Academic Catalog

Credit from External Sources

ACADEMIC RESIDENCY REQUIREMENT

First Year Students

To be eligible to earn an undergraduate degree at Ithaca College, a minimum of 48.0 semester credits must be completed and applied to the degree at Ithaca College. A minimum of 50% of the required course credits for a major must be earned at Ithaca College.

Transfer Students

Transfer students are defined institutionally as those students who have completed at least 9 semester hours (or equivalent) of college course work after high school graduation and before matriculation at Ithaca College.

Satisfactory completion by transfer students of at least 48.0 semester credits at Ithaca College is required. Program requirements may stipulate more than this minimum; check program listings under the appropriate school.

Additional information regarding the awarding of transfer credits and submitting documentation can be found on the Office of the Registrar website.

CREDIT BY EXAMINATION

Ithaca College, at the discretion of the student’s dean or program director, accepts credit from other established sources, such as Advanced Placement (AP), College Level Examination Program (CLEP), General and Subject Examinations, Cambridge Assessment Exams, and educational experiences in the armed services. Official test results should be sent to the Office of the Registrar. All credits are converted to semester credit hours, if they are not already so designated. AP/IB/CLEP course credit is only applicable to major/minor/concentration areas when permitted by departments. Students should contact their departments with any questions regarding the application of AP/IB/CLEP course credit to their program. 

For students who took the Cambridge Assessment Exams, Ithaca College can retrieve test results online in lieu of students providing original certificates. Students should provide the Office of the Registrar with their Cambridge Centre number, Cambridge candidate number, and student date of birth to allow access to student results. This information can be sent to registrar@ithaca.edu. 

Ithaca College accepts transfer credit for military coursework.  Students should have their official Joint Services transcript sent electronically to Ithaca College. Visit the JST website to make your request:  https://jst.doded.mil/jst/ 

TRANSFER STUDENTS AND THE INTEGRATIVE CORE CURRICULUM

To fulfill the requirements of the Integrative Core Curriculum (ICC), transfer students matriculating at Ithaca College complete a transfer student seminar (ICSM 19000) in their first semester of enrollment. The transfer seminar is a 1 credit-hour course designed to introduce students to the ICC and to determine each student’s plan for completing the ICC. During the seminar, the students complete an initial reflective artifact analogous to that completed by first year students in the Ithaca Seminar and develop a plan for completing any remaining requirements of the ICC. The seminar also addresses the value of a liberal arts education and introduces students to the Ithaca College community. All transfer students will complete a designated ICC Capstone course and its requisite reflective artifact. 

Students who have completed an Associate of Arts (AA), Associate of Science (AS), or bachelor's degree at a regionally accredited college or university before transferring to Ithaca College will be required to complete only the transfer seminar and ICC Capstone requirements to complete the ICC. Such students must complete all requirements for their major program(s). An Associate of Applied Science (AAS) degree is not equivalent to an AA or AS degree. Students entering with an AAS degree may use some of the prior course work for ICC requirements.

Information about our transfer admission process is provided on our admissions website and is available from the Office of Admissions. 

CREDIT FROM EXTERNAL SOURCES AND THE INTEGRATIVE CORE CURRICULUM 

Students may apply credits earned at other institutions or granted on the basis of AP/IB/CLEP scores to fulfillment of the following ICC components: First Year Composition, Quantitative Literacy, Diversity, and Writing Intensive. The degree to which such credits apply to a specific ICC requirement is dependent on a match between the Ithaca College courses meeting the requirement, the credit granted for courses completed elsewhere, and on program-specific requirements. 

Students may not apply credits earned at other institutions or granted on the basis of AP/IB/CLEP score or any other standardized examination program from which Ithaca College awards credit toward fulfillment of the Perspectives or ICC Capstone components of the ICC. 

INCOMING FIRST-YEAR STUDENTS

Students may apply credits earned at other institutions or granted on the basis of AP/IB/CLEP scores to fulfillment of the following Integrative Core Curriculum (ICC) components: 

First-Year Composition (WRTG 10600) 
Quantitative Literacy (QL) 
Diversity (DV) 
Writing Intensive (WI) 

TRANSFER STUDENTS

Transfer students may use AP/IB/CLEP course credits and transferred college credit toward ICC Perspectives requirements at the discretion of the ICC Director. Any questions should be directed to ICC@ithaca.edu. 

A-Level course credit is only applicable to major/minor/concentration areas when permitted by departments. Students should contact their departments with any questions regarding the application of A-Level course credit to their program.

A-Level course credit is only applicable to ICC Requirements when permitted. Review the ICC Policy for more information.

Original exam certificate must be brought to the Office of the Registrar. We will make copies of your original certificates and return the originals to you. 

For additional information about Ithaca College's A-Level policies, please contact the Office of the Registrar, 607-274-3127 or email registrar@ithaca.edu.

