Limitations on Credit Applicable Toward a Graduate Certificate
- Generally, no more than 12 credits of 5000-level courses may be applied to any graduate certificate. Individual programs may set different limits.
- No more than 12 credits taken as a non-matriculated student may apply toward a graduate certificate, and some programs allow fewer. Work closely with your program advisor to determine how many credits taken as a non-matriculated student will apply to your program.
- The number of SPU credit-by-examination courses that may be applied toward a graduate certificate are determined by the individual graduate program, but in no case may more than 6 such credits be applied. 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.
- The number of credits taken at other regionally accredited universities that can be transferred toward a specific graduate certificate 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.
- In no instance can credits be waived within a program. If a transfer course is approved to transfer as equivalent to a required course within the program, but the credits earned at the transfer institution are less than the credits required for the course at SPU, the student is held accountable for the total credit deficiency. The student can meet the credit deficiency through additional elective coursework (whether that be through additional approved transfer coursework or through SPU credits).
- SPU does not award credit for prior learning, travel, life experience, or work experience.