Transfer Credit and PLAR

Transfer Equivalency

Upon receipt of an application for admission and an official transcript from each current or previously attended post-secondary institution, transfer course equivalencies are assessed.

To be considered for transfer credit, each course must have been completed at a recognized, accredited, and transferable post-secondary institution with a minimum passing grade.

Regardless of when a course was completed, it may generally be considered for transfer credit; however, limitations may apply to some time-sensitive courses. Refer to Transfer Credit Assessment within individual program requirements.

Unspecified Equivalency

Transfer equivalencies are either direct equivalents to specific Mount Royal University courses or unspecified courses at the appropriate post-secondary level. Courses granted unspecified equivalencies are indicated as XXXX, 1XXX, 2XXX, or 3XXX. An unspecified transfer equivalency may satisfy an elective requirement but not a specific course requirement.

Courses completed in academic disciplines at the university level that are not offered by the University are considered unspecified transfer equivalencies. If the transfer equivalency assigned by MRU is unspecified and you believe it may be eligible for direct equivalency, you must submit a detailed course outline for assessment.

Detailed course outlines will only be evaluated for applicants who have received a (conditional) offer of admission. A detailed course outline includes the course outline, weekly structure, textbook(s), reading requirements, learning outcomes, and instructor qualifications. Web or calendar descriptions are not accepted due to insufficient detail.

To have your detailed course outline evaluated for a direct equivalency, please complete the Detailed Course Outline Evaluation Request form. You will need to include your MRU email address (@mtroyal.ca) and your student ID number

Note:

• Detailed course outlines must be from the term and year in which the course was completed. Course outlines from different academic years will not be reviewed.
• Course outlines submitted for evaluation must be in English (the language of instruction at MRU). If the course outlines are in a language other than English, it is the student’s responsibility to have them translated and notarized by an accredited translation service. Both the original course outline and the translated version must be submitted for evaluation.

Timelines for Transfer Equivalency Assessment

Failure to submit a detailed course outline by the deadline may affect whether a course prerequisite has been met. The absence of required prerequisites may limit a student’s course selection during registration and/or result in removal from a class list. Refer to Course Prerequisite Requirements .

Transfer Credit

Transfer equivalencies become transfer credits when the course satisfies a graduation requirement. If a higher grade is required to meet a prerequisite or program continuation requirement, a transferred course with a minimum passing grade will not satisfy the requirement for a direct equivalent.

A maximum of 50% of the program in which a student is officially enrolled may be completed as transfer credit.

Assessed transfer credit is viewable in a student’s MyMRU account and mruGRADU8 program audit.

Letter of Permission

Students registered in degree, diploma, or certificate programs at the University may be granted permission to take a limited number of courses at other recognized or accredited post-secondary institutions.

A Letter of Permission (LOP):

• When approved, provides a guarantee that a course successfully completed at another institution will fulfill a current program requirement for graduation purposes.
• Must be obtained prior to registering for course(s) at another post-secondary institution.

It is the student’s responsibility to review another post-secondary institution’s information regarding admission, registration, course descriptions, and tuition fees before requesting an LOP. Students may request an LOP by accessing MyMRU.

A LOP does not:

• Ensure admission to another post-secondary institution.
• Ensure that the prerequisites required by another post-secondary institution have been previously completed.

LOP limitations:

• The number of courses that may be completed elsewhere is limited by the number of transfer credits permitted toward a current program. Students must complete at least 50% of their program requirements at Mount Royal University.

Upon completion of a course, it is the student’s responsibility to request that an official transcript showing final grades be sent by the issuing institution to Mount Royal University.

A student is not eligible to request a LOP if:

• They have interrupted their program for longer than the allowable absence period.
• They have not been admitted to a degree, diploma, or certificate program.
• They have already completed all program requirements, whether or not they have applied to graduate.
• They have exceeded the time limit for completing their program.
• They have not met the prerequisites for the equivalent Mount Royal course.
• They are not in good academic standing.
• They are in their final semester before graduation.
• They have two active LOP requests currently under review; additional requests may be submitted once those requests have been approved or denied.

The Office of the Registrar reserves the right to refuse a Letter of Permission if the course is available at Mount Royal University.

Prior Learning Assessment and Recognition (PLAR)

Introduction

Many students enter the University with work, academic, and life experiences that may reflect substantial knowledge of subject matter covered in credit courses offered by the University. Prior learning assessment is a method of recognizing and awarding credit for demonstrated learning gained through those experiences.

Mount Royal University fully supports the following academic principles with respect to prior learning assessment and recognition:

• Recognition of prior learning should be based on demonstrated learning.
• Recognition of prior learning should be appropriate to the course or program in which it is applied.
• Recognition of prior learning should be consistent with the achievement levels required by the post-secondary program in which it is applied.
• Recognition of prior learning should reflect a balance, appropriate to the subject area, between theory and practical application.
• Assessment of prior learning by post-secondary institutions should be conducted by subject matter specialists, with external input as necessary.

