Transferring In

Northampton Community College will accept credits when transferring from another institution and for appropriate prior learning when the following criteria are met. Transfer Credit will be determined by course equivalencies, including expected learning outcomes, which are aligned with the college’s curricula and standards.

In addition to regionally accredited colleges and universities, Northampton Community College also awards credit and course placement to students based on previous academic, employment, military, and other learning experiences not earned in a traditional course. Credit is also awarded for nationally recognized examinations, professional certifications, or by portfolio evaluation of prior learning based on course equivalencies and their stated learning outcomes.

A minimum of 25% of credits required for any degree, certificate, or specialized diploma must be earned through NCC course work. Remaining credits may be awarded through college transfer and credit awards for prior learning.

1. Credits may be earned from:

  • U.S. colleges and universities that are regionally accredited. Coursework from other institutions not regionally accredited will be reviewed on a case by case basis.
  • International institutions that are evaluated by a NACES-approved evaluation agency and a copy of the evaluation sent directly to NCC. For more information concerning an evaluation service provider, please contact the NCC Admissions Office.
  • All branches of the Military based on a review of an official Joint Services Transcript as reviewed with credit recommendations by the American Council on Education or official transcript from the Community College of the Air Force.
  • College Level Examination Program (CLEP), Excelsior College Examination Program, or DANTES Standardized Subject Test (DSST)
  • NCC Departmental Challenge Exams
  • Advanced Placement (AP) Exams taken through the College Board and International Baccalaureate (IB) Exams
  • Non-traditional training as recommended by the American Council on Education (ACE)
  • Portfolio Assessment of Prior Learning
  • Industry-recognized Credentials
  • GED scores from the GED testing service, as recommended by the American Council on Education (ACE)

2. Courses with a grade of C or better (grade value of 2.0) will be considered for transfer. Courses taken on a pass/fail basis may be accepted only if the official transcript states that a "pass" grade or a “satisfactory” is equivalent to a C or above. Courses will be considered for transfer regardless of their age; however, some programs may restrict the age of courses used for program admission, prerequisite purposes, and/or program completion.

3. Course content must be shown to be equivalent to a Northampton course or meet the criteria of a general education course or category or an elective in a given discipline.

4. A student must be accepted at NCC to have such credits applied to their academic record. Grades do not transfer; transfer credits have no effect on the Northampton Community College grade point average (GPA). Transfer credits earned will reference the test or method used for granting credits.

5. Official transcripts must be mailed or sent electronically to the Records Office directly from the student's previous college, university, or other post-secondary educational institution.