Wayne State University

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Transfer Credit

Effective Winter 2010

Graduate credits are accumulated toward completing degree or certificate programs. The nature of a specific course (whether it is a core/required class or an elective) will affect the application of transfer and course waiver policies. Transfer credits are defined as classes that a student may apply to degree completion. Course waivers are defined as classes that a student may be exempted from taking but the credits are not applied toward degree completion.

Transferring credits requires filling out the official Petition for Transfer of Graduate Credit form which must be completed by the student, signed by the advisor and accompanied by official transcripts. For course waivers, the faculty member granting the waiver places a memorandum in the student file indicating the basis of the waiver. Appeals of credit transfer and course waiver decisions may be made in writing to the SLIS Director.
 
 

Transfer Credits

 
Graduate credit transfer policies which apply under all circumstances:
  • The course(s) cannot have been applied toward another degree.
  • The course(s) must be indicated as graduate level on an official transcript.
  • A grade of "B" or better must have been earned.
  • Students have 6 years to complete an MLIS and 3 years to complete a certificate. Transfer courses must be taken within the 6 year period for the MLIS and within the 3 year period for a certificate.
  • Only 6 credit hours outside of library and information science may be applied to the MLIS degree. Up to 9 credit hours of LIS classes taken at another ALA-accredited MLIS program may be approved for transfer credit.
  • Under no circumstances may undergraduate credits be used toward a graduate degree.
     

Transfer Credits for MLIS Core Classes and required certificate, endorsement or Specialist classes

  • Designated Lead Instructors are responsible for reviewing official transcripts and recommending the transfer of core and required classes for all degrees and certificates to the SLIS Office for final approval.
     

Transfer Credits for Elective courses (which are not required in a certificate, endorsement or degree program of study)

  • Faculty advisors are responsible for reviewing official transcripts and recommending transfer of credits for all elective courses to the SLIS Office for final approval. (If the elective course is required by the student requesting the review in a certificate, endorsement, or degree program, then the Lead Instructor must be consulted.)
  • Recommendations for transfer of elective courses will be made on a course by course and student by student basis.
  • Elective courses for transfer must be relevant to a student’s chosen career path and integrate with the overall Plan of Work to be considered.
  • Sufficient evidence for the advisor to make a decision will be provided by the student requesting a transfer. Evidence may include the course syllabus, examples of course assignments or other information requested by the faculty advisor.