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Transfer

This page is for transfer students and current students with transfer credit inquiries. Further down this page, you can find information on exam-based credit and transferring credit from other institutions into Calvin. 

Calvin's Pre-Approved Transfer Courses

Transfer Policy

When considering transferring schools or credits, it is important to understand the transfer policy.

Request transfer information

We work with you one-on-one to help make your transition as smooth as possible. Fill out this short form and we'll get started!

Credit by Exam

Calvin will not award credit by exams that result in duplication of course content from any other course or test for which the student has received credit, either at Calvin or through transfer of credit. A maximum of 32 semester hours may be obtained via non-classroom-based credit.

Students may submit scores from an Advanced Placement (AP) examination conducted by the College Board.

Students who completed AP exams before 1/1/2023 will fall under the previous requirements. The scores and equivalencies can be found here.

AP Examination Title

Min Score

Equivalent Calvin CourseCore Category MetCredit
Art History
4
Visual Arts core creditArts, Oral Rhetoric, Visual Rhetoric: Visual Arts3 hrs
Biology 
4
Biology 123 Natural Sciences, Biology4 hrs
Calculus AB (or AB subscore)
3
Mathematics core creditMathematical Science4 hrs
Calculus AB (or AB subscore)
4
Math 171Mathematical Science4 hrs
Calculus BC  
3
Math 171Mathematical Science4 hrs
Calculus BC  
4
Math 171 & 172Mathematical Science8 hrs
Chemistry
3
Elective credit 3 hrs
Chemistry
4
Chemistry 101 & 101LNatural Sciences, Chemistry4 hrs
Chemistry
5
Chemistry 101, 101L, 102, 102L Natural Sciences, Chemistry8 hrs
Chinese Language/Culture
3
Chinese 102World Language 14 hrs
Chinese Language/Culture
4
Chinese 201World Language 24 hrs
Comparative Govt & Politics
4
Politics 214Social & Behavioral Sciences: Political Science4 hrs
Computer Science A
3
Computer Science 108 & 108LMathematical Science4 hrs
English Language and Comp
4
English 101Foundational Writing4 hrs
English Literature and Comp
4
English Elective 4 hrs
Environmental Science
4
Environmental Studies 210 4 hrs
European History
4
History 152Humanities: History3 hrs
French Language and Culture
3
French 202World Language 24 hrs
French Language and Culture
4
French 301World Language 24 hrs
German Language and Culture
3
German 202World Language 24 hrs
German Language and Culture
4
German 301World Language 24 hrs
Human Geography
4
Geography 101Social & Behavioral Sciences: Geography 4 hrs
Japanese Language and Culture
3
Japanese 102World Language 14 hrs
Japanese Language and Culture
4
Japanese 201World Language 24 hrs
Latin
3
Latin 201World Language 24 hrs
Latin
4
Latin 201 & 202World Language 28 hrs
Macroeconomics
3
Economics 191Social & Behavioral Sciences: Economics2 hrs
Macroeconomics

5

Economics 191 & 222Social & Behavioral Sciences: Economics4 hrs
Microeconomics
3
Economics 191Social & Behavioral Sciences: Economics2 hrs
Microeconomics

5

Economics 191 & 221Social & Behavioral Sciences: Economics4 hrs
Music Theory
4
Music 100 & 108Arts, Oral Rhetoric, Visual Rhetoric: Performing Arts6 hrs
Physics 1
4
Physics 221 (General Phys I)Natural Science: Physics4 hrs
Physics 2
4
Physics 222 (General Phys II) 4 hrs
Physics B
4
Physics 221Natural Science: Physics4 hrs
Physics C: Electricity & Magnetism 
4
Physics 235 4 hrs
Physics C: Mechanics
4
Physics 133Natural Science: Physics4 hrs
Psychology
4
Psychology 151Social & Behavioral Sciences: Psychology4 hrs
Research
4
Elective credit 3 hrs
Seminar4Elective credit 3 hrs
Spanish Language
3
Spanish 202World Language 24 hrs
Spanish Language
4
Spanish 301World Language 24 hrs
Spanish Literature
4
Elective: 300 level SpanishWorld Language 24 hrs
Statistics
4
Statistics 143Mathematical Science4 hrs
Studio Art: Draw, 2-D, 3-D design
4
Studio Art core creditArts, Oral Rhetoric, Visual Rhetoric: Visual Arts4 hrs
US Govt & Politics
4
Political Science core creditSocial & Behavioral Science, Political Science3 hrs
United States History
4
History core creditHumanities: History3 hrs
World History
4
History core creditHumanities: History3 hrs

IB credit will be given to students who receive a grade of 5 or higher on higher-level (HL) exams. No credit will be given for subsidiary-level exams. Students must provide an official report of their IB exam scores. Visit the IB website for instructions about how to send a transcript of results.

IB Examination Title

Min Score

Equivalent Calvin CourseCore Category MetCredit
Art
5
Art ElectiveArts & Rhetoric3 hrs
Biology
5
Biology 123Natural Sciences4 hrs
Chemistry
5
Chemistry 101Natural Sciences4 hrs
Computer
5
Computer Science 108 & 108LMathematical Science4 hrs
Economics
5
Economics 191Social & Behavioral Sciences2 hrs
English
5
English 101Foundational Writing4 hrs
English Literature
5
English ElectiveHumanities3 hrs
French
5
French 202World Languages 24 hrs
Geography
5
Geography 110Social & Behavioral Sciences4 hrs
History, Americas
5
History ElectiveHumanities3 hrs
History, European
5
History ElectiveHumanities3 hrs
History, US
5
History ElectiveHumanities4 hrs
Indonesian
5
Language CreditWorld Language 24 hrs
Korean
5
Korean 202World Language 24 hrs
Mathematics
5
ElectiveMathematical Science4 hrs
Music
5
Music 103Arts & Rhetoric3 hrs
Philosophy
5
 Humanities3 hrs
Physics
5
 Natural Sciences4 hrs
Psychology
5
Psychology 151Social & Behavioral Science4 hrs
Spanish
5
Spanish 202World Languages 24 hrs
Visual Arts
5
Art ElectiveArts & Rhetoric3 hrs

Calvin will accept A-Level (A2) exam scores of C or better for college credit in certain subjects. 

