203
Regulations of the Faculty of Graduate Studies and Research
203.5
Transfer Credit, Course Exemption/Substitution, and Credit by Special Assessment
203.5 Transfer Credit, Course Exemption/Substitution, and Credit by Special Assessment
Transfer Credit refers to the formal transfer of credit for a course(s) which has been earned outside the program. Transfer credit for certain courses may be granted by the Faculty of Graduate Studies and Research, provided the courses have not been counted toward a previous degree or program and were not used to satisfy admission requirements of the Faculty of Graduate Studies and Research.
Course Exemption refers to the reduction in required credit weights of a student's program by removal of specific courses normally required. In special circumstances the Faculty of Graduate Studies and Research may approve exemption of certain courses if the student has completed appropriate equivalent coursework here or elsewhere, but the program will not be reduced by more than the value set out below.
Course Substitution. It is more normal for departments which exempt specific required courses from a student's program to substitute more appropriate courses equivalent in weight to the courses exempted. This is called Course Substitution and is a departmental prerogative.
Limits. The description of each program in §205 contains a listing of the required and optional courses.
Thesis-based programs: The total credit weight required for any thesis-based program will not be reduced by any combination of Transfer Credit and Course Exemption from the requirement set out in §205 by more than 
6 (except as noted below).
Course-based programs: The number of courses nearest to, but not exceeding, 1/3 of the total units of course weight of a student's program can be met through transfer credit and/or course exemption if recommended by the department and approved by the Faculty of Graduate Studies and Research on a case-by-case basis.
In exceptional circumstances and with the explicit prior approval of the Faculty of Graduate Studies and Research, up to 1/2 of the total units of course weight for the program may be met through transfer credit and/or course exemption.
Exceptions: For students who have commenced an equivalent graduate program at a recognized university and are relocating to the University of Alberta, consideration will be given to departmental recommendations for transfer credit which exceeds the limit stated above. Other exemptions specific to individual programs are discussed in the Program descriptions in §205.
Students should note that they cannot apply directly for transfer credit or course exemption; the department must petition the Faculty of Graduate Studies and Research on the student's behalf. Transfer credit and course exemption are granted at the discretion of the Faculty of Graduate Studies and Research.
The Faculty of Graduate Studies and Research does not accept credit by special assessment.
