Policies Governing College Credit Away

Students wishing to apply for College credit away must obtain approval from the appropriate department at Penn before enrolling in the course, if possible. To request credit away through a Penn department, log in to XCAT (External Course Approval Tool) and submit a course syllabus and other supporting materials from the external institution.

After the course has been completed, the student must request that an official transcript be sent from the institution at which the away credit was taken to the College Office. The College cannot post away credit until this transcript is received.

A minimum grade of C is required for a course to be eligible for credit away. The grade itself, however, will not appear on the Penn transcript.

No credit will be granted for:

• Courses taken at two-year institutions (e.g. junior or community college)
• Courses taken in time frames significantly different from the regular University schedules (academic year and summer sessions)
• Courses other than field courses taken on sites without the appropriate facilities of a college or university (e.g., libraries and laboratories) unless supervised by School of Arts and Sciences faculty
• Distance learning or online courses taken with institutions other than Penn.

After matriculation at Penn, students may not transfer more than 5 c.u. of credit away. Only 4 c.u. may be transferred for work done during one summer. Students must complete the final two semesters of full-time study in the College.