Transfer Credit & Waivers
Students who can demonstrate that their knowledge and skills are equivalent to those gained by courses offered at Southern Virginia University—whether they were gained by formal education or exam—may apply for academic credit or course waivers. Credit or waivers may be granted through a number of means: transfer credit from other post-secondary institutions, Advanced Placement (AP) Exam scores, International Baccalaureate (IB) credit, or portfolio. The university does not grant academic credit for coursework taken on a noncredit basis.
Transfer Credits
All credits transferred to Southern Virginia University must be from a school with recognized regional accreditation status. Students may come to SVU as first-time students with credits earned through dual enrollment, advanced placement exams or similar programs. Students transferring to SVU from another institution may be awarded credits toward graduation based on their previous school experience, provided the student has earned a C- or better in those courses. Developmental courses, orientation classes, or for classes other than physical activity courses in which a student receives a “Pass” are not eligible for transfer. It is the responsibility of the student to supply official transcripts and records to the Registrar’s Office for evaluation.
After matriculating and while enrolled at SVU, no student may transfer credits towards SVU graduation from work done at other schools, whether they are residential or online. Exceptions will be approved by the Registrar's office, and can include SVU special agreements, such as our ROTC agreement with Virginia Military Institute, and standardized foreign language assessment exams.
Students may not transfer in credits earned online which are completed during a semester in which they are a full-time student at SVU without prior approval.
In no case may a student apply more than 60 credits of work done at other schools towards SVU graduation. At least 50 percent of the credit hours required for a major or minor must be taken at SVU.
Only credit hours are transferred onto a student's SVU transcript. Grades earned in transferred courses will not affect a student’s SVU GPA.
Credit for Foreign Language Experience
Students who come to Southern Virginia University with substantial previous experience in a foreign language (whether through classroom experience or contact with the language by living in a foreign language culture) may receive up to twelve hours of foreign language course credit after a language skill assessment (requiring a nominal fee). The assessment exam should be taken in the student’s first semester at Southern Virginia University, or in the first semester after having lived in a foreign-language culture. No credit will be granted below the level of a course for which a student already has earned credit. Native speakers of a language other than English may receive twelve hours of credit after taking a language skill assessment of English (requiring a nominal fee). For languages where no exam exists, students may receive twelve credit hours by providing proof of proficiency with a letter from an appropriate authority stating that the person does indeed speak the language at or above the intermediate level, plus completion of a portfolio. Only pass/fail credit will be awarded.
Register for a language placement test
Advanced Placement Scores
Credit or course waivers may be granted for satisfactory attainment on Advanced Placement Exams. Credit will be given only in those areas in which comparable courses are offered at the university and will be determined by evaluation procedures set forth by the academic divisions. No grades will be assigned to the courses, nor will they be figured into a student's grade point average. Official results must be sent to the registrar for analysis before credit is granted.
International Baccalaureate (IB) Credit
Credit and advanced placement may be awarded to students on the basis of results on the International Baccalaureate transcript of grades but subject in every instance to the recommendation of the academic department concerned and approved by the Provost. An IB course at the subsidiary level will normally be given three hours of general credit. An IB course at the higher level may receive 6 hours of general credit and possibly fill a general education requirement. IB scores of 5, 6, or 7 will be awarded credit according to Southern Virginia standards.
LDS Institute Courses
Up to 14 credit hours of Institute of Religion coursework accepted by Southern Virginia University and taught by qualified faculty may count towards the Southern Virginia University bachelor's degree. A student may count no more than two credit hours of institute coursework per semester or term toward the degree. The University awards pass/fail credit for institute coursework.