Credit Transfer Policy ACICU

Policy on Transfer of Academic Credit Among ACICU-Accredited Institutions

Introduction

In alignment with its mandate to uphold academic continuity, learner mobility, and global education interoperability, the Accredited Central International Certification Unit (ACICU) establishes the following comprehensive policy framework governing the transfer of academic credit between institutions accredited under its quality assurance system. Recognizing the increasing necessity for flexible, equitable, and academically rigorous transfer pathways—especially within the context of online and transnational education—ACICU’s credit transfer policy serves as an authoritative guide for institutional collaboration and student rights protection.

This document outlines the principles, conditions, procedures, and institutional obligations that underpin the credit transfer process between ACICU-accredited entities. Its provisions are designed to promote curricular alignment, learning outcome equivalency, and administrative transparency while safeguarding academic integrity and student success.

I. Foundational Principles of Credit Transfer

1.1 Academic Continuity and Mobility ACICU affirms that students enrolled at one accredited institution shall be afforded the opportunity to transfer eligible credits to another ACICU-accredited institution without unnecessary repetition of prior learning, provided that equivalency criteria are met.

1.2 Mutual Recognition and Reciprocity Credit transfer among ACICU-accredited institutions is predicated on mutual recognition of accreditation status, programmatic integrity, and assessment standards. Institutions must operate under the presumption of good faith and academic equivalence unless compelling evidence warrants restriction.

1.3 Student-Centeredness Transfer policies must prioritize the rights, needs, and academic trajectories of students. Administrative processes must be accessible, timely, and supportive of student success.

1.4 Academic Rigor and Integrity Transferred credits must reflect demonstrable achievement of course-level and program-level learning outcomes equivalent in scope, depth, and quality to those offered by the receiving institution.

1.5 Equity and Non-Discrimination Transfer evaluations shall be free from bias related to the student's race, gender, citizenship, or socio-economic status. Credit recognition must be based solely on academic merit and content equivalency.

II. Scope and Applicability

2.1 Eligible Institutions This policy applies exclusively to institutions that hold active, full accreditation status with ACICU at the time of the credit transfer request.

2.2 Types of Academic Credit Transferable credit may include:

• Undergraduate and graduate coursework completed in full or in part

• Competency-based modules with documented outcomes

• Micro-credentials or stackable certificates where articulation agreements exist

• Online, blended, or hybrid learning formats

III. Criteria for Credit Transferability

3.1 Course Equivalency A course is considered equivalent when it aligns with the receiving institution’s curriculum in terms of:

• Learning outcomes and objectives

• Instructional content and academic level

• Credit hour parity (or demonstrated learning volume)

• Assessment methodology and grading criteria

3.2 Grade Requirements The minimum acceptable grade for transfer shall be a "C" or equivalent for undergraduate coursework and a "B" or equivalent for graduate-level credit. Institutions may impose stricter requirements within their academic policies.

3.3 Currency of Credit Credits earned more than 7 years prior to the date of transfer may be subject to additional review for content relevance and curricular updates.

3.4 Residency Requirements The receiving institution reserves the right to require a minimum number of credit hours to be earned in residence to ensure institutional learning outcomes are met.

IV. Procedures and Documentation

4.1 Student Initiation The transfer process shall begin with a formal written request submitted by the student to the receiving institution’s Office of the Registrar or equivalent authority.

4.2 Required Documentation The student must provide the following:

• Official transcripts from the originating institution

• Course syllabi or module descriptions

• Grading scale and academic calendar of the originating institution

• Additional documentation if requested (e.g., faculty qualifications, learning portfolios)

4.3 Evaluation Timeline The receiving institution must render a decision within 30 academic days of receiving a complete transfer request. Extensions must be communicated in writing with justification.

4.4 Appeals Process Students may appeal a denial of transfer credit through a formal review process involving academic faculty and administrative oversight. The process must be clearly documented and accessible.

V. Institutional Obligations

5.1 Transparency and Policy Publication All ACICU-accredited institutions are required to publish their transfer credit policies on official websites, student handbooks, and admissions materials.

5.2 Credit Articulation Agreements Where possible, institutions are encouraged to establish bilateral or multilateral articulation agreements that pre-define transferable courses, credit pathways, and academic bridges.

5.3 Institutional Collaboration Accredited institutions must designate a Transfer Credit Officer or committee responsible for reviewing equivalency and maintaining communication with peer institutions.

5.4 Reporting to ACICU Institutions must submit annual reports to ACICU documenting:

• Number of transfer requests received

• Approval and denial rates

• Common course equivalencies

• Student outcomes post-transfer

VI. Special Provisions for Online and Non-Traditional Learning

6.1 Credit from Online Modalities Credits earned through asynchronous or hybrid online platforms must be evaluated using the same criteria as traditional instruction, with additional attention to verification of student identity and learning integrity.

6.2 Competency-Based Education (CBE) Institutions accepting CBE credits must ensure that competencies are mapped to defined course outcomes and have been assessed by qualified personnel.

6.3 International Transfers For institutions operating across jurisdictions, compliance with local legal frameworks must be observed. However, ACICU expects institutions to align their transfer evaluations with the highest applicable academic standards.

VII. Student Rights and Protections

7.1 Right to Information Students have the right to clear, comprehensive, and accurate information regarding credit transfer policies and procedures.

7.2 Right to Fair Evaluation Students are entitled to impartial, criteria-based evaluations of their academic credit submissions, free from arbitrary or subjective judgment.

7.3 Right to Appeal Denied transfer credits must be accompanied by written rationale and an opportunity for appeal. Students have the right to be represented during appeals procedures.

7.4 Right to Non-Retaliation No student shall face punitive measures or discriminatory treatment for exercising their right to request a credit transfer or to challenge an institutional decision.

VIII. Quality Assurance and Monitoring

8.1 Internal Review Institutions must conduct regular audits of transfer credit decisions to ensure policy compliance, procedural consistency, and fairness.

8.2 External Audits by ACICU ACICU reserves the right to audit institutional transfer records and practices as part of its cyclical or special accreditation reviews.

8.3 Benchmarking and Best Practices Institutions are encouraged to benchmark their transfer policies against global best practices and contribute to ACICU’s repository of exemplary models.

IX. Violations and Sanctions

9.1 Non-Compliance Failure to implement or adhere to this policy may result in formal notification, probationary status, or revocation of accreditation in accordance with ACICU’s enforcement protocols.

9.2 Remediation Requirements Institutions found in violation will be required to submit and implement a corrective action plan within a specified timeline.

X. Conclusion

The seamless and academically rigorous transfer of credit is a critical mechanism for enabling learner mobility, reducing time to completion, and promoting academic equity within the global educational landscape. ACICU-accredited institutions bear both an ethical and academic responsibility to recognize and facilitate legitimate credit transfers in accordance with shared standards and mutual trust.

By institutionalizing these policies and aligning with ACICU’s quality assurance framework, accredited institutions not only advance the interests of individual learners but also strengthen the coherence and credibility of the international higher education ecosystem.