It is expected that the majority of credits applied towards degree requirements are earned by completion of courses taught at Johns Hopkins University by our faculty. We do recognize that some students may have other sources of college-level credit that could be applicable to some requirements. This section explains the conditions and restrictions regarding credits earned outside of JHU.
Full details about the application of external credits towards degree requirements can be found at Requirements for a Bachelor's Degree and Residency Requirement.
Exam Credit
The information below describes the requirements for students entering JHU in Fall 2024 and after. Students who entered JHU prior to Fall 2024 should view the appropriate archived catalogue.
If a student enters the university with credit from an exam and then earns credit for an equivalent course at the university, the credits from the exam (and lab course waiver, if applicable) will be disallowed. The credits and grade for the Hopkins course will appear on the academic record. The exam title remains on the record, but the credit value is converted to zero.
To receive credit based on an external exam program, examinations must be taken no later than the year the student is admitted to the university. Arts and Science students may not use exam credits to fulfill the foundational abilities degree requirements. Engineering students may use exam credits to fulfill distribution requirements.
Advanced Placement Exams
If a student enters the university with credit from an Advanced Placement Exam and then earns credit for an equivalent course at the university, the credits from advanced placement (and lab course waiver, if applicable) will be disallowed. The credits and grade for the Hopkins course will appear on the academic record. The Advanced Placement Exam title also remains on the record, but the credit value is converted to zero. This policy also applies to IB credit, GCE credit, and credit from foreign exams.
| AP Exam | JHU Course | Score | Credit |
|---|---|---|---|
| Biology | AS.020.151 & AS.020.1521 | 5 | 6 |
| Chemistry | AS.030.101 & AS.030.102 and labs AS.030.105-AS.030.1062 | 5 | 8 |
| Chemistry | AS.030.101 and lab AS.030.1052 | 4 | 4 |
| Environmental Science | TR.270.100 | 4 or 5 | 4 |
| Computer Science A | EN.500.1123 | 5 | 3 |
| Macroeconomics | AS.180.1014 | 5 | 3 |
| Microeconomics | AS.180.1025 | 5 | 3 |
| Calculus AB | AS.110.1086 | 5 | 4 |
| Calculus BC | AS.110.1086 | 3 or 4 | 4 |
| Calculus BC | AS.110.108 and AS.110.1096 | 5 | 8 |
| Physics C Mechanics | AS.171.1017 | 4 or 5 | 4 |
| Physics C Electricity and Magnetism | AS.171.1027 | 4 or 5 | 4 |
| Statistics | EN.553.111 | 4 or 5 | 4 |
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Biology: Students who are awarded credit for AP Biology are exempt from taking the corresponding lab courses (AS.020.153 General Biology Laboratory I-AS.020.154 General Biology Lab II). The lab courses are waived but no credit is awarded. Students who have credit for AP Biology who earn credit for AS.020.151 General Biology I and/or AS.020.153 General Biology Laboratory I will lose the three credits for AS.020.151 General Biology I. Students who have credit for AP Biology who earn credit for AS.020.152 General Biology II and/or AS.020.154 General Biology Lab II will lose the three credits for AS.020.152 General Biology II.
