Transfer Credit

It is the policy of SUNY Poly to accept only those transfer credits that are applicable to the student’s degree requirements, i.e., – a 64 semester hour transfer of credit into a baccalaureate program requiring 124 hours indicates that the student will need to complete an additional 60 hours to finish the bachelor’s degree. A minimum 2.0 cumulative grade point average must be maintained for all credit transferred. Courses for which transfer credit is allowed may not be repeated for credit at SUNY Poly. Total transfer of credits may not exceed 94 semester hours (141 quarter hours). SUNY Poly accepts transfer credit only. Transfer course grades and quality points earned at the transfer institution are not reflected in a student’s grade point average. The level at which credit is earned for a specific course (e.g. lower division or upper division) is retained when that credit is transferred to SUNY Polytechnic.

Transfer of Credits Taken Prior to Matriculation
Students may transfer all applicable earned credit not to exceed 76 semester hours of lower division credit. Additional credit beyond 76 semester hours may be accepted from four-year institutions at the junior and senior levels if it is applicable to the student’s degree program. Under no circumstances may the student transfer more than 76 credits of lower division coursework.

Credit Evaluation Review Process
Once a student’s initial credit evaluation is completed by the Admissions Office, it undergoes an additional review to ensure accuracy and alignment with program requirements.
Each academic program’s coordinator reviews the evaluation to:

  • Confirm course equivalencies
  • Ensure credits are applied appropriately to program and degree requirements
  • Verify compliance with academic and accreditation standards

This secondary review helps provide students with the most accurate understanding of how their prior coursework applies to their chosen program. If adjustments are needed, the credit evaluation is updated accordingly before it is finalized and shared with the student.

Transfer of Credits Taken After Matriculation
Matriculated students who wish to take coursework at another college and receive additional transfer credit must receive prior approval by filing a Petition to Take Courses at Another College in accord with the procedures of their academic unit and the Registrar’s Office. Approval of transfer credit will be based on the applicability of the course towards the student’s degree requirements, and successful completion of the course with a grade of “C” or better. Ordinarily, these courses shall be taken from four-year colleges, but under no circumstances may the student transfer more than 76 credits of lower division coursework. It is the student’s responsibility to have an official transcript forwarded to the Registrar’s Office for evaluation upon completion of the course.

1. Acceptance of credits
SUNY Poly has an open policy to accept transfer credits from other institutions and/or award academic credentials acquired during professional training.

Professional training could be completed prior or concurrently with the program the students are enrolled in.

2. Eligibility of credits
Credits for Prior Learning (CPL) may include, but are not limited to, any of the following:

1. military education and training

2. industry certifications, apprenticeships (including in partnership with labor unions), and related employer-recognized credentials that lead to upward mobility; industry certifications and licenses or other credentials

3. standardized published exams including but not limited to Advanced Placement (AP) and International Baccalaureate (IB) examinations

4. portfolio review and challenge exams

5. work experience, non-credit courses, certification programs, seminar training and workshops

6. non-credit to credit pathways

7. others

These credentials can be translated into college academic credit that will apply towards a program or course(s) at SUNY Poly. This will also include the training completed outside of SUNY Poly completed concurrently to any course(s) or program(s) for a given semester.

The transfer credits and CPLs can only be applied to the courses offered at SUNY Poly. Additionally, the transfer credits and credits for prior professional learning experience will only be accepted if they align and fulfill educational goals or the Student Learning Objectives (SLOs) of the program or courses in question.

Both the Curriculum and Academic Affairs committees agree that the discretion of acceptance of CPL lies with the relevant Department to review and evaluate the fitness of CPL for the specific course. The Department further determines the form of evaluation, testing and/or portfolio review, when translating CPL to college credits on behalf of SUNY Poly.

Any current or applying students can request CPL evaluation that applies to a course/ program at SUNY Poly. The evaluation will be completed as described in the guidelines in section three.

3. Limitations of credits
The limit for these transfer credits and credits for prior learning must be in accordance with the SUNY Poly policies found in the SUNY Polytechnic Undergraduate Catalog.

The same CPL cannot be applied to multiple courses/programs. However, the hours for CPL can be counted and split if they apply to more than one course/program.

No more than 16 Credits for Prior Learning can be applied to a student’s program of study with the exclusion of AP and IB credits, which are subject to the total transfer credit limit listed above.

