Credits & Exemptions Definitions

Definitions:

Transfer Credit = Credit earned for successful performance in a course at another institution that meets Dartmouth's transfer credit rules and may be applied towards the Dartmouth degree.

Course Credit = Credit granted for successful performance in a course. Includes all transfer credit awarded (both prematriculation AND transfer term credit) and counts toward reducing the number of credits (35) required for graduation.

Credit on Entrance = Prematriculation credit recognized for achievement on a test* that may be equivalent to a course, however starting with students entering in fall 2014 it does not reduce the number of credits (35) required for graduation. (*Examples of tests include Advanced Placement (AP), International Baccalaureate (IB), A-Levels, SATs and local placement tests.)

Prematriculation Credit = Any credit (course credit, credit on entrance, or transfer credit) earned prior to matriculation (before starting at Dartmouth).

Changes:

Students enrolling prior to fall 2014 – The definitions of course credit and credit on entrance are equal, and both count toward reducing the number of credits (35) required for graduation.

Students enrolling fall 2014 and thereafter – The definitions of course credit and credit on entrance are distinct, with course credit counting, and credit on entrance not counting toward reducing the number of credits (35) required for graduation.

Limits:

The limits on the amount of credit students may earn pre-and post-fall 2014 are unchanged. Students may earn:

• 9 Prematriculation Credits total (could be a combination of Credits on Entrance and transfer credits). More than 9 credits on entrance may be allowed by Registrar.
• 4 Transfer Credits (any combination of prematriculation transfer credits or credits earned during a transfer term). More than 4 transfer credits may be allowed by petition to the COI.

Transcript:

Both course credit and credit on entrance appear on the academic transcript. Credit on entrance, such as AP credit will be listed on the transcript showing either an "EX," for exemption, or with a "CR," and with 0 credits. Placements ("PLC") as well as a summary of prematriculation credits are available on the student's DartWorks degree audit.

Useful links

Types of Credit at Dartmouth (Graph)

Department/Program Guidelines (Charts)

Prematriculation Credit on Entrance Quick Guide (PDF)