Allegheny Valley College

General Transfer Credit Eligibility

GPA Requirement: Transferred credits must support a cumulative GPA of 2.00 or higher to meet AVC degree standards.

Accredited Institutions: AVC accepts transfer credits from regionally accredited institutions, provided courses align with AVC’s academic standards and were completed with a grade of “C” or higher. Pass/Fail grades are also eligible if a “Pass” reflects a minimum “C” grade, though they will not impact GPA calculations.

Residency Requirements:

For Most Programs: Students must complete any remaining percentage of credits toward their degree requirements at AVC. For example, if a student transfers in 75% of their program credits, they must complete the remaining 25% at AVC.

For the Regents Bachelor of Arts (RBA) Program Only: A minimum 6-credit residency is required at AVC, with an additional requirement of 24 credits completed within the West Virginia Higher Education System for RBA degree conferral.

Program-Specific Transfer Credit Limits

Each degree program has distinct transfer credit allowances:

Regents Bachelor of Arts (RBA): AVC accepts up to 90 credits into the RBA program, with a 6-credit residency requirement at AVC and a 24-credit requirement within the West Virginia Higher Education System.

Associate Degrees: AVC accepts up to 45 transfer credits toward associate degrees.

Associate of Applied Science in Board of Governors (AAS-BOG): The AAS-BOG program is designed for adult learners seeking flexible degree completion. All 60 required credits may be transferred from eligible coursework, experience-based credits, or alternative credits, provided they meet AAS-BOG criteria.

Bachelor’s Degrees: Bachelor’s programs accept up to 90 transfer credits toward total program requirements.

Credit for Prior Learning Assessment (PLA) and Portfolio Review

AVC values non-traditional learning experiences by offering credit opportunities through the Prior Learning Assessment (PLA) and Portfolio Review options.

• PLA/Portfolio Evaluation: Students may demonstrate course equivalency by submitting a portfolio for review, supporting their college-level knowledge and skills. A $300 evaluation fee applies, with an additional $6.20 per credit awarded. Credits earned through PLA/portfolio do not fulfill residency requirements.

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Experience-Based Credit (EBC) Program

The Experience-Based Credit (EBC) program allows students to showcase specific skills or knowledge through practical assessments or validations, converting relevant work experiences into college credit.

• EBC Evaluation: Students may request an EBC evaluation for applicable skills or competencies. A $25 evaluation fee and an additional $6.20 per awarded credit apply to EBC credits, which do not fulfill residency requirements.

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Credit-by-Examination

AVC recognizes alternative pathways for earning credits through CLEP exams and other standardized testing options, enabling students to bypass introductory-level courses by demonstrating mastery through examinations.

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Military and Alternative Credits

AVC values military experience and accepts credits from recognized military training and other alternative sources, including:

CLEP Examinations: Passing scores on CLEP exams may be eligible for transfer credit.

ACE/Credly Transcripts: Credits granted by the American Council on Education (ACE) through the Credly platform.

Maximum Credit Transfer

The following credit transfer limits apply to AVC degree programs:

• Associate Degrees: Up to 45 credits.
• Bachelor’s Degrees: Up to 90 credits.
• AAS-BOG Program: All 60 required credits may be transferred.
• RBA Program: Up to 90 credits may be transferred, with 6 residency credits at AVC and 24 credits within the West Virginia Higher Education System.

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Transfer Credit Evaluation Process

Appeals Process: Students may appeal transfer credit denials by submitting course syllabi or additional documentation to verify equivalency.

Submit Official Transcripts: Students must submit official transcripts from previous institutions, along with any applicable military or alternative credits. Documents should be sent directly to AVC’s Admissions Office.

Credit Evaluation Timeline: The AVC Registrar’s Office will review transcripts within 4-6 weeks and notify students of eligible credit transfers.

F Forgiveness Policy

For students in the AAS-BOG and RBA programs, AVC offers an “F Forgiveness” policy, disregarding grades of “F” earned four or more years prior to admission into the program. This policy helps ensure that past academic performance does not impede students’ progress toward their current goals.

Additional Information

• Alternative Credit Acceptance: AVC accepts alternative credits, such as ACE/Credly and CLEP, to fulfill program requirements. Transfer credit policies are periodically reviewed to maintain alignment with academic standards.
• Transcript Fees: Any applicable fees for transcript processing from other institutions are the responsibility of the student.

Contact for Transfer Credit Inquiries

For questions about transfer credits, contact AVC’s Registrar’s Office at Registrar@AlleghenyValleyCollege.org. Our team is here to assist you through the transfer process and help maximize your eligible credits toward an AVC degree.