Transfer Services
Transfer your credits from another institution to CSM.
Acceptable Credits
There are a number of ways that you may receive college credit at CSM for subject matter or skills you have mastered.
You may earn up to 30 credits toward a CSM degree through prior learning assessment. No more than 15 of these credits may be earned through departmental assessments toward a degree.
** You should be aware that any schools that you wish to transfer to after CSM may impose different restrictions on these credits.
Here are the credits that CSM will evaluate for transfer:
- Credits earned at other Colleges and Universities (U.S.)
- Credits earned at International Colleges and Universities
- Tech Prep Courses
- AP Exams
- Military Record and Other Non-Collegiate Schools
- CLEP and DANTES
- Depatment Exam and Previous Experience
Credits Earned at Other Colleges and Universities (U.S.)
Credits are transferred from regional and Maryland state accredited institutions provided they meet requirements of the curriculum which the student plans to enter. The regional accrediting bodies are
- Middle States Association of Colleges and Schools,
- New England Association of Schools and Colleges,
- North Central Association of Colleges and Schools,
- Northwest Association of Schools and Colleges,
- Southern Association of Colleges and Schools, and
- Western Association of Schools and Colleges.
Credits are transferred from institutions found in the current edition of the Transfer Credit Practices of Designated Educational Institutions (AACRAO publication) as having an institutional accreditation, and from two-year and four-year independent colleges/universities found in the Directory of Maryland Public and Private Higher Education Institutions, Agencies, and Boards (MHEC publication).
The college will transfer credit for courses in which a grade of D or better was obtained from accredited public two-year and four-year colleges within the state of Maryland, provided the student has earned a cumulative grade point average of at least 2.00 in the block of courses for which transfer is requested. (Otherwise, only credit for courses in which a grade of C or better was earned are transferred.) Credits earned at accredited institutions outside the state of Maryland will be transferred only for courses in which a grade of C or better was obtained.
Only the credits (not the grades) for courses completed at other institutions are transferred to a student's record at this college. Therefore, grades earned at other institutions may not be used to erase grades earned at this college or to improve a student's grade point average.
The college does not automatically honor course waivers or exemptions granted by other institutions. Students seeking such waivers from the College of Southern Maryland must provide the original basis for the exemption and request an official evaluation.
The Programs of Study section of this catalog indicates the number of credits allowable in transfer for each curriculum.
Students having questions regarding transfer policies should contact a academic advisor for further information, or refer to the Maryland Higher Education Commission Student Transfer Policies printed in Appendix III of the college catalog.
Use ARTSYS to find course equivalencies between Maryland colleges and universities.
Quarter Hours
CSM will accept credits from an institution that operates on a quarter
system. According to national guidelines, the following formula is used to transfer quarter credits into semester credits:
Quarter credits X .667 = Semester credits
Example: 4.0 Quarter credits X .667 = 2.7 Semester credits
If a course taken on the quarter system is a general education course at the sending institution, it will also satisfy the general education course requirement at CSM. However, students who have transferred quarter hour courses may be required to take an additional 1-credit course in order to satisfy the overall number of semester hour credits required for graduation from CSM.
Credits Earned at International Colleges and Universities
Students seeking credit for course work completed at an international institution are responsible for having an official transcript evaluated by the American Association of Collegiate Registrars and Admissions Officers (AACRAO). There is a fee for this service.
American Association of Collegiate Registrars and Admissions Officers (AACRAO)
One Dupont Circle, NW
Suite 520
Washington, DC 20036-1135
Tech Prep Courses
Students from Charles, Calvert, or St. Mary's County public high schools may receive credit in certain college programs through Tech Prep articulation agreements. The student must complete the college application, Tech Prep application, and provide an official copy of the high school transcript. Once it has been determined that all requirements of the Tech Prep articulation agreement have been met, college credit will be awarded in the appropriate curriculum and posted to the student's transcript.
For further information on Tech Prep articulation agreements, students should contact the Admissions Office.
AP Exams
Eligible students may take the Advanced Placement Examinations administered in the high schools. The following table lists acceptable exams and scores with their college course and credit equivalencies.
