Advanced Credit 

Ottawa University values the student's previous academic, professional and community experiences. In addition to direct transfer of credit hours earned from accredited institutions, students may earn semester credit hours through other options.

Credit by Examination

Semester credit hours are awarded for the successful completion of examinations from approved national testing programs, including Advanced Placement (AP), Berlitz, College-Level Examination Program (CLEP), Excelsior, DANTES, Regents, and International Baccalaureate (IB). Semester credit hour awards are based on recommendations of the American Council of Education (ACE), wherever applicable. Students who seek to transfer credit by examination must request that official score reports be sent directly to the Office of the Registrar at their Ottawa University campus.

Credit by Evaluation

Credits recommended from the American Council of Education (ACE) for noncollegiate training programs transfer directly, provided that the student submits official documentation of completion to the Office of the Registrar at the their Ottawa University campus.  Ottawa University has evaluated various instructional programs that are not currently evaluated by ACE but demonstrate the academic outcomes and rigor expected in college-level learning and are applicable to Ottawa University programs.

Military Credit

Ottawa University directly transfers all associate and baccalaureate credit evaluated by the ACE as defined in the Guide to Evaluation of Educational Experiences in the Armed Forces. Credits that are given a vocational designation by ACE transfer after the completion of 20 semester credit hours of Ottawa University coursework. Students requesting evaluation of military training must provide original documentation to the registrar at their Ottawa University campus. The following are acceptable source documents for military credit evaluation: DD-214 Transfer or Discharge Papers; DD-295 Military Evaluation of Educational Experiences; AARTS Army/American Council on Education Registry Transcript System (transcripts are available for service on/after October 1, 1981; students must request the transcript on form DD-5454); and Certificate of Course Completion for a Military Occupational Specialty (MOS).

Credit by Assessment

Ottawa University is committed to recognizing the educational importance of prior learning that has been accomplished, whether that learning was achieved through a traditional classroom or through the self-motivation in settings other than the classroom.  Through the credit by assessment process, students may apply for semester credit hours for learning from formal or semi-formal training, work experience or non-work-related experiences by writing a learning portfolio. The portfolio includes reflective statements about the learning experience and outcomes, analyzes the learning in terms of competencies, documents the learning with supportive evidence, relates the learning to the degree program, and assesses the learning for academic semester credit. The student is guided through this endeavor through a course on experiential learning and a close working relationship with a faculty advisor.