OFF-CAMPUS ACTIVITIES

Dartmouth offers a variety of opportunities for studying off-campus through Dartmouth-sponsored programs, exchange programs, and transfer terms. The Office of Off-Campus Programs administers Dartmouth-sponsored programs and exchange programs. The Office of the Registrar administers transfer term approvals. To be eligible to begin a Dartmouth-sponsored off-campus program or exchange program, accepted students must be in good standing, must not have the temporary standing of Incomplete in any course, and must have completed the First-Year Seminar requirement. The rules for approval of exchange courses are the same as for transfer courses. See 3) below, Transfer Credit from other Institution.

Dartmouth College does not investigate the issues of safety and security in the various transfer programs students may consider: it is the students’ responsibility to investigate these issues. Dartmouth urges students to explore with their parents all issues of safety and security.

Only programs taught by Dartmouth faculty, i.e. D.L.S.A. and D.F.S.P., carry Dartmouth course credit. Other off-campus coursework activity, exchange programs or otherwise, may be eligible for transfer credit.

Each student may transfer a maximum of the equivalent of four (4) Dartmouth course units to their Dartmouth record. Complete information about transfer credit may be obtained at the Office of the Registrar, 105 McNutt Hall.

A student enrolled in a Dartmouth off-campus program pays full tuition and is eligible for normal scholarship aid. No Dartmouth scholarship aid is available to students enrolled in an academic institution with which Dartmouth has no formal exchange agreement.

The Committee on Off-Campus Activities (COCA) is charged to review and supervise all off-campus academic programs and activities. Students may transfer no more than four Dartmouth-equivalent course credits from other institutions toward the degree at Dartmouth. Transfer credits received for courses taken at other institutions prior to matriculation count toward the maximum permissible total of four.

1. Dartmouth Off-Campus Academic Programs: Officially recognized programs are administered and taught by Dartmouth Faculty. Students receive specific course credits and grades. A list of programs for 2007-2008 appears below.

The brochure Off-Campus Programs and the Off-Campus Programs website describe all programs in detail. Note: The Beijing, Tokyo, Fez, Berlin and St. Petersburg summer programs serve in satisfaction of the summer residence requirement.

Candidates for Foreign Study (FSP) and Language Study Abroad (LSA) Programs apply online via the Off-Campus Programs website by the appropriate deadlines; selection is made by the sponsoring department or program. It is the student’s responsibility to contact Off-Campus Programs for application deadline information. Although the Language Requirement is, by regulation, to be completed by the end of the seventh term, the Registrar can grant an extension to permit D.L.S.A. study at a later time if a student’s program of study prevents earlier enrollment.

Specific Dartmouth course credit and grade can be given only for a course taught or directly supervised by a Dartmouth faculty member. Students must elect a three-course load; two-and four-course loads are not allowed on Dartmouth Off-Campus Academic Programs. Courses taken on such programs are out of bounds for the use of the Non-Recording Option. Students are expected to be at their program for its full duration.

For Foreign Study programs in the English language, elective courses must be closely related to the subject of the program and an integral part of an officially defined undergraduate Arts and Sciences curriculum. Thus, pre-professional, technical, business or graduate courses are not acceptable. The elective course does not satisfy distributive or world-culture requirements unless such requirements have been assigned by the Committee on Instruction at the time the foreign study program is authorized.

For Foreign Study and LSA+ programs in a language other than English, elective courses in the language of the program can be in any course which is an integral part of an officially defined undergraduate Arts and Sciences curriculum. Thus, pre-professional, technical, business or graduate courses are not acceptable. The elective courses do not satisfy distributive or world-culture requirements unless such requirements have been assigned by the Committee on Instruction at the time the foreign study program is authorized.

A senior who participates in an off-campus program must obtain special permission from his or her major department or program; such approval is strongly advised for juniors as well. A senior may, with the permission of the chair of the major department and the Registrar, replace one of the required residence terms by a term of off-campus study in the principal field of the major, provided such will be of great benefit to the student’s program and will in no way interfere with proper completion of the major or other requirements.

OFF-CAMPUS ACADEMIC PROGRAMS IN 2007-2008

Foreign Study (D.F.S.P.)

Language Study Abroad (D.L.S.A.)

Domestic Off-Campus Program*

* For convenience in operation, these programs are entered elsewhere under D.F.S.P.

Exchange Programs

No Dartmouth student may participate in more than three terms of Dartmouth-sponsored Off-Campus Programs (i.e., D.L.S.A. and/or D.F.S.P.) for academic credit, except by special permission by the COCA based on a written petition presenting valid academic reasons and strongly supported by the student’s major department or program.

