Transfer Credit Equivalency (TCE) and Course Equivalencies

 

Current UM students and incoming transfer students can check course equivalencies by using the Transfer Credit Equivalency tables. Transfer credit may be posted as an exact equivalent to a UM course, departmental credit, or interdepartmental credit.

If you don’t see a course listed in the tables, there is a process for having it evaluated.   Be sure to review all transfer credit policies and procedures before registering for a course at another school.  Current students hoping to use transfer credit to meet UM requirements must consult with a general or concentration advisor in advance.

 

Equivalent Credit
Courses at other colleges and universities that have descriptions that closely match the descriptions of courses taught on our campus usually will transfer as "equivalent credit." Courses completed at other colleges and/or universities will appear on the University of Michigan transcript with a U-M course number assigned (e.g. CHEM 130; ENGLISH 125).

Departmental Credit
Courses taken at colleges and/or universities whose descriptions do not match the courses in the same departments on our campus may transfer as "departmental credit." Note that departmental credit, while transferable and usually applicable as elective credit, may only be used towards meeting distribution and/or concentration requirements with the permission of an academic or concentration advisor.  The course is assigned a three-digit departmental number (e.g. CHEM 101X; ENGLISH 202X).  The first digit indicates the course level — 100, 200, 300, 400, etc.  The third digit represents how many courses transferred in that department as departmental credit. The "X" denotes that departmental credit has been granted. 

Interdepartmental Credit
Courses that cover a broad range of topics within a general area of study are considered "interdepartmental credit." These are courses that, because of the scope of their subject material, cannot be assigned to any individual academic department. Like departmental credit, interdepartmental credit is usually applicable as elective credit. It must, however, be approved by an academic or concentration advisor if it is to be used towards distribution and/or concentration requirements. The course is assigned to a general category and is posted with “Inter” before the category, e.g.,  Inter-SS 101X.

Transfer Credit Equivalencies

Please read carefully.

Transfer Credit Equivalencies listed on this page are for college students only; high school students, depending on individual circumstances, may or may not receive transfer credit for courses if elected while in high school.

These resources will tell you if a course will transfer, but how the credit will work in your degree is more complicated.

Here are three warnings about interpreting the information correctly.

  1. The credit hours posted to the UM transcript are usually the number of credits granted at the offering institution.  There are exceptions; for example, please see Transfer Credit from a Quarter-Calendar School if you’re taking classes at a school on the quarter system.
  2. Community college credits may or may not transfer for you. See Transfer Credit from Community Colleges.
  3. Basic foreign language credits do transfer here, but these equivalencies show how the College will evaluate language courses for students entering LSA for the first time.  Once a student has started coursework in the College, language departments do not allow courses from elsewhere to meet the language requirement without special permission.



If a course you'd like to take isn't listed, you need to request a pre-evaluation from the Office of Undergraduate Admissions (Student Activities Building). An on-line form for requesting pre-evaluation can be found at:  https://www.ugadmiss.umich.edu/TCE/Student/CT_TCEForm.aspx

For a demo-only version of this Transfer Credit Equivalency Request form, click here.  

An official evaluation is done upon receipt of an official transcript. You may consult your advisor regarding distribution or concentration requirements.