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Understanding Your Transfer Credit

Penn State Credit Evaluations

Multiple evaluations may display within the Transfer Credit Tool for the same course with different effective dates.

For courses taken within 20 years of when they are added to a student's Penn State record, the student will receive the evaluation that corresponds with the effective dates in which they took the course. Please note an end date of 12/31/9999 indicates that the course evaluation will never change.

Penn State defines term effective dates as follows:

  • Spring term = January 1-April 30

  • Summer term = May 1-July 31

  • Fall term = August 1-December 31

  • Winter term (if offered) = December 1-31.

Credit will be awarded based on the term in which the course was taken.

For courses taken more than 20 years prior to when they are added to a student's Penn State record, the student will be awarded general credit in the relevant academic discipline, regardless of displayed effective dates.

Consult with an academic advisor regarding how transferable courses can potentially fulfill degree requirements. Degree Program Requirements can be reviewed in the Penn State Undergraduate Bulletin.

Penn State Credit Equivalencies

Course Number:

An incoming course is a direct equivalent to a Penn State course (ex. ENGL 015).

General Education:

An incoming course that fulfills a general education requirement.

  • XFRGA - Arts Courses

  • XFRGH - Humanities Courses

  • XFRGHW - Health and Wellness Courses

  • XFRGN - Natural Sciences Courses

  • XFRGS - Social and Behavioral Sciences Courses

  • XFRGQ - General Quantification Courses

  • XFRGWS - General Writing/Speaking Courses

  • XFRIL - International Cultures Courses

  • XFRUS - United States Cultures Courses

Courses with Multiple Attributes, Including Inter-Domain

Courses with multiple attributes and Inter-Domain courses may fulfill more than one general education requirement.

General Education with Level Equivalent:

An incoming course that fulfills a general education requirement and meets an academic level (XFRGA0, XFRGH1, XFRGN2, XFRGS3, XFRGA4, etc).

Level Course Equivalent:

An incoming course that is not a direct equivalent that has been assigned a level designation (XFR000, XFR100, XFR200, XFR300, and XFR400).

General Course:

An incoming course that is not a direct equivalent or has not been assigned a level or general education designation (ex. XFRGEN, XFRCNV). Please work with your academic department to determine usability of credits within your degree program.

Non-Transferable:

An incoming course that cannot be used in any area and does not meet the standard of a Penn State transfer course.

Pending Review:

An incoming course that upon receipt of the course syllabus will be submitted for departmental review and equivalency determination (XFRPEN).

Note: Syllabi are not required if you've attended Military Service Schools (Joint Services Transcript). Undergraduate Admissions will submit syllabi on your behalf.