Recognition of Prior University Study

 

Cavalla International University recognizes that students may enter the University having already completed substantial academic work at another recognized college or university. In keeping with its commitment to flexible and accessible higher education, CIU may award transfer credit for eligible coursework completed elsewhere.

Transfer credit is awarded course by course, based upon academic equivalency, relevance to the student’s selected program, academic quality, and the University’s established degree requirements. Transfer credit is not awarded solely on the basis of the number of credits completed at another institution.

The acceptance of transfer credit is an academic determination of the University and is subject to review by the appropriate academic authority.

90

Semester Credits — Undergraduate

12

Semester Credits — Master’s

Individual

Case-by-Case Review — Doctoral

Global

International Transcripts Welcomed

General Principles Governing Transfer Credit

Recognized Institution

Coursework must come from a recognized, accredited, or academically acceptable institution. CIU determines acceptability.

Official Transcripts

Official transcripts are required from every institution attended. Unofficial transcripts support preliminary review only.

Comparable Content

Coursework must be reasonably comparable in content, level, outcomes, and credit value to CIU coursework.

Minimum Grade

C or better for undergraduate; B or better for graduate and doctoral coursework, unless policy states otherwise.

Academic Currency

CIU may weigh how recent the coursework is, especially in fast-changing fields — older credit can still count.

Relevance to the Degree

Credit must meaningfully advance the student’s selected CIU degree — gen ed, major, elective, or approved requirement.

Transfer Credit by Degree Level

Degree Level Transfer Details

CIU may accept up to 90 semester credit hours from recognized colleges or universities toward an undergraduate degree, subject to academic evaluation and program requirements.

Transfer students must still satisfy all applicable CIU degree requirements — required courses, major requirements, culminating requirements, and any residency requirements.

Evaluated for undergraduate transfer:

  • Associate degree coursework
  • General education courses
  • Major and elective courses
  • College-level professional coursework
  • Other academically appropriate prior learning

Where prior coursework substantially matches a CIU course, direct equivalency may be awarded. Where exact equivalency can’t be established, elective credit may apply instead.

Students entering a CIU Master’s program may be considered for transfer of eligible graduate-level coursework. Up to 12 semester credit hours may generally be considered, subject to program requirements.

Graduate transfer coursework should normally:

  • Come from an appropriately recognized institution
  • Be relevant to the proposed Master’s degree
  • Be graduate-level coursework
  • Meet the University’s minimum grade standard
  • Not already be applied toward a completed degree, unless approved

Transfer credit cannot be used to bypass required culminating work such as a thesis, capstone, or final research project.

Doctoral education is substantially research-oriented and individualized, so prior doctoral coursework is evaluated with particular care — for equivalency, relevance to the proposed research field, quality, currency, and compatibility with the student’s doctoral pathway.

Doctoral transfer credit does not reduce the substantive research requirements of the degree. Students must still complete the dissertation, publication, professional project, defense, or other culminating requirement for their pathway.

Exceptional students admitted to CIU’s Concurrent Master’s/Ph.D. pathway have prior undergraduate or graduate coursework evaluated for transfer credit. Eligible coursework may be incorporated into the integrated degree sequence.

Transfer credit does not eliminate the requirement to demonstrate the graduate and doctoral learning outcomes associated with both degrees.

The Three Doctoral Pathways

Traditional Research Ph.D.

Prior coursework may apply toward research methodology, theory, or specialization — but never replaces the approved doctoral research and dissertation.

Ph.D. by Publication

Prior graduate/doctoral coursework may be considered, alongside a required evaluation of the applicant’s scholarly publication record and research portfolio.

Doctor of Professional Studies

Relevant graduate/doctoral coursework may count toward advanced professional, applied research, or leadership requirements — culminating doctoral work still applies.

Course Equivalency & Credit Award

Transfer credit is awarded in one of three forms:

Direct Course EquivalencySubstantially equivalent to a specific CIU course — satisfies that requirement.
Elective CreditAcademically appropriate, but doesn’t match a specific CIU course — applied as elective credit.
No Transfer CreditDenied when standards, documentation, or relevance requirements aren’t met.

Evaluation of International Transfer Credit

CIU welcomes transfer students from institutions throughout the world. International coursework is evaluated when documentation establishes that prior education is comparable to the corresponding level of U.S. higher education.

Students may be asked to provide:

  • Official transcripts
  • Degree certificates or diplomas
  • Course descriptions & syllabi
  • Credit-hour information & grading scales
  • Certified English translations where applicable

Prior Learning & Professional Experience

CIU recognizes that adult learners and experienced professionals may hold substantial knowledge from outside a traditional classroom — professional certifications, military training, continuing education, and more.

Professional experience does not automatically translate into academic credit. Any credit awarded must be supported by an academic evaluation demonstrating college-level learning outcomes.

Transfer Credit Evaluation Process

Evaluation Process Steps

Provide official academic records from every institution where relevant coursework was completed.

When requested, submit course descriptions, syllabi, degree certificates, grading scales, or other documentation.

CIU evaluates the coursework for institutional recognition, academic level, content, credit value, grade, relevance, and equivalency.

The appropriate academic authority determines direct equivalency, elective credit, or no credit.

Approved transfer credits are incorporated into the student’s academic record and degree plan.

The student receives confirmation of the approved transfer credit and how it applies toward their selected degree.

Summary of Transfer Credit Guidelines

Degree Level General Transfer Consideration
Undergraduate Up to 90 semester credit hours, subject to evaluation and degree requirements
Master’s Up to 12 semester credit hours, subject to program approval
Doctoral Eligible prior graduate/doctoral coursework may be considered individually; substantive research requirements remain mandatory
Concurrent Master’s/Ph.D. Prior coursework may be evaluated and incorporated where academically appropriate
Ph.D. by Publication Prior coursework and scholarly publications are evaluated separately
Doctor of Professional Studies Relevant advanced coursework may be considered alongside professional and applied research preparation

Cavalla International University views transfer credit as a means of recognizing legitimate prior academic achievement while preserving the academic integrity of the degree awarded by the University.

The objective is not simply to reduce the number of courses a student must complete, but to build a coherent academic pathway that ensures every graduate possesses the knowledge, competencies, and learning outcomes expected of a CIU degree holder.