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Transferring Courses & Credit by Exam
Evaluation of Transfer Credit
Students may transfer courses taken at other colleges and universities. General Education courses and some Psychology courses are evaluated by the Office of the Registrar for transfer credit. The Head or Assistant Heads of the Psychology Department evaluates most Psychology courses for transfer credit. Generally, courses taken at accredited colleges and universities that are similar to courses offered by JMU in content and level will be accepted for transfer credit. Students may only transfer 200-level courses taken at community colleges for 300- or 400-level JMU courses if the scope and level of the courses are similar. If requested, course descriptions from college catalogs and course syllabi must be submitted to the Head or Assistant Heads of the Psychology Department before course transfer decisions can be made.
Please note that General Psychology at JMU (Gpsyc 101) surveys the entire field of Psychology in a single semester (3 credit) course. Students who have taken a General Psychology (Introductory Psychology) course at another institution that covers the material that JMU teaches in Gpsyc 101 will receive three credits for Gpsyc 101. Students who earned more than 3 credits in General Psychology at their previous school will receive additional credit for Psyc 002. Students will not receive credit for Gpsyc 101 if a course was taken at a college that covers only half the material covered in JMU’s Gpsyc 101. These students will, however, receive credit for Psyc 002. Psyc 002 credits will count towards university graduation requirements, but cannot be used to fulfill Psychology Major requirements.
Please note that Life Span Human Development at JMU (Gpsyc 160) surveys the entire life span from conception to death in a single semester (3 credit) course. Students who have taken a Developmental Psychology course at another institution that covers the material that JMU teaches in Gpsyc 160 will receive three credits for Gpsyc 160. Students who earned more than 3 credits in Life Span Human Development at their previous school will receive additional credit for Psyc 002. Students will not receive credit for Gpsyc 160 if a course was taken at a college that covers only half the material covered in JMU’s Gpsyc 160. These students will, however, receive credit for Psyc 002. Psyc 002 will count towards university graduation requirements but cannot be used to fulfill Psychology Major requirements.
If you want to take a course at another university (for example, during summer session), generally you may do so, but you must get permission in advance from JMU's Psychology Department Head or one of the Assistant Department Heads. You will need to complete a "Permission to Take Courses for Transfer Credit" form before taking courses at other institutions.
Credit by Examination
AP Credit. The Department of Psychology accepts a score of 4 or 5 on the Advanced Placement Examination. These grades will earn a student 3 credit hours and will appear on the transcript as Gpsyc 101.
IB Credit. The Department of Psychology accepts examination credit based upon the International Baccalaureate diploma. JMU requires a score of 4 or above on "Higher-Level IB Courses" and 6 or above on "Subsidiary--Level IB Courses." Students with satisfactory scores earn 3 credit hours listed on the transcript as Gpsyc 101.
Helpful Links and Articles
Psyc 210 & 211 Equivalent Courses at Other Schools
Virginia Community College Transfer Guide
From the November 2002 Newsletter:
Studying Abroad Complements the Psychology Major
From the April 2001 Newsletter:
Summer Psychology Experiences
