Academic Catalog

Limitations on Credit Applicable Toward a Doctoral Degree

  • Generally, no more than 9 credits taken at SPU before admission to a specific degree program will apply toward a doctoral degree, though some programs, at their discretion, may allow more credits. 
  • The number of SPU credit-by-examination courses and workshops that may be applied toward a doctoral degree are determined by the individual doctoral program (see program section for specifics). Only admitted students are eligible for the credit-by-examination option and examinations may be taken only in quarters in which the student is enrolled at SPU. See additional information about credit by examination in this catalog.
  • Credits accepted in transfer toward your degree must be from a regionally accredited institution or an international institution with comparable government recognition, unless catalog pages for your degree program itemize specific policies and standards for the acceptance of credits from non-regionally accredited institutions.
  • The number of credits taken at other regionally accredited universities that can be transferred toward a specific doctoral degree program varies (see program section for specifics). The credits must be in classes that are functionally identical to courses required by the SPU program and are accepted at the discretion of the specific program.
  • One-credit courses, whether quarter- or semester-based, are not transferable and may not be applied toward a doctoral degree.
  • No doctoral work taken at another institution during the time a student is working on a doctoral degree at SPU may apply toward an SPU degree, unless the student has the prior written approval of the program director.
  • SPU does not award credit for prior learning, travel, life experience, or work experience.
  • You must make application for any required comprehensive examination at least four weeks before the examination is scheduled and pay the comprehensive examination fee at Student Financial Services (SFS).
  • Degrees are awarded and posted to your transcript based on the quarter in which you fulfill all degree requirements. Your degree will be posted within one quarter after your lastuarter of enrollment.
  • You must pay the cost of binding the requested copies of the thesis/project (if applicable) to the appropriate graduate office.