Transferring Your Credits into SLU’s School for Professional Studies
Save time and money on the way to earning your degree online at the Saint Louis University School for Professional Studies. We offer a generous credit transfer policy that values both traditional and non-traditional learning—in the classroom, at work, in the military and from life experience
See what’s possible. Take the next step at SLU.
How it Works
We strive to make the credit transfer process as seamless as possible, so you can
focus on what matters most—your education.
- Research and select your desired SPS degree program.
- See what credits could be transferred. Explore accepted credits.
- Gather your transcripts from previous institutions. Download our transcript request form.
- Start the admissions process. Apply now.
- Meet with your dedicated academic coach (after admission) to discuss your transcripts and finalize your academic plan.
Have a specific transfer credit question? Contact our student engagement coordinator at 314-977-2330.
Ways to Get Credit
Every credit transfer situation is different. When you apply for admission, we’ll evaluate your unique transcripts and experience to help you get as much credit as possible.
Note that the number of total transfer credit hours (across all forms of prior learning) cannot exceed those permitted by Saint Louis University, SPS or the specific program to which the credit will be counted. See more details below.
Transfer most of the coursework you’ve taken at an accredited community college or junior college into your bachelor's program at SPS.
- Community college credits: We welcome up to 64 transfer credit hours from community colleges. Coursework taken at a two-year institution that may be applied toward your intended major will be evaluated by the appropriate program director for transferable credit.
- Credit from accredited four-year institutions: We welcome up to 90 transfer credit hours from accredited four-year institutions.
- Credits for Associate (A.A. or A.S.) Degrees: Provided that grades are "C" or better, a balanced associate degree (maximum of 64 credit hours) may be accepted in lieu of SPS’s core requirements—with the exception of required philosophy and theology courses, which must be completed in their entirety with six credit hours in each. This policy is not applicable for the social work program, which has preset core requirements.
What is considered a “balanced” associate degree? A balanced A.A. or A.S. degree consists of at least one approved three-credit-hour college-level course from each of the core curriculum areas of the school. Applicants who meet this criteria may be admitted with junior status.
Demonstrate your mastery of introductory college-level material by taking an examination through one of the higher education industry’s widely adopted and respected examination services.
- College-Level Examination Program (CLEP) Testing: Choose from 34 examinations and receive college credit for what you already know through the College Board’s CLEP program—for a fraction of the cost of a course. CLEP exams can be taken through SLU’s EM Testing Center or any other approved CLEP testing provider.
- DANTES Subject Standardized Tests (DSST): Nationally recognized, the DSST program allows military personnel and veterans to test and get credit for past experience and training. If you participated in the off-duty, voluntary education programs of the Department of Defense, you may receive credit for coursework taken while active military or in reserves. DSST exams can be taken through the SPS Workforce Center or any other approved DSST testing provider.
- American Council on Education (ACE) Learning Evaluation: As a nationally recognized coordinating body for the nation’s colleges and universities, ACE offers a way for students to receive credit for education and training obtained outside of the classroom including courses, exams, apprenticeships and other types of nontraditional forms of training. Listings of ACE-approved courses and credit recommendations can be found in the Guide to the Evaluation of Educational Experiences in the Armed Forces and The National Guide to Educational Credit for Training Programs.
Note that all exams must be taken prior to the course for which the exam is intended to replace, and the maximum number of credit hours you may obtain from all on-collegiate sources, including internal (e.g., placement) and external examinations is 30 — or up to 10 courses.
Transcripts are reviewed and credit recommendations are made based on the content of the class or training. SLU program chairs and directors make the final approval of which courses will be transferable.
Industry certifications that will be accepted for credit must possess two characteristics:
- An agency or organization must accredit and recognize the certification
- A test must be included as a prerequisite for receiving the certification
These certifications can be completed prior to enrolling in SPS or while you are currently enrolled. Note that the maximum number of credit hours you may obtain from all non-collegiate sources, including internal (e.g., placement) and external examinations is 30 — or up to 10 courses.
- Only college-level transfer courses with a grade C or above will be considered for acceptance and application toward a Saint Louis University degree.
- The cumulative GPA for transfer courses is calculated on all grades from college-level courses of all colleges attended.
- In the case of repeated transfer courses, grades will be calculated according to the policy of the institution from which the two courses were taken.
- Only transfer credits from regionally accredited institutions will be considered for transfer to Saint Louis University.
- The maximum number of transferable community college hours is 64. The maximum number of transferable credit hours from an accredited four-year institution is 90.
- Developmental, secretarial and highly technical courses of an applied nature may not transfer.
- Due to Saint Louis University School of Business AACSB accreditation standards, School for Professional Studies students may not apply more than 30 credit hours of business-related courses toward their degree.
- Transfer course work will be evaluated and accepted in relationship to the specific degree sought in SPS. In order for transfer credits to apply to courses within the major or minor fields, the transferring coursework must have been completed within ten years. Classes that meet core curriculum and elective requirements will be accepted, regardless of age, unless the course is required for your major or minor. Special considerations for specific classes will be examined on a case-by-case basis.
- Pending English placement tests, English credits may transfer in as general electives but all students must take ENGL 2005 at Saint Louis University.
- Official course evaluations will be performed after all official transcripts and supporting documents have been received. An official academic plan will then be completed to identify courses accepted toward your degree.