Transfer, AP, OAC, CLEP, IBO, ICE, or experiential learning credits are awarded only after the student is officially accepted at the university. Credits earned from these sources are not counted toward GPA or residency requirements.
Transferring Courses from Other Institutions
Finlandia University accepts academic credits from regionally and nationally accredited colleges and universities that fulfill the requirements of the student’s declared program at Finlandia (including any electives) that meet the following criteria:
- The University Registrar determines equivalency of transferred courses to Finlandia University. Transfer evaluations will only be performed and entered into the official student record following receipt of official transcripts.
- Courses need to be designated as “college-level” by the transferring institution.
- Courses need to have an earned grade of a “C” or better (grades of “C-” and below will not transfer). Grades and GPA do not transfer into Finlandia and will not have an impact on your Finlandia University grade point average.
- “P” (Pass) credits are transferable when the transferring institution indicates that “P” is comparable to “C” or better.
- Credits in courses comparable to those taught at Finlandia University are accepted. Credits for courses not taught at Finlandia University, but in subject areas in which the university offers instruction, are accepted and transfer as electives in those subject areas. Non-vocational, non-technical courses in subject areas in which the university does not offer instruction are accepted as UNS 000 (unassigned electives) and count as credit toward graduation in programs that allow electives.
- Credits transferred from institutions on the quarter system are valued at 2/3 of the semester hour value. Trimester and 4-1-4 system credits are also pro-rated.
- There is no limit on the number of transfer credits accepted by Finlandia; however, academic deans or department chairs may limit the number of transfer credits or courses applied to degree program requirements within their school or department.
- If a course that is required at Finlandia University transfers in with at least 2/3 of the Finlandia University credits required for that course, the course requirement has been met. If a course that is required at Finlandia University transfers in with fewer than 2/3 of the Finlandia University credits required for that course, the student must satisfy the remaining credit required for that course by taking the course at Finlandia University or securing approval for course substitution from the University Registrar and the academic dean of the area that offers the course.
- Students entering Finlandia with an earned bachelor’s degree are expected to meet Finlandia’s General Education and degree program requirements.
- Finlandia University course equivalencies for many Michigan colleges and universities can be found on the Michigan Transfer Network (MiTransfer) website (mitransfer.org).
Michigan Transfer Agreement (MTA)
The Michigan Association of Collegiate Registrars and Admission Officers (MACRAO) enacted the Michigan Transfer Agreement (MTA) effective Sept 1, 2014 (mitransfer.org). The agreement simplifies the transfer of general education courses between participating Michigan colleges and universities. Finlandia University is a participant of MTA as a receiving institution. Transfer students that are MTA-certified will have the following remaining Core Curriculum courses to complete:
- ENG 104 if a second English composition course was not taken
- COM 108 if Communication class was not taken, or if Communication class taken was not public speaking. If a student takes a Communication class as part of MTA that is not public speaking, the class can satisfy the additional social science requirement for our Core Curriculum.
- Three additional credits of humanities
- Three additional credits of social sciences
- Three credits of Religion or Finnish & Nordic Studies
A student may choose to complete the additional Core Curriculum courses noted above at the sending institution prior to transferring to Finlandia.
Finnish Exchange Program
Transfer credits for Finlandia University students participating in the university’s Finnish Exchange Program are calculated by the University Registrar’s office based on module descriptions furnished by the Finnish institution, and in consultation with the appropriate academic dean.
Advanced Placement (AP)
Academic credits toward degree requirements will be awarded to students who receive a grade of three (3) or higher on the following Advanced Placement Examinations of the College Board. AP courses that do not have a direct equivalent will be taken in as departmental electives.
