Credit Policies

St. Luke’s College of Health Sciences follows the guidelines set by the Pennsylvania Department of Education for determining the amount and level of credit awarded for courses, regardless of format or mode of delivery. These guidelines comply with policies set forth by both the federal government and the Middle States Commission on Higher Education.

Based on the definition established within the Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System, the college identifies a credit hour as representing the equivalent of one hour of instruction per week per semester. The St. Luke’s College of Health Sciences academic calendar consists of two semesters (fall and spring), each 16 weeks in length, and two summer sessions, each typically spanning 6 weeks.

Regardless of the format in which it is delivered, all courses taught at St. Luke’s College of Health Sciences require equivalent student-instructor and student-student interaction. The online modality achieves equivalent interaction and learning through asynchronous discussions and group work, and a number of online courses also incorporate some face-to-face meetings. In addition, the expectation exists for online courses to include the same content and learning outcomes as traditionally taught courses.

Transfer credit analysis is conducted after a student is accepted to the college. Only official English language transcripts are accepted for evaluation of transferrable course(s) from previously attended educational institutions. A transcript is deemed official when it bears the college’s official seal, is signed by an authorized college representative, and is received in a sealed envelope directly from the issuing institution. Official electronic transcripts are also accepted from the college or an authorized vendor (e.g. Parchment). College credit will not be awarded for life experience.

Courses & Degrees

Once students are enrolled in St. Luke’s College of Health Sciences, written approval from the Registrar must be obtained before taking required courses elsewhere. A maximum of six (6) credits can be transferred into the college once students are enrolled in St. Luke’s College of Health Sciences.

For transfer credit to be awarded, courses must have equivalent content as determined by catalog course descriptions or evaluation by departmental faculty.

• Content evaluated is based on the catalog and course description(s) for the specific term during which the course was completed.
• Evaluation of courses NOT part of the current transfer credit equivalency list will be completed by the registrar and/or academic division directors who are responsible for determining course content matches.
• Resources such as past catalogs, course descriptions, student work, and course syllabi may be acquired from the previously attended institution and used in evaluation.
• Math and science courses must be completed within ten (10) years of the semester date of the request. All courses must be completed with a C grade (2.0) or better.
• Exceptions to this may be outlined in specific program sections below.
• Transfer credit awards become FINAL at the end of the first semester of enrollment in a program. All submissions and appeals must be filed two (2) weeks before the end of the student’s first semester, and appeal decisions must be completed prior to that final date. Only transcripts submitted during the college admissions process will be considered for transfer credit.
• Transfer courses must match or exceed the semester credit-hour requirement for St. Luke College of Health Sciences courses; for example, 5.0 and 4.0 quarter credit-hour courses will be considered equivalent to a 3.0 semester credit- hour course.
• Awarded transfer credit grades are reflected on the student’s St. Luke’s College of Health Sciences transcript but are not calculated into the student’s grade-point average (GPA).

Residency Requirement

• Associate degree programs require that 41 credit hours be completed at St. Luke’s College of Health Sciences.
• Bachelor’s degree programs require that 41 credit hours be completed at St. Luke’s College of Health Sciences.

Non-Degree Students (Open Study)

Individuals who desire to take a course at St. Luke’s College of Health Sciences as a non-degree student will be permitted to enroll for such courses on a “space available” basis.

Students enrolled as “non-degree” learners may apply for degree-seeking status upon completion of a minimum of 12 credits. Six of the 12 credits must be in science courses. A minimum grade point average of 2.5 or above is required for admission.