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Chemistry: Students who have credit for AP Chemistry and earn credit by taking an introductory chemistry lecture and/or lab at Hopkins will lose all four AP exam credits for the corresponding introductory chemistry lecture/lab combination. Effective fall 2014, students with a score of 4 on the AP Chemistry exam and therefore, have exam credits for AS.030.101 Introductory Chemistry I/AS.030.105 Introductory Chemistry Laboratory I may not take AS.030.102 Introductory Chemistry II/AS.030.106 Introductory Chemistry Laboratory II without taking AS.030.101 Introductory Chemistry I/AS.030.105 Introductory Chemistry Laboratory I at JHU (forfeiting four AP credits). Students with a score of 4 should take AS.030.103 Applied Chemical Equilibrium and Reactivity w/lab in order to complete the introductory chemistry requirements to retain AP credits. Students with a score of 4 who earn credit for AS.030.101 Introductory Chemistry I and AS.030.105 Introductory Chemistry Laboratory I by taking the course will forfeit their AP credits. Students with a score of 5 and therefore have credits for AS.030.101 Introductory Chemistry I/AS.030.105 Introductory Chemistry Laboratory I and AS.030.102 Introductory Chemistry II/AS.030.106 Introductory Chemistry Laboratory II who earn credit for AS.030.103 Applied Chemical Equilibrium and Reactivity w/lab will lose four AP credits for AS.030.102 Introductory Chemistry II and AS.030.106 Introductory Chemistry Laboratory II. Students who earn credit for AS.030.101 Introductory Chemistry I/AS.030.105 Introductory Chemistry Laboratory I will forfeit all 8 AP credits.
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Computer Science: The applicability of AP Computer Science exam credits to the computer programming requirement of a particular major is determined by the academic department responsible for that major. Students may receive credit for either the AP Computer Science A exam or one of the Gateway Computing courses (EN.500.112 Gateway Computing: JAVA, EN.500.113 Gateway Computing: Python, EN.500.114 Gateway Computing: Matlab). Students who have AP Computer Science A credits and earn credit for one of the Gateway Computing courses will lose the three AP Computer Science A exam credits.
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Macroeconomics: Students who score a 5 on the Macro AP exam are placed out of AS.180.101 Elements of Macroeconomics and receive University credit. However, it does not count as one of the ten courses required for the economics major (or one of the six courses required for the economics minor).
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Microeconomics: Students who score a 5 on the Micro AP exam, AND who pass a diagnostic test administered by the Economics Department will place out of AS.180.102 Elements of Microeconomics and receive University credit for it. However, it does not count as one of the ten courses required for the economics major (or one of the six courses for the economics minor).
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Calculus: Students may receive credit for Calculus I via only one exam. Students who have AP Calculus I credits who earn credit for AS.110.106 Calculus I (Biology and Social Sciences) will lose four AP credits for AS.110.108 Calculus I (Physical Sciences & Engineering). Students who have AP Calculus II credits who earn credit for AS.110.107 Calculus II (For Biological and Social Science) or AS.110.113 Honors Single Variable Calculus will lose four AP credits for AS.110.109 Calculus II (For Physical Sciences and Engineering).
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Physics: Students who are awarded credit for AP Physics are exempt from taking the corresponding lab courses (AS.173.111 General Physics Laboratory I and AS.173.112 General Physics Laboratory II). The lab courses are waived but no credit is awarded. Students who have credit for AP Physics who earn credit for AS.171.101 General Physics: Physical Science Major I or AS.171.103 General Physics I for Biological Science Majors or AS.171.107 General Physics for Physical Sciences Majors (AL) will lose four credits for AS.171.101 General Physics: Physical Science Major I. Students who have credit for AP Physics who earn credit for AS.171.102 General Physics: Physical Science Major II or AS.171.104 General Physics/Biology Majors II or AS.171.108 General Physics for Physical Science Majors (AL) will lose four credits for AS.171.102 General Physics: Physical Science Major II. Students who have AP Physics - Mechanics C credit who earn credit for EN.530.123 Introduction to Mechanics I will lose four credits for AS.171.101 General Physics: Physical Science Major I. Students who earn credit for AS.171.105 Classical Mechanics I or AS.171.106 Electricity and Magnetism I may retain their AP Physics credits.
