any additional JST credit to apply toward their new degree program. 

Military Transfer Credit is not applied toward institutional graduation residency requirements and is not calculated in the graduation GPA. Kennesaw State University limits academic residency for active-duty service members (including Reservists and National Guardsmen) to no more than twenty-five percent of the degree requirements for all undergraduate degrees. Active-duty service members can satisfy academic residency requirements at any time during their program of study, specifically avoiding any final year or final semester residency requirement, subject to stated requirements in specific course areas such as majors.

Kennesaw State University affirms its commitment to fair, equitable, and effective policies and practices that recognize and deal with the special conditions faced by military students who want to obtain a college education. 

6.7 Credit by Exam 

Credit by Exam hours are not calculated in the Institutional GPA. The graduation residency requirement serves as the limit for the amount of credit by exam credit a student may receive as Credit by Exam hours are not applied toward the institutional graduation Residency Requirement. 

Prior Learning Assessment (PLA) credit is not awarded based upon high school or college transcripts. Official score reports for AP, IB, CLEP, DSST and FLATS must be sent from the testing agency to Kennesaw State University to be considered for credit. The following are examinations that qualify for credit by exam: 

6.7.1 College Level Examination Program (CLEP) for Advanced Standing 

Students are eligible to take standardized examinations in a number of areas to earn credit for certain specific courses, provided a minimum score is attained on the tests. Credit earned will be recorded on the student’s permanent record. For specific information concerning subject areas in which tests are available, the cost and minimum score required for credit, please visit Academic Testing Services at http://testing.kennesaw.edu and review Tests Offered. CLEP credit may not be awarded for a course previously failed or audited.  For additional information, please visit https://www.kennesaw.edu/transfer/resources/credit-by-exam.php

6.7.2 Advance Placement (AP) 

Kennesaw State University honors Advance Placement (AP) credit for certain classes in which an equivalent is offered and for which the required grade is achieved. For details on the scores required and course equivalencies, please visit the Registrar’s website and review Credit By Exam at https://www.kennesaw.edu/transfer/resources/credit-by-exam.php

6.7.3 International Baccalaureate (IB) 

Kennesaw State University honors International Baccalaureate (IB) credit for certain classes in which an equivalent is offered and for which the required grade is achieved. For details on the scores required and course equivalencies, please visit the Registrar’s website and review Credit By Exam at https://www.kennesaw.edu/transfer/resources/credit-by-exam.php

6.7.4 DANTES Subject Standardized Test (DSST) 

Kennesaw State University honors DANTES Subject Standardized Test (DSST) credit for certain classes in which an equivalent is offered and for which the required grade is achieved. For details on the scores required and course equivalencies, please visit the Registrar’s website and review Credit by Exam at https://www.kennesaw.edu/transfer/resources/credit-by-exam.php Credit may not be awarded for a course previously failed or audited. 

6.7.5 Departmental Course Examination for Advanced Standing  

Academic Departments do on occasion offer course examinations for credit to students who offer satisfactory evidence. A list of available exam options may be found on the Credit for Prior Learning website. These exam options vary by course and by department. Requirements to sit for the exam are determined by the academic home department and described on the Credit for Prior Learning website under information and future Scholarships, Departmental Plans at https://www.kennesaw.edu/credit-prior-learning/

If the required score for the examination is met, students will receive the credit equaled with the course.  

Authorization will not be given for a course under any of the following circumstances: 

• If the student has previously audited the course  
• If the student has previously registered and received a grade in the course 
• If the student has previously scheduled the course but has withdrawn after the first two calendar weeks from the day the semester begins.  
• If the student is currently enrolled in the course. 
• If the course is a prerequisite or an introduction to a course already completed. (This provision does not apply to skills courses such as physical education or music, for example).  
• If the course may be granted credit by a CLEP exam.  
• Credit earned by institutional advanced standing examination may not be used more than one half of the major-field or minor-field requirements in a program of study. 

A passing grade for an institutional advanced standing examination is a grade of 75 percent or higher for a lower-division course and a grade of 80 percent or higher for an upper division course. 

A fee of $60 will be assessed for each institutional advanced standing examination attempted; no course may be attempted more than once. 

