Process of Evaluation

Transfer of credit is not automatic; it is conditional upon approval by the Associate Dean of the Graduate Studies in consultation with the faculty as described below.

According to the established practice in higher education, receipt of credit from other institutions is neither automatic nor obligatory. The receiving institution has the exclusive right to accept or reject credits earned at other institutions.

Necessary Accreditation

Ozark Christian College will accept credit for equivalent courses for degrees offered at Ozark from other institutions accredited by regional or national accrediting organizations recognized by CHEA (Council for Higher Education Administration).

Required Transcripts

Academic transcripts from previous colleges must be submitted to the Associate Dean of Graduate Studies for evaluation. Transcripts must be sent to the Ozark Christian College Registrar’s Office directly from the college(s) and/or university(ies) previously attended. The transcripts must be official, authentic, signed, and affixed with the school seal. Transcripts may be faxed to the college; however, they will be considered unofficial documents only, pending the official, authenticated, signed, and sealed documents received in the mail or via an electronic transcript services used by the other institution.

Determination of Equivalency

Determination of equivalency will be made by the Associate Dean of Graduate Studies in conjunction with the faculty. Students may be asked to submit a course description, course syllabus, and completed assignments to evaluate equivalency of course work.

Further Transfer Credit Considerations

Students must have earned a grade of at least 2.000 on a 4-point scale in the course to be considered for transfer.

Ozark Christian College measures all courses in semester credits. Transferred courses that were transcripted using a quarter system will be converted to semester credits.

Courses completed more than ten years previous may not be accepted as transfer credit unless continued competency can be demonstrated.

For students enrolling in master’s degree programs a maximum of 50% of transfer credits will be accepted toward a master’s degree.

Evaluation Completion

Upon completion of the evaluation of a student’s previous course work, a copy of the Transfer of Credit Form indicating awarded courses and a letter from the Associate Dean of Graduate Studies will be sent to the student by email.

Approval Considerations

The Higher Learning Commission and Association for Biblical Higher Education allows students to apply for advanced standing of up to one-half of the total credits required for a degree program. Advanced Standing is not automatic; it is conditional upon approval by the Associate Dean of Graduate Studies in consultation with the faculty as described below.

Advanced Standing consideration is available to students whose undergraduate cumulative GPA is 3.0 (on a 4.0 scale) or higher, and the courses being considered received a grade of B or higher. Typically, Advanced Standing is granted where the bachelor’s degree is from an accredited institution with a major or minor in Bible, theology, religion, or a ministry field. Upon approval from the Associate Dean of the Graduate Studies in consultation with the faculty, such standing may be assigned:

Without Credit

Exempting students from some courses but not reducing the total number of academic hours required for the degree.

With Credit

Reducing the number of hours required for the degree. NOTE: Advanced Standing “with credit” is limited to six (6) hours in 36 hour concentrations and is not available for 30 hour concentrations.

Biblical Languages

Advanced Standing for Biblical Languages (without credit or with credit) will be considered if the requesting student’s undergraduate transcripts demonstrate at least two semesters in the specified language. In addition to the application for Advanced Standing listed below, the student will be required to demonstrate proficiency through an oral or written exam from the professor of the biblical language course. The professor’s recommendation and transcripts will then be reviewed by the Associate Dean of Graduate Studies for final approval or denial.

Application for Advanced Standing

Students must request an Advanced Standing evaluation within the first academic year. Normally, Advanced Standing evaluations are not conducted during the admissions process. Incoming students must have a completed application on file and have received a letter of acceptance before Advanced Standing will be considered. It is the student’s responsibility to request an Advanced Standing evaluation from the Associate Dean of Graduate Studies. The student must be submit the following:

1. A list of courses for which Advanced Standing is being requested.
2. A web link to the undergraduate catalog or hard copy of the course descriptions.
3. Upon request, a syllabus for the course.
4. Upon request, the reviewer may request copies of completed assignments.

The student will then meet with the appropriate faculty member to review the items submitted and discuss options which may or may not include a competency exam. Upon the completion of the evaluation of a student’s previous course work, a copy of the Advanced Standing from indicating awarded courses and a letter from the Associate Dean of Graduate Studies will be sent to the student by email.