Higher Level International Baccalaureate Courses
The rules regarding credit forfeiture described in the Advanced Placement Exam section above also apply to IB exam credits.
| Subject | JHU Course | Score | Credit |
|---|---|---|---|
| Biology | AS.020.151 & AS.020.152 (labs AS.020.153 & AS.020.154 waived with no credit) | 6 or 7 | 6 |
| Chemistry | AS.030.101 & AS.030.102 and labs AS.030.105 & AS.030.106 | 6 or 7 | 8 |
| Computer Science | TR.601.100 | 6 or 7 | 3 |
| Economics | AS.180.101 (Macroeconomics) 1 | 7 | 3 |
| Math | AS.110.108 2 | 6 or 7 | 4 |
| Physics | AS.171.101 (lab AS.173.111 waived with no credit) | 6 | 4 |
| Physics | AS.171.101 & AS.171.102 (labs AS.173.111 & AS.173.112 waived with no credit) | 7 | 8 |
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Students will automatically receive three credits for AS.180.101. Students who score a 7 on the Economics IB exam AND who pass a diagnostic test administered by the Economics Department will place out of AS.180.102 Elements of Microeconomics and receive three credits for it. However, it does not count as one of the ten courses required for the economics major (or one of the six courses for the economics minor). Interested students should speak to the Director of Undergraduate Studies in the Economics Department for more information.
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Either IB math HL course, Mathematics: Analysis and Approaches and Mathematics: Applications and Interpretation, will garner credit as described in the chart.
Foreign Certificate Exams
Credit is awarded for some foreign certificate exams as described below. Additional foreign certificate programs, like the German Abitur, may be considered on a case-by-case basis. The rules regarding credit forfeiture described in the Advanced Placement Exam section above also apply to foreign exam credits.
General Certificate of Education (A-Levels)
Only Advanced A-Levels are awarded credits. AS and O level exams are not eligible for credit. The rules regarding credit forfeiture described in the Advanced Placement Exam section above also apply to foreign exam credits.
| Subject | JHU Course | Grade | Credit |
|---|---|---|---|
| Biology | AS.020.151 & AS.020.152 (labs AS.020.153 & AS.020.154 waived with no credit) | A or B | 6 |
| Chemistry | AS.030.101 & AS.030.102 and labs AS.030.105 & AS.030.106** | A or B | 8 |
| Computer Science | TR.601.100 | A | 3 |
| Economics | AS.180.101 (Macroeconomics)* | A | 3 |
| Further Mathematics | AS.171.101 (lab AS.173.111 waived with no credit) | B | 4 |
| Further Mathematics | AS.171.101 (lab AS.173.111 waived with no credit) & EN.553.311 | A | 8 |
| Mathematics | AS.110.108 & AS.110.109 | A or B | 8 |
| Physics | AS.171.101 (lab AS.173.111 waived with no credit) | B | 4 |
| Physics | AS.171.101 & AS.171.102 (labs AS.173.111 & AS.173.112 waived with no credit) | A | 8 |
- *
Students will automatically receive 3 credits for AS.180.101. Students who receive a grade of A and who pass diagnostic test administrated by the Economics Department will place out of AS.180.102 and receive 3 credits for it. However, it does not count as one of the ten courses required for the economics major (or one of the six courses for the economics minor). Interested students should speak to the Director of Undergraduate Studies in the Economics Department for more information.
- **
The chemistry exam from Nazarbayev Intellectual Schools (NIS) also qualifies for these credits.
Cambridge Pre-U
| Subject | JHU Course | Score | Credit |
|---|---|---|---|
| Chemistry | AS.030.101 & AS.030.102 and labs AS.030.105 & AS.030.106 | M1, D1-D3 | 8 |
| Physics | AS.171.101 (lab AS.173.111 waived with no credit) | M2 | 4 |
| Physics | AS.171.101 & AS.171.102 (labs AS.173.111 & AS.173.112 waived with no credit) | M1, D1-D3 | 8 |
French Baccalaureate
Credits may be awarded for subjects such as biology, chemistry, math, and physics upon review by the appropriate department. Due to exam revisions beginning in fall 2019, scoring requirements and course equivalencies are not currently available.