A-LEVELS EQUIVALENTS

All A-Level course equivalents are determined on a case-by-case basis by the Office of the Registrar and corresponding departments. 

Any disputes of equivalency must be reviewed by the corresponding department.  Only Advanced Level exams may transfer as Ithaca College course credit.  No credit will be awarded for Advanced Subsidiary exams.

These policies (see the table of advanced placement equivalents) are in effect for students entering Ithaca College in the 2024-2025 academic year. They are subject to change at any time.

For additional information about Ithaca College’s advanced placement policies, contact the Office of the Registrar, phone 607-274-3127 or email registrar@ithaca.edu. Ithaca College’s ETS school code is 2325. Official score reports must be sent directly to the Office of the Registrar from College Board before credit is granted.

AP Exam Score IC Course Equivalent Credit
2D Art & Design 3 ART 18888 4
4, 5 ART 12000 4
3D Art & Design 3, 4, 5 ART 18888 4
African American Studies 3, 4, 5 CSCR 18888 4
Art History 3, 4, 5 TRAN 18888 4
Biology 3, 4, 5 BIOL 11500 and BIOL 18888 6
Calculus AB 3, 4, 5 MATH 11100 4
Calculus BC 3, 4, 5 MATH 11100 4
MATH 11200 4
Calculus BC2 1, 2 MATH 11100 4
Chemistry 4, 5 CHEM 188881 3
Chinese Language & Culture 3 CHIN 10200 4
4, 5 CHIN 18888 4
Computer Science Principles 3,4,5 COMP 18888 3
Computer Science A 3 COMP 18888 3
4, 5 COMP 17100 4
Drawing 3 ART 18888 4
4, 5 ART 11000 4
English Literature/Composition 3 4, 5 WRTG 10600 and ENGL 18888 6
English Language/Composition 3 4, 5 WRTG 10600 and ENGL 18888 6
Environmental Science 4, 5 ENVS 18888 3
European History 4, 5 HIST 18888 3
French Language & Culture 3 FREN 10200 4
4 FREN 20000 4
5 FREN 38888 4
German Language & Culture 3 GERM 10200 4
4 GERM 20000 4
5 GERM 38888 4
Government and Politics: Comparative 3, 4, 5 POLT 18888 3
Government and Politics: U.S. 3, 4, 5 POLT 18888 3
Human Geography 3, 4, 5 TRAN 18888 3
Italian Language & Culture 3 ITAL 10200 4
4 ITAL 20000 4
5 ITAL 38888 4
Japanese Language and Culture 3 LNGS 18888 4
4, 5 LNGS 28888 4
Latin 3 LNGS 18888 4
LNGS 28888 4
Macroeconomics 4, 5 ECON 18888 2
Microeconomics 4, 5 ECON 18888 2
Music Theory 4, 5 MUTH 18888 2
Physics 1: Algebra Based 3 PHYS 18888 4
4, 5 PHYS 10100 4
Physics 2: Algebra Based 3 PHYS 18888 4
4, 5 PHYS 10200 4
Physics C: Electricity & Magnetism 3 PHYS 18888 4
4, 5 PHYS 12300 4
Physics C: Mechanics 3 PHYS 18888 4
4, 5 PHYS 12200 4
Precalculus 3, 4, 5 Math 18881 4
Psychology 4, 5 PSYC 10300 3
Research 3, 4, 5 TRAN 18888 3
Seminar 3, 4, 5 TRAN 18888 3
Spanish Language & Culture 3 SPAN 10200 4
4 SPAN 20000 4
5 SPAN 38888 4
Spanish Literature & Culture 4 SPAN 38888 4
5 SPAN 32500 4
Statistics 3, 4, 5 MATH 14400 4
U.S. History 4, 5 HIST 18888 3
World History 4, 5 HIST 18888 3
1

 Students can receive course-specific credit for , provided they earn a C or better on a department exam. Otherwise, the students should plan on enrolling in.

2

 Combined with an AB subscore of 3, 4, or 5 only.

3

Students may not receive credit for both the English Literature/Composition and English Language/Composition exams. 

Ithaca College, at the discretion of the student’s dean or program director, accepts credit from the College Level Examination Program (CLEP). Credit is awarded for both general and subject examinations as outlined in the table below. Test results should be sent directly to the Office of the Registrar. For additional information about Ithaca College’s CLEP policy, please contact the Office of the Registrar, 607-274-3127 or email registrar@ithaca.edu.