Below is a listing of AP examinations and acceptable scores:

AP EXAM

SCORE

CREDIT GRANTED

GEN. ED. CATEGORY

SUNY POLY EQUIVALENT

Art History

3, 4, 5

4cr

Arts

NA

Biology

3

4cr

Natural Science

BIO 101

Biology

4

4cr

Natural Science

BIO 103

Biology

5

8cr

Natural Science

BIO 103 & BIO 104

Calculus (AB)

3

4cr

Mathematics

MAT 121 or MAT 112

(AB)

4, 5

4cr

Mathematics

MAT 151

(BC)

3

4cr

Mathematics

MAT 151

(BC)

4, 5

8cr

Mathematics

MAT 151 & MAT 152

Chemistry

3

4cr

Natural Science

NA

Chemistry

4, 5

4cr

Natural Science

CHE 110

Computer Science (A)

3, 4, 5

4cr

NA

CSC 301J

Computer Science (AB)

3, 4, 5

4cr

NA

CSC 301J

Economics (Micro)

3, 4, 5

4cr

Social Sciences

ECO 110

Economics (Macro)

3, 4, 5

4cr

NA

ECO 112

ENG. (Lang. & Comp.)

3, 4, 5

4cr

Basic Communication

ENG 101

ENG. (Lit. & Comp.)

3, 4, 5

4cr

Humanities

NA

Environmental Sci.

3

3cr

Natural Science

NA

4, 5

4cr

Natural Science

BIO 106

European History

3, 4, 5

4cr

Western Civilization

HIS 150

French (Language)

3, 4, 5

4cr

Foreign Language

FRE 101

French (Lit)

3, 4, 5

4cr

Foreign Language

NA

German

3, 4, 5

4cr

Foreign Language

NA

Govt & Politics (Comp)

3, 4, 5

4cr

Social Sciences

POS 330

(US)

3, 4, 5

4cr

Social Sciences

POS 110

Human Geography

3, 4, 5

4cr

Social Sciences

NA

Latin (Literature)

3, 4, 5

4cr

Foreign Language

NA

(Virgil)

3, 4, 5

4cr

Foreign Language

NA

Music Theory

3, 4, 5

4cr

Arts

NA

Physics 1

3

3cr

Natural Science (non-lab)

NA

4, 5

4cr

Natural Science (lab)

PHY 101

Physics 2

3

3cr

Natural Science (non-lab)

NA

4, 5

4cr

Natural Science (lab)

PHY 102

(C-Elect & Mag)

3

3cr

Natural Science (non-lab)

NA

4

4cr

Natural Science (lab)

PHY 102

5

4cr

Natural Science (lab)

PHY 102 or PHY 202

(C-Mechanics)

3

3cr

Natural Science (non-lab)

NA

4

4cr

Natural Science (lab)

PHY 101

5

4cr

Natural Science (lab)

PHY 101 or PHY 201

Psychology

3, 4, 5

3cr

Social Sciences

PSY 100

Spanish (Language)

3, 4, 5

4cr

Foreign Language

SPA 101

Spanish (Lit)

3, 4, 5

4cr

Foreign Language

NA

Statistics

3, 4, 5

4cr

Mathematics

STA 100

Studio Art (Drawing)

3, 4, 5

4cr

Arts

ART 135

(2-D Design)

3, 4, 5

4cr

Arts

ART 110

(3-D Design)

3, 4, 5

4cr

Arts

NA

U.S. History

3, 4, 5

4cr

American History

HIS 101 & HIS 102

World History

3, 4, 5

4cr

Other World
Civilizations

NA

World History

3, 4, 5

4cr

World History and
Global Awareness

NA

Explanations:
1. NA – SUNY Poly does not have an equivalent course. The AP credit is given, but it does not preclude students from taking any SUNY Poly course.
2. (*) If credit is received for PHY 101 and/or PHY 102 then PHY 201 and/or PHY 202 cannot be taken for additional credit. (see PHY 201 and PHY 202 in the catalog).

Effect of Transfer Credits
Credits awarded under the above regulations have no effect upon the computation of the student’s grade point average. Students who receive failing grades at SUNY Poly and then transfer in credit from an equivalent course will not have failing grades excluded from GPA calculation at SUNY Poly.