Caribbean Advanced Placement Exam
At this time, no scoring or course equivalencies are known for CAPE mathematics options. In Fall 2018, the Physics exam was deemed to be algebra-based and not eligible for credit.
| Subject | JHU Course | Grade | Credit |
|---|---|---|---|
| Biology | AS.020.151 & AS.020.152 (labs AS.020.153 & AS.020.154 waived with no credit) | A or B | 6 |
| Chemistry | AS.030.101 & AS.030.102 and labs AS.030.105 & AS.030.106 | A or B | 8 |
Exam Credits for Foreign Language
The Modern Languages and Literatures Department does not award any credit for Spanish based on AP/IB exams or other foreign certificate exams.
French, German, and Italian will grant six credits for AP scores of 4 or 5 (IB Exams for 6 or 7) only after a student successfully completes two courses in that same language sequence at the intermediate level or higher. It may be possible to earn credits for French or German from the French Baccalaureate or other additional foreign certificate exams, but scoring requirements and course equivalencies are not currently available. Additional information is available under KSAS Registration Restrictions and WSE Registration Restrictions.
JHU Placement Exams
Some departments may offer placement exams or other evaluations that allow a student to bypass lower-level content in that department, most commonly mathematics and foreign language. No credit is awarded for these departmental exams or evaluations as they are for placement purposes only. In some cases, a waiver of the bypassed course(s) may be noted on the student's academic record. No academic credit is awarded when a course is waived. Students should contact their respective academic advising office for additional information.
The following content is included on this page:
Registering for Courses at Other Colleges and Universities After Matriculation
Policies Unique to Students Admitted to JHU as Transfer Students
Description of Transferable Credit
Transfer Credit Limits
Students Admitted Directly from High School
Students who enter the university from high school may transfer up to 12 credits from approved courses taken at other institutions, whether taken before or after matriculation. The 12-credit limit on transfer credits does not include credit from Hopkins summer courses, Advanced Placement examinations, British General Certificate of Education courses, International Baccalaureate courses, or foreign certificate courses.
Students Admitted as Transfer Students
Students who enter the university as transfer students into the Krieger School of Arts and Sciences may transfer up to 60 credits towards a degree requiring 120 credits. Students earning degrees requiring more than 120 credits in both KSAS and WSE may bring in more than 60 credits; however at least 60 of the total JHU degree credits must be earned in residence as a full-time student at JHU. See the Requirements for a Bachelors' Degree in the KSAS and WSE sections of the catalogue for additional residency requirements. All transfer students may transfer up to an additional 12 credits after matriculation. The 12-credit limit on transfer credits does not include credit from Hopkins summer courses, Advanced Placement examinations, British General Certificate of Education courses, International Baccalaureate courses, or foreign certificate courses.
Transfer Credit Rules
The following rules apply to both online courses and courses taken in a traditional classroom setting.
To be eligible for transfer credit, an approved course must be taken for a grade at an approved college and completed with a grade of C or better. In the United States, an approved institution is a 2-year or 4-year college or university that is accredited by one of the following regional accrediting agencies:
- Middle States Commission on Higher Education
- New England Commission of Higher Education
- The Higher Learning Commission
- Northwest Commission on Colleges and Universities
- Southern Association of Colleges and Schools, Commission on Colleges
- Western Association of Schools and Colleges, Accrediting Commission for Community and Junior Colleges
- Western Association of Schools and Colleges, Accrediting Commission for Senior Colleges and Universities
Transfer credits from non-US academic institutions must be approved on a case-by-case basis by the academic advising offices in the respective schools. Non-US academic institutions must be degree-granting and recognized and authorized to issue academic records by the appropriate national (or regional) bodies in their home countries.
How the Number of Semester Credits is Determined
For courses offered in semester credits at the host institution, courses will be awarded the same number of semester credits at JHU. For example, if a Calculus I course is offered for 5 semester credits at another institution, it will be transferred to JHU as 5 credits, even though our parallel course is a 4-credit course.
