MCS Transfer Credit Policy
The following applies only to students whose home department is in the Mellon College of Science. Other colleges may have different rules regarding transfer credit.

If you're in MCS and want to take courses at other schools over the summer or during a leave of absence, you can often be awarded transfer credit at Carnegie Mellon. This credit can satisfy requirements here and count toward your graduation. It's a good idea to determine how your credit will count before you spend time and money on the course. By following the steps below, you'll get a confirmation of whether your credit will transfer and how it will look on your Carnegie Mellon transcript.

Steps to Take
  1. Gather the information for the classes you wish to take elsewhere:


    • Name of the college or university you'll attend.
    • The school's course number and title for the class(es) you're considering.
    • The course description for each class - a paragraph from their course catalog or web site is fine.
    • The name and number of the Carnegie Mellon course you'd like this to substitute.
  2. Pick up a Request for Transfer Credit form at the Undergraduate Affairs office in DH 1324 or print one here.

    • Fill out the form and attach the course description.
    • If the course you are substituting is in your major department, get your departmental advisor to sign the form first.
    • After you have your departmental advisor's signature, or if the course you are substituting is NOT in your major department, take the form to 1324 Doherty Hall for Dr. Grotzinger to approve. He will send you an e-mail indicating whether or not credit will be awarded.
  3. Take the course(s). If you attend a community college, you'll need to get a grade of A or B in order to be granted transfer credit. At other colleges/universities, you'll need to get a grade of C or better.
  4. When you've completed the course(s), have your school send an official transcript to:

    Office of Undergraduate Affairs
    Mellon College of Science
    Doherty Hall 1324
    Carnegie Mellon University
    Pittsburgh, PA 15213-3890
  5. If your grades meet the criteria above, the Office of Undergraduate Affairs will post transfer credit to your Carnegie Mellon transcript. You'll receive confirmation by e-mail of the credit awarded.


    6. Note: Although the units will transfer for the courses you take, the grades will not be factored into your Carnegie Mellon QPA. Transfer credit is treated like Advanced Placement credit.