Transfer Credit and Placement

Illinois Articulation Initiative in General Education

Lewis University participates fully in the General Education Portion of the Illinois Articulation Initiative (IAI). Transfer students who have completed the IAI general education core courses with a previous institution will have to complete only the appropriate Mission-based courses as part of the graduation requirements for Lewis University. Visit the Illinois Articulation Initiative Website at www.itransfer.org for more information on approved courses from each participating Illinois college.

Lewis curricula requirements allow a complete transfer of credit, in most cases, for incoming transfer students. Course grades, however, do not transfer. Students with questions should contact the Office of Admission for assistance. Transfer guides for the Illinois community colleges can be accessed at www.lewisu.edu/transfers on the Lewis University Website.

Evaluation of transfer credit (in traditional programs) is based on the following criteria:

1. Transfer credit must be earned from schools accredited by The Higher Learning Commission or another regional accrediting agency.
2. Transfer credits must be earned in coursework that parallels offerings given at Lewis University or are of equivalent rigor. The Associate in Arts, the Associate in Science, and the Associate in Applied Science degrees are accepted.
3. A maximum of 72 semester hours of community college credits (or credits from a two-year school) may be accepted. Additional community college credits may be accepted if included in a Lewis University articulation or consortium agreement.
4. An unlimited number of hours will be accepted from upper division/senior institutions as long as 32 hours, including 12 hours of upper-division major courses, 6 hours of upper-division minor courses (if applicable) and 6 hours of Mission-based courses, are completed at Lewis.
5. Credit hours for “D” grades will not transfer.
6. A maximum of four hours will transfer in physical education activity courses.
7. Developmental and/or remedial courses completed at another institution are not transferable.

Note: For students transferring into Lewis University who completed coursework at another institution during spring 2020 and summer 2020 semesters, a course with a grade of P for pass will be accepted for general education, major and elective credit. Students applying to programs with external accreditation or licensure requirements are subject to the standards and guidelines associated with those programs.