Credit for courses earned at a school using the quarter system will be converted to a comparable number of semester credits. One quarter credit is equivalent to 2/3 of a semester credit.
Other unit systems will be convert to semester credits based on the transcript key provided by the host institution. If a key is not available, credits are evaluated such that one year of full-time coursework at the other school is considered proportional to one year of full-time coursework at JHU.
How Transfer Credits are Posted on a JHU Transcript
The following information is included for each course transferred to JHU:
- name of institution where course was taken
- course title
- JHU course equivalent (if any)
- credits awarded
The grades earned in these courses do not appear on the Hopkins record and therefore do not contribute to the grade point average.
How Transfer Credits are Used Towards a JHU Degree
Courses awarded a direct equivalency to a JHU course will be applied towards any major or minor requirement fulfilled by that equivalent course.
Courses not given a direct equivalency will be reviewed for applicability to distribution and Foundational Ability requirements.
Courses not given a direct equivalency may apply towards major or minor requirements at the discretion of the Director of Undergraduate Studies for the program. They may serve as general electives and credit towards the degree.
For KSAS Students: While transfer courses may be articulated as directly equivalent to a JHU course, the Foundational Ability tags of Writing and Communication and Projects and Methods will not automatically apply to those courses. Students should speak to their academic advisor about how to have transfer courses apply to these two Foundational Abilities.
Restriction on Courses Taken Without a Letter or Numerical Grade
Ungraded or pass/fail courses taken at another institution prior to matriculation at JHU, if approved, may receive credit if the host school states in writing that the mark represents a grade of C or better.
Restriction on Transferring Duplicate Content
A transfer course will not be approved when the course content has significant overlap with other courses the student has already completed. Likewise, transfer students may not take courses at JHU with significant overlap with prior course content. In cases where a department requires a student to do this, the transfer credit will be zeroed out on the transcript.
Entering Freshman with More than Twelve Transferable Credits
Some students enter the university from high school with additional college course work beyond the 12 credits that may be transferred. If these additional courses are equivalent to subjects that the university accepts for credit by Advanced Placement exams, and if the courses are needed to complete requirements for a major or are prerequisites for higher level courses that the student will take at JHU, then students may request that the department waive the comparable courses at JHU. Waivers do not carry semester credits. Students must contact their respective academic advising office for detailed information about how to obtain a waiver.
Credits Earned at JHU Prior to Matriculation, Including the JHU Pre-College Summer Program
A student who takes JHU courses prior to matriculation as a degree-seeking student may receive credit for those courses completed with grades of C or better, but the grades are not included in the undergraduate record. Because these courses were taken at JHU, they are not subject to the 12-credit transfer rule. Credits earned through this program may be applied to the 100-credit JHU residency requirement (applicable to freshmen matriculating fall 2014 and later). Customized Academic Learning (research, study, internship) completed prior to matriculation is not eligible, and will not be reflected on the undergraduate record.
Credits Earned at Other JHU Schools in the Summer
Details about policies related to credits earned at other JHU schools during the summer for KSAS students.
Details about policies related to credits earned at other JHU schools during the summer for WSE students.
Credits Earned Through Study Abroad
For the purposes of fulfilling university residency requirements, up to 30 credits from study abroad courses are considered “in-residence” and may be included in the 100-credit JHU residency requirement. A student may be awarded a full-year of credit from Hopkins Departmental Programs courses, or up to 30 credits from study abroad courses taken through Hopkins Approved Programs toward their undergraduate degree. Students who earn more than 30 credits in Hopkins Departmental Programs may apply these additional credits towards the standard 12 credit transfer credit limit with a 42-credit transfer credit maximum from all study abroad and domestic courses combined. Students will be held to the same course load guidelines that apply to course loads and credit overloads in the full-time undergraduate programs in Arts and Sciences and Engineering.
