Transfer Credit from Other Post-Secondary Institutions
Students in Arts and Science programs often receive transfer credit at St. Mary’s University for courses completed at other accredited post-secondary institution(s). To be considered for transfer credit, a student must:
- Provide an official transcript from the original institution (if it is not a member of ApplyAlberta).
- Achieve a minimum grade of C- in each course being assessed for transfer credit.
- Be enrolled in a St. Mary’s University degree or diploma program and working toward that credential.
Courses completed more than ten years ago are not accepted for transfer credit.
To be awarded a degree from St. Mary’s University, students must complete at least half of the required credit hours at StMU. Some programs may also require specific courses to be completed at St. Mary’s; please refer to the current Undergraduate Calendar for full details.
Courses from Alberta institutions that have established equivalency in the Alberta Transfer Guide are generally accepted; however, the final decision rests with the Transfer Credit Office. Please note that the most recent equivalency decision will normally be applied, regardless of when the course was completed.
For courses not listed in the Transfer Guide, or for courses from institutions outside Alberta, students may be asked to submit a course outline and information about the instructor’s qualifications or other evidence of academic content and quality.
Transfer credit is granted based on a student’s program. While a course may be transferable, it must also fit within the program requirements. Approved courses will appear on a student’s StMU transcript; however, the grades do not count toward the student’s term or cumulative GPA. Transfer credit will be reassessed if a student changes programs.
We strongly encourage transfer students to meet with an Academic Advisor to understand how their transfer credit will apply to their program.
Transfer Credit from IB & AP Studies
Advanced credit may be given for some International Baccalaureate (IB) and Advanced Placement (AP) courses. For more information, please consult the Undergraduate Calendar.
Block Transfer Agreements
Early Childhood Education and Development (ECED) Diploma program students from Bow Valley College (BVC) are eligible to enter St. Mary’s University’s 90-credit Bachelor of Arts with a Concentration in General Studies (3-year degree) with full block transfer of 45 credits, provided all other entrance criteria are met and space remains available.
Requirements:
- Students are required to obtain a C- grade or better in each course in order to be eligible for transfer credit towards the Bachelor of Arts with a Concentration in General Studies.
- Students must hold admission requirements necessary for admission to degree studies at StMU.
- Students must have received credit for Math 20-1, Math 20-2, Math 20-3 (or 30-level Math credit) or equivalent.
Students who successfully complete the 3-year General Studies degree are then eligible to apply for St. Mary’s 2-year Bachelor of Education (Elementary) After-Degree.
University Transfer program students from Bow Valley College (BVC) are eligible to enter St. Mary’s University’s 90-credit Bachelor of Arts with a Concentration in General Studies (3-year degree) with full block transfer of 30 credits, provided all other entrance criteria are met and space remains available.
Requirements:
- Students are required to obtain a C- grade or better in each course in order to be eligible for transfer credit towards the Bachelor of Arts with a Concentration in General Studies.
- Students must hold admission requirements necessary for admission to degree studies at StMU.
Biology students from Medicine Hat College (MHC) are eligible to enter St. Mary’s University’s 120-credit Bachelor of Science with a Major in Biology (4-year degree) with full block transfer of 60 credits, provided all other entrance criteria are met and space remains available.
Requirements:
- Students are required to obtain a C- grade or better in each course in order to be eligible for transfer credit towards the Bachelor of Arts with a Concentration in General Studies.
- Students must hold admission requirements necessary for admission to degree studies at StMU.
Transfer Credit to Other Post-Secondary Institutions
Students planning to transfer to another post‑secondary institution should consult the Alberta Transfer Guide for additional transfer planning resources.
Students must also contact the institution they wish to transfer to for specific information on transfer credit policies, admission requirements, and how their courses will be evaluated.