Westminster College Home > Admissions > Transfer Students > Credit for Prior Learning

Credit for Prior Learning

Westminster College is committed to saving you time and money by awarding you credit for what you already know. Your prior learning experience can award you credits that let you complete your degree faster and with less debt.

The credit predictor tool shows you how much credit you may receive for your prior learning experience.

CREDIT PREDICTOR TOOL

Check the Transfer Equivalency System to see if your credits have been approved to transfer to Westminster.

Transfer Equivalency System

Types of Prior Learning Experiences

We understand that learning happens inside and outside the classroom. Westminster College will evaluate the following types of college-level learning for credit toward your degree.

Transfer Credit from Other Institutions

Westminster College works with you to transfer college credit, whether it be from high school through dual credit or dual enrollment; or college credit from another higher education institution.

Associate degrees

Your Associate of Arts or Associate of Science degree from an institutionally accredited community college will award you a waiver of most of our general education curriculum.

College transfer credit

Westminster College has a database of several course equivalencies from institutions for which we accept transfer credit. Search the Transfer Equivalency System to see if your course credit has already been approved as a transfer to a Westminster course. If your course is not in the system, we will still evaluate it for credit.

CORE 42 framework

The CORE 42 framework is a common general education curriculum adopted by all Missouri public two- and four-year institutions. Your CORE 42 framework credit earned from participating Missouri schools will award you a waiver of most of our general education curriculum.

Dual enrollment and dual credit

Westminster will evaluate credit in dual enrollment and dual credit programs offered by other institutions as transfer credit so long as it is presented on an official transcript from an accredited college or university.

Industry and Workplace Experience

We will evaluate corporate training, certifications, exams, and alternative educational programs according to the ACE National Guide and departmental review. Upload your certificates and official documents of completion with your application materials to have your experience evaluated for credit. This evaluation process will begin after you are admitted and enrolled for classes. However, we can provide an informal evaluation prior to admission.

Military Training and Occupations

We will evaluate formal courses and occupations offered by all branches of the military according to the ACE Military Guide . Upload your DD214 or your Joint Services Transcript with your application materials to have your experience evaluated for credit.

Credit by Examination

Westminster College will evaluate the following examinations for a maximum of 30 credit hours. Upload your reports with your application materials to have your examinations evaluated for credit.

If you didn't find your course or institution, review our transfer of credit below or contact the Assistant Registrar. 

Transfer credit for incoming students is evaluated by the office of the Associate Dean of Faculty. Westminster will accept credit, including dual enrollment credit, if:

  • The institution where the credits were earned is accredited by an established regional accrediting organization. Westminster may accept credit from institutions with accreditation that is not regional, but reserves the right to refuse credit from such institutions.
  • The grade received is a "C-" or better.
  • Courses comparable to a course offered at Westminster will be awarded credit for that specific course.
  • Courses not comparable to a Westminster course will be awarded elective credit.
  • Courses that fulfill the goals of Westminster's Breakthrough general education requirements may be awarded credit for a Foundations or Theme requirement even if the course is not equivalent to a specific Westminster course..

Students may appeal the initial decision regarding their transfer credit through the Assistant Registrar, including any information that may assist in establishing the appropriate equivalency. There are three possible levels of the appeal:

  • The Transfer Experience Coordinator may choose to revisit the initial decision, and/or consult with the appropriate Chair(s). 
  • If this appeal is denied, the student may apply directly to the Associate Dean of Faculty, in writing, again including any material that may be of assistance.
  • If this does not resolve the situation, the student may then appeal to the Commissioner of Higher Education of the the Coordinating Board for Higher Education (CBHE) of the State of Missouri. The office of the Associate Dean of Faculty will forward all materials provided by the student, as well as documentation of the reason for the decision, along with the appeal.

See the Academic Catalog for more detailed information about the transfer of credit and the transfer credit appeal process.