Students may enroll in a combination of semester and/or summer/intersession abroad programs, but students may not enroll in three consecutive fall/spring semesters abroad.
Transfer of Credits from International Institutions without Pre-Approval
Students who pursue coursework at an international institution without pre-approval may request these credits be transferred after completion. However, these credits will be reviewed and, if acceptable, will be processed as transfer credits, not study abroad credits. Therefore, these credits are subject to the 12 credit transfer maximum.
Deferred Admission
Students who have been accepted to the university may defer admission for up to two years with approval from the undergraduate admissions office. Freshmen who have deferred admission begin their studies in the fall semester. The purpose of a deferral is to allow students to take time off in order to travel, work, or experience another culture. Deferrals are not granted for the purpose of studying at another institution. Students who wish to pursue academic studies during the deferment period may do so; however, the credits earned during the deferment period will not be applied toward the university’s degree requirements.
Special Note for Students on Disciplinary Suspension from Hopkins
While serving a disciplinary suspension, academic work completed at another institution will not be recognized for credit transfer to JHU.
Registering for Courses at Other Colleges and Universities After Matriculation
Students are required to seek pre-approval to transfer credits from courses completed at other institutions. Arts and Sciences students should follow the directions found on the Office of Academic Advising website. Engineering students should follow the directions found on the WSE Academic Advising Canvas organization site. Courses must be taken for a letter grade and a grade of C or better is required.
In order to transfer credit for previously-approved summer work done elsewhere, students must arrange for an official transcript to be sent to the Office of the Registrar.
International students seeking to take summer courses in their home country must complete International Travel Registration with the Global Education Office prior to submitting pre-approval requests to transfer courses.
Courses at Colleges and Universities in the Baltimore Student Exchange Program (BSEP)
BSEP does not operate during the summer session, therefore courses taken at these institutions during the summer are considered transfer credit and are subject to the same rules and limits as courses from other colleges and universities.
Details about BSEP for KSAS students.
Details about BSEP for WSE students.
Concurrent Registration at JHU and Another Institution
Students may take courses at another institution when registered at JHU and have these courses transfer to JHU only if permission is granted before registering for the courses at another institution. During the fall and spring semesters, students must be registered at JHU for a minimum of 12 credits and the addition of courses at another institution may not exceed our maximum credit limit for the term. During summer term, the total credits across institutions may not exceed the 14 credit maximum. During intersession term, the total credits across institutions may not exceed the 3 credit maximum.
Policies Unique to Students Admitted to JHU as Transfer Students
- Transfer students who completed Advanced Placement or other exams during high school are subject to the same policies as students admitted directly from high school as of the term they matriculate at JHU. We do not transfer exam credits directly from another college or university transcript.
- Students who transfer from the Peabody Conservatory will be granted full credit for performance courses in their major instrument. For performance courses in other instruments, only one credit per semester will be awarded.
Description of Transferable Credit
In order to be transferable, a course does not have to match a currently existing JHU course; however, courses should cover topics that are broadly defined as part of the curriculum at Hopkins. For example, we do not regularly teach a course about horror films. However, since this is a film studies course and we have a major in film and media studies, it’s likely that this course would be eligible for transfer. A course can be transferred as either:
- a direct equivalent to one of our courses, or
- a generic course affiliated with a field of study.
A course with an identical name at another institution may not transfer as directly equivalent to the course with the same title at JHU.
A maximum of 6 credits may be granted for courses which are in curriculum areas not covered by the fields of study in the School of Arts and Sciences and the School of Engineering.
Additional Details About Course Eligibility for Transfer
- Section One: Common courses not accepted for transfer credit
- Section Two: Common courses with restrictions for transfer credit
- Section Three: Non-domestic studies
- Section Four: Transferring of writing courses
Section One: Common Courses that will not be Accepted for Transfer Credit
Physical Education or Personal Health and Wellness
Physical Education or Personal Health and Wellness Courses are not accepted.
