Credit Information
A summary of degree requirements and credit for prior learning options are outlined below. For complete details and deadlines, consult the St. Catherine University Undergraduate Academic Catalog.
Degree-seeking students must follow requirements listed in the catalog for the year in which they enter the University. Re-applicants who have been away for more than two years will be viewed as new students and must follow requirements currently in effect.
Credit Requirements
A minimum of 130 semester credits is necessary to earn a baccalaureate degree. This number includes all required courses and supporting work for a major, the liberal arts core curriculum and additional nonmajor courses as needed to meet the graduation requirements.
Residency Credit Requirements
Students must complete 48 out of their last 64 credits at the University. If students wish to earn Latin honors, they must complete 64 credits in residence. In all cases, students must complete a minimum of one-half of the total number of courses required for a major in residence. (Courses in residence are those for which students have registered for and completed at St. Catherine University.)
Transfer of Credit
Courses eligible for
transfer credit must be earned at regionally accredited colleges and universities. Only those courses in which students earned a grade of C- (or its equivalent) or higher are transferable. Transfer credits from institutions on a quarter-credit system are converted to semester credits by multiplying transferable credits by two-thirds and rounding to the nearest whole number. Transfer course work is evaluated on a course-by-course basis to determine which liberal arts core requirements have been met. To fulfill liberal arts core requirements, a course must carry a value of at least two semester credits or three quarter credits (with the exception of physical education activities). An associate's degree does not automatically exempt transfer students from any of the graduation requirements, including total credits, nonmajor credits, major credits, residency, proficiencies and liberal arts core. Entering the University with an associate degree also does not guarantee junior status.
Credit for Prior Learning
A maximum of 32 semester credits may be applied toward the baccalaureate degree through various examinations and the Credit for Academically Relevant Learning (CARL) program. The University routinely recognizes credit for tests administered under the Advanced Placement Program and the College Level Examination Program (CLEP).
CLEP
CLEP enables students to earn college credit by examination. Wherever or however you have learned, as long as you did not receive college credit previously, you can take CLEP tests. St. Catherine's awards credit for CLEP test scores that meet the recommendations of the American Council on Education. Upon receipt of official CLEP scores, credit can be awarded.
CARL
The CARL program provides an opportunity to earn credit for college-level learning that takes place outside the classroom. Through CARL, students develop portfolios of relevant, college-level learning experiences that are assessed by faculty evaluators. Students may apply for the program after completing a minimum of 16 semester credits at the University and after attending a CARL information session. One-half tuition will be charged for CARL credits earned.
Proficiency Examinations
Department Proficiency Examinations are another way to demonstrate mastery of specific subject matter. They are similar to trimester final examinations and can earn college credit or placement in a course of study.