Transfer Policies

Students must request to have official transcripts from all prior schools sent to Saint Leo. Our team of experienced evaluators will complete a course-by-course evaluation of your transfer credit. A combined maximum of 90 credit hours can be applied to a bachelor’s degree program.

Students transferring to Saint Leo University with an associate of arts degree in liberal arts will have our General Education University Explorations requirements met except for the University Exploration Foundation courses and a religion course. Bachelor’s degree-seeking students who have previously completed a bachelor’s degree from a regionally accredited institution will satisfy University Explorations requirements, except for a religion course.

Saint Leo University recognizes transfer credit from regionally accredited institutions. Non-regionally accredited coursework may be considered on a case-by-case basis. Transfer credit is assessed on the educational quality of the learning experience; the comparability of the content and level of the learning experience; and the applicability of the learning experience in light of the student's educational goals. Credit earned more than 10 years prior to the date of application to Saint Leo University is subject to a transfer evaluation review and may not be applicable to a current degree program.

To see how your transfer credits could be applied to your Saint Leo program, check out our Transfer Evaluation System (TES) Portal.

Many students come to Saint Leo with extensive professional experience. This experience can be evaluated for potential college credit! Below are a few options that have been previously evaluated:

Military Service Courses and Training

The Registrar’s Office can evaluate a service-member’s Joint Services Transcript (JST) for potential college credit. Students could earn up to 39 semester hours for military experiences that have ACE recommendations. Students should request to have their JST sent electronically to Saint Leo directly from jst.doded.mil.

Criminal Justice Training Experience

State approved Basic Police and/or Corrections Academy trainings are eligible for up to 15 elective credits, depending on the number of training hours completed. The credit awarded will be determined upon evaluation of official criminal justice training certificates and/or transcripts. Up to 6 additional elective credits may be awarded for other criminal justice training, also dependent on the number of training hours completed. Students should work with their advisor to submit a copy of the training certificate with the number of hours clearly identified by the training institution or an official transcript from a regionally accredited educational institution to request an official training evaluation. In-service or mandatory retraining hours will not be accepted for elective credit.

Noncollegiate Sponsored Instruction

The University recognizes credit recommendations established by the American Council on Education (ACE) and published in The National Guide to Educational Credit for Training Programs. Credit recognized from the National College Credit Recommendation Service (NCCRS) is also acceptable. ACE offers credit recommendations for certifications and some corporate training programs – search for your employers and training programs.

Many students use self-paced study courses through an ACE recommended third party as a fast and inexpensive alternative to in-classroom instruction. Credit may be awarded for third party courses, if a passing score was achieved and the individual course has an associated ACE credit recommendation. 

• StraighterLine
• Study.com
• Sophia Learning

Saint Leo University only accepts courses with ACE recommended credits from these organizations. A maximum of 33 credits of noncollegiate sponsored instruction can be applied to a degree program.

Testing is a quick and inexpensive way to earn college credit. Some exams are limited to high school students, while others can be completed by anyone at any time. Below are some previously evaluated options, with details of potential transfer. Credit maximums apply. Visit our transfer guides to determine where an exam could be applied to your program.

CLEP

The College-Level Exam Program (CLEP), sponsored by the College Board, is the most widely accepted credit-by-examination program in the United States. CLEP is a series of computer-based examinations that allow students to demonstrate their knowledge in a variety of subjects, typically of introductory college-level content. For information about testing centers, fees, subject content, requesting transcripts, or ordering study materials go to College Board. Students can apply a combined maximum of 40 credits for college-level examinations.

CLEP Transfer Guide

DSST (DANTES)

The DSST program is a nationally recognized program that gives students the opportunity to earn college credit for learning acquired outside of the traditional classroom. DSST, formerly known as DANTES and currently administered by Prometric, is a nationally recognized testing program with over 1,200 testing locations. Exams correspond to college-level subjects and allow students to demonstrate knowledge equivalent to that learned in a college course. Students can apply a combined maximum of 40 credits for college-level examinations.

DANTES Transfer Guide

AP: Advanced Placement

A student who does advanced work in a secondary school may take Advanced Placement (AP) Examinations, which are based on college-level studies. Credit may be awarded for AP Examinations depending upon the grades earned on the examination. Up to 30 credits from AP can be applied to an undergraduate degree program.

AP Transfer Guide

Cambridge AICE/GCE

A person who does advanced work in a secondary school may take the Cambridge Advanced International Certificate of Education courses, which are based on college-level studies. Credit may be awarded for certain Cambridge Advanced International Certificate of Education courses. Depending on the course, credit can be earned with a passing grade of A, B, C, D, or E for Advanced Subsidiary Level (AS Level) and/or Advanced Level (A Level) courses. No credit is awarded for courses taken at the Ordinary Level (O Level). The schedule of credit awarded for Cambridge AICE may be revised annually.

Cambridge AICE/GCE Transfer Guide

CAPE: Caribbean Advanced Proficiency Examination

A person who does advanced work in a secondary school may take the Caribbean Advanced Proficiency Examination (CAPE), which are based on college-level studies. Credit may be awarded for CAPE, depending upon the course unit and grades earned. Depending on the course and unit taken, credit can be earned with a passing grade of I, II, III, or IV. The schedule of credit awarded for Caribbean Advanced Proficiency Examinations may be revised annually.

CAPE Transfer Guide

IB: International Baccalaureate

A person who does work based on college-level studies in an international baccalaureate program in a secondary school may take the higher level examinations. Credit may be awarded for higher level examinations of the international baccalaureate depending upon the grades earned on the examination. Subjects examined at the higher level with an earned grade of 5 or higher will be considered for transfer credit. Up to 30 credits from IB can be applied to an undergraduate degree program.

IB Transfer Guide