- However, a maximum of 6 credits in the fields of nutrition, dietetics, or kinesiology may be considered if these courses were part of a curriculum leading to a college degree in the subject.
Study Skills or Career Development
Study Skills or Career Development Courses are not accepted.
- However, courses that are in-depth studies of career paths within a field of study may be considered. Psychology courses in career counseling or learning theory may be accepted.
Math Courses Below the Pre-Calculus Level
Math Courses Below the Pre-Calculus Level are not accepted.
- However, we do accept most introductory statistics courses. We will accept one course designed to review all necessary background for the study of calculus and to introduce the concept of the rate of change of a function.
Theology
Theology Courses are not accepted.
- However, we will consider comparative religion courses or other religion courses that study religion from an academic viewpoint.
Developmental English, English Grammar, or English as a Second Language
Developmental English, English Grammar, or English as a Second Language Courses are not accepted.
- However, we do typically transfer "freshman composition" courses.
Independent Study, Research, or Internship Credits
Independent Study, Research, or Internship Credits are not accepted
- However, hybrid courses that include lectures and graded assignments along with practical experiences are reviewed individually.
Trade Skill
Trade Skill Courses are not accepted.
- Trade skills courses are defined as being part of an educational program leading to a specific trade such as (but not limited to) automotive repair, culinary arts, day care provider, or airplane pilot.
Computer Software
Computer Software Courses are not accepted.
- However, courses that teach some use of software, Internet design and security, basic programming in html or Java, computer aided-design or introduce field-specific software programs may be considered.
Section Two: Common Courses with Restrictions for Transfer Credit
Chemistry
General Chemistry courses intended to serve as a one year sequence for students in the sciences are transferrable. However, because of the variability of these courses, it is often not possible to transfer just one semester of two-semester sequences (or one or two quarters). Syllabi review is required to transfer these courses. Rudimentary introductory chemistry courses intended to prepare students for a year of general chemistry are not transferrable. One-semester chemistry courses intended for non-science majors designed to fulfill general education requirements for non-science student may transfer.
Organic Chemistry Lab
JHU offers a one-semester, three-credit course (AS.030.225 Introductory Organic Chemistry Laboratory or AS.030.227 Chemical Chirality: An Introduction in Organic Chem. Lab, Techniques) that is recognized by medical schools as being equivalent to other institutions' typical year-long introductory organic lab courses that are frequently 1 credit each. To transfer these lab courses from other institutions, students must take both semesters at the other institution, as one semester alone is not transferable. If the course lecture and lab are taught as a single course unit at the other institution, students must take the full year-long sequence of the course lecture and lab in order to transfer the courses to JHU. Our course AS.030.228 Intermediate Organic Chemistry Laboratory is an intermediate level organic chemistry laboratory course intended for only chemistry majors and typically goes beyond other institutions' expectations of students from introductory organic chemistry lab.
Physics
General physics courses, typically covering the topics of mechanics, heat, sound, electricity and magnetism, optics, and modern physics intended to serve as one year of physics study for students in the sciences, may be transferred if the course was taught using the principles of calculus. Those courses that do not require calculus knowledge will not transfer. Rudimentary introductory physics courses intended to prepare students for a year of general physics will not transfer. Introductory one-semester physics or astronomy courses intended for non-science majors, for example those offered to help students fulfill general education requirements, may be transferred.
Finance
We accept transfer credits for corporate finance courses that may include, but are not limited to, understanding the design and functioning of financial markets or modeling financial forecasting and decision making. We do not transfer credit for personal finance courses designed to teach the individual consumer about topics such as money management, budgeting, home mortgages, personal tax, individual insurance, or investing.
Graphic Design
In order to be considered for transfer, graphic design courses must be taught as part of the required curriculum for a major leading to a degree at the offering institution and the course content must include design theory and practices. These carry no area designation. Courses that focus solely on software usage will not transfer.
