The College generally accepts credits from other regionally accredited colleges and universities under the following conditions:

1. The College has received an official transcript showing the credit hours earned and final grades from each course.

2. The course must be a college level course and the content must be similar to or the same as that of a Spartanburg Methodist College course to transfer as a direct equivalent course. College level courses that are not equivalent to SMC courses may transfer to SMC to fulfill elective requirements of a degree program. The course(s) must comply with the Spartanburg Methodist College definition of a credit hour. A credit hour is defined as not less than one hour of classroom or direct faculty instruction (excluding final exams) and a minimum of two hours out of class student work and reflection time each week for approximately fifteen weeks for one semester hour of credit, or the equivalent amount of work over a different amount of time not less than three weeks.

3. Applied Science coursework will not transfer to Spartanburg Methodist College.

4. A grade of C or better is recorded for each course to be transferred. (Grades of “D” are not accepted for transfer of credit.)

5. Courses and credit hours earned at another institution are entered on the official academic transcript, but quality points earned for grades earned at other institutions are not computed in the grade point average at Spartanburg Methodist College.

6. No more than a cumulative total of 75 percent of the total associate degree or bachelor’s degree will be accepted from other colleges, universities, and other sources.

7. Transfer credit will not be awarded for remedial courses.

8. Transfer credit may not be awarded to currently enrolled students who do not receive transient permission in advance of taking a course or courses.

The College may accept credits from Prior Learning Assessment (PLA) sources.  While college credits awarded through PLA will be counted as coursework to satisfy degree requirements at SMC, these credits may not transfer to other colleges if a student elects to enroll elsewhere.  Each PLA opportunity is specifically detailed in the following scenarios.  A maximum of 30 credit hours from all PLA sources can be applied toward completing degree requirements.  Credit from the PLA sources of Workplace Experience, Professional Certifications, Non-Credit Coursework and Foreign Language Competency will not be added to the student’s academic transcript until Spartanburg Methodist College credit has been earned.

Currently enrolled students may be awarded credit through documented work and life experiences in the field in which a degree is being pursued.  The Student Application for Prior Learning Assessment (PLA) must be submitted to the Registrar, listing the credit for which the student is applying through Workplace Experience.  The Registrar will determine the department chair best qualified to evaluate the student’s knowledge and experience.  At this department chair’s discretion, a portfolio and/or written examination will be utilized to make a recommendation to the Registrar. The final determination of academic credit awarded rests with the Registrar. A maximum of 12 credit hours can be awarded specifically for workplace experience.

A portfolio-based workplace experience credit evaluation requires review by an appropriate faculty member in a discipline related to the work experience. Supporting evidence is required for any credit to be awarded through PLA. Students seeking credit for prior learning through a portfolio analysis should consider the following supporting evidence:

• An updated resume
• Letters for supervisors verifying responsibilities
• Job descriptions
• Examples of work performed

The portfolio should contain a narrative addressing the specific courses for which the student believes they should receive credit for prior learning. The student should use the current SMC course catalog for this purpose.  It may also be advantageous for the student to obtain the current course syllabi to understand how their experiences relate to the learning outcomes of the course(s). The portfolio should be assembled in a manner that is easily accessible to the reader. The portfolio should include the Student Application for Prior Learning Assessment and either a table of contents or an inventory list of what is included in the portfolio.   Credit awarded will not be added to the student’s academic transcript until SMC credit is earned.

Currently enrolled students may be awarded credit for external industry certifications.  The Student Application for Prior Learning Assessment must be submitted to the Registrar, listing the credit for which the student is applying along with the Certification and information to justify the awarding of credit.  The Registrar will determine the department chair best qualified to determine what course credit may be awarded.  At the department chair’s discretion, it will be determined what information is necessary to decide on the credit to recommend.  A recommendation by the department chair will be made to the Registrar using the application form. The Registrar will maintain a record of these decisions so the credit awarded can be standardized for future granting of credit.  The final determination of academic credit awarded rests with the Registrar.  Credit awarded will not be added to the student’s academic transcript until SMC credit is earned.

Currently enrolled students may be awarded credit for non-credit coursework. Similar to professional certifications, documented non-credit coursework may be used as Prior Learning Assessment credit, and may include continuing education or other job-related non-credit. The Student Application for Prior Learning Assessment must be submitted to the Registrar, listing the credit for which the student is applying along with information to justify the awarding of credit. The Registrar will determine the department chair best qualified to determine what course credit may be awarded.  At the department chair’s discretion, it will be determined what information is necessary to decide on the credit to recommend. A recommendation by the department chair will be made to the Registrar using the application form.  The final determination of academic credit awarded rests with the Registrar. Credit awarded will not be added to the student’s academic transcript until SMC credit is earned.

Currently enrolled students may be awarded credit for foreign language competency in certain languages. The Student Application for Prior Learning Assessment must be submitted to the Registrar, listing the credit for which the student is applying along with information to justify the awarding of credit.  The Registrar will determine the department chair best qualified to determine what course credit may be awarded. At the department chair’s discretion, it will be determined what information is necessary to decide on the credit to recommend, including oral or written examinations. A recommendation by the department chair will be made to the Registrar using the application form. The final determination of academic credit awarded rests with the Registrar.  Credit awarded will not be added to the student’s academic transcript until SMC credit is earned.

Credit for military service may be awarded for active military service as follows:  up to three semester hours for six months’ active duty followed by active participation in a reserve unit; and up to six semester hours for 24 months’ active duty.

Credit may be awarded for educational experiences in the military in accordance with the recommendations published by the American Council on Education and will be consistent with the policy on the transfer of credit.  Students should submit an official transcript from the Joint Military Transcript (JMT) System for consideration.

The College accepts as credit toward graduation the following courses from the federal and state criminal justice academies:  CRMJ 230, Policing and PHED 121, Wellness.  The Chairperson of the Criminal Justice department at SMC has reviewed learning outcomes of courses offered at the Academy to arrive at the awarding of the degree credit.  In order to receive these credits, graduates of the Academy must provide documentation of successful completion of course work at SCCJA upon admission to Spartanburg Methodist College.  These hours may not transfer to other colleges if a student elects to transfer.

The College awards credit for scores of 3 or higher on tests taken in approved subject areas in the Advanced Placement (AP) Program.  Select tests require a score higher than 3. No credit is given for scores of 1 or 2.  Prospective students interested in AP credit should contact their high school guidance counselors for testing information.

The College awards credit for scores of 4 or higher on higher level International Baccalaureate (IB) examinations for certain subject areas (contact the Registrar for a specific list of subject areas).  No credit is given for scores of 1-3.