XCAT: External Credit Approval Tool

XCAT is the online External Credit Approval Tool used to determine credit at Penn for transfer, credit away and study abroad courses for all students across all four undergraduate schools. 

Through this system, students submit requests for Penn approval, departments make determinations regarding approval and credit and home school advisors and the Registrar's Office post credits to the Penn transcript. Questions about departmental approval should be directed to the appropriate department contact for credit evaluation.

Note that receiving department approval in XCAT for an external course request is not sufficient for receiving credit at Penn for the course. Students must meet all of the requirements for receiving credit at Penn, which may vary by school. Students should contact their College Contact for any additional credit requirements beyond departmental approval.

Transfer Credit

Transfer credit is used for courses taken before matriculation at Penn.

Credit Away

Credit Away courses are courses taken outside of a Penn-approved program after matriculation at Penn. A student must secure approval for credit away courses through the XCAT system BEFORE taking them.

Study Abroad

Study abroad credit includes courses taken at a Penn Abroad program.