Transferring Credits: Umich Students Exploring Other Campuses

Students at the University of Michigan (U-M) can take courses at other universities. U-M offers a Dual Enrollment program, allowing high school students to enroll in college classes at U-M and other accredited institutions. Additionally, U-M students in good academic standing can take courses as guest students at other regionally accredited institutions or foreign universities approved by the government. Graduate students at U-M can also apply for permission to take courses at other universities through programs like the Big Ten Academic Alliance Traveling Scholar and Michigan Intercollegiate Graduate Studies. Non-degree-seeking individuals can enroll in U-M courses during specific terms by completing a Non-degree or Guest Application.

Dual Enrollment for high school students

The University of Michigan (U-M) offers a dual enrollment program for high school students to enroll in college classes and experience what an education at U-M is like. The program is designed to supplement and enrich the academic programs of ambitious high school students by widening their options and offering them the challenge of taking courses that are unavailable at their high schools.

High school students who enroll in courses at U-M through the dual enrollment program may receive college credit for their work. The credit awarded is based on a determination by the faculty in the department, school, or college responsible for instruction in the subject area. Factors influencing the determination of acceptability include the accreditation status of the institution, comparable academic quality, and the relationship of the course to other course offerings at the university.

To be eligible for dual enrollment at U-M, high school students must have exhausted all available courses in their academic discipline at their home high school. Additionally, students must demonstrate their mastery of introductory-level concepts through Advanced Placement (AP) test results, which will allow for placement into advanced (200-level or above) coursework at U-M, where space is available. Typical courses taken through the dual enrollment program include intermediate language or math courses, but there may also be limited opportunities for additional courses within the College of Literature, Science, and the Arts (LSA) on a case-by-case basis each year, depending on course availability. These courses include computer science, political science, natural sciences, psychology, economics, and statistics.

The application process for dual enrollment at U-M requires students to submit a Dual Enrollment Application, which can be found on the U-M Office of Undergraduate Admissions website. Along with the application, students must provide documentation demonstrating that they have met the eligibility requirements, including AP test scores, official high school transcripts, and SAT and/or ACT scores. The application and supporting materials should be submitted at least one month before the first day of classes for the desired term of enrollment.

It is important to note that dual enrollment students cannot pre-register for classes and may not get into their desired class due to space limitations. Tuition rates for dual enrollment students vary depending on their enrollment status and residency. While there is no cost for students enrolling through the Community Resource Program, dual enrollment students who are not Ann Arbor public school students pay non-degree student tuition rates. School district policies differ, but often the student's family pays a portion of the cost, with the school district covering the remainder. Books and parking are generally not covered, so students should be sure to understand the final costs before enrolling.

Non-degree and guest applications

The University of Michigan (U-M) allows non-degree applications for students who have completed an undergraduate degree and would like to take courses during the fall or winter terms. This program is only open to students who are not seeking another undergraduate degree. Students can apply for the non-degree program for fall 2024/winter 2025 or fall 2025/winter 2026.

Non-degree-seeking students who wish to take courses at U-M during the spring and summer terms should complete the Guest Application. The application can be sent to nondegreeapplications@umich.edu for processing. There is no application fee for non-degree applicants, but international students must submit official documentation of satisfactory academic achievement in previous academic coursework, translated into English. Non-native speakers are also required to submit official TOEFL, IELTS, MET, etc., results.

Non-degree students are not required to attend the orientation program but are encouraged to do so. They are not given priority for on-campus housing but can request to be placed in a residence hall. No loans or scholarships are available to non-degree students, but they can request permission to work part-time.

Degree-seeking students in good academic standing may take courses as guest students at another college or university. Students must adhere to certain terms and conditions, including only transferring undergraduate courses earned at regionally accredited institutions or foreign universities approved by the government or official regulating agency of the country. Transfer courses will not alter a student's UM-Dearborn GPA, and an official transcript is required for final posting of a course.

Transferring credits from other universities

The University of Michigan (U-M) allows students to transfer credits from other universities under certain conditions. The specific requirements may vary depending on the school or college within U-M that you are applying to. Here is a general guide on transferring credits:

Eligibility for Transferring Credits

To be eligible for transferring credits to U-M, you must fulfil the following criteria:

• You must have completed the course work at an accredited college or university.
• The work completed at the previous/current institution(s) should be of similar rigor and content to the course offerings available at U-M.
• You must have earned a grade of C or better for the course.