At Mount Royal University, demonstrated prior learning resulting from work, life, and academic experiences may be assessed using one or a combination of the following evaluation methods:

• Formal examinations (including challenge examinations and standardized external examinations);
• Course equivalencies involving the evaluation of non-collegiate and/or non-credit programs, courses, certificates, and designations; and
• Documentation and demonstration of achievement through portfolio assessment and portfolio-assisted assessment (including product assessment [work samples], simulation or performance assessment, interviews and oral examinations, and practical and laboratory demonstrations).

The most appropriate evaluation method in any given case is determined by the department Chair, acting on the advice of subject matter specialists in the relevant discipline for which recognition or credit is requested. The department Chair is also responsible for evaluating each student’s application for prior learning assessment and determining which courses and/or subject areas may be reviewed for possible recognition or credit, subject to the general academic regulations outlined below. Each department is also responsible for compiling and maintaining a list of courses in its area that are not eligible for credit or recognition through the prior learning assessment methods described above.

Applications for recognition of prior learning must be submitted through the Office of the Registrar.

Process for applying for PLAR

• To obtain recognition of prior learning at the University, the individual requesting the assessment must be a registered student at the start of the semester and at the time the assessment is conducted.
• New and continuing students are strongly encouraged to explore and, where appropriate, initiate the prior learning assessment and recognition process as early as possible after acceptance into a program of study offered by the University.
• Requests must be received by the end of the first week of classes in any semester, and the final assessment must be completed by the end of the fourth week of classes.
• Students may complete the Application for Prior Learning Assessment and Recognition (PLAR) Form online. The request will be reviewed to ensure it meets the requirements outlined above. If approved, the student will be notified once they have been registered in the PLAR process and fees have been assessed.
• After registration and payment of tuition, the request will be forwarded to the appropriate discipline Chair.
• The Chair will evaluate the student’s request and determine whether credit for a specific course or courses may be awarded through this process. Upon completion of the initial evaluation, the Chair’s decision will be recorded on the PLAR form, which will then be returned to the Office of the Registrar.
• The assessment of prior learning will be conducted by the department, which will determine whether the student demonstrates above-average knowledge of the subject matter. The result will be recorded as either “CR” (credit awarded) or “NC” (credit not awarded). Under no circumstances will a letter grade be assigned. Courses for which credit is granted in this manner will count toward the student’s total credits.
• Students may view the specific credits awarded through the prior learning assessment process online via Student Web Services on the University website (mtroyal.ca). The Office of the Registrar will make the appropriate notation on the student’s permanent academic record.
• A student may request a review of a particular assessment through the standard grade appeal process.

Limitations

• The purpose of Prior Learning Assessment is to enable students to complete their studies at the University successfully. Prior Learning Assessment is not intended to support transfer to another institution. Any university-transferable courses offered at the 1000 level or higher will not be granted credit through Prior Learning Assessment.
• Students may not apply for credit through Prior Learning Assessment for any course in which they are currently or have previously been registered at any institution. However, courses completed more than six years ago may be eligible for recognition through Prior Learning Assessment.
• Where prerequisites exist, students may request assessment and recognition of prior learning only for courses for which they have met the stated prerequisites.
• No student may receive credit through Prior Learning Assessment for more than two courses within a given subject or discipline area, nor for more than three courses in total if registered in a diploma or certificate program, or more than six courses in total if registered in a baccalaureate degree program.
• The requirements, process, and limitations outlined in this section govern the award of academic credit through the assessment and recognition of demonstrated learning resulting from prior life, work, educational, and extracurricular experiences. Assessment and recognition of work experience credit, based on prior employment for the purpose of satisfying graduation requirements in the University’s baccalaureate degree programs, are governed by separate policies and procedures that apply specifically and exclusively to those programs.
• Students should be aware that academic credit awarded through Prior Learning Assessment at the University is guaranteed only toward the University’s graduation requirements. Other institutions may or may not grant transfer credit toward degrees, diplomas, or certificates for courses recognized through the University’s Prior Learning Assessment process.

Advanced Placement (AP)

Upon admission to a degree, diploma or certificate program, students who successfully complete Advanced Placement courses may be considered for transfer credit for approved courses. An official AP transcript must be sent directly from the issuing body to Admissions, Mount Royal University.

International Baccalaureate (IB)

Upon admission to a degree, diploma or certificate program, students who successfully complete International Baccalaureate (IB) courses may be considered for transfer credit for approved courses. An official IB transcript must be sent directly from the issuing body to Admissions, Mount Royal University.