CLEP Examination Evaluations

CLEP Exam Min. IC Course Equivalent Credits
General Examinations
College Composition1 50 WRTG 18888 3
College Mathematics 50 MATH 18888 3
Humanities 50 ENGL 18888 and TRAN 18888 6
Natural Science 50 TRAN 18888 6
Social Science and History 50 HIST 28888 and TRAN 18888 6
Subject Examinations
American Government 50 POLT 18888 3
American Literature 50 ENGL 10500 3
ENGL 18888 3
Analysis/Interpretation of Literature2 50 ENGL 10700 3
ENGL 18888 3
Biology 50 BIOL 11500 3
BIOL 18888 3
Calculus 50 MATH 11100 4
MATH 11200 4
Chemistry 50 CHEM 18888 3
College Algebra 50 MATH 18888 2
College Composition Modular1 50 WRTG 18888 3
English Literature2 50 ENGL 10700 3
ENGL 18888 3
Financial Accounting 50 ACCT 22500 3
French Language 50 FREN 10100 4
FREN 10200 4
French Language 62 FREN 10100 4
FREN 10200 4
FREN 20000 4
German Language 50 GERM 10100 4
GERM 10200 4
German Language 63 GERM 10100 4
GERM 10200 4
GERM 20000 4
Human Growth/Development 50 PSYC 28888 3
Introduction to Business Law 50 GBUS 20300 3
Intro to Educational Psychology 50 EDUC 21010 3
Introductory Psychology 50 PSYC 10300 3
Introductory Sociology 50 SOCI 10100 3
Information Systems 50 COMP 11000 3
Pre Calculus 50 MATH 11000 3
Principles of Macroeconomics 50 ECON 18888 2
Principles of Microeconomics 50 ECON 18888 2
Principles of Management 50 MGMT 28888 3
Principles of Marketing 50 MKTG 28888 3
Spanish Language 50 SPAN 10100 4
SPAN 10200 4
Spanish Language 63 SPAN 10100 4
SPAN 10200 4
SPAN 20000 4
US History I 50 HIST 11100 3
US History II 50 HIST 11200 3
Western Civilization I 50 HIST 10100 3
Western Civilization II 50 HIST 10200 3
1

Students may receive credit for only one of either College Composition or College Composition Modular. 

2

Students may receive credit for only one of either Analysis/Interpretation of Literature or English Literature.

The International Baccalaureate (IB) is a nonprofit educational foundation based in Switzerland that works with secondary schools throughout the world on programs for students between the ages of 16 and 19 years. Designed as a comprehensive, two-year curriculum that allows its graduates to fulfill requirements of various national education systems, the diploma model is not based on the pattern of any single country but incorporates the best elements of many. Beyond intellectual rigor and high academic standards, strong emphasis is placed on the ideals of international understanding and responsible citizenship.

The table of IB equivalents summarizes Ithaca College’s policy on interpreting the IB standards. This policy is in effect for students entering Ithaca College in the 2024-2025 academic year and is subject to change at any time. This table reflects credit awarded for higher-level subjects. No credit is awarded for standard-level subjects.

All other IB examinations will be reviewed on an individual basis after the student provides a course description or syllabus. For additional information about Ithaca College’s international baccalaureate policies, please contact the Office of the Registrar, 607-274-3127 or email registrar@ithaca.edu.

IB Exam Score IC Course Equivalent Credits
Biology (HL) 4, 5 BIOL 11500 3
6, 7 BIOL 11500 & BIOL 18888 6
Business Management (HL) 4, 5, 6, 7 MGMT 11100 3
Chemistry (HL) 4, 5, 6, 7 CHEM 18888 3
Computer Science (HL) 4, 5, 6, 7 COMP 18888 3
Dance (HL) 4, 5, 6, 7 DNCE 18888 3
Design Technology (HL) 4, 5, 6, 7 TRAN 18888 3
Economics (HL) 4, 5, 6, 7 ECON 12000 4
English A or B (HL)* 4, 5, 6, 7 ENGL 18888 and WRTG 10600 6
French A (HL) 5, 6, 7 FREN 38888 4
French B (HL) 5, 6 FREN 28888 4
7 FREN 38888 4
Film (HL) 4, 5, 6, 7 CNPH 18888 3
Geography (HL) 4, 5, 6, 7 ENVS 18888 3
German A (HL) 5, 6, 7 GERM 38888 4
German B (HL) 5, 6 GERM 28888 4
7 GERM 38888 4
Global Politics (HL) 4, 5, 6, 7 POLT 12900 3
Greek (HL) 5, 6 LNGS 28888 4
7 LNGS 38888 4
History of Africa & Middle East (HL) 6, 7 HIST 18888 3
History of the Americas (HL) 6, 7 HIST 18888 3
History of Europe (HL) 6, 7 HIST 18888 3
History of Asia and Oceania (HL) 6, 7 HIST 28888 3
Information Technology in a Global Society (HL) 4, 5, 6, 7 COMP 18888 3
Italian A (HL) 5, 6, 7 ITAL 38888 4
Italian B (HL) 5, 6 ITAL 28888 4
7 ITAL 38888 4
Japanese A (HL) 5, 6, 7 LNGS 38888 4
Japanese B (HL) 5, 6 LNGS 28888 4
7 LNGS 38888 4
Latin (HL) 5, 6 LATN 28888 4
7 LATN 38888 4
Mathematics (HL) 4, 5 MATH 18888 8
6, 7 MATH 11100 and MATH 11200 8
Math: Analysis and Approaches (HL) 4, 5 MATH 18888 8
6, 7 MATH 11100 and MATH 11200 8
Math: Applications and Interpretation (HL) 4, 5 MATH 18888 8
6, 7 MATH 11100 and MATH 14400 8
Further Mathematics (HL) 4, 5 MATH 18888 8
6, 7 MATH 11200 and MATH 27000 7
Music (HL) 4, 5, 6, 7 MUTH 18888 3
Philosophy (HL) 4, 5, 6, 7 PHIL 10100 3
Physics (HL) 4, 5 PHYS 18888 8
6, 7 PHYS 10100 and PHYS 10200 8
Psychology (HL) 4, 5, 6, 7 PSYC 10300 3
Social & Cultural Anthropology (HL) 4, 5, 6, 7 ANTH 10400 3
Spanish A (HL) 5, 6, 7 SPAN 38888 4
Spanish B (HL) 5, 6 SPAN 28888 4
7 SPAN 38888 4
Theory of Knowledge A, B, C PHIL 18888 2
Theater (HL) 4, 5, 6, 7 THEA 18888 3
Visual Arts (HL) 4, 5, 6, 7 ART 18888 3

