Shared Credit Policy

This policy outlines the conditions under which credit may be shared between academic degrees at Walsh College. It ensures academic integrity, consistency across programs, and compliance with Higher Learning Commission (HLC) guidelines.

This policy applies to:

• Combined, integrated, or accelerated degree programs (e.g., bachelor’s to master’s, master’s to doctoral)
• Dual/double degrees (bachelor’s, master’s, doctoral)

This policy does not apply to:

• Stackable credentials (e.g. certificates embedded in degree programs)

General Principles

Minimum Degree Requirements Maintained

Credit sharing may not result in any credential being awarded with fewer than the minimum number of required semester credit hours:

1. Bachelor’s degree: 120 credits
2. Master’s degree: 30 credits
3. Doctoral degree: 60 credits

Foundation Courses

1. Foundation courses that a student is required to take that are not allowed to be included in other degree requirements (as electives, concentration courses, etc.), are not counted in shared credit calculations. Students who are excluded from foundation course requirements (due to prior coursework, etc.) will not have those exclusions count towards shared credit limits.

Unique Credits

1. Once a course has been shared between two academic degrees, it cannot be applied as shared credit towards a third degree.

Expiration of Credits

1. Credits are not eligible for sharing after 5 years from course completion.

Academic Rigor and Learning Outcomes

Courses counted toward multiple degrees must demonstrate equivalency in learning outcomes, depth of content, and methods of assessment for each program. Academic rigor shall not be compromised in the pursuit of efficiency. No credit may be double-counted in a way that dilutes curricular content or reduces academic expectations.  While graduate-level courses may count toward undergraduate requirements, undergraduate courses cannot be applied to graduate programs. Master’s and doctoral courses are both considered graduate-level and may be shared in either direction between those programs.

Institutional Approval Required

Shared-credit arrangements are approved by the following bodies, where applicable:

1. The curriculum committee or faculty governance body
2. The Dean, Assistant Dean, or designee
   
   No approval is necessary if the programs require the exact same course in the catalog.

Transparency and Advising

Shared credit pathways will be clearly communicated in catalog descriptions, advising materials, and degree audits.

Shared Credit Limits by Program Type

Exceptions may be considered on a case-by-case basis, with documented academic justification and approval by the Dean or designee.

Residency and Institutional Credit

Regardless of shared credit:

• Students must meet Walsh’s residency requirements, completing a minimum number of credits at the institution.