POLICY FOR TRANSFER BETWEEN RHODE ISLAND PUBLIC INSTITUTIONS OF HIGHER EDUCATION
ACTION ON POLICY
History of Section:
adopted November 29, 1979 (BR)
amended January 7, 1982 (BG)
amended November 7, 1985 (BG)
amended July 16, 1987 (BG)
amended June 16, 1988 (BG)
amended June 2, 1994 (BG)
amended June 18, 1998 (BG)
amended June 21, 2017 (CPE)
The University of Rhode Island (URI) remains committed to the seamless transfer between the three public institutions of higher education in Rhode Island as described in the Rhode Island Office of the Postsecondary Commissioner’s policy for “Articulation and Transfer between the Public Institutions of Higher Education in Rhode Island” (dated 06/21/17). The policy can be found here:
https://riopc.edu/data/policies/.
In collaboration with the Office of the Postsecondary Commissioner, the Community College of Rhode Island (CCRI), and Rhode Island College (RIC), the University of Rhode Island, supports the recruitment, retention, and graduation, of students from all populations. Timely graduation and cost-effective education are important values of the University of Rhode Island.
Transparency, collaboration, flexibility, and support are cornerstones of public in-state transfer for the University of Rhode Island. To foster seamless transfer and student success, the following are updates and clarifications to the Rhode Island Office of the Postsecondary Commissioner’s policy for “Articulation and Transfer between the Public Institutions of Higher Education in Rhode Island”
(dated 06/21/17) relative to transfer to the University of Rhode Island:
1. Joint Admission Agreements (JAA) and Program-to-Program (P2P), guided and structured pathways and other curricular mapping/transfer tools are the responsibility of all institutions’ faculty and staff with as needed administrative support. Such agreements should be reviewed regularly and electronic updates to articulations are encouraged. (New)
2. Supporting non-traditional, underrepresented, and high-achieving students through special programs and scholarships is important to the University of Rhode Island. (New)
3. The requirement to review all articulations at least twice per academic year will be changed to an on-going basis. (Reference: IV. A)
4. Transfer students will continue to be treated equally as home students. Transfer students will not be required to take additional assessments, but transfer students must be aware, and are held to the same standard, of secondary admission requirements as home students (such as higher GPA, proven competencies, or specific courses). Such requirements may require additional coursework or assessments. Students are encouraged to work with advisors and
faculty at both institutions to ensure a seamless transfer. (Reference: V. B)
5. Age and Nature of Credits: In most cases, credit earned that is eligible for transfer as URI credit shall transfer as a general education, major, elective course, or combination thereof. Free electives may be the only credit option depending on the age and/or nature of the credit. (Reference: VI. C)
6. Earned Credits: College-level credit earned at CCRI or RIC with a grade of D, D+, or C- shall transfer as free elective credit. (Reference VI. D).
7. Pass/Fail and Satisfactory/Unsatisfactory Grades: Transfer courses with the grade of “P” or “S” will be individually reviewed by the appropriate URI Department Chairperson and/or Dean’s Office. (Reference: VI. E).
8. Credit by Examination: Scores from International Baccalaureate, Advanced Placement, CLEP, and college courses completed in high school must have official scores and/or transcripts sent to URI. While most of the awarding of college credit aligns, some differences may exist. As such, URI will post transfer credits directly off the score reports and official transcripts only. (New)
9. The acceptance of extra-institutional learning, when appropriate, is encouraged. The University of Rhode Island has developed policy and procedures in compliance with the standards of the New England Association of Schools and Colleges (NEASC), New England Commission for Higher Education (NECHE), and The Council for Experiential and Adult earning (CAEL). The University of Rhode Island will clearly state our criteria for measuring and awarding all credit, including Prior Learning Assessment (PLA), on the University’s website and in the University Manual. Faculty remain the subject matter experts but are encouraged to consult with ACE, NCCRS, JST, CCAF, and CAEL recommendations. (Reference: IX. B-D)
10. Prior Learning Assessment (PLA) is a term for various methods that institutions use to evaluate and formally recognize learning that has occurred outside of traditional academic pathways or trajectories. It is used to grant college credit, certification, or advanced standing toward further education or training. Other common terms for this process include Credit for Prior Learning (CPL) and recognition of learning (ROL). Examples include, but are not limited to, professional experience(s) (including training programs and community-based education)
relevant to degree programs offered at URI. Professional experience is considered
employment or other significant experience that establishes a baseline, entry level insight into a field of study offered at URI (sourced from CAEL, NECHE, and NEASC). (Reference: Definition of Key Terms #7)
11. Credit awarded through any method of Prior Learning Assessment (PLA), Credit for Prior Learning (CPL), or similar programs at another institution is subject to re-evaluation by URI faculty. All PLA or CPL credits awarded by CCRI or RIC must be identified as such on the transcript. The University of Rhode Island aims to recognize the previously evaluated credits as general education, major, or elective, credits or a combination thereof. The number and nature of credits awarded is subject to change to best align with URI’s curriculum. (Reference: IX. F; New)
12. The University of Rhode Island and the Community College of Rhode Island collaboratively aim at developing transfer plans for the most popular majors. Additional development of separate transfer and career-focused tracks and degree completion programs is encouraged. Reference: IX. A3)
13. JAA program plans may be added, removed, or changed so long as sufficient notice is given to CCRI. The University of Rhode Island will be flexible and work with students to identify their best pathway to a timely bachelor’s degree. (Reference: IX. A6)
14. Every effort shall be made to encourage pathways for students with AAS (Associate of Applied Science) degrees to transfer successfully and to complete a baccalaureate degree (i.e., general studies and/or online and/or accelerated programs). (Reference: IX. B2)
15. Program pathway maps for associate’s degree to bachelor’s degrees will include consistent information (course code and names, etc.) and will vary depending on the major. (Reference IX: C1)
16. General Education is important to all students and faculty. Program alignment is encouraged. Lists of transferable general education courses will be regularly updated and published on advising websites. Completion of many general education courses/outcomes is encouraged prior to transfer. The exact number of transferable general education credits will vary by plan, program, and/or degree. (Reference: XII)
17. When a student transfers under a declared P2P or JAA program, declared before earning thirty (30) credits, the student will likely follow the newest catalog year but have the right to the year in which they signed up. There is no picking or choosing requirements. The student must follow the transfer catalog year or the year in which they declared their intent, with a maximum of five (5) years to transfer. (Reference: XII)
18. The University of Rhode Island remains committed to data collection and collaboration. The specific measures outlined in Section XVII may be mutually changed, removed, or added. (e.g., Data on PLA/CPL, distribution of degrees and credits by segregated student groups and policies etc.). (Reference: XVII)
19. The University of Rhode Island remains committed to the Interinstitutional Articulation Transfer Committee and case-by-case changes may be warranted. (Reference: XVIII)
The University of Rhode Island reserves the right to regularly review and update these policies in consultation with our peer institutions and the Office of the Postsecondary Commission to best remove transfer barriers and to improve degree and/or credential attainment. #IFSR 2022-2023-9, Presidential Report