Transfer & Life Credit

Roger Williams University is a unique community of learners with a wide variety of skills. We are pleased to be able to award prospective students up to 90 credits for previous collegiate-level work as well as life and military experience to help accelerate degree acquisition.

Ready to start your free application? 

Apply to University College

Learn more about transfer

Tell us a little about yourself and an admission counselor will be in touch!

Learn more

Student works at computerInformation about the RWU transfer process

  • Our application is always free.
  • We are test-optional. Standardized test scores can be optionally submitted, but are never required.
  • Our admission review is holistic. We consider your academic accomplishments, co-curricular involvements, work experience, military service, volunteer and community-building work, and more, all in the context of your individual environment.
  • We accept unofficial transcripts for admission to expedite the process (official transcripts will be needed later for enrollment and financial aid).
  • We offer free tutoring and advising services.

Details about admission to University College in Providence and Online

  • Use our own free application
  • No essay required 
  • No standardized test scores required
  • Able to transfer up to 90 credits from different types of educational institutions
  • Get credit for previous work, volunteer experiences, certificates, and tests through our robust Prior Learning Assessment program
  • Opportunity to earn additional credentials such as undergraduate certificates, while working towards your degree 
  • Able to earn your degree fully online (a few exceptions apply) 
  • Only 6 credits need to taken per term to qualify for need-based financial aid  
  • Tuition discounts for Military personnel and their families and for residents of Cranston, Foster, Glocester, Pawtucket, and Central Falls, RI
  • Additional partnership tuition discounts available 

Make the most of your previous credits

Transfer Credit
University College will accept up to three years of applicable college credit from any accredited college or university up to 90 credits, provided the student maintained a letter grade of “C” or higher. We will also accept up to 60 credits from an institution that offers up to the Associate’s degree.

For those of you interested in transferring credits from either Bristol Community College or the Community College of Rhode Island to the Roger Williams University Bristol Campus, please visit our Transfer Credit Information page. 

View of providence skyline with river taken from modern bridgeParalegal Studies

Major Requirements

Transfer Credit Policy*

To adhere to ABA standards, the following credit transfer policy applies to all students:  

  • Students may be awarded up to 12 legal specialty course credits to fulfill major requirements from an ABA approved paralegal program
  • Students may be awarded up to 6 legal specialty course credits to fulfill major requirements from a non-ABA approved paralegal program**
  • Transfer credit will not be awarded for any legal specialty distance learning courses taken at a non-ABA accredited institution

*Students shall provide evidence indicating whether the Paralegal course(s) in consideration for transfer was taken in a distance, hybrid, or traditional classroom format.

** No more than 3 transfer credits may be used to satisfy the traditional classroom format requirement.

Military Training
University College will accept up to three years of college credit--up to 90 credits for military training and experience.

Are you a learner who hopes to apply military experience toward a degree? If so, check out ACE Military Guide-

ACE Military Guide - Catalog Search (acenet.edu)

Credit Documentation
University College will accept up to three years of college credit--up to 90 credits for relevant job and work experience, personal enrichment and participation in conferences and workshops.

College Level Exam Preparation (CLEP)
University College will accept up to 90 credits for the successful completion of CLEP testing. SCS may give credit for other standardized testing exams recognized by the American Council on Education.