Please see the Handbook and Quick Guide page appropriate to your start date at GVSU for the General Education courses available to you.  

The following policy applies to courses being transferred to GVSU from other institutions.

THE TRANSITION POLICY FOR TRANSFER STUDENTS

Effective May 1, 2013

C. Griffin, Director, General Education Program

The transition plan for the NEW General Education Program which begins in Fall 2013, said GVSU is not transferring in courses to fulfill the Issues requirement for the incoming class of 2014-15.  The following points are meant to clarify how this policy will be applied for transfer students. 

The upper division component of the General Education Program requires students to take 2 courses, from different disciplines.  The Theme requirement also limits students to a maximum of one course at the 100 or 200 level (Issues courses are all numbered at the 300 or 400 level).

The transition policy is based on when the student took a course, not when they enter GVSU.

1. If a transfer student takes a course that was a Theme course - and it remains a GVSU Theme course - the student can count it as one of the two courses to fulfill the upper division requirement in the GE Program it as long as they take the class before Fall 2014.

EXAMPLE:  PLS 306 was a Theme course and remains a Theme course (it did not become an Issues course).

2.   If a transfer student takes a course that was a Theme course – and it subsequently goes through the curriculum process to become an Issues course - the student can count it as one of the two courses to fulfill the upper division requirement in the GE Program, as long as they take the class before Fall 2014.

EXAMPLE:  BIO 338 was a Theme course and became an Issues course effective Fall 2013.

EXAMPLE:  GRCC COM 235 comes in as fulfilling a course in Theme 8, GRCC SO 260 comes in as Theme 13 (not a direct equivalent to a course in our Themes).

3.   If a transfer student takes a course that used to be equivalent to a GVSU course that was never in our GE Themes, but is now an Issues course, then the course will not be used to fulfill the upper division requirement in the GE Program.

EXAMPLE:  ART 391 never was a Theme course.  It will begin as an Issues course in Fall 2013.  Any course that transfers in as ART 391 will not fulfill an Issues course.

4.   A transfer course will not simultaneously fulfill a Foundation and an Issues or Themes course.  The Transfer Equivalency site may contain two entries for one course:  one entry notes that the course is fulfilling a Theme and the other entry notes the effective date when the course will begin counting as a Foundation (effective date is based on when the student takes the course).  These courses will have an effective date of Fall 2013.

EXAMPLE:  GRCC course PL 207 is coming in as a Foundation-Philosophy and Literature and Theme 10.  If students take PL 207 before Fall 2013 it will fulfill both categories; if they take it from Fall 2013 on it will only fulfill a Foundation.

5.  If a student takes a course that was a GVSU Theme course that goes through the curriculum process to become to become a Foundation, then the student will receive the GE attribute that it had – when the student took it.

EXAMPLE:  WRT 219 was a Theme and in Fall 2013 it will become a Foundation (Arts).  If a student takes WRT 219 before Fall 2013, it will count as a Theme course.  If they take it Fall 2013, it will count as a Foundation. The same rule applies to US 201 which was a Theme and is now a Foundation (renamed and renumbered to LIB 201).

 

WRT 150 Transfer Evaluations Update

• Update to transfer evaluations
  • What changed?
    • All WRT 150 evaluations now take the transfer grade into consideration and will award WRT 150 only for a grade of C or above. Students who obtain a grade of C-, D, or D+ in their transfer course will now receive WRT general credit in transfer. As always, students who obtain a grade of D- or F will not receive any credit in transfer.
  • When did this change?
    • The effective term for this new evaluation model is 201710 (Fall 2016).
  • Who is impacted?
    • Any students who take an equivalent course in Fall 2016 or future will receive the new evaluation of WRT general credit (if their grade is below a C).
    • This effectively ends the previous blanket exception that was in place.
      • It was also determined that the SWS benefit of the blanket exception will also expire. That privilege is reserved for students completing the MACRAO/MTA.
      • Should you encounter a student who is in need of an exception similar to the previous blanket waiver, these requests should now be processed following the standard student concern route through SASC.
    • Special considerations may be made for students who were admitted prior to Fall 2016 regarding the WRT 150 versus WRT general credit decision. These requests should still be directed to Meagan Treadway.