| AP Exam Name | Exam Score Needed | Course Equivalent | Credit Hours Equivalent |
|---|---|---|---|
American Government: Government and Politics |
4-5 |
3 credits |
|
American History |
4-5 |
6 credits total |
|
3 |
3 credits |
||
Art History |
4-5 |
3 credits |
|
Biology |
5 |
8 credits total |
|
4 |
BIO-1060 |
8 credits total |
|
3 |
4 credits total |
||
| Chemistry | 4-5 |
8 credits total |
|
| Economics: Macro | 4-5 |
3 credits |
|
| Economics: Micro | 4-5 |
3 credits |
|
| English: Literature | 4-5 |
6 credits total |
|
3 |
3 credits |
||
| English: Language | 3-5 |
3 credits |
|
| Environmental Sciences | 3 |
4 credits total |
|
| European History | 4-5 |
6 credits total |
|
3 |
3 credits |
||
| French: Language | 4-5 |
6 credits total |
|
3 |
3 credits |
||
| Mathematics: CALC AB | 4-5 |
4 credits |
|
3 |
3 credits |
||
| Mathematics: CALC BC | 4-5 |
8 credits total |
|
3-4 |
4 or 3 credits, respectively |
||
3 |
4 credits |
||
| Mathematics: Statistics | 3-5 |
3 credits |
|
| Music Theory | 4-5 |
4 credits total |
|
| Physics: PHY B | 4-5 |
8 credits total |
|
| Physics: PHY C Part I - Mechanics | 3-5 |
4 credits total |
|
| Physics: PHY C Part II - Electricity and Magnetism | 3-5 |
4 credits total |
|
| Psychology | 4-5 |
3 credits |
|
| Spasish: Lanuage | 4-5 |
6 credits total |
|
3 |
3 credits |
||
| Studio Art | 4-5 |
6 credits total |
|
3 |
3 credits |
||
| World History | 4-5 |
6 credits total |
|
3 |
3 credits |
Military Record and Other Non-Collegiate Schools
Credits granted for noncollegiate-sponsored instruction are limited to those courses that the college determines to be applicable to its degree and certificate programs. Transcripts from each school or agency attended must be submitted to the Advising Office. These credits will not be posted on the student's transcript until the student successfully completes at least six institutional credits, unless the courses are part of an articulated program.
The college grants credit for applicable noncollegiate-sponsored instruction, which has been evaluated by the American Council on Education (ACE). Formal military training evaluations are published in The Guide to the Evaluation of Educational Experiences in the Armed Services. The evaluation of other noncollegiate-sponsored instruction is published in The National Guide to Educational Credit for Training Programs. No credits are granted for instruction not recommended in the current editions of these ACE publications.
CLEP and DANTES
A student may attempt to earn college credit in some areas by examination. The credit-by-examination program is an option for those who have strong academic high school backgrounds or who have studied on their own. These comprehensive examinations are administered by appointment in the Testing Center. Prior to taking any one of these exams, students pay the required test registration/fees.
A passing grade on an examination is recorded with a grade of P on the permanent record. While the credits count toward graduation, neither the credits nor the grade is used in the calculation of the student's grade point average.
Examinations which are attempted but not passed are not recorded on the student's permanent record. Students who fail an examination may attempt most examinations again after six months.
- CLEP and DANTES exams accepted by CSM
- CLEP registration fees
- DANTES registration fees
- More information and registration
Contact the Testing Center manager for more information about CLEP and DANTES.
Department Exam and Previous Experience
An academic department may award course credit to students who document learning comparable to that required in specific college courses. To be eligible for credit by departmental assessment, students must be admitted to the college and pay the tuition/fees. There are two ways learning can be evaluated: departmental examination and portfolio assessment/certification. No more than 15 credits may be earned through departmental assessments toward a degree.
Departmental Examination
You may earn credits for a specific course by passing a Departmental Examination. Departmental examinations are created by the appropriate college department.
A passing grade on an examination is recorded with a grade of P on the permanent record. While the credits count toward graduation, neither the credits nor the grade is used in the calculation of the student's grade point average. Examinations which are attempted but not passed are not recorded on the student's permanent record.
Prior to taking a departmental exam, you must pay the required tuition and fees for the credits to be earned. Students who fail an examination may attempt most examinations again after six months. Tests may only be retaken once.
You may schedule an appointment to take the exams by contacting the Testing Center. The Testing Center also offers study guides for selected Departmental Exams. Contact the Testing Center Manager for testing procedures and/or questions.
Go to the Testing Center's Departmental Examination Overview for more information on:
- A list of courses for which credit may be earned through credit-by-examination.
- More information about the individual tests and what they cover.
- A description of the evaluation process.
Portfolio Assessment/Certification
Credits may be awarded to students who document evidence that course objectives, as outlined in the course syllabus, have been mastered. Such evidence might include professional certificates, examinations, written materials, or other supporting documentation. Students interested in pursuing credit for prior learning should begin the process by speaking to an academic advisor. The advisor will assist the student in determining if credit for prior learning is appropriate to the student's needs. Once the course is determined to be appropriate, the academic department will review the portfolio assessment/certification. Students must pay a fee for each credit assessed.