When considering a doctoral program at Capella University, many students wonder whether previous academic credits can be applied towards the doctoral degree to save time and cost. Kelly Brooks, Capella\u2019s Registrar, and Cori Syring, Capella\u2019s Supervisor of Admissions and Records Operations, provide important answers to frequently asked questions.<\/p>\n
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A. It really depends on the program as each one has different requirements. In general, any transferred credits have to be directly applicable towards the doctoral degree. Many programs allow some applicability of master\u2019s work, if it\u2019s relevant to the doctoral work. A few also include open electives at the graduate level, so Master\u2019s courses may be applicable to those requirements.<\/p>\n
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A. Overall, the credits need to be from an accredited school, with grades of a B- or better on graduate-level courses. The content and credit level need to be about 75% the same as an existing Capella doctoral-level course. But that\u2019s not a guarantee that a course will be accepted. Some courses can\u2019t be transferred, such as program orientation courses, residency, practicum, or internships. Those must be taken at Capella.<\/p>\n
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A. First, study the current program catalog. The course descriptions will indicate if transferred credit is accepted. Make sure you\u2019re looking at the current program catalog, as things can change from year to year.<\/p>\n
Next, apply to the program you\u2019re interested in. Capella will work with you on transfer credits, but we can\u2019t do this until you\u2019ve formally applied. Next, you\u2019ll need to fill out a form allowing us to access a transcript with the credits you want to transfer. Also, it\u2019s important to know that if you have any holds from your prior school (such as unpaid fees or unfinished coursework), we won\u2019t be able to get the transcript until the holds are cleared.<\/p>\n
Once you\u2019ve allowed us to request the transcript, the rest of the process is up to Capella. It typically takes less than a week to receive your transfer evaluation once Capella has received all the necessary transcripts.<\/p>\n
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A. Capella always strives to maximize transfer credits as much as possible, giving students as many credits as possible toward the doctoral program. But the content must align, and the grades must meet the minimum requirements in order to be used. If some credits are not accepted, there is an appeals process, and we can work with faculty if additional review is needed. There are even cases where you may receive more credits than you expected. For example, Capella operates on a quarter-based system, with courses running 10-12 weeks. If you\u2019re bringing in credits from a semester-based school with courses that run 15 weeks, those credits translate into a quarter system at higher levels, so that one semester credit is equal to one and a half quarter credits.<\/p>\n
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A. Talk to your enrollment counselor, and look at the current program catalog<\/a> for the most up-to-date information to determine where your courses might apply in transfer.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n <\/p>\n Learn more about <\/em>transferring credits<\/em><\/a> at Capella. <\/em><\/p>\n