A student must be admitted to the university at the time of application for advanced standing and must be enrolled in the university to receive credit for a course by advanced standing examination. 

6.8 Substitutions of Transfer or Advanced Standing credits  

Students with advanced standing credits or transfer credits for courses similar to those for the degree, minor, or stand-alone certificate may be permitted to satisfy KSU’s requirements through approved course substitutions. Students seeking such substitutions should contact the academic department of the respective course discipline. 

6.9 Learning Support 

Learning Support programs are intended to serve students who need additional support in mathematics or English (reading/writing) in accordance with University System of Georgia (USG) Academic & Student Affairs Handbook section 2.9. 

Students who may be served within the Learning Support program are: 

• Students who do not meet USG criteria to exempt Learning Support placement. 
• Students who are determined by the institution to need academic assistance even though they are eligible to be admitted without Learning Support requirements under USG policy. 
• Students who elect to enroll in Learning Support courses to gain additional support while they are enrolled in entry-level English and mathematics courses. 

Learning Support courses are offered exclusively in “co-requisite” format. The co-requisite format means that students requiring Learning Support will enroll in both a collegiate course (ENGL 1101, MATH 1101, MATH 1111 or STAT 1401) and a co-requisite Learning Support course (ENGL 0999, MATH 0997, MATH 0998, or MATH 0999, STAT 0996) that is designed to support mastery of the skills and concepts needed to pass the collegiate course.

Grades received in learning support co-requisite courses are not included in the calculation of a student’s grade point average (Institutional or cumulative). Failing grades in these courses will be considered for the purpose of determining satisfactory academic progress. 

6.10 Mathematics Placement Policy 

Students seeking to enroll in the following courses without taking prerequisite courses may do so under the following conditions: 

MATH 1113     

High school GPA ≥ 2.8 AND 
ACT math score ≥ 23 or SAT math score ≥ 570 (540 if taken prior to March 2016) 
OR 
By Placement Exam 

MATH 1190   and MATH 1179  

High school GPA ≥ 3.2 AND 
ACT math score ≥ 26 or SAT math score ≥ 620 (600 if taken prior to March 2016) 
OR 
By Placement Exam 

MATH 1160  

High school GPA ≥ 3.2 AND 
ACT math score ≥ 26 or SAT math score ≥ 620 (600 if taken prior to March 2016) 
OR 
By Placement Exam 

6.11 Mathematics “K” Credit Policy 

In order to receive K Credit, the student cannot have any previous attempts in the prerequisite course (incl. Withdrawal, Audit, or any other grade).

Transfer students are granted the appropriate K Credit during their initial transfer evaluation upon admission to KSU. KSU students or their advisor may contact the Registrar’s Office by email or by Advanced Standing form to request K-Credit. There is no fee associated with the award of K Credit.

Students that transfer in:

• MATH 1179  with a “C” or better and do not have credit for any lower level Math courses can receive K Credit for MATH 1113  only.
• MATH 1190  with a “C” or better and do not have credit for any lower level Math courses can receive K Credit for MATH 1113  only.
• MATH 2202  with a “C” or better and do not have credit for any lower level Math courses can receive K Credit for MATH 1113  and MATH 1190 .
• MATH 1160  with a “C” or better and do not have credit for any lower-level Math courses can receive K Credit for MATH 1111   only.

Mathematics Advisement and Placement (MAP)

Students who place into: 

• MATH 1160  by any MAP mechanism can receive K Credit for MATH 1111  only after successful completion (with a grade of “C” or better) of MATH 1160.

• MATH 1179  or MATH 1190  by any MAP mechanism can receive K Credit for MATH 1113  only after successful completion (with a grade of “C” or better) of MATH 1179 or MATH 1190.

• MATH 1190  by any MAP mechanism and choose to take MATH 1160  are only eligible to receive K Credit for MATH 1111 . K Credit for MATH 1111 can only be awarded after successful completion (with a grade of “C” or better) of MATH 1160.

Credit by Exam 

• Students that receive Credit by Exam for MATH 1190  and have not taken any lower-level courses at KSU or a transfer institution can receive K Credit for MATH 1113  only.