Residency requirement is the minimum number of credits (or competencies) a student must earn directly from the degree-granting institution rather than through transfer, examination, or other external means.
How it works
The registrar tracks the source of each credit. When a student applies for graduation, the system or an advisor checks that the residency minimum has been met. Students who arrive with large numbers of transfer or exam credits may still need to complete the residency block even if their total credits already equal or exceed the degree requirement.
Example: a bachelor’s program requires 120 credits and a 30-credit residency. A student transfers 90 credits. The student must still complete 30 credits at the institution to satisfy residency, even though only 30 additional credits are needed for the total. If the student tries to cover those 30 with CLEP exams, the residency requirement is not met.
How it differs
Transfer credit is credit accepted from elsewhere; residency is the portion that must be earned at the awarding school. Credit by examination is external and normally does not count toward residency. Accelerated programs may compress calendar time but still enforce the same residency minimum.
Common errors
Assuming that reaching the total credit requirement automatically satisfies residency. Counting exam or portfolio credit toward the residency minimum when the catalog excludes it. Ignoring a “last 30 credits in residence” rule that is stricter than the overall minimum.
References
- 1. Common institutional catalog policiesMinimum credits earned at the awarding institution
- 2. Transfer credit evaluation practicesLimits on external credit
Residency requirement is the minimum number of credits (or competencies) a student must earn directly from the degree-granting institution rather than through transfer, examination, or other external means.