Dartmouth students take advantage of many exchange programs with other colleges, universities and institutes. The Department of Theater recognizes and endorses two programs in particular: Trinity/La Mama and the National Theater Institute. Courses taken with either program are accepted at Dartmouth for academic credit.
Students interested in taking courses at another institution should be aware that there is a rigorous review process to receive any kind of Dartmouth credit towards their Dartmouth degree. Do not assume that a course at another institution will gain you Dartmouth credit. Courses need to be pre-approved well in advance of your term of study. Below are the policies set forth by the Registrar's office.
From the Dartmouth Registrar's website:
"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 pre-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 department or program pre- 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 review the policies and procedures on the Registrar’s web site regarding transfer credit, attend a group information session and obtain the required transfer credit application forms. Following are the policies surrounding transfer credit:
a) Prior Dartmouth approval is required for the specific program as well as individual courses. It is the student’s responsibility to initiate the process and to seek and obtain department or program approval for the transferability of each course. This would include distributive and world culture attributes, as well as possible major and/or minor credit, if appropriate. On behalf of the COCA, the Associate Registrar reviews the proposed transfer term length, location, and possible number of credits.
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 undergraduate 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 from the Office of the Registrar. The deadline for filing these forms in the Office of the Registrar, completed and signed by the appropriate department or program chair or designate, is the beginning of the sixth week of the Dartmouth term immediately preceding the intended transfer term. Application deadline dates are indicated on the Academic Calendar. However, some academic departments and programs have separate and earlier deadlines and students should therefore begin the process early. 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."
