Transfer Credit

UNDERGRADUATE STUDENTS
Auditions determine students’ studio level and ensemble requirement. Placement exams and evaluation of transcripts decide class year and the number of semesters required to complete the program. When there is a discrepancy between studio level and academic level, transfer students may be required to accept either a lower studio level or a lower academic level. International students may transfer credit if they have met NEC’s English language requirement. Transfer credit grades are not calculated in cumulative grade point averages.

NEC awards transfer credit to students previously enrolled in degree programs at other institutions after approval from their academic advisor, as agreed in writing. To apply for transfer credit, students must provide course descriptions and official transcripts. NEC will not accept Pass/Fail credits. Students who have attended foreign institutions must provide official transcripts with any necessary translations, as well as explanations of grades, class hours, and course descriptions.

Students may transfer no more than 60 credits toward the Bachelor of Music or 36 credits toward the Undergraduate Diploma. Transfer credit is not accepted for the Undergraduate Performance Certificate. Enrolled students who wish to substitute transfer credit for required classes must have approval from the academic advisor and department chair. Credits awarded during previous enrollment at NEC or another institution more than 10 years prior to the request for credit transfer will be considered, but only under extraordinary circumstances (via petition to the Assistant Dean of Academic Affairs for Advising and the relevant department chair(s)). Students transferring into the Conservatory should expect to lose credits.

Prior to matriculation
Credit transfers to NEC’s undergraduate programs as follows:

Studio credits transfer according to audition placement.
Ensemble credits transfer according to students’ studio status. For example, transfers admitted to second-year studio will receive a maximum of 2 ensemble credits.
Chamber music credits must be fulfilled at NEC; violin, viola, and cello majors admitted to third-year studio, however, may receive up to 2 credits.
Music Theory credits transfer with grades of C or better after NEC placement testing, which must be completed prior to enrolling in NEC courses.
Music History credits transfer with grades of C or better, provided that the work compares to NEC courses, as determined by the department.
Liberal Arts credits transfer with grades of C or better. The Liberal Arts department chair must approve substitutes for the Liberal Arts Seminar (LARTS 111a).
Elective credits transfer toward elective requirements with grades of C or better.

After matriculation
Students may transfer from 6 to 16 credits, with grades of C or better (B- or better for writing courses) as follows:

Students may transfer up to 6 credits for classes that do not duplicate NEC requirements. Students wishing to substitute transfer courses for departmental requirements need advance approval from their academic advisor and the department chair.
Additionally, students may transfer credits equal to those lost from failed or withdrawn courses, up to a limit of 12. In most cases, such credits count as electives. Students must obtain advance approval from the academic advisor and department chair. Students who transfer credits to compensate for those lost from failed or withdrawn courses cannot exceed the overall maximum of 16 credits.
Credits earned via the Cross-Registration program while a student at NEC count toward the 16 credit limit (see Cross-Registration).

Undergraduates who change programs before graduation (bachelor’s to diploma or diploma to bachelor’s) may transfer all credits earned at NEC. All grades will figure in the cumulative grade point average for the new program. Those who transfer credit after matriculation may not use such credits to accelerate in their program (see Residency Policy).

GRADUATE STUDENTS
Master’s students may transfer up to 4 graduate credits (earned with grades of B or better in musical disciplines at other institutions) as electives in courses that do not duplicate NEC offerings. Graduate students may not use transfer credits to complete programs in fewer than the required minimum number of full-time semesters. The Conservatory does not transfer studio, ensemble, or chamber music credits. Enrolled students who take courses elsewhere must obtain advance approval from the appropriate academic advisor and department chair. Graduate Diploma students must petition their academic advisor for transfer credit. Transfer credit grades are not calculated in cumulative grade point averages. Credits awarded during previous enrollment at NEC or another institution more than 10 years prior to the request for credit transfer will be considered, but only under extraordinary circumstances (via petition to the Assistant Dean of Academic Affairs for Advising and the relevant department chair(s)).

Graduate students who change programs (from MM to GD or GD to MM) may transfer all NEC credits with grades of B or better to the new program, with approval of the academic advisor and department chair. Grades will figure in the cumulative grade point average of the new program.

The Co-Chairs of the DMA program review requests to transfer credit from other doctoral programs. If the request is granted, students may transfer up to a maximum of 4 credits of doctoral-level coursework with a grade of B or better, or its equivalent. Doctoral students may not transfer studio, ensemble, or chamber music credits, nor credits for courses that replace required doctoral seminars. DMA students may not use transfer credits to complete programs in fewer than the required minimum number of full-time semesters.

Transfer credit will not be accepted for the Graduate Performance Certificate. Transfer Credit will not be denied solely on the basis of an institution’s accreditation.