 *WRTG 10600 added for Fall 2022 cohort students and after. 

Transfer from Another Regionally Accredited Institution

A student who transfers to Ithaca College from another accredited college or university may be granted credit for all courses satisfactorily completed with a grade of C- or better, except that transfer students must in all cases meet the same requirements as Ithaca College students in a given program. For example, if a particular course in the major area of study must be passed with a grade of B or better, transfer students will be required to meet that standard. It is the transfer student’s responsibility to request that an official transcript be sent to the Ithaca College director of admission directly from the institution. Credits accepted toward an academic program are determined by the student’s academic dean. Credits are transferable; grades are not. All credits are converted into semester credit hours if they are not already so designated.

Occasional Study at Another Institution (Semester or Summer) 

Credit for occasional courses taken at another institution is accepted by Ithaca College under the following conditions:

  1. The student has successfully submitted a Petition for Transfer Credit (PTC) on IC Workflow and approval has been granted prior to taking the courses.
  2. The other institution has regional and/or appropriate professional accreditation (Ithaca College registrar will review during the PTC process).
  3. The courses in question are not among those that must be taken at Ithaca College to fulfill major requirements (refer to specific program listings and consult with advisor for information on this).
  4. An appropriate final course grade is earned as set out under “Transfer from Another Institution” above.

The PTC approval requires the consent of the student’s advisor, the chair(s) of the department(s) to which the credit for a required course relates, and the dean. On completion of the courses, the student must have the official transcript sent to the Office of the Registrar.

This credit is counted toward graduation requirements, but grades are not counted for the student’s GPA at Ithaca College.

Transfer from a Non-Regionally Accredited Institution 

Review and approval of the appropriate department chairperson is necessary to accept courses for transfer credit for prospective students who attended institutions that are not accredited by one of the six regional accrediting organizations recognized by the Council for Higher Education Accreditation (CHEA). Approval will be done on a case-by-case basis. Not all transfer credits accepted can be applied to requirements on a degree-specific basis. Some programs may require additional testing before accepting transfer courses.

Award of transfer credit takes into consideration the level and depth of study, applicability of the courses to the programs offered, expected learning outcomes, and comparable nature and content. Courses completed at an institution not accredited by one of the six regional accrediting organizations after a student has enrolled at Ithaca College will not be considered. Remedial and developmental courses are not transferable. Additionally, no academic credit is awarded for life experience.
In order for courses from non-regionally accredited institutions to be considered, the following criteria must be met:

  • The student must provide supporting documentation: an official transcript, course syllabi, course descriptions, course learning outcomes, and the course numbering system of the transfer institution;
  • The courses and credits earned must be from a degree-granting institution;
  • Courses for which a grade of C- or higher has been earned; courses completed with a P (Pass) or S (Satisfactory) grade that is equivalent to a final letter grade of C- or higher, as long as documentation has been provided by the transfer institution.

A student who has taken a course that does not fall under the authority of any department but that is substantially similar to a course in the Integrative Core Curriculum (ICC) may appeal to have that course applied to the ICC. Such an appeal should be submitted to the Director of the Integrative Core Curriculum (icc@ithaca.edu). The student should be prepared to provide supporting documentation as indicated above.