Transfer credit refers to the formal transfer of credit for a course(s) that has been earned outside of the program. Transfer credit for certain courses may be granted by the FGSR, provided that the courses have not been counted toward a previous degree or program and were not used to satisfy admission requirements of the FGSR. Transfer credit can be granted for graded courses and for courses with grades of CR. Departments recommending transfer credit for completed graduate level courses must complete a Recommendation for Transfer Credit form and forward it to the FGSR for approval and processing. The form is available at the FGSR website at www.gradstudies.ualberta.ca (Degree Requirements & Supervision).

A transfer credit statement will appear on the student's transcript.

Limits in Thesis-based Programs

A maximum of six units of course weight of a thesis-based student’s program may be met through transfer credit and/or course exemption.

Limits in Course-based Programs

The number of courses nearest to, but not exceeding, 1/3 of the total units of course weight of a student’s program may be met through transfer credit and/or course exemption if recommended by the department and approved by the FGSR on a case-by-case basis.

For students participating in formal exchange programs which have been ratified by the University of Alberta, consideration will be given for transfer of credit earned during the exchange and approved in principle by the department in advance, even if the credit value transferred exceeds the limit stated above.

For students who began an equivalent graduate program at a recognized university and are relocating to the University of Alberta, consideration will be given to departmental recommendations for transfer credit that exceed the limit stated above.

In exceptional circumstances and with the explicit prior approval of the FGSR, up to 1/2 of the total units of course weight for the program may be met through transfer credit and/or course exemption.

(FGSR Council, 1996/03/14)

This refers to the reduction in required course weights of a student’s program by removal of specific courses normally required. In special circumstances the FGSR may approve exemption of certain courses if the student has completed appropriate equivalent coursework here or elsewhere, but the program will not be reduced by more than the values listed under Transfer Credit Limits.

Departments recommending reduction in required course weights of a student’s program must send a memo outlining the rationale for the request.

It is more normal for departments which exempt specific required courses from a student’s program to substitute more appropriate courses equivalent in weight to the courses exempted.

The criteria that must be met before transfer credit will be considered are:

• the department agrees that the course in question is applicable to the degree program;
• the student achieves a grade acceptable to the department and the FGSR;
• the course has not been used as a part of the basis for admission to the program; and
• the course has not been taken as part of any previously awarded degree, diploma, certificate, etc.

Courses taken as a qualifying graduate student are therefore not acceptable for transfer credit since the qualifying period is, by definition, a basis for admission.

The FGSR reserves the right to deny transfer credit for courses taken far enough in the past that the material could be considered out of date. The maximum number of years will depend on individual circumstances; however, in a number of cases credit has been considered for courses taken up to but not exceeding six years prior to the date of application for transfer credit.