ExamCourse credit
AccountingAccounting 203
BiologyNatural Science Core
BusinessBusiness Elective (3 hrs)
ChemistryChemistry 101*
EconomicsEconomics 191, 221, 222
EnglishEnglish 101
GeographyGeography 110
HistoryHistory 152
Information Sys 
MathMathematics 171
Math - FurtherMathematics 172
PhysicsPhysics 222
PsychologyPsychology 151

*The registrar's office may work with designated academic departments for further review of higher level achievement and curriculum depth on a case-by-case basis.

Calvin accepts credit for the exams listed below. Visit the CLEP website for instructions about how to send a transcript of results.

CLEP Examination Title

Min Score

Equivalent Calvin CourseCoreCredit
American Government
50
 Social & Behavioral Science: Political Science3 hrs
American Literature
50
English 220Humanities: Literature4 hrs
Analyzing & Interpreting Literature
50
Elective 3 hrs
Biology
50
Biology 123Natural Sciences4 hrs
Calculus
50
Math 171Mathematical Sciences4 hrs
Chemistry50Chemistry 101Natural Sciences4 hrs
College Composition50Elective 3 hrs
College Mathematics50Elective 4 hrs
English Literature50English Elective 3 hrs
Financial Accounting55Accounting 204 4 hrs
Human Growth & Development50Psychology 201 4 hrs
Information Systems50Elective 4 hrs
Introduction to Educational Psychology50Elective 3 hrs
Introduction to Psychology50Psychology 151Social & Behavioral Science: Psychology4 hrs
Introductory Business Law55Business 350 4 hrs
Introductory Sociology50Sociology 151Social & Behavioral Science: Sociology & Social Work2 hrs
Macroeconomics50Economics 191Social & Behavioral Science: Economics2 hrs
Microeconomics50Economics 191Social & Behavioral Science: Economics2 hrs
Principles of Management50Elective 3 hrs
Principles of Marketing55Marketing 301 4 hrs
Spanish with Writing: Level 1 or Level 250Spanish 102World Languages 14 hrs

Current Students

You may obtain credit from other schools while studying at Calvin, but it's important to follow the steps below. Please note that Calvin will not award credit for duplicate course content from any other course or test for which the student has already received credit.

To take courses at another school during the summer or a semester away from Calvin, you will work primarily with the other school's admissions and registrar's offices.

  1. Determine the school you wish to attend and the course(s) you wish to take. Use the other school's website and resources to:
    • Find course listings.
    • Determine the course registration timeframe and process.
    • Understand tuition (residency rules may apply) and billing cycles.
  2. Obtain approval for the transfer course from Calvin.
    • Check first for pre-approved courses. Equivalencies listed in this database do not require additional approval.
    • For courses that are not pre-approved, fill out the transfer credit pre-approval form.
    • Note: An advisor must sign the form for approval of major, minor, cognate or other program courses prior to submitting the form to the Registrar's Office. For approval of core courses, submit directly to the Registrar's Office.
  3. Apply to other school as a guest student. For Michigan schools, use the Michigan Uniform Undergraduate Guest Application.
  4. Follow up on your application with the other school if needed, register for your course(s) and pay your tuition.
  5. Complete the course with a grade of C or better.
  6. Request an official transcript to be sent directly to Calvin for posting to your academic record.

  • At least one Foundations of Christianity class must be taken at Calvin.
  • Community and Commitments (CORE 100), Diversity & Difference tag, Environmental Sustainability tag, Global Regions & Cultures tag, and Contemporary Challenges and Enduring Questions tag must be satisfied at Calvin.
  • At least four upper-level courses in your major must be completed at Calvin.

  • Foundational Writing: Many community colleges offer a 2 course composition sequence; it takes both courses to fill the writing core.
  • Arts & Rhetoric: Speech or oral communication is the most likely to be approved or needed for specific majors.
  • Health & Movement: Courses do not have to match in title, but must have an activity component to be considered.
  • World Languages I: You must complete the equivalent of the second college semester, often titled 'Elementary II.' The sequence is Elementary I, Elementary II. Review the curriculum of the school you are considering for WL core.
  • World Languages II: You must complete the equivalent of the third college semester, often titled 'Intermediate I.' The sequence is Elementary I, Elementary II, Intermediate I. Review the curriculum of the school you are considering for WL core. Note that WLII is the Knowledge and Understanding section of the core, where it might be possible to complete other requirements in place of language.
  • Foundations of Christianity: One Foundations of Christianity core must be taken at Calvin. Look for courses similar in title to your required core area.
  • Natural Sciences: Look for courses with labs; a lab is a requirement for a course to transfer into the Natural Sciences core.
  • Tags: Traditional Calvin students cannot satisfy Diversity & Difference, Global Regions & Cultures, Environmental Sustainability, or Contemporary Challenges & Enduring Questions tags with transfer credit

Information on pre-approved off-campus program courses — or the enrollment process while studying abroad — visit the off-campus programs academics site.

Contact

HeadshotOct22

Rachel Cush

Assistant Registrar for Transfer/Continuing Studies
616-526-8432