Types of Transfer Credit

There are three types of transfer credit that you may receive upon evaluation of your academic credentials:

• Equivalent Credit: Courses completed at other colleges that closely match courses taught at U-M will usually transfer as equivalent credit. These courses will appear on your U-M transcript with a U-M course number assigned. They can be used to satisfy distribution and major requirements for the College of Literature, Science, and the Arts (LSA).
• Departmental Credit: Courses at other colleges whose descriptions don't closely match courses in the same department at U-M are considered departmental credit. This type of credit is transferable but typically applies only as elective credit. Departmental credit cannot be used to satisfy admissions prerequisite, distribution, or major/minor requirements without the permission of an academic or major advisor.
• Interdepartmental Credit: Courses that cover a broad range of topics within a general area of study and cannot be assigned to a specific academic department are considered interdepartmental credit. Like departmental credit, interdepartmental credit usually applies as elective credit and must be approved by an academic or concentration advisor for distribution or concentration requirements.

Additional Considerations

• You must not have received credit previously for an identical course at U-M.
• The course grade must be a C or higher when converted to the American scale.
• An official transcript of the completed transfer work must be sent directly from the previous institution to U-M.
• At least 60 credits out of the 120 credits required for an LSA degree must be earned in residence, and at least 30 of the last 60 credits must be earned in residence.
• The Language Requirement for LSA cannot be satisfied by electing out-of-residence credit after beginning degree enrollment in LSA. Exceptions to this policy are rarely granted and must be approved by the language department.
• If you are an international student, you will need to submit official documentation of satisfactory academic achievement in previous academic coursework, translated into English. You will also be required to submit English language test results (TOEFL, IELTS, MET, etc.).

Dual Enrollment

High school students can also take advantage of the Dual Enrollment program, where they can enrol in college classes at U-M or other accredited institutions of higher education. Students may receive credit for this work, provided it is determined by the faculty in the relevant department, school, or college. The Dual Enrollment program is intended for ambitious students who have exhausted the academic opportunities available at their high school and can demonstrate mastery of introductory-level concepts through AP test results.

Rackham Graduate School non-degree and guest study

The Rackham Graduate School at the University of Michigan offers several opportunities for non-degree and guest graduate study. The specific options available depend on the campus and the student's current enrolment status.

Non-degree study

Students who have completed an undergraduate degree can take courses during the fall or winter terms at U-M by filling out the Non-degree Application. This program is only open to students who are not seeking another undergraduate degree.

Guest study

Ann Arbor Guest Application

Rackham graduate students currently enrolled on the Dearborn or Flint campuses can apply or enrol in a graduate course on the Ann Arbor campus.

Big Ten Academic Alliance Traveling Scholar

Any regularly admitted graduate student in good standing in a doctoral degree program at a Big Ten Academic Alliance university is eligible to apply for permission to take courses at another Big Ten University or the University of Chicago. Visits are limited to two semesters or three quarters on another campus.

Dearborn Guest Application

Rackham graduate students currently enrolled on the Ann Arbor or Flint campuses can apply or enrol in a graduate course on the Dearborn campus.

Flint Guest Application

Rackham graduate students currently enrolled on the Ann Arbor or Dearborn campuses can apply or enrol in a graduate course on the Flint campus.

Michigan Intercollegiate Graduate Studies (MIGS) Program Application

Graduate students in good standing in a degree program can apply for permission to take graduate courses at another participating university in the State of Michigan with the approval of both the host and home faculty.

Rackham Unclassified Admission

Students can enrol for one term only, limited to two courses total (one course per department or program).

Wayne State University – University of Michigan Dual Registration

Students enrolled at either Wayne State University or the University of Michigan may elect a course at the other institution if the course fits their program but is not available at their home institution. The student must have written approval from the department chairperson in their major area at the home college, as well as approval from their dean and the department offering the course.

Dual registration with Wayne State University

The University of Michigan (U-M) and Wayne State University (WSU) have a dual registration program that allows students enrolled at either university to take courses at the other institution if the course fits their program but is not available at their home institution.

To be eligible for dual registration, students must obtain written approval from the department chairperson in their major area at their home college and the approval of their dean. The election must also be approved by the department offering the course. Students interested in dual registration should obtain the necessary forms from the Registrar’s office at each university and contact the U-M Registrar’s Office for more information.

It is important to note that U-M students who are non-degree-seeking and wish to take courses during the spring and summer terms should complete the Guest Application, while those interested in the fall and winter terms should fill out the Non-degree Application.

WSU's Concurrent Admission/High School Dual Enrollment Program allows high school students to supplement their education by pursuing college coursework. To be eligible, students must be in grades 9 through 12 and have a cumulative GPA of 3.0 or higher. Admittance to the program is valid for one semester, and students must reapply for each semester they wish to take courses under this arrangement. Students are limited to a maximum of eight credit hours per semester and must complete all high school graduation requirements.

Frequently asked questions