Photo by Maria Proulx '26 from Baltics FSP
Last Updated by NLW Feb 11 2026
Transferring credit back from an exchange is not guaranteed. It depends on a few factors, such as registering for the course at the host institution and receiving transfer credit approval from a department at Dartmouth. As such, students who go on exchange programs should have at least some flexibility with their academic plan.Â
Students research courses they would like to take at the host institution. Students can do this by reviewing the host institution's course catalog. Some information on available courses at the host institution can be found on the Guarini Institute's webpage for the program under the "Academic Program > Curriculum" section.
Tip: If a catalog for the upcoming year is unavailable, students can use information from the previous year as a reference. Students should contact the host institution directly for copies of the most recent syllabi of the courses they are interested in.
Students request approvals from the relevant departments/programs at Dartmouth. Transfer credit approval is at the discretion of the department/program and is not guaranteed. To get started on this process and to document approvals, students should follow the Registrar's instructions for transfer credit approval.
Tip: Obtain approvals for more courses than you would actually take. Then, in the event that you are not able to register for a particular course you will have pre-approved back-up options to pursue instead.
Students submit the Transfer Credit Approval Form and supporting materials to the Registrar's Office by their deadline. These are due by the final day of classes in the term that immediately precedes the exchange program (ex. last day of summer term classes for a fall term exchange).
Students register for courses at their host institution. The course registration period and process varies at each institution, sometimes it happens well before students arrive and sometimes students register or change classes at the start of the semester. Check with your host institution for more information about their processes and timelines.Â
Finally, at the close of the program, students can request for their host institution send their transcript directly to the Registrar's office. The Registrar's office will then apply eligible courses to the student's Dartmouth transcript as transfer credit.
The transfer credit approval process can take a significant amount of time; students must coordinate with the host institution and different departments at Dartmouth. To give themselves adequate time, students should start the process by early in the term that precedes their exchange.
Students can have a maximum of four transfer credits count towards their Dartmouth diploma.
The only exception is if students attend a yearlong exchange program, for which they may earn nine transfer credits.
Depending on department/ program approval, transfer credit may potentially satisfy distributives, world culture, or even major and minor requirements. Or, transfer credit can count as a general course credit, for example: "DEPT000".
Only courses taken for a letter grade may transfer (Pass/Fail and No Credit options are not eligible for transfer credit).
A letter grade of "C" or higher must be earned for the course to be eligible for transfer credit.
Courses must meet for at least 3 weeks and for 30 contact hours to be eligible for transfer credit.
Transfer credit does not count towards a student's GPA at Dartmouth. The grades from the host institution will not show on the Dartmouth transcript.
More information on transfer credit and the transfer credit approval process can be found on the Registrar's website and in the "Exchange Program Transfer Credit, Next Steps" form in a student's Applicant Home.