POLICY FOR TAKING COURSES AT OTHER REGIONALLY ACCREDITED INSTITUTIONS
All matriculated students are expected to fulfill course requirements for their degree at Sacred Heart University.
Under special circumstances, a student may appeal to take a course at another regionally accredited institution
during the winter or summer sessions only. The following guidelines will be used to determine approval for taking
courses at other institutions:
The course is required in the course sequence at this time for the degree as indicated by the student’s
academic advisor.
The other institution’s course must be equivalent to the Sacred Heart University course, as determined by
the department chairperson.
The last 30 credits required for graduation must be taken at Sacred Heart University.
The last 60 credits toward the degree must be taken at a four-year institution.
Generally speaking, a maximum of 1 course (3-4 credits) for a winter inter-session or summer session may
be taken at another institution during a 1 year period. However, a sequence of courses in the sciences (2
lectures and 2 labs) may also be taken at another institution during the summer session for legitimate
reasons.
If the course is in the student’s major it must be taken at SHU.
Final approval must be given by the student’s academic advisor, the department chair of the discipline of
the course, and the Dean of the student’s College.
It is the student’s responsibility to have an official transcript sent to the Registrar’s Office to receive credit
for the course. Only grades of C or better may be transferred into Sacred Heart University.
THE GRADE WILL NOT APPEAR ON THE SACRED HEART UNIVERSITY TRANSCRIPT, AND DOES NOT FACTOR
INTO THE TERM OR CUMULATIVE GPA.
Exceptions to these policies can be made by the college deans.
PROCEDURE:
1. Prior to taking a course at another institution, complete this form. Obtain your Advisor’s approval.
2. Once your Advisor approves, obtain approval of equivalent course from the Department Chair of the course
you wish to take at the other school.
3. Final approval from the Dean of the College in which you are majoring is required.
Please have official transcripts sent directly to the Office of the Registrar so the credits can be added to your
program evaluation for degree completion. Mail to the address below, or email e-transcripts to
registrar@sacredheart.edu.
Sacred Heart University
Attn: Office of the Registrar
5151 Park Avenue
Fairfield, CT 06825
Revised: 02/2020 (DC)
