Official transcripts must be filed from all institutions attended (including other divisions of Rutgers), even though transfer credit may not be requested. University College-New Brunswick grants advanced standing credit for courses completed at colleges and universities that, at the time of the student`s attendance, were either recognized candidates for accreditation or fully accredited members of one of the six regional accrediting associations of higher education.
Credit is not given for any course completed outside of Rutgers in which the grade is lower than C or its equivalent (C- is not acceptable). Courses must be comparable to those offered for credit at Rutgers-New Brunswick and accepted by University College-New Brunswick. Generally, credit for the following courses is not accepted: business mathematics, data processing (except when equivalent to Rutgers-New Brunswick courses in computer science as determined by that department), mathematics courses below the level given for credit at Rutgers-New Brunswick or usually taught at the high school level (elementary and intermediate algebra, geometry, trigonometry), physical education, real estate and insurance, secretarial science, theology, cooperative education, internships or practicums, correspondence courses passed by exam at other colleges, and courses of a developmental or remedial nature, among others.
If an institution attended was on a quarter rather than a term system, each quarter credit normally is equivalent to two-thirds of a term credit.
Despite the number of courses completed elsewhere, students must earn a minimum of 30 credits (including 12 in the major subject) as matriculated students in University College to be eligible for a degree.
A maximum of 60 credits may be accepted from two- year colleges. Students who hold an associate degree in an approved transfer program (Associate in Arts; sometimes Associate in Science, but not Associate in Applied Science) with a minimum cumulative grade-point average of 2.0 can transfer all of the credits earned in that degree program at the college conferring the degree, up to a maximum of 64 credits, not including courses in physical education, developmental or remedial courses, and precollege-level courses including mathematics courses below the level offered for credit at University College. Credit in courses earned elsewhere, but accepted by the college conferring the degree, is evaluated independently.
Transfer credit and grades from institutions other than Rutgers are not included in the cumulative grade- point average.
Except for English composition, credits may be awarded for the College Level Examination Program (CLEP) general examinations if the score is 570 or better in each examination. However, credits may be used only as electives, not to satisfy major or general distribution requirements. CLEP subject matter examinations are accepted by most departments. Usually, the optional essay is required. A detailed statement on CLEP policy is available at the Office of Student Services.
Academic Amnesty
Students admitted to a degree program at University College who left Rutgers five or more years ago with a cumulative grade-point average below 2.0 can request "academic amnesty," whereby none of their previous Rutgers grades will be calculated in the grade-point average. In other words, the previous college work of these students will be treated as if they transferred from colleges outside Rutgers.
If amnesty is approved, previous Rutgers grades of F and D will be "E-credited"-i.e., credits will not be counted toward the degree and grades will not be counted in the grade-point average. Courses in which a grade of C or better were received will be "J-credited"-i.e., credits will be counted toward the degree but not toward the grade-point average. After receiving amnesty, the student must complete a minimum of 30 graded credits at University College in order to graduate.
A student can apply for amnesty only once; once amnesty has been allowed, the student cannot at a later time ask for the amnesty to be rescinded or modified. For example, once a student has been allowed academic amnesty, he or she cannot at a later time request degree credit for E-credited courses or request that grades from J-credited courses be computed in the grade-point average.
