You may obtain credit from other schools while studying at Calvin.

Transfer credit process

To take courses at another school during the summer or a semester away from Calvin, you will work primarily with the other school's admissions and registrar's offices.

  1. Determine the school you wish to attend and the course(s) you wish to take. Use the other school's website and resources to:
    • Find course listings.
    • Determine the course registration timeframe and process.
    • Understand tuition (residency rules may apply) and billing cycles.
  2. Obtain approval for the transfer course from Calvin.
    • Check first for pre-approved courses. Equivalencies listed in this database do not require additional approval.
    • For courses that are not pre-approved, fill out the transfer credit pre-approval form.
    • Note: major, minor, cognate or other program courses must be approved by an advisor prior to submitting the form.
  3. Apply to other school as a guest student. For Michigan schools, use the Michigan Uniform Undergraduate Guest Application.
  4. Follow up on your application with the other school if needed, register for your course(s) and pay your tuition.
  5. Complete the course with a grade of C or better.
  6. Request an official transcript to be sent to Calvin for posting to your academic record.

Notes about non-transferrable coursework

  • At least one Foundations of Christianity class must be taken at Calvin.
  • Community and Commitments, all tagged requirements, and Contemporary Challenges and Enduring Questions must be taken at Calvin.
  • At least four upper-level courses in your major must be completed at Calvin.

Notes by core area:

  • Foundational Writing: Many community colleges offer a 2 course composition sequence; it takes both courses to fill the writing core.
  • Arts & Rhetoric: Speech or oral communication is the most likely to be approved or needed for specific majors.
  • Health & Movement: Courses do not have to match in title, but must have an activity component to be considered.
  • World Languages I: You must complete the equivalent of the second college semester, often titled 'Elementary II.' The sequence is Elementary I, Elementary II. Review the curriculum of the school you are considering for WL core.
  • World Languages II: You must complete the equivalent of the third college semester, often titled 'Intermediate I.' The sequence is Elementary I, Elementary II, Intermediate I. Review the curriculum of the school you are considering for WL core. Note that WLII is the Knowledge and Understanding section of the core, where it might be possible to complete other requirements in place of language.
  • Foundations of Christianity: One Foundations of Christianity core must be taken at Calvin. Look for courses similar in title to your required core area.
  • Natural Sciences: Look for courses with labs; a lab is a requirement for a course to transfer into the Natural Sciences core.

    • More information

    Please visit our FAQ page.