Academic Regulation
Office of Provost
Advanced Standing Credits
Draft 4-25-2025
I. Scope
This regulation establishes the criteria for the acceptance of advanced standing credits, which are credits toward a University of Pittsburgh degree or credential through mechanisms other than credits earned through course registration at the University. Any exceptions to this regulation must be approved by the Office of the Provost and posted in the University Catalog.
II. Regulation
The University may award credit toward a University of Pittsburgh degree or certificate for:
- Transfer Credit - credit earned through other institutions. The University will grant credit based on course equivalencies, including expected learning outcomes, with those of the University curriculum and standards. The University will not refuse to consider transfer credit based on the accreditation of the sending institution.
- Standardized Tests - credit earned through standardized examinations such as the College Level Examination Program (CLEP), Occupational Competency, ACT-PEP Challenge, and Advanced Placement Exams.
- Credit by Course Examination - credit earned by passing an examination administered by the University, in absence of registration for the course.
- Educational Experiences in the Armed Services – credit earned through formal courses and occupational training offered by all branches of the military. The University will grant credit based on course equivalencies, including expected learning outcomes, with those of the University curriculum and standards.
Academic Centers determine University-wide course equivalencies for those disciplines within their purview. Further, the academic center in which the student is enrolled is responsible for utilizing those course equivalencies to post externally earned credit to each student’s academic record, within the following limits, regardless of whether it fulfills curricular requirements for that student’s program of study.
Acceptance and posting of advanced standing credits by the University does not necessarily imply that all credits posted to a student’s academic record will satisfy specific degree requirements within the student’s program of study. Within some schools or programs, disciplinary accreditation standards will influence whether advanced standing credits can be used to satisfy specific degree requirements; see individual schools for more details.
Undergraduate Programs
Credit Limit: For undergraduate programs, the maximum number of advanced standing credits applied toward completion of a degree may not exceed 75% of the credits needed for the degree.
Time Limit: The University does not place a time limit on the applicability of credits previously earned. However, individual schools or programs may set limitations.
Post-Matriculation Transfer Credit: Students enrolled at the University of Pittsburgh should contact the appropriate office within their school of enrollment to ensure the equivalency and applicability of any transfer credit prior to enrolling at another institution.
Grade Requirements: A grade of “C” or higher is required for the acceptance of individual course transfer credit at the undergraduate level.
Graduate and Professional Programs
Credit Limit: For graduate programs, the maximum number of advanced standing credits applied toward completion of a degree or program may not exceed 50% of the credits needed for the degree.
Time Limit: The University does not place a time limit on the applicability of credits previously earned. However, individual schools or programs may set limitations.
Grade Requirements: A grade of “B” or higher is normally required for the acceptance of individual course transfer credits at the graduate level. However, a grade as low as a “C” may be accepted and applied as transfer credit at the discretion of the dean’s office of the school in which the specific degree, program, or credential is awarded.
Advanced Standing Credits Regulation (PDF)