Non-Cornell credit includes:

• Advanced Placement credit (AP and CASE exams);
• credit earned at an accredited college or university;
• credit earned through the Ithaca College and Wells College Exchange Programs; and
• credit earned through a Cornell Abroad or CALS Exchange Program.

Non-Cornell credit is accepted by CALS when:

• the credits are earned at an accredited institution;
• the credits do not duplicate course work already completed at Cornell;
• the credits are earned prior to matriculating into CALS or during the summer or winter session or through Cornell Abroad or an approved exchange program;
• the credits have not been applied toward high school graduation requirements or the completion of another degree;
• the grade earned is “C-“ or better (Beginning Fall 2010 a grade must be equivalent to a Cornell "C" or better) ; and
• an official transcript is sent directly to the CALS Registrar’s Office from the college/university where the credits were completed.

Please note: Cornell University does not accept credit for courses sponsored by colleges but taught in high schools to high school students, even if the college provides a transcript for such work. An example of such a program is Syracuse Project Advance. Students who have taken such courses may, however, earn credit by taking an appropriate AP examination as described in the Courses of Study. For more information on credit earned while in high school, contact the CALS Registrar’s Office.

A student can apply a maximum of 60 non-Cornell credits toward their graduation requirements.

• Cornell Abroad (not CALS exchange) credits are limited to 15 credits per semester, 30 per academic year.
• If more than 60 non-Cornell credits have been completed, the CALS Registrar's’s Office will work with the student to determine which credits best fulfill CALS graduation requirements.
• Non-Cornell credits are recorded on the Graduation Summary and can be applied toward CALS credits, distribution requirements, and major requirements.*
• Non-Cornell courses that are similar to courses offered in CALS are recorded as CALS credits on the Graduation Summary and count toward the minimum of 55 CALS credits required for graduation.
• Non-Cornell courses that are equivalent to Cornell courses which fulfill distribution requirements are recorded under the appropriate distribution area on the Graduation Summary.
• Non-Cornell courses that are equivalent to endowed courses can be applied toward distribution requirements or general electives; however, these credits do not count against the maximum of 55 endowed credit hours.
• If a course has no comparable course at Cornell, the Registrar staff will determine how the credit should be applied.

*Faculty advisors determine how non-Cornell credit will be applied toward major requirements; the CALS Registrar’s Office determines how non-Cornell credit will be applied toward CALS graduation requirements.

Students who have already matriculated into CALS and are planning to take courses at another institution must complete a pre-approval form before completing the course work. Pre-approval forms are available in the CALS Registrar’s Office in 140 Roberts Hall.

If you have any further questions regarding non-Cornell credits and where their distribution lies within the college graduation requirements, please contact Torrey Jacobs in the CALS Registrar's Office.

Contact Information

Important Links

Courses of StudyThis holds all the courses that the University has to offer, as well as explains each colleges policies and procedures for their students.

Academic Calendar The academic calendar will let you know important dates and deadlines regarding each semester calendar (add/drop deadlines, pre-enrollment,graduation, etc...).

Course, Time and Room Roster The course, time and Room Roster contains the most up to date information on when and where courses are being offered for the semester.

DUST DUST allows students to view their academic information, as well as advisor's to view their advisees academic information (degree progress, unofficial transcripts).For the most up to date information on your CALS distribution requirements please schedule an appointment with Registrar Staff, or come to walk-in hours.

Transcripts Use your net ID and password to order a transcript online from the University Registrar.