If you are applying to Sarah Lawrence, you may receive a preliminary transfer credit evaluation from the Registrar's Office (914.395.2301) at any time during the process.

I. Courses acceptable in transfer must meet the following conditions

• They must have been completed at a college or university accredited by the Middle States, New England, North Central, Northwest, Southern, or Western Association of Schools and Colleges, or foreign schools of comparable accreditation.
• The courses must be liberal arts courses in disciplines offered for credit at Sarah Lawrence. Courses within the traditional definition of the liberal arts though not offered at Sarah Lawrence, e.g., astronomy or geology, are also acceptable. Please note that a single semester of beginning foreign language study is not normally credited toward the degree until a second semester of that language is completed, and a minimum of six credits earned.
• A final grade of "C" (not "C-") or higher must have been earned.
• Courses taken at a junior college can be accepted as first-year or sophomore courses, but cannot be posted toward a junior or senior year.
• Credit is not given for courses taken on-line or through distance learning.
• The courses may not have been used to satisfy high school diploma requirements. (For courses taken prior to high school graduation, see the Student Handbook.)

II. Courses in the Arts

The creative arts have long held a prominent place in the life of the College. Transfer credit is available for courses completed in Dance, Music, Theatre, Filmmaking and the Studio Arts only after evaluation by Sarah Lawrence faculty in those programs. Faculty may wish to review course descriptions, syllabi, worksheets, or portfolios, so it’s wise to retain any course material you may have. The following general advice may be helpful in determining whether credits will be transferable:

Dance

The Sarah Lawrence Dance program is constructed on the premise that dance is a unique art form, calling for the integration of body, mind, and spirit. A dance program at the College is comprised of a yearlong series of coordinated components. Credit cannot be given for dance technique courses taken alone: such courses must be accompanied by formal course work in dance theory/composition. Transfer credit for all dance courses is evaluated by the director of the Dance program.

Music

The Sarah Lawrence Music program is structured to integrate theory and practice. Students select a combination of component courses which include, at minimum, individual instruction (instrumental performance, composition, or voice); a theory and/or history course; and a performance ensemble. Credit cannot be given for performance courses taken alone. Such courses must be accompanied and supported by formal coursework in music theory and individual instruction. Transfer credit for all music courses is evaluated by the director of the Music program.

Theatre

The Sarah Lawrence Theatre program emphasizes the process of theatre as the student builds craft and connections among language, movement, vision, and performance. Students work with vocal and physical connections to dramatic text and integrate the internal and external work. Transfer credit for all theatre courses is evaluated by the director of the Theatre program.

Studio Arts

Transfer credit for all studio art courses is evaluated by the director of the Visual Arts program.

Filmmaking

Transfer credit for all filmmaking courses is evaluated by the director of the Filmmaking program.

III. Courses not eligible for transfer credit

Courses in the following disciplines cannot receive any transfer credit:

• Accounting
• Business Administration
• Home Economics
• Journalism
• Physical Education
• Real Estate
• Speech
• Typing, Word Processing, or Secretarial courses
• Technical courses in Dentistry, Engineering, etc.

IV. Computing Transfer Credits

• Sarah Lawrence College will accept a maximum of 60 transfer credits (a maximum of 75 for students matriculating from the Center for Continuing Education). All remaining credits for the degree must be completed at Sarah Lawrence.
• A maximum of 30 credits will be accepted for one year of study; a maximum of 15 credits for one semester.
• A maximum of eight credits may be earned in one summer (10 if the summer session(s) extend to ten weeks or longer). No more than 16 total summer credits may be applied to the minimum 120 credits required for the degree.
• Courses accepted from institutions operating on a quarter system are transferred at 2/3 value.