For introductory studies curriculum credits (philosophy, religious studies pre-requisites and interpersonal
communication skills) to transfer the following are required:

• an official transcript of the credits must be sent directly from the granting institution to SHSST;
• the course may be at the undergraduate level;
• the course must be demonstrated as equivalent to our introductory studies courses;
• the school reserves the right to refuse transfer credits that were completed more than 10 years before matriculation into SHSST.

For credits to transfer the following are required:

• an official transcript of the credits must be sent directly from the granting institution to SHSST;
• the course must be at the graduate level;
• the course must be demonstrated as equivalent to our core course;
• the school reserves the right to refuse transfer credits that were completed more than 10 years before matriculation into SHSST.

Students who have been given advanced standing may have previous academic work accepted to fulfill the elective requirement. For elective credits to transfer the following are required:

• an official transcript of the credits must be sent directly from the granting institution to SHSST;
• the course must be at the graduate level;
• the school reserves the right to refuse transfer credits that were completed more than 10 years before matriculation into SHSST;
• in the judgment of the dean, the course fulfills the purpose for which elective credits are given.

SHSST recognizes that some students enter the seminary/school of theology with experiences and training that meet the objectives of some core courses for our degree/certificate programs. When these experiences and/or training do not meet the school’s guidelines for the transfer of credit, the student has the option of requesting credit by examination as follows:

• The request for examination is made by the student through the dean’s office. At that time evidence to support the claimed background is given. The evidence presented must be verifiable professional experience and/or a transcript of graduate courses.
• If the academic dean judges that the evidence seems to warrant an attempt at credit by examination, the dean will give the student the authorization form for the examination; this form will summarize the related background and specify the instructors who will be responsible for giving the exam.
• First year students must complete all such examinations by the end of their first year; transfer students with advanced standing must complete all such examinations by the end of their first semester.
• The examination will ordinarily be written and oral and will be based upon the instructional objectives of the essential syllabus for the specific course. The academic dean will select a qualified instructor for the examination. The criteria for a pass/fail decision are the instructional objectives.
• The examination must be completed within two weeks after the instructor has agreed to the exam. The instructor will report the results of the exam to the dean within one week after the testing has been completed.
• A failed examination cannot be repeated; however, a failure can be appealed to the dean.
• A record of the following will be kept in the student’s academic file until graduation: a) documentation of background presented identifying prior competency equivalency with or without having an undergraduate degree, b) the instructors’ written evaluation of the exam in which the instructional objectives of the course are to be specifically addressed, and c) the final recommendation for or against granting credit. If the testing was successful, a passing (“P”) grade will be indicated on the transcript.
• A fee may be charged for the exam process, whether or not the exam was passed.

Non-academic training/experience will not be accepted for credit if taken before a student matriculated to SHSST. If such training and experience are taken while the student is enrolled at SHSST, they can be considered for elective transfer credit under the following conditions:

• it is a language training program that relates directly to the future ministry of the student, or it is a highly specialized ministry training program under the direction of a competent organization, i.e., KIIS, CPE, etc.;
• a detailed description of the program is submitted to the dean before approval is given;
• credit will be given only when proper evaluation from the sponsoring organization is received by the dean.

For credits to transfer into introductory studies, the following is required:

• undergraduate philosophy, religious studies and interpersonal communication skills courses will be considered for transfer credit to fulfill the pre-requisites before entering the MDIV and/or Certificate programs;
• the course must have been passed with at least a “C” grade;
• ordinarily, the course should not have been completed more than 10 years before matriculation into SHSST.

For credits to transfer into the Master of Divinity and the Certificate in Priestly Formation Programs the following is required:

• The course must have been passed with at least a “C” grade;
• Ordinarily, the course should not have been completed more than 10 years before matriculation into SHSST;
• There is no limit to the number of credits that can be transferred. However, a minimum of 50 credits must be earned at SHSST during a period of at least four semesters of full-time study (minimum of 9 credits per semester) in order to earn the M.Div. degree or Certificate in Priestly Formation.
• Credits from Creighton Institute for Priestly Formation (IPF): SHSST will accept up to three (3) courses from the Creighton Institute for Priestly Formation with no more than two (2) credits being given per course for a total of 6 credits possible for transfer. Credits accepted will be applied as elective credits in the M.Div. program. Conditions listed above must be met.

For credits to transfer into the Master of Arts program, the following is required:

• The course must have been passed with at least a “B” grade;
• Ordinarily, the course should not have been completed more than 10 years before matriculation into SHSST;
• Ordinarily, no more than 6 credits may be transferred in.