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Transfer Credit Resources

Admissions

The Transfer Applicants page is the hub of admissions resources for transfer students.

Have a question about applying to AU as a transfer student? Email the Admissions team.

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Transfer Articulation

The Transfer Articulation Database includes information about how credits are transferred to AU and a list (sorted by institution) of all external courses that have been given AU equivalents.

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Academic Regulations

The Academic Rules and Regulations (see Section 8) include information about the AU Core Curriculum and guidance for transfer students based on the number of credits you plan to transfer.

Have a question about the Core requirements? Email us at core@american.edu.

Access the Regulations

Transferring Credits to the AU Core

Select the type of credit you plan to transfer to see how it can be applied to AU Core Curriculum requirements.

Please note that this guidance is intended for general use, and you should always speak with your academic advisor for specific information about your credits and requirements.
The following information applies to students who matriculated in AY 23-24. For students who matriculated earlier, please see our additional guidelines.

Selected
Exam Credit
External Transfer Credit

Bringing in credits from one or a combination of Advanced Placement (AP), International Baccalaureate, CLEP subject examinations, or other AU-approved test credit? Please read on to how these credits may be used to satisfy degree requirements. 

Advanced credit exams may be used for major, minor, and elective credit, but may not be used to fully satisfy AU Core requirements. Specific information about exam credit is maintained by the Office of Admissions and is available in all advising units. 

However, incoming first-year students may satisfy the Written Communication and Information Literacy (W1) requirement by receiving advanced credit for specific exams (published annually by the Office of Admissions) and earning a grade of “C” or better in the 3-credit hour WRTG-106. The Written Communication and Information Literacy I requirement  is a 6 credit hour sequence of classes (2 courses) with a grade of “C” or better, and the advanced credit satisfies only half of this sequence of courses. 

Bringing in transfer credit? Please read on to see which credits may be used to satisfy AU Core requirements. 


Written Communication & Information Literacy I (W1): Students with transfer credit may satisfy the Written Communication and Literacy I requirement by presenting 6 credit hours of articulated composition credit from another institution or presenting 3 credit hours of coursework articulated as composition credit from another regionally accredited two or four year institution and completing WRTG-101 or WRTG-103 with a grade of “C” or better. 
 
Quantitative Literacy I (Q1): Students with transfer credit may also satisfy the Quantitative Literacy I requirement by presenting 3 credit hours articulated as equivalent to a Quantitative Literacy I course from a regionally accredited two or four year institution. 

Complex Problems: Students may satisfy the Complex Problems requirement by transferring 60 credit hours from a regionally accredited two or four year institution.  
 
Habits of Mind: Please note that external courses cannot be used to satisfy this requirement for the AU Core Curriculum, and thus cannot be equated to an Habit of Mind course.  For example, if a course is articulated as SOCY-100: Introduction to Sociology based on course content, rigor, learning outcomes, and credit hours, the articulation would be entered on the record as SOCY-100X. The “X” is the indicator that an articulation will not fulfill HoM, but can fulfill major, minor, and certificate program requirements when relevant, as well as any registration prerequisites.  

Students who transfer 0-18 credits must satisfy all five Habits of Mind; those who transfer 19-33 credits must take courses from four Habits of Mind; those who transfer 34-45 credits must take courses from three Habits of Mind; those who transfer 46-59 credits must take courses from two Habits of Mind; those who bring in 60+ credits must take one Habit of Mind course.  

Students with transfer credit may select, in consultation with an academic advisor, which remaining Habits of Mind to complete.  
 
Integrative Courses (W2, Q2, DIV, Capstone):  Transfer credit may be applied to specific degree program requirements at the academic unit’s discretion. If the equivalent AU course is considered to be part of the AU Core Curriculum, the transfer course may also be applied to the relevant Integrative requirement. Please note that, as described above, courses articulated with an “X” at the end (eg., SOCY-100X) cannot be used to satisfy Integrative requirements.

Looking for more information?

If you would like to know more, contact us at core@american.edu or schedule an appointment with an academic advisor using the following links: