PAU's general education requirements largely mirror the requirements to transfer to a CSU. Classes that are already articulated (meaning already identified as completing CSU A-E requirements), and for which the student received a C grade or better, are automatically credited.
The Chair of the Department of Undergraduate Education evaluates non-articulated courses on a case-by-case basis. This process determines whether a course sufficiently matches the content and learning outcomes of a general education course. This evaluation is usually completed by reviewing the catalog entry for the course in question but may require a review of the course syllabus.
Major Requirements
Undergraduate program faculty determine transfer credit for major requirements. Students requesting transfer credit toward their major should work with their admissions counselor to complete the Transfer Credit Request Form, and submit syllabi of the courses they wish to transfer. These requests will be evaluated on a case-by-case basis, with faculty determining whether a course sufficiently matches the content and learning outcomes for an upper-division degree requirement course.
Credits Granted for Alternative Educational Experiences
Experiential Learning Credit
(granted after a university portfolio review)
Foreign Language Competency
(granted after a review of a taped formal interview and writing sample)
Military Education Credit for Veterans
Palo Alto University’s undergraduate programs will accept transfer credit awarded for courses taken in the armed services. In order to have your military educational experiences evaluated for credit, you must submit evaluated transcript(s) from the appropriate agency.
The Army, Navy, Marine Corps, and Coast Guard now use the centralized Joint Services Transcript System, which will electronically send your official transcript to PAU upon your request. The transcript includes your military training and occupational experience along with American Council on Education college credit recommendations. The Air Force uses the Community College of the Air Force.
(https://www.va.gov/resources/how-do-i-get-college-credits-for-my-military-service/)
Palo Alto University considers both military service and military coursework for academic credit using the guidelines issued by the American Council on Education (ACE). We refer to the ACE “Guide to Evaluation of Educational Experiences in the Services” when determining applicable transfer credit for military experience and training. Job specialties (MOS, AFSC, Rate) must have a recommendation evaluation by ACE (in the ACE Guide) for credit to be awarded.
College Level Examination Program (CLEP)
(https://clep.collegeboard.org/)
College Level Examination Program (CLEP) exams (MIN SCORE OF 50),
High School Advanced Placement (AP) and International Baccalaureate Exams
Ap exams (MIN SCORE OF 3) and International Baccalaureate (IB) exams (MIN SCORE OF 4) may be used as substitutes for some general education requirements.