The purpose of this policy is to establish the standards, eligibility requirements, and procedures governing the evaluation, approval, and award of transfer credit into the California Health Sciences University College of Biosciences and Health Professions (CHSU-CBHP) Master of Science in Biomedical Sciences (MSBS) program.
This policy is intended to ensure that transfer credit awarded by CHSU-CBHP maintains academic quality, curricular integrity, graduate-level rigor, institutional standards, and alignment with program learning outcomes, degree requirements, and the mission of California Health Sciences University.
This policy applies to applicants and students seeking transfer of academic credit into the CHSU CBHP Master of Science in Biomedical Sciences (MSBS) program.
This policy governs:
- Eligibility for transfer credit consideration;
- Evaluation of coursework equivalency;
- Maximum allowable transfer credit;
- Documentation and submission requirements;
- Institutional review and approval procedures; and
- Appeals related to transfer credit determinations.
CHSU-CBHP recognizes that students may seek recognition of prior graduate academic work completed at eligible institutions within the United States. Transfer credit may be considered when prior coursework demonstrates substantial equivalency to CHSU MSBS curriculum requirements.
Transfer credit is not automatic and shall be evaluated on an individual, case-by-case basis.
Only graduate-level coursework completed at U.S. regionally accredited institutions and determined by CHSU-CBHP to be substantially equivalent in academic quality, rigor, learning outcomes, and instructional scope shall be eligible for transfer consideration.
CHSU-CBHP evaluates transfer credit only from coursework completed at eligible institutions within the United States that satisfy institutional accreditation requirements. Coursework completed at international institutions, foreign educational systems, or non-U.S. educational programs is not eligible for transfer credit consideration under this policy.
CHSU-CBHP retains sole authority regarding the approval, denial, limitation, or conditioning of transfer credit requests.
Transfer credit awarded under this policy must support the integrity, coherence, and educational objectives of the CHSU MSBS degree program.
CHSU-CBHP does not award transfer credit for experiential learning, employment experience, military training, continuing education activities, life experience, audited coursework, or noncredit educational experiences.
Definitions
Transfer Credit: Academic credit awarded by CHSU-CBHP for graduate-level coursework completed at another institution that is determined by CHSU-CBHP to be substantially equivalent to coursework required within the CHSU MSBS curriculum.
Equivalent Coursework: Coursework demonstrating comparable learning outcomes, content, instructional level, academic rigor, assessment methodology, and credit value relative to CHSU MSBS curriculum requirements.
Graduate-Level Coursework: Academic coursework completed within an accredited graduate, professional, or equivalent advanced academic program.
Regionally Accredited Institution: An institution accredited by a regional accrediting agency recognized by the United States Department of Education.
Eligibility Requirements
To be eligible for transfer credit consideration, coursework must satisfy all of the following requirements:
- Coursework must be completed at a regionally accredited institution within the United States recognized by the United States Department of Education.
- Coursework must be graduate-level or professional-level in nature.
- Coursework must be relevant to the CHSU MSBS curriculum and substantially equivalent in:
- Learning outcomes;
- Content scope and depth;
- Academic rigor;
- Instructional level;
- Assessment methodology; and
- Credit value.
- Coursework must have been completed with a minimum grade of “B” (3.0 on a 4.0 scale) or higher.
- Coursework ordinarily must have been completed within five (5) years preceding matriculation or transfer credit review.
- Official documentation required for institutional evaluation must be provided.
Maximum Transfer Credit
Students enrolled in or admitted to the CHSU MSBS program may transfer a maximum of 9 semester credit hours or 13.5 quarter hour credits toward degree completion.
Approval of the maximum allowable transfer credit is not guaranteed.
Transfer credit awarded shall be limited to coursework determined by CHSU-CBHP to be educationally appropriate and consistent with MSBS program requirements.
Non-Transferable Coursework
Transfer credit shall not ordinarily be awarded for the following:
- Capstone, thesis, research, or culminating project requirements;
- Coursework unique to the CHSU MSBS curriculum;
- Independent study coursework lacking sufficient documentation or equivalency evidence;
- Undergraduate-level coursework;
- Continuing education coursework or certificate training;
- Audited coursework;
- Coursework completed on a pass/fail basis unless accompanied by approved institutional narrative evaluation;
- Coursework completed at international institutions or non-U.S. educational programs;
- Coursework previously determined by CHSU-CBHP not to satisfy curricular equivalency requirements.
Unless authorized through a formally approved institutional agreement, CHSU-CBHP generally will not award transfer credit for coursework already applied toward completion of another conferred graduate degree.
Evaluation of Transfer Credit
Transfer credit requests shall undergo institutional review to determine curricular equivalency and appropriateness for application toward the MSBS degree.
Evaluation criteria may include, but are not limited to:
- Accreditation status of originating institution;
- Course learning outcomes;
- Course descriptions and syllabi;
- Scope, depth, breadth, and rigor of coursework;
- Credit hours and contact hours;
- Assessment methodologies;
- Academic level of instruction;
- Programmatic relevance to MSBS educational objectives; and
- Student academic performance.
CHSU-CBHP may utilize a standardized transfer credit evaluation rubric or equivalent institutional review framework to support consistent decision-making.
CHSU-CBHP reserves the right to require supplemental information or documentation necessary to establish equivalency.
Required Documentation
Students requesting transfer credit consideration must submit required materials to the designated institutional office.
Required documentation may include:
- Official transcript(s) from originating institution(s).
- Course syllabus, catalog description, or official course outline.
- Credit hour and grading information.
- Additional materials supporting curricular equivalency, if requested.
Incomplete applications or insufficient documentation may delay review or result in denial of transfer credit consideration.
Institutional Review and Approval Process
Transfer credit requests shall undergo review in accordance with institutional procedures.
Review may involve consultation with:
- Admissions Office;
- Registrar;
- Faculty Subject Matter Experts;
- Course Directors;
- MSBS Program Director;
- Academic Affairs Leadership; and/or
- Dean, CHSU-CBHP.
Final authority regarding transfer credit determinations resides with CHSU-CBHP.
Approved transfer credit shall be recorded on the academic record in accordance with institutional procedures and shall not be calculated into the CHSU institutional grade point average unless otherwise required by institutional policy.
Articulation and Transfer Agreements
Currently CHSU does not have any articulation and transfer agreements. CHSU-CBHP may establish formal articulation agreements, pathway agreements, or transfer partnerships with eligible U.S. institutions.
Such agreements shall define approved transfer credit arrangements, eligibility criteria, and applicable curricular requirements.
Approved agreements shall be subject to institutional review and periodic reevaluation.
Appeals
Students whose transfer credit request is denied may submit a written appeal to the Dean of CHSU CBHP within fifteen (15) business days following official notification.
Appeals must include:
- Basis for reconsideration;
- Supporting documentation; and
- Additional information relevant to review.
The decision of the Dean following appeal review shall be final.