2. Transfer Credit from Dartmouth Exchange Programs: A student may participate in one of Dartmouth’s established Exchange Programs by applying online via the Off-Campus Programs website by the appropriate deadline. Grades received in courses transferred from other institutions are not recorded on the Dartmouth transcript or included in the Dartmouth cumulative average. Credits earned on Exchange Programs are included in the maximum of four transfer credits allowed toward the degree. Information regarding procedures for approval of transfer credit from exchange programs is available from Off-Campus Programs and the Registrar’s Office.

It is the student’s responsibility to seek and obtain departmental approval for the transferability of each course, for distributive and world culture attributes, and for possible major and/or minor credit, if appropriate.

3. Transfer Credit from other Institutions: Students desiring transfer of course credit from any other institution not part of a formal exchange program apply to the COCA through the Office of the Registrar. A twenty-five dollar ($25) application processing fee is assessed for each transfer term. To initiate the process, students should meet with the Associate Registrar to review the policies and procedures regarding transfer credit and to obtain the required transfer credit application forms. Following are the procedures for transfer of potential credit:

a) Prior Dartmouth approval is required for the specific program as well as individual courses. On behalf of the COCA, the Associate Registrar reviews the proposed transfer term length, location, and possible number of credits. It is the student’s responsibility to seek and obtain departmental approval for the transferability of each course, distributive and world culture attributes, as well as possible major and/or minor credit, if appropriate.

b) Potentially acceptable programs and undergraduate courses. Courses offered by accredited four year degree-granting institutions are potentially acceptable for transfer credit provided the courses are an integral part of an officially defined Arts and Sciences curriculum; those given by extension programs, junior or community colleges or internship programs are not transferable. Students should be aware that some departments and programs have restrictive policies toward transfer credit.

c) Length of term. Transfer terms must be a minimum of three weeks in length, and courses must meet for thirty hours of classroom instruction for one Dartmouth course credit; six weeks for two course credits; nine weeks for three course credits; and twelve weeks for four course credits.

d) Credits, grading, and general education attributes. A minimum of three semester hours or four quarter hours are required to earn one Dartmouth course credit. A minimum grade of C quality or better must be earned. Grades received in courses transferred from other institutions are not recorded on the Dartmouth transcript or included in the Dartmouth cumulative grade point average. A pass/fail course is not accepted in the absence of proof that the grade is a minimum C quality. Courses elected under such a grading option do not carry distributive or world culture attributes.

e) Deadlines. Application forms for prior approval for transfer terms and courses are available in the Office of the Registrar. The deadline for filing these forms, completed and signed by the appropriate department chair or designate, in the Office of the Registrar is the tenth class day of the Dartmouth term immediately preceding the intended transfer term. Application deadline dates are indicated on the Academic Calendar. However, some academic departments have separate and earlier deadlines. Students are strongly urged to file early in order to have Dartmouth approval before enrolling elsewhere. Oral approval does not serve in place of written approval.

f) Course changes. A student with approved plans for an exchange or transfer term at another institution, who finds after enrollment that an approved course is not available, must apply for approval of a substitute course. After the transfer term starts, it may be possible to substitute a course for one that was approved appropriately, but such approval is not guaranteed. Students must contact the Associate Registrar to initiate such changes.

g) Retroactive course and term approval. Retroactive approval of a course is not normally granted if the transfer term does not have prior approval filed with the Registrar’s Office by the appropriate deadline. Students who have not obtained prior approval of the transfer term have often been denied retroactive departmental approval for transfer credit.

Students who have not obtained prior approval of the transfer term must petition COCA through the Associate Registrar no later than the end of the following term.

h) Transcripts. Upon completion of the transfer term the student must personally request an official transcript from the host institution to be sent directly to the Dartmouth College Registrar’s Office. All transcripts must be on file in the Registrar’s Office by the end of the term immediately following the transfer term. No credit is entered on the Dartmouth record until an official transcript has been received from the transfer institution.

i) Limits of transfer credit. Students admitted as first-year students may transfer a maximum of four course credits toward the thirty-five required for the Dartmouth degree, whether such credits have been earned prior to matriculation or subsequently. Advanced Placement credit does not count toward the limit of four transfer credits. Students with special academic plans may petition COCA for transfer study up to a total of one academic year (i.e., nine credits).

ACADEMIC STANDING LIMITS ON TRANSFER COURSES

Normally, because of residence requirements, the option of studying during the fall, winter, and spring terms at another institution for transfer credit is not open to first-year students or to seniors. Students on probation or withdrawn on probation, or those suspended or withdrawn with prejudice, are also ineligible except in the following instances:

1. Probation. Students on probation (or withdrawn on probation) may, with the strong support of a dean, and prior to enrolling at another institution, petition the COCA in advance through the Associate Registrar for permission to take courses at that institution for credit toward the Dartmouth degree; the resulting credits are included in the maximum of four allowed toward the degree. Students whose academic standing changes to probation after approval of the transfer term are then on probation, and permission for the transfer term is automatically revoked. Such students who enroll in another institution will not be awarded transfer credit without further petition to the COCA as indicated above.

