Academic Policies Committee
A student has the right to appeal to the Academic Policies Committee for an exception to stated policy and to appeal decisions on matters pertaining to admission and retention. The decision to deny admission cannot be appealed.
Transfer between Graduate Programs
Please see Enrollment and Registration Policies for more information.
Transfer of Credit Completed at another Institution
In addition to the university-wide requirements, the following criteria apply to non-institutional graduate transfer credit in the National College of Education:
- Courses can be transferred at any time after admission until finalization of the degree
- For graduate degrees, there is a six-year limit between the first course and the last course used for the degree, including any transfer credit. Extensions beyond six-years require the Program Chair approval (for 6-10 years) and are completed through the exception form initiated by an advisor. Extension beyond 10 years require petition to the Academic Policies Committee (APC). Graduate degrees include the Master of Arts in Teaching (M.A.T.), Master of Education (M.Ed.), Educational Specialist (Ed.S.), and certificates.
- Transfer credit is limited to nine semester hours of graduate credit for those pursuing the M.Ed., or M.A.T degrees
- Those who are pursuing an Ed.S. degree may transfer a maximum of nine semester hours; certain exceptions apply
- Ed.S. degrees that require master’s degree for admission must transfer a post-master’s degree coursework (Curriculum and Instruction with Advanced Professional Specializations, Educational Leadership, Learning Sciences, Reading, Teacher Leadership, Higher Education Leadership, Teaching and Learning);
- Ed.S. degrees that do not require master’s degree may transfer any graduate level coursework (School Psychology).
- Doctoral students (Ed.D.) may apply up to 12 hours of graduate coursework completed after the first master’s degree, doctoral candidates completing Ed.S. degrees at institutions other than NLU, the reduction must not exceed 18 semester hours. Acceptance of all transfer credit is dependent on the approval of the program chair.
- Doctoral students (Ed.D.) in the Strategic Education Leadership Program may use six semester hours at the master’s level of equivalent foundational educational leadership courses with approval of the SEDL program chair
- Any additional transfer credit (above what is allowed by each program) must be approved by the APC
Application of NLU Credits to Subsequent Degrees (Applicable to M.Ed., Ed.S. and Ed.D. degrees)
NLU Programs designed with stackable credentials may apply the number of credits specified below to the next level degrees in the program.
- Higher Education Leadership: up to 15SH of institutional graduate credit from a master’s degree can be applied to the Ed.D. with approval from the program chair. The Ed.S. Degree must be at least 30SH of post master’s credit. All 33 SH from the Ed.S. in Higher Ed Leadership can be applied to the Ed.D in Higher Education Leadership.
- Ed.D. Higher Education Leadership-Post Secondary Teaching and Leadership (PTIL): up to 12SH of institutional graduate credit from an M.Ed. can be applied to the Ed.D. with approval from the chairs of the doctoral program. The Ed.S. Degree must be at least 30SH of unique credit hours beyond the M.Ed. All 33 SH of the Ed.S. can be applied to the Ed.D. in Post-Secondary Teaching and Leadership.
- Teaching and Learning Ed.D: up to 12 semester hours of graduate level course- work post the first master’s degree can be applied to the Ed.D. with approval from the chairs of the doctoral program, all credits from the Ed.S. in Teaching and Learning may be applied to the Ed.D. The Ed.D is distinguished from the Ed.S. by the dissertation and the dissertation coursework.
- Education Leadership (Florida): up to 9 semester hours of post-master’s coursework from another institution, can be applied to the Ed.S., and up to 12 semester hours of post-master’s coursework from another institution, can be applied to the Ed.D. No more than 10SH from NLU Master’s Level programs can used towards the Ed.S and Ed.D degrees combined (this includes 4SH from EDL 573, 6SH of EDL 598 or 10SH from another NLU masters’s degree program). Up to 39SH from the Ed.S. in Ed Leadership can be applied to the Ed.D. in Educational Leadership.
- Education Leadership (IL District): up to 12 semester hours of graduate level course-work post the first master’s degree can be applied the Ed.D. with approval from the chairs of the doctoral program, 44SH from the Ed.S in District Leadership can be applied to the Ed.D. in District Leadership
- Strategic Education Leadership: 12SH from the Strategic Education Leadership Certificate can be applied to a M.Ed in Education Leadership (SEDL), 12 SH from the Strategic Education Leadership Certificate can be applied to a Ed.S. in Education Leadership (SEDL). 12SH from NLU Education Leadership MED programs (SEDL major) can be applied to the Ed.D. in Strategic Education Leadership. 26SH from an Ed.S in Education Leadership (SEDL) can be applied to the Ed.D in Strategic Education Leadership, up to 12 semester hours of graduate level course-work post the first master’s degree can be applied to the Ed.D. with approval from the chairs of the doctoral program.
Application of Non-NLU Credit toward Ed.S. and Ed.D. Degrees
Nine semester hours of non-institutional, post the first master’s degree, transfer, workshop and professional development credit may be applied to the Ed.S. degree if approved by the student’s program chair.
For doctoral candidates completing Ed.S. degrees at institutions other than NLU, the reduction of credits in the doctoral program must not exceed 18 semester hours (from the prior completed Ed.S.). Approval for transfer credit beyond the maximum listed above may be obtained through petition to the Academic Policies Committee. Credit for courses taken more than six years prior to when the student was admitted to the doctoral program must also be approved by the chair. Final approval for the program reduction must be obtained from the doctoral program chair and submitted to the registrar's office.
Core and Program Course Substitutions
Students who have completed graduate work at NLU or another institution may seek substitution of NCE required courses. Students who wish to substitute required courses for the degree or program must work with an advisor to present an official transcript and a course or catalog description, or other relevant documentation, for Program Chair approval. Courses taken at other institutions must meet the University and NCE Transfer policy guidelines and be recorded on an official transcript on file with the Registrar's Office. Approved substitutions will be documented via the Student Adjustment Form. If the Program Chair denies the request, the student has the option to appeal to the
Academic Policies Committee (APC). If approved by APC, the advisor will submit the Student Adjustment form. If denied, the decision is final.
Course Load Limitations
Students pursue graduate studies on either a full- or part-time basis. Full-time students take between six and 10 semester hours of graduate study in a regular term. Those seeking to take more than 10 semester hours in a term must receive prior approval from the NCE Dean’s Office pending recommendation of the student’s advisor.
Course by Arrangement/Independent Study
With the approval of his or her advisor, appropriate program coordinator and the Dean’s office, an admitted student may take a course by arrangement or an independent study. Only a full-time faculty member may work with a student on a course by arrangement or an independent study.
Special Workshops
A maximum of six hours of workshops will be allowed in fulfilling degree requirements. Workshop credit will not be accepted for licensure.
Time Limitation for Fulfilling Degree Requirements
Candidates must fulfill degree requirements within a six-year period. The time period is calculated from the date of the first course that is to count toward the degree, including transfer credit. Requests for a time extension of more than six years, but less than ten years, must be approved by the Program Chair. The exception form will be submitted by the advisor. If denied, candidates may petition the Academic Policies Committee. Requests for a time extension of more than 10 years must be also made through petition to the Academic Policies Committee. Graduate degrees include the Master of Arts in Teaching (M.A.T.), Master of Education (M.Ed.), Educational Specialist (Ed.S.), and certificates.