Advanced Standing Credit for Students Enrolling in a Doctoral Professional Practice Program

Approved 10/29/19 

A limit of 24 hours of advanced standing credit may be granted to a doctoral student with a previous master’s degree in a related field of study. The graduate program coordinator will determine whether the 24 hours should be granted when the student applies for admission to the program. Technically, this is not transfer credit and does apply to any of the limits listed below.

Doctoral candidates who have previously earned a master’s degree or its equivalent approved by one of the regional accreditation associations or by the agencies recognized by the Council for Higher Education Accreditation may be granted 24 semester hours of advanced standing credit toward the doctoral degree if approved by the program and the Graduate School at the time of admission. The 24 hours are subtracted from the total hours required for the doctorate from the baccalaureate, if applicable. The 24 hours are not counted toward the maximum allowed transfer credit limit or computed in the cumulative graduate GPA. A copy of the transcript showing the earned degree is required. Degree equivalency from foreign institutions is determined by International Admissions. Advanced standing credit will only be granted for courses completed within five years of admission to the doctoral professional practice program and a grade of B or higher must have been achieved.