2. Suspension. Students who have been suspended for a definite period and who take courses after the period of suspension ends but before they have been officially readmitted to Dartmouth may, with the strong support of the Dean of the College, petition the COCA, through the Associate Registrar, to be allowed to apply for transfer credit. Students submitting such petitions should present convincing reasons for transferring the desired courses and be aware that (a) only courses taken after the period of suspension has ended may be considered for transfer credit (for students withdrawn with prejudice, no courses taken during the first three terms after leaving Dartmouth will be considered for transfer credit), (b) in no case will COCA grant permission to transfer more than four courses taken prior to readmission, and (c) those transferring courses under such circumstances ordinarily must return to Dartmouth for at least one term in residence before graduating. Students whose academic standing changes to suspension after approval of the transfer term are then on suspension, and permission for the transfer term is automatically revoked. Such students may not apply for transfer credit from another institution without further petitioning the COCA after the period of suspension ends but before they have been officially readmitted to Dartmouth, as indicated above.

3. Suspension or withdrawal with prejudice. Students who have been suspended or withdrawn with prejudice and subsequently readmitted may apply for transfer credit for courses that they take after readmission but before they actually return to Dartmouth. The regular rules and deadlines for receiving transfer credit will normally apply in such cases.

4. Withdrawal in good standing. Students withdrawn in good standing are eligible to transfer credits from another institution; resulting credits are included in the maximum of four allowed toward the degree. A completed application of this kind must be filed with the Office of the Registrar no later than the end of the first term of reenrollment at the College. As retroactive approval is never guaranteed, such students are strongly urged to obtain approval for each course before enrolling in it even though prior approval is not required.

TRANSFER CREDITS FOR MATRICULATING TRANSFER STUDENTS

Students who transfer to Dartmouth after one or more years elsewhere may not transfer further credits. This prohibition includes exchange terms and other transfer work.

As indicated in the section on Degree Requirements, students who have spent one or more years at another institution before matriculation at Dartmouth are subject to various special academic regulations. The eighth of these relates to the transfer of credit: ‘Course equivalencies are determined by the Registrar or his/her designate. In the event of a question regarding the equivalency or appropriateness of a course, the department involved will be consulted. Courses applied for major credit must be approved by the major department.’

The basic principle guiding this regulation is that credit for matriculating transfer students is granted based on the same criteria that it is based for students who matriculate as first year students. Likewise, pre-matriculation credits (such as Advanced Placement) given by the original institution are evaluated according to Dartmouth standards. One exception to this general principle is that departments or programs which restrict transfer credit (for instance, only to majors) or which place certain courses out of bounds for transfer credit (for instance, elementary language courses) may approve such credits for matriculating transfer students, assuming the courses qualify otherwise.

Transfer students are notified upon admission that they must submit course catalogs and syllabi for all work requested for transfer credit, and official transcripts and CEEB, CBAP, and other scores unless they are available from the Admissions Office. These transfer credits are evaluated by the same criteria and procedures used for currently enrolled students going away on transfer terms. This includes methods of conversion of quarter or semester hour courses into the Dartmouth course credit system, determination of distributive credit, language requirement completion, Non-Western credit, etc. Once a student has filed a major or minor, any courses in the major or minor field that have already been granted degree credit are submitted for approval for major or minor credit by the appropriate academic department.

All transfer credits will be evaluated and credit placed on the student’s record before the end of the first term of enrollment, provided that the transfer documentation is received prior to the start of the term.

CREDITS AND PROFICIENCIES ON ENTRANCE

As indicated in the booklet First Year: Class of 2011 supplied to all first-year students, many students achieve credits on entrance for college-level courses and proficiency exemptions for others. These may lead, if desired, to early graduation and to greater freedom in the choice of courses.

The evidence that may be used to demonstrate mastery of college-level work is limited to: (1) standardized test scores (Scholastic Assessment and Subject Tests, AP exams, British A-Levels, International Baccalaureate), (2) official transcripts from four-year colleges, and (3) Dartmouth placement exams. The awarding of pre-matriculation credit based on French, Swiss, Italian and German Baccalaureate results is evaluated on a case-by-case basis, and is limited to two credits granted in any one discipline. Students who have mastered material covered in Dartmouth courses without providing the afore-mentioned documentation may receive exemption, but not credit, from such courses if approved by Dartmouth departments. The maximum number of pre-matriculation credits that students may apply toward their degree is nine.

Credits on entrance do not satisfy any part of the Distributive, World Culture, or Interdisciplinary requirements. The awarding of pre-matriculation credit and formal requests for exemptions must be made within the first term of study.

A warning: the taking of a course rated as equivalent to one for which course credit has been granted will nullify the credit received on entrance. In the case of elementary language courses, students may not receive credit for a course below the level at which they have been placed or from which they have been exempted except by prior written permission of the department chair.

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