Credit Transfer
CREDIT TRANSFER INFORMATION
All passed coursework completed at an outside institution will first transfer to UNM as general elective credit in the CR/NC grading mode. Students seeking a specific type of credit for graduation requirements (ex: English 101) have the option to request course equivalency with the appropriate academic department.
The UNM Office of the Registrar makes the final decision on how study abroad credits will transfer to UNM. Academic departments oversee transfer course equivalency.
Students should work with their study abroad advisor, host institution, academic advisor, and academic department to select a program that works best with their individual academic needs. Use the infographic below to better understand the steps and student responsibilities of the course equivalency process.
Review our International Credit Transfer Workshop for additional information on how to get started.
- Course Equivalency Overview
- Research
- Course Pre-Approval
- Maintain Full-Time Status
- Post-Study Abroad Credit Transfer
- Grading FAQ
- Transfer Students
- International Credit Systems
- Online Courses
- UNM Residency Requirement
Course Equivalency Overview
Research
While you’re working on your UNM study abroad application, you will need to fill out a coursework planning draft. This is not committing you to any specific courses abroad, however this should guide your selection of a best academic match for your study abroad school. Review our International Credit Transfer Workshop for important questions to consider. Our advice: At foreign institutions, course catalogs or class schedules are not typically released until a month or two prior to the start of the semester so don't expect to have a solid schedule ready far in advance. Students enrolled in the Anderson School of Management are advised to check that the host institution is AACSB-Accredited if planning to take courses that count toward their degree. Note: You can choose to take online classes at UNM, but you must still maintain minimum enrollment requirements of the host institution, which is typically equivalent to full-time study in that country. You will also be responsible for any additional UNM tuition charges for online courses.
Course Pre-Approval
This process will require finding course catalogs or course offerings during the semester you are abroad to the best of your ability. Our advice: This process doesn't have to be long or daunting. Try not to procrastinate! Note: You must complete one course equivalency form for each academic department you wish to have credits transfer.
Once you have a few courses selected, you should meet with your academic advisor to be sure what you plan to take matches up with your degree track. In some cases, it may be possible to present syllabi you've found so that you can preapprove transfer credits as long as you perform well and pass the courses.
Maintain Full-Time Status
During the program, you should attend all class sessions and participate in class just like you do here at UNM and/or as required by your host school. Stay in touch and let your academic advisor know as soon as possible if there have been any changes to your proposed plan of study (i.e. if you take different classes than you discussed with your academic advisor). To receive credit toward your degree, The University of New Mexico requires a minimum standard of academic performance (a "C", 2.0 on a 4.0 scale), so it is important that you attend class and perform according to the host university's standards, expectations and assessments. Grading scales in other countries vary, so you will want to research the common grade conversion scales. Your grades during your study abroad program are determined solely by the instructor and the host university. If you have concerns about the grading of courses while away, you are responsible for communicating directly with your instructors and/or the host institution. Be mindful that you must continue to meet any requirements for scholarships you may receive at UNM. If you are abroad for the Academic Year, you must provide a progress report to your study abroad advisors after your first semester. Please note: You should bring all course material back to UNM with you, including syllabi, work completed, essays and examinations, in case it is ever needed.
Post-Study Abroad Credit Transfer
Once you have completed your study abroad program, and have returned to UNM for the following semester, UNM will need a copy of your academic transcript from your host institution. Transcripts must be received by a study abroad advisor directly. If the host sends you your transcript directly, you must send it to our office as well in order for the credit transfer process to begin. Once we receive this, your credits will transfer back to UNM as generic credits until you take the TRANSFER-Domestic & International Evaluation Form to the appropriate Department Chair or Designee so they can grant equivalencies for UNM courses. Once you complete this form, the Department Chair or Designee should send it directly to the Registrar at tes1@unm.edu. They will contact your department(s) directly if they have questions. You will see your credits in your LoboTrax Degree Audit, not on your UNM transcript since the courses are transfer credits. All study abroad courses transfer back as CR/NC until you request a letter grade from tes1@unm.edu. Students should talk with their academic advisors about if the letter grade request is necessary. If it is, advisors and students should email the LoboTrax team to request the grade change. Note: You must complete one course equivalency form for each academic department you wish to have credits transfer. Provide your host institution and/or program organizer the following address to send your official transcript:
Grading FAQ
1. How does my study abroad coursework transfer back to UNM? 2. How do study abroad classes affect my UNM GPA? 3. How do study abroad classes affect financial aid and scholarship eligibility? 5. My host institution uses a different grading system. How will my grades come back to UNM? 6. What happens if I fail my study abroad classes?
4. How do study abroad classes show up on my UNM transcript?
Transfer Students
Transfer students should discuss studying abroad with their academic advisor to understand how studying abroad can impact their plan to meet UNM graduation requirements. As all coursework taken at another institution abroad will come back to UNM as transfer credits, transfer students should work with their academic advisors to understand the maximum number of transfer credits that can be applied toward their UNM degree. Students should understand the number of residence credits, or the number of credits taken at UNM, required by their major and minor. If a student decides that a semester or year-long study abroad program is no longer a good academic fit, they are encouraged to look into short-term, UNM Faculty-Led programs as many of these programs offer students the chance to earn UNM residence credits while abroad.
International Credit Systems
As a study abroad student, it is your responsibility to research and understand the differences between the credit and grading systems used at your host school and at UNM. If you are unsure of the number of credits you will receive from the coursework you will take abroad, reach out to your host school and the UNM Registrar for better clarity. It is important to know the number of credits you will receive if you pass your classes prior to registering for coursework abroad! Not all credits transfer to UNM or the American credit system in the same way. For example, in general: For language immersion courses, students should check how many contact hours are needed to count as a 3-credit hour course.
Online Courses
Taking UNM courses online while abroad Online Courses and Tuition
UNM Residency Requirement
"The student must meet the residence credit requirement. A minimum of 30 credit hours of credit, exclusive of extension and correspondence (independent study) credit, must be earned at the University of New Mexico. Of these 30 credit hours in residence, 15 credit hours must be earned after the candidate has accumulated 92 of earned credit hours. These 15 credit hours, however, do not necessarily have to be the last credit hours of a degree program. A student may fulfill all or part of this residence requirement by attending Summer session." Full Policy from the UNM catalog: https://catalog.unm.edu/catalogs/kuali/undergrad-program.html