• Case-by-Case Review: Courses from other institutions will be reviewed individually to determine their applicability toward the Ricketts Great Books College degree.
• Required Documentation: Students must submit:
  • An official transcript from the institution where the course was completed.
  • A course syllabus from the term in which the course was taken.
• Supplemental Materials: The Transfer Evaluation Committee may request additional information, including copies of substantive assignments, reading lists, or examinations, to assist in determining equivalency.

• Credit may be granted when the prior course covers substantially the same material as a Ricketts Great Books College course and is of equivalent academic rigor, and is delivered in a manner consistent with our instructional philosophy.
• The Committee should give particular weight to whether:
  • The institution is of demonstrably high academic quality.
  • The course relied primarily on original source material rather than summaries or textbooks.
  • The mode of instruction included seminar-style, discussion-based learning rather than lecture-only formats.
  • The student engaged in activities resembling Socratic seminars, critical dialogue, and close reading of primary texts.
• Examples of acceptable equivalencies:
  • A course in 19th Century Literature may be accepted in lieu of GB25: 19th Century Literature.
  • A course in calculus and physics with calculus may be accepted in lieu of GB20: Physics and the Origins of Calculus.
  • A semester-long course on Plato may be accepted in lieu of GB03: Plato.
• Transfer credit will generally not be awarded for:
  • Courses outside the Ricketts Great Books College curriculum (e.g., modern foreign languages, applied vocational training).
  • Courses where the majority of the reading material is not drawn from original source texts.
  • The History of Ideas course sequence, which is a foundational component of the Ricketts experience, and is normally completed in the first year.

• Students apply for admission through the standard Ricketts Great Books College application process.
• Upon acceptance, but prior to registration, students submit the required transfer credit documentation.
• The Transfer Evaluation Committee reviews materials and issues a provisional written determination prior to the student’s first course registration.
• Students will be notified of provisionally accepted credits and corresponding course exemptions.
• Upon completion of their first semester at Ricketts Great Books College, the Transfer Evaluation Committee will review their performance and confirm or adjust the provisional transfer credit as appropriate.
• Students may appeal transfer credit decisions through the published Academic Appeals process.

• The maximum number of transfer credits accepted will be determined according to degree requirements and in compliance with accreditation standards.
• The final decision on transfer credit rests with the Transfer Evaluation Committee.
• Transfer credit is initially awarded on a provisional basis. Transfer credit will be confirmed only after a student completes their first semester at Ricketts Great Books College and has demonstrated the expected level of proficiency.

Students who wish to take courses at another accredited college or university while actively enrolled at Ricketts Great Books College must obtain prior written approval from the Academic Dean.

• Approval Requirement: Coursework completed elsewhere without prior approval will not be considered for transfer credit.
• Documentation: Requests must include a course description and syllabus from the other institution.
• Evaluation: The Academic Dean will determine whether the course is eligible for credit toward the student’s degree at Ricketts Great Books College.
• Concurrent Enrollment Limits: Students may not take courses elsewhere that duplicate or substantially overlap with Ricketts courses they are currently enrolled in or scheduled to take.