| AP Title | Finlandia Equivalency | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| Studio (focus on 2-D) | ARD 173 | 3 |
| Studio (focus on 3-D) | ARD 276 | 3 |
| Biology | BIO 111 | 4 |
| Chemistry | CHM 000 | 4 |
| Microeconomics | ECN 231 | 3 |
| Macroeconomics | ECN 232 | 3 |
| English Language with Comp. | ENG 103 | 3 |
| English Literature with Comp. | ENG 103* | 3 |
| French Language | FRN 199 | 4 |
| Art History | HIS 000 | 3 |
| European History | HIS 000 | 3 |
| American History | HIS 211 | 3 |
| Calculus AB | MAT 191 | 4 |
| Statistics | MAT 201 | 3 |
| American Government | PLS 221 | 3 |
| Psychology | PSY 101 | 3 |
| Spanish Language | SPN 151 | 4 |
| Drawing | ARD 101 | 3 |
*If ENG 103 is already fulfilled, ENG 104 will be the equivalent
Ontario Academic Credits (OAC)
University credits may be earned through completion of Ontario Academic Credits with a grade of 60% or higher.
College Level Examination Program (CLEP)
University credits may be earned through the College Level Examination Program. The minimum CLEP scores accepted by Finlandia University follow.
| CLEP Exam | Minimum Score | Finlandia Equivalency | Credits |
|---|---|---|---|
| American Government | 50 | PLS 221 | 3 |
| American Literature | 50 | ENG 231 | 3 |
| Biology | 50 | BIO 111, 113 | 8 |
| Business Law | 50 | BUS 361 | 3 |
| Calculus | 50 | MAT 191 | 4 |
| Chemistry | 50 | CHM 121/131/145 | 3-4 |
| College Algebra | 50 | MAT 145 | 4 |
| College Composition | 50 | ENG 103 | 3 |
| College Comp. Modular | 50 | ENG 103 | 3 |
| English Literature | 50 | ENG 241 | 3 |
| Financial Accounting | 50 | BUS 201 | 3 |
| French Level I/II | 50/62 | FRN 199 | 4/8 |
| German Level I/II | 50/63 | GRM 199 | 4/8 |
| Humanities | 50 | HUM 000 | 3 |
| Macroeconomics | 50 | ECN 232 | 3 |
| Marketing | 50 | BUS 245 | 3 |
| Microeconomics | 50 | ECN 231 | 3 |
| Psychology | 50 | PSY 101 | 3 |
| Sociology | 50 | SOC 101 | 3 |
| Spanish I/II | 50/66 | SPN 151, 152 | 4/8 |
| US History I | 50 | HIS 211 | 3 |
| US History II | 50 | HIS 212 | 3 |
| Western Civilization I | 50 | HIS 205 | 3 |
| Western Civilization II | 50 | HIS 206 | 3 |
International Baccalaureate Organization Program (IBO)
Academic credit toward Finlandia degree requirements will be awarded to students who receive a grade of five (5) or higher on the final subject examination for higher-level (HL) courses in the International Baccalaureate Organization Diploma program.
Institutional Challenge Exam (ICE)
To take an Institutional Challenge Exam, Finlandia University students must obtain a form from the Testing Center and submit the completed request (in writing) to the academic dean of the subject area in which the course is offered. Prior to the scheduled exam date, a fee for each exam must be paid in full at the Office of Student Accounts. Requests to complete an ICE exam are subject to the following guidelines:
- Each academic dean establishes the courses for which ICE credits will be accepted. (See ICE chart below.) The college, school, or department develops the test to be used.
- The minimum passing grade for all exams is a “C.”
- Students may not take an Institutional Challenge Exam if the course is currently being taken or has already been taken at Finlandia University.
- The credits earned do not count toward residency requirements.
- Students may not take an ICE exam for a course that is available through the CLEP program.
- Students may only attempt one ICE exam for each course.
Currently offered Finlandia ICE exams follow.
| Course Code | Course Description |
|---|---|
| BUS 138 | Fundamentals of Business |
| BUS 141 | Business Communications |
| HSC 112 | Medical Terminology |
| MAT 140 | Intermediate Algebra |
Experiential Learning
To apply for academic credit for life experience, such as on-the-job training, non-credit post-secondary programs, and other experiences that parallel academic study programs, students must prepare a portfolio according to the standards of the college or school that offers the course. After a portfolio is submitted to the appropriate academic dean, a committee from that college or school reviews the portfolio. If approval is granted, the credit(s) are added to the student’s university transcript. Students may earn up to 32 credits via experiential learning. Experiential learning credits do not count toward residency requirements.
Office of Registrar Staff
