You can be awarded a maximum of 90 lower-division (100- and 200-level) transferrable credits at the time of admission. Additional lower-division credits may be awarded by your academic program. The maximum number of lower-division credits you may transfer varies by academic program, but the University of Washington Tacoma will not accept more than 135 credits in transfer toward the total 180 credits required to graduate.

Upper-division credits (300- and 400-level) from other four-year institutions may apply to some program requirements. For some programs, there is a seven-year limit on upper-division transfer credits that are applied toward required core or concentration courses. Please consult with an adviser for details.

You are required to complete 45 of your final 60 quarter credits in residence at UW Tacoma. Some programs may have stricter residency requirements.

Quarter vs. semester credits

The University of Washington Tacoma operates on a quarter system and awards quarter credit. To convert semester credits to quarter credits, multiply the semester credit by 1.5.

Running Start

UW Tacoma will grant full transfer credit for Running Start courses if they are college level and are recorded on a college transcript. Normal restrictions on transfer credits apply (see below).

Advanced Placement

Credit awarded for an AP score of 3 or better may be accepted to fulfill university admission and proficiency requirements. Please consult with an adviser to determine if AP credits fulfill program prerequisites. Review the Advanced Placement (AP) policies for more information.

Restrictions on transfer credit

Military/ROTC credit: Credit earned in Armed Forces Training Schools (AFTS) and through USAFI and DANTES may not exceed 30 credits and are included in the 45-credit extension limit. Official transcripts or DD-214 or DD-295 forms must be submitted. Scores received in such course work are not included in the GPA.

Courses receiving no credit: The university reserves the right to deny credit for courses that are not compatible with those offered in its baccalaureate degree programs. Some general categories of courses that never receive transfer credit include:

• Courses below college level (usually numbered below 100)
• Repeated courses or courses with duplicate subject content
• Coursework completed at an institution that did not hold at least candidacy status with its regional accrediting association when coursework was taken
• Courses that provide instruction in a particular religious doctrine
• Mathematics courses considered below college level (up to and including intermediate algebra)
• Courses offered for non-credit continuing education units
• Remedial English
• Courses providing instruction in English as a Second Language
• Remedial courses in any academic discipline
• Non-academic vocational-technical courses (up to 15 credits may be awarded for voc-tech courses numbered 100 and above)

College Level Examination Program (CLEP): The University of Washington Tacoma does not accept or award credit for CLEP general or subject examinations. Any such credit awarded by other institutions, or through independent testing, will not transfer to UW Tacoma.