Website Design
In order to be considered for transfer, website design courses must be taught as part of the required curriculum for a major leading to a degree at the offering institution and the course content must include some programming components. Courses that solely focus on usage of productivity software such as word processing, spreadsheet, presentation, database, graphics editing, accounting, statistical processing, or webpage creation will not transfer.
Internet/Social Media
Marketing courses that discuss the effective use of social media concepts and tools, search engine optimization (SEO) or other analytical market analysis techniques, and content creation and management strategies for marketing campaigns will be considered. However, courses teaching effective use of the internet for personal research or educating the lay person about its structural design or usage of social media will not transfer.
Medical Terminology
In order to transfer a course teaching medical terminology, the course must have:
- an emphasis on etymology from Latin and Greek (as opposed to just learning word parts per se; i.e. the course has to have some direct and explicit treatment of the ancient languages) and
- a significant historical/cultural component, involving study of the history of medicine (including at least some ancient material).
American Sign Language
If offered for degree credit at the host institution, courses in American Sign Language may transfer. Although first-year language courses do not carry an area designator, engineering students may use these courses as substitutes for humanities courses in meeting the distribution requirement. To learn if American Sign Language will fulfill a major or minor requirement, please refer to the specific program requirements.
College/University Orientation
Credit-bearing courses designed to promote student success may be considered for transfer. Courses should include topics such as: learning strategies, study techniques, career readiness, academic planning, and how to engage in the academic/campus community. Courses focused only on campus-specific topics will not transfer.
Section Three: Non-Domestic Studies
For Those Attending Programs Leading to the Medical Profession
In several countries around the world, students enter higher education programs that lead to a medical degree without the completion of the United States equivalent to a bachelor’s degree. We do not transfer credits from these types of programs.
US Citizens Who Studied Abroad Prior to Acceptance as a Transfer Student to JHU
Like our international students who studied internationally before transferring to Johns Hopkins, courses taken abroad by US citizens either through study abroad programs or direct matriculation at international institutions will be processed as transfer credits, not as study abroad credits. A transcript from the originating institution will be required.
Composition Courses not Taught in English
Courses taught in a language other than English that mimic the typical “freshman composition” or “expository writing” courses found in the United States will transfer. These courses will be reviewed for transfer credit as humanities distribution courses, not as foreign language courses. They may not be used to meet the JHU writing-intensive requirement.
Current JHU Students Studying Internationally in Their Home Country
Study Abroad eligibility restrictions during the academic year for KSAS students.
Study Abroad eligibility restrictions during the academic year for WSE students.
During the summer, courses may be taken in a student's home country or country of citizenship. Students follow the procedures for pre-approval of transfer credits. Such courses are subject to the 12-credit transfer rule.
Courses Unique to China
We do not transfer three commonly required courses: Introduction to Mao Zedong Thoughts, Ideological and Moral Cultivation and Fundamentals of Law, and Principles of Marxism.
Transfer of Writing Courses
Section Four: Details About Transferring Writing-Intensive (EN) or Writing and communication (AS) COurses
KSAS and WSE students may transfer up to 6 credits of writing credits.
Directions Specific for WSE Students:
- Courses must meet criteria for a writing intensive course.
-
To request review of a transfer course to meet the writing-intensive requirement, a student must complete a Microsoft form, found on here. The Director of the Professional Communication Program in the Center for Leadership Education will review these requests.
Directions Specific for KSAS Students:
- First-year KSAS students cannot be exempted from the Reintroduction to Writing course based on the transfer of another writing course. KSAS transfer students may have a transfer course evaluated to serve as a substitution for the Reintroduction to Writing course.
- To request review of a transfer or study abroad courses for Writing and Communication, a student must complete this form. This review is conducted by the University Writing Program and student may reach out to uwp@jhu.edu for additional information.