The Registrar's Office is responsible for the evaluation of academic credits from other institutions. Course credits earned from regionally accredited colleges and universities are subject to the guidelines in USI's Transfer Credit Policy.
Official transcripts will be reviewed to determine what courses will transfer to USI, and their equivalent USI courses. To be considered official, a transcript must be sent directly from the institution to USI. If the college/university is able to provide a certified e-transcript, it should be sent directly from the institution to enroll@usi.edu. If submitting a paper copy, it should be mailed directly from the institution to the attention of either Undergraduate Admissions (for new students) or the Registrar's Office (for current/readmitting students); 8600 University Blvd, Evansville, IN 47712.
Evaluation process
The Registrar’s Office strives to complete the transfer credit evaluation process in a timely manner after an official transcript is submitted. New students must submit all required documents to Undergraduate Admissions and be admitted to the University before the evaluation process can be completed. Admitted students should submit their Enrollment Deposit and initiate Screaming Eagles Orientation to indicate their intent to enroll at USI and ensure their transcripts are evaluated prior to advising and registration.
Factors that could delay the evaluation process include:
- If USI has not previously received a transcript from an institution, or if a transcript includes courses for which a transfer equivalency has not yet been established. The Registrar’s Office will coordinate with the department chair for the course(s) in question. The chair will review the course description to determine whether USI offers a course that is a direct equivalent or if it will result in transfer elective credit.
- Peak times when a high volume of transcripts are submitted (after a term ends, before the start of a term, during Priority Registration, etc.).
- Submission of an unofficial transcript. Transfer credit will only be awarded based on receipt of an official transcript. For a preliminary evaluation of your transfer credits, use USI's Transfer Evaluation Self-Service (TESS).
Once an official transcript has been evaluated, students can see the results of the transfer credit evaluation by viewing their Degree Works audit (via myUSI).
If you have questions about how your coursework might transfer to USI, visit or contact:
- The Registrar's Office on the main floor of the Orr Center, room 1077.
- Mara Ansbro, Transfer Credit Coordinator (phone 812-465-7171 or 800-467-1965 #3)
- Kim Ruffin, Senior Administrative Assistant (phone 812-465-1038 or 800-467-1965 #3).
Prior Learning Assessment (PLA) Credit
The Registrar's Office is responsible for awarding credit approved through the Prior Learning Assessment (PLA) Credit policy.
Transfer grades
On the student's unofficial transcript and in Degree Works, grades beginning with T indicate transfer courses. Transfer courses accepted for credit are included in earned hours but are excluded from GPA hours, Quality Points, and GPA. An official transcript includes only the number of credit hours accepted, not individual transfer courses.
Letter grades indicating the transfer credit can be applied toward graduation requirements include TA, TB+, TB, TC+, TC, TP, TCR, TS, TSC.
A grade of TIP indicates an In Progress transfer course. An official transcript showing the final grade must be submitted before the transfer evaluation process can be completed and credit awarded for eligible coursework.
Letter grades indicating the transfer credit cannot be applied toward graduation requirements include TND, TNF, TNI, TNP, TNT, TNW, TRP.
TransferIN
Indiana is working to help students transfer college credits more easily. TransferIN is being developed as the state’s official source for course transfer information across campuses and institutions. Indiana has developed the Core Transfer Library (CTL) – a list of courses that will transfer among all Indiana public college and university campuses, assuming adequate grades. The current list of CTL courses at USI can be found in the class schedule. Visit TransferIN.net for more information, including a state-wide CTL database.
Indiana College Core (ICC)
The Indiana College Core (formerly known as the Statewide Transfer General Education Core-STGEC) enables a student who satisfactorily completes an approved program of general education in any public institution of higher education in Indiana to transfer that coursework to any other state educational institution as a block of 30 credit hours towards the general education core requirements. The ICC applied to all students matriculating at a public institution of higher education in Indiana in the fall of 2013 and after. Additional information may be found at the Indiana Commission for Higher Education website.
Articulation Agreements
An articulation agreement is a partnership between USI and another institution, often a community college. A general education/core curriculum agreement outlines the remaining coursework needed to complete USI’s Core 39 after earning an associate degree from the partner institution. A program agreement outlines the coursework needed to earn an associate degree in a specific major at a partner institution and the remaining coursework needed to earn a baccalaureate degree in a specific major at USI. As soon as a student has decided to attend a community college, they should indicate their intent to follow an articulation agreement and later transfer to USI. This provides the best opportunity for the institutions to plan and work with the student to achieve their college career goals and complete their degree(s). Visit the Articulation Agreements page for more information about articulation agreements at USI.
Transfer Single Articulation Pathways (TSAP)
Beginning in the fall of 2015, students who have earned an Associate of Science or Associate of Arts degree from Ivy Tech Community College or Vincennes University in certain programs may be able to follow a single articulation pathway to complete a bachelor's degree at USI. The Indiana Commission for Higher Education and Indiana state institutions are working together to allow students to complete a four-year degree program in corresponding programs without a loss of credit hours. Additional information on Senate Enrolled Act 182 and its implementation will be available over the coming year. Visit the Articulation Agreements page for more information about TSAPs at USI.