Advanced Standing reflects credit for studies completed before admission to your program at Saint Mary’s University.  This may be credits completed at high school (International Baccalaureate, Advanced Placement, British GCE A Levels, or Caribbean Advanced Proficiency Examinations (CAPE), or credits earned through post-secondary study at college or university.

Transfer Credits reflect credit for approved studies completed at another university while you are registered in a program at Saint Mary’s University.  To obtain Transfer Credit, the student must seek the permission of his/her Faculty Dean before enrolling in the course(s).  This is done by using a Letter of Permission form, available from the Registrar’s Office.

At least 50% of the credits presented in fulfillment of the degree requirements, including at least 50% of the major requirements, must be completed at Saint Mary’s University.  Credits are granted in consultation with the Dean of the Faculty.

Credit Assessment

Canadian Universities

Saint Mary's University is signatory to the Pan-Canadian agreement on credit transfer.  First and second university courses from Canadian universities will be recognized for equivalent credit as long as the student has earned a passing grade.  Credit is also granted for third and fourth year courses, however students should be aware of University regulations on credits toward majors that may affect these courses.

Universities Outside Canada

Credits from universities outside Canada are recognized if the institution is accredited in its home country and the courses are deemed comparable to courses offered at Saint Mary’s University.  Colleges offering associate degrees and university transfer programs are usually considered equivalent to universities.  Saint Mary’s University has articulation agreements with several institutions.  See the list below:

Community Colleges

Credits from community colleges are evaluated on a case by case basis.  There is significant variation among colleges with respect to credit structure that makes it difficult to describe general principles.  For a two year college diploma, students may receive between 30 and 60 credit hours (one to two years of credit), depending upon the similarity of courses to those offered at Saint Mary’s University.  In a number of instances we have entered into articulation agreements to simplify the credit transfer process.  Current articulation agreements are listed below.

Career Colleges

In general, credit is not granted for studies at career colleges.  Nonetheless, every case is reviewed for possible credit and students are urged to provide transcripts and course descriptions.

International Baccalaureate (IB)

Students who have successfully completed the IB Diploma with a score of 30 or above will be granted 30 credit hours of advanced standing. Clicking this link (PDF file) shows specific I.B. courses that are the equivalent to courses available at Saint Mary's University.

Students who complete Higher Level (HL) Certificates and achieve grades of 5, 6 or 7 are eligible to receive credit hours of advanced standing for each approved course toward their undergraduate degree program.

Advanced Placement (AP)

Students who complete Advanced Placement (AP) courses, and achieve grades of 4 or 5, are eligible to receive advanced standing credit hours for each approved AP course towards their undergraduate degree. Clicking this link (PDF file) shows specific AP courses that are the equivalent to courses available at Saint Mary's University.

Advanced Level (A Level)

Students who achieve a final grade of A, B or C in approved Advanced Level (A Level) courses will be eligible to receive advanced standing credit for each approved A Level course. Clicking this link (PDF file) shows specific A Level courses that are the equivalent to courses available at Saint Mary's University.

Caribbean Advanced Proficiency Examinations (CAPE)

Students are eligible to receive 6 credit hours of advanced standing for each approved CAPE course, if they achieve grades of I, II, or III. Clicking this link (PDF file) shows specific CAPE courses that are the equivalent to courses available at Saint Mary's University.

Documentation

Students must submit official transcripts from every institution attended.  An “official transcript” is one sent to Saint Mary’s University directly from the institution.  Photocopies and transcripts delivered by the student are generally not accepted.  In cases where we have recently reviewed the courses from an institution, the transcript is sufficient documentation.   If the course is from a university in Canada, a calendar description may suffice.  If the course is from outside Canada or from a college, then an official course outline is required.  The outline should include a full description of topics covered, methods of assessment and textbook(s).  Course outlines will not be returned. 

Evaluation Process

When a course is reviewed for the first time, it is sent to the chairperson of the department responsible for the discipline.  Reviews may take up to three weeks if we have complete course descriptions.  Otherwise, reviews should be completed within one week of acceptance.  Students may appeal the evaluation of advanced standing credits by contacting the Registrar.

Regulations

Students must complete 50% of their degree requirements and 50% of the concentration, major, honours, and minor requirements at Saint Mary’s University.  In general, transfer students are treated the same as direct entry students, including eligibility for scholarships and distinctions.

Credit Assessment versus Program Applicability

Receiving advanced standing (transfer) credit does not automatically imply that that these credits can be applied to a particular program.  Some programs have minimum grade requirements for a credit to apply (e.g. B.Sc. students must earn a minimum grade of C in all courses for their major).  Each program has provision for elective credit, but a student may receive more electives than can be applied to their program.

After receipt of their advanced standing report, students are encouraged to use our degree evaluation tool, CAPP, to see how these credits may be applied to their degree program.  More information about CAPP and how to use it can be found at http://www.smu.ca/registrar/capp.html .

Elective Credit

Whenever possible credits are matched with equivalent courses offered at Saint Mary’s University.  If we offer courses in the same discipline, but not the same course, elective credit may be granted (e.g., MKTG 1901 Marketing Elective).  In general when the course number has 9 as the second digit, then we could not find a comparable course at Saint Mary’s University and are awarding elective credit in the discipline.  If we do not have an exact discipline match, elective credit may granted as:

ARTS 1901             Arts Elective

BUSI 1901              Business Elective

HUMA 1901            Humanities Elective

SSCI 1901              Social Science Elective

SCIE 1901              Science Elective

LITR 1901               Logical Reasoning Elective (can be used to satisfy BA regulation 3b)

NCEL 1901             Non-Commerce Elective

ELEC 1901             Unspecified Elective

Each program has provision for some electives, but often with restrictions. 

In Progress Courses

Students do not need to wait until they have a final transcript before applying for admission.  If a course is in progress, we will still evaluate it for transfer.  Your evaluation will be based upon the assumption that you will complete the course successfully.  We do require an official final transcript.  If it differs from the preliminary transcript, your evaluation will be changed accordingly.  If your grades drop significantly, the University reserves the right to withdraw your offer of admission.

How assessment appears on transcript

Credit awarded upon admission appears on the transcript with the name of the institution, course name, Saint Mary’s University equivalent and a grade of TR.  Courses not accepted for advanced standing do not appear.  The grades for advanced standing credit do not factor into the student’s grade point average (GPA) and any possible future distinction. 

After admission, transfer students may take courses at other institutions on a Letter of Permission (see Academic Regulation 21).  If this course is taken at a Canadian university, its grade will be recorded on the transcript and included in the GPA.  Note that 50% of degree and major requirements must be taken at Saint Mary’s University.

Registration and Prerequisites

Courses beyond first year (those numbered 2000 and above) usually have prerequisites.  You may be permitted to register before your advanced standing is assessed, but prerequisites must be satisfied.  For this reason, it is advisable to submit your final transcript as early as possible so that your registration is not compromised.

Articulation Agreements

Saint Mary’s University has signed Articulation Agreements with the following colleges in Canada and abroad that are not covered by the above Pan-Canadian agreement. 

Alexander College – British Columbia

American College of Dubai

Ansal Institute of Technology – India

Beijing Normal University – Zuhai Campus

Bermuda College

College of the Bahamas

Holland College – Prince Edward Island

Nova Scotia Community College

Shandong University – General Studies Program

Southwest Jiaotong University – General Studies Program