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Transfer of Elective Credit
Noteworthy Details Unique to Each Massachusetts State University and UMass Campus

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Transfer of Elective Credit

Elective credits are earned for courses that do not satisfy either general education subject areas or requirements designated within a student's major. Elective credits can be used for degree completion and can also help a student explore interesting subjects or entire fields of study in the major exploration process. Most associate and bachelor's degree pathways include room for elective credits, however, students should always work with campus-based advisors to help them understand the impact of electives on their progress toward degree completion.

Each Massachusetts state university and University of Massachusetts campus follows different protocols and procedures when accepting transferred courses as elective credits. Learn more about individual campus practices below.

Jump to elective credit transfer information for:  


Bridgewater State University

Bridgewater State University will accept up to 69 credits from a two-year accredited institution and up to 90 credits from a four-year accredited institution. The BEARS Course Equivalency database serves as a guide to help assist students with identifying pre-existing course equivalencies. Courses that do not have a direct equivalency will populate under the free elective column of the student's degreeworks audit and the student will be encouraged to review these courses with a transfer advisor.  If a course is deemed eligible for appeal, the student may pursue a substitution request and/or course equivalency request within their respective major department.
  • Important to note: students coded as meeting the General Education Foundation (masstransfer) requirements will have a majority of their transfer credits populated under the free electives column of their degreeworks audit.
  • For students who have earned more than 69 credits at their respective community college, a BSU transfer admission representative will determine what 69 credits are most applicable towards the student's degree and will accept and apply those credits towards the student's degree, while omitting the remainder of credits. However, if a student's major or minor changes, and any omitted credits are applicable, the student will be able to request a swap of courses via admissions.
  • Rulings on course appeal and course substitution requests will be determined at the discretion of the representing dean or chairperson reviewing the request.
  • For more information regarding this process, please contact Transfer Services at transfercentral@bridgew.edu or 508.531.2686. 

Fitchburg State University

Fitchburg State University accepts community college college-level credit from any subject, up to 75 credits from community colleges, and up to 90 credits including baccalaureate institutions.


Framingham State University

The University does not limit the amount of transfer credits a student can bring in as Elective Credit as long as the Course Residency Requirements are met. However, the University does not accept community college college-level credit from the following subject areas: Construction, Dental, Leisure Education, and Manufacturing. Framingham State University may accept credit in other areas, but only as "Open Elective Transfer Credit.".

Stipulations that apply to transfer credit include:

  • Transfer credit is awarded for college-level courses only. Developmental coursework does not transfer but may be used for student placement purposes. 
  • Transfer credit is given only for courses in which the student received a grade of C- (1.70/4.00 scale) or higher. Note: Exceptions for Spring 2020 coursework will be made where coursework with a passing grade lower than a C- (1.70/4.00) will be accepted in transfer.
  • A Pass/Fail grade is not transferable unless otherwise indicated on the transcript key that the value of Pass is equal to a C- (1.70) or higher. Note: Exceptions will be made for Spring 2020 coursework based on the Transcript Legend/Key from the previous institution.
  • Transfer credits and grades will not affect the Institutional GPA, but will be used in determining attempted credits when determining academic standing.
  • Students must complete a minimum of 32 course-credits, including courses for general education, major and major-related requirements, as well as open/free electives in order to earn their Framingham State University degree.
  • Once a student is accepted to the University as a degree candidate, all official transcripts are sent to the Office of the University Registrar to be reviewed by the transfer credit evaluator. All approved courses accepted in transfer will be awarded Framingham State University course-credit in an amount equivalent to FSU's course-credit. For example, transfer courses that bear 3 credits from the sending institution are the equivalent of 0.75 course-credits. Transfer courses that bear 4 credits from the sending institution are the equivalent of 1 course-credits. Transfer courses that bear 2 credits from the sending institution are the equivalent of 0.50 course-credits. Transfer courses that bear 1 credit from the sending institution are the equivalent of 0.25 course-credit.

Massachusetts College of Art and Design

Elective credit transfer information not yet published.


Massachusetts College of Liberal Arts

Students may transfer up to 75 credits to MCLA from any accredited institution. If a student's earned credits do not satisfy major, minor, or core requirements, they will be brought in as electives.


Massachusetts Maritime Academy

Elective credit transfer information not yet published.


Salem State University

Elective credit transfer information not yet published.


Westfield State University

Students may transfer in a maximum of 90 credits from regionally accredited institutions, of which no more than 79 credits can come from a two-year institution.


Worcester State University

Worcester State University does not accept community college college-level credit from internships and practica, unless approved for transfer by the corresponding academic department, or co-ops under any circumstances.


University of Massachusetts Amherst

The University does not limit the amount of elective credit a student may receive as long as they do not exceed the 75 credit maximum transfer limit.

Transfer policies can be found on the University Registrar's website:

https://www.umass.edu/registrar/students/transfer-information/transfer-credit



University of Massachusetts Boston

UMass Boston evaluates elective credit on a course-by-course basis, please reference www.transferology.com/school/umb for existing course equivalencies. If the course in question is not in the Transferology database, please email undergrad.admissions@umb.edu for assistance.


University of Massachusetts Dartmouth

UMass Dartmouth evaluates elective credit on a course-by-course basis, please reference www.umassd.edu/transfer and click Course Equivalency Guide for existing course equivalencies. If the course in question is not in the database, please email dual-enrollment@umassd.edu for assistance.


University of Massachusetts Lowell

UMass Lowell evaluates all transfer work (including elective) on a course-by-course basis  Students may transfer in a total of 90 credits from an accredited institution.  However, no more than 60 credits (75 with an approved petition) may be from a community college. Students may consult our transfer dictionary (www.uml.edu/registrar/transfer) to view existing course equivalencies.  Courses that are not in the dictionary will be evaluated upon acceptance to the university

Transfer credit policies may be found online at:.  https://www.uml.edu/catalog/undergraduate/policies/admissions-policies/#transfer-students.