Policies & Procedures
Graduate Credit
Graduate Course Numbering
Only courses listed in this bulletin or specifically allowed by it may be counted toward the requirements for a degree offered by the University Graduate School. These courses are ordinarily numbered at the 500 level or above.
In certain cases, courses at the 300 and 400 level have been specifically approved for graduate credit; all such courses are listed in this bulletin. Normally, these courses require a higher level of performance and significantly more work (such as an increased number of readings, additional papers, extra class sessions, oral class presentations) for the graduate students than for the undergraduates. Each instructor should identify the graduate students enrolled in the course during the first week of classes and should outline the nature of the work expected of them at that time. In certain other unusual instances the dean may approve, upon recommendation and justification by the student’s advisory committee, other 300- or 400-level courses for graduate credit, typically to count toward requirements in the student’s outside minor. Such approval should be requested before the course is taken.
In many departments there are strict limitations on the number of 300- and 400-level courses that may be counted toward advanced degree requirements; see departmental notices for details.
Course Availabilty and Abbreviations
Not all courses listed in this bulletin are offered every year and on every campus. Inquiries concerning the availability or suitability of a particular course should be directed to the appropriate departmental chairperson.
The number of hours of credit given a course is indicated in parentheses following the course title. The abbreviation “P” refers to the course prerequisite or prerequisites. Similarly, the abbreviation “R” indicates recommended prerequisites. Courses eligible for a deferred grade are marked by the sign “**”.
Credit Overlap Between Degrees
Courses taken while an undergraduate and counted toward the requirements of a baccalaureate degree may not also be counted toward a graduate degree except as part of an accelerated degree program.
With only two exceptions, courses counted toward the requirements for one advanced degree may not be counted toward requirements for another degree at the same level:
- In the case of the M.F.A., course work completed as part of an M.A., M.S., or M.A.T. degree may, with the approval of the student’s department, be counted toward the M.F.A., provided it otherwise meets the conditions stated in this bulletin.
- In the case of the Dual Master’s Program, certain reductions are allowed in the total number of hours required than if the two degrees had been taken separately. The Dual Master’s Program involves two degrees at the master’s level; the degrees may be under the jurisdiction of the University Graduate School or of another Indiana University school. For further information, see "Dual Master's Program" under the master's degree requirements.
Work counted toward a master’s degree may also be counted toward the Ph.D. if it has been approved by the student’s advisory committee and if it otherwise meets the conditions stated in this bulletin, including the rules governing the transfer of credit from other institutions.
Transfer of Credit
Upon recommendation of the department and with the approval of the dean, work taken for graduate credit at other institutions may be transferred in partial fulfillment of degree requirements. No course may be transferred from another institution unless the grade is B or higher and unless the course was completed within the time limit prescribed (see “Graduate Credit—General” section above). The following restrictions apply:
- Candidates for the M.A., M.S., LL.M., or M.A.T. degree may transfer up to 9 hours of graduate credit from other institutions.
- Candidates for the M.A.T. degree who are graduates of Indiana University may transfer up to 12 hours of graduate credit from other institutions.
- Candidates for the M.F.A. degree may transfer up to 20 hours of graduate credit from other institutions.
- Candidates for the Ph.D. degree may transfer up to 30 hours of graduate credit from other institutions.
It must be emphasized that the transfer of credit is not an automatic occurrence. Students must obtain the written consent of both their departmental advisor and the dean before credit earned at other institutions will be added to their records.