Kaplan University (Purdue University Global) Transfer Credits Guide — ACE & NCCRS Course Equivalency

Yes, Purdue University Global does accept ACE and NCCRS-recommended credits when they’re reviewed as part of the official transfer process. The registrar evaluates them alongside CLEP, military training, and other nontraditional credit sources. In practice, a UPI Study course in psychology or public speaking can often be posted as elective or general education credit if the content matches the degree plan. Some majors, especially nursing, apply stricter rules and may limit how much outside credit you can use in major coursework.

Purdue University Global can accept a large amount of transfer credit, but the exact cap depends on the degree program. Bachelor’s students generally need to complete at least 25% of the program at Purdue University Global, which means the rest can come from transfer credit if it fits the degree. General education and elective credits are usually the easiest to bring in. Major-specific credit gets reviewed more closely by the academic department.

Many regionally accredited community college credits transfer to Purdue University Global, especially if they match general education requirements. Indiana community colleges and other schools with formal transfer pathways tend to move credits more smoothly, but the university still reviews each course individually. UPI Study credits are treated differently because they come in as ACE/NCCRS-recommended coursework, not traditional college transcripts. That usually means they’re more likely to land as elective or gen-ed credit unless the course matches a required class closely.

Start by requesting your official UPI Study transcript after you finish the course. Send it to Purdue University Global’s registrar or admissions office for evaluation. The registrar checks the ACE/NCCRS recommendation, course content, and whether it fits your degree plan, then posts the credit if it’s approved. Students usually see the evaluation during onboarding or shortly after admission, and a pre-evaluation is often possible through admissions advising.

Undergraduate tuition at Purdue University Global is about $371 per credit hour. Thirty credits at that rate comes to about $11,130. UPI Study’s $499 annual plan is far cheaper if you’re finishing multiple ACE/NCCRS courses before transfer. Even a handful of accepted credits can cut a full term’s cost and shorten your time to graduation.

Purdue University Global is especially known for business, nursing, criminal justice, information technology, and health sciences. UPI Study credits work best when they clear general education requirements like communication, math, or social science. That frees up room in your schedule for upper-level major classes, which is where your time really goes in these programs. For students in business or liberal arts, that can make the degree plan move faster.

Most undergraduate transfer applicants need at least a 2.0 GPA for admission to Purdue University Global. Some programs, especially in nursing or other licensed fields, can ask for stronger academic records or prerequisite grades. UPI Study course grades don’t usually factor into a transfer GPA the same way traditional college grades do, since ACE/NCCRS credit is evaluated as credit, not a letter grade.

Purdue University Global often uses rolling admissions, so transfer deadlines are more flexible than at many campus-based universities. That said, you should still apply early if you want your credits reviewed before your first term starts. Finishing UPI Study courses well before registration gives the registrar time to post the credit and can prevent delays in your degree plan.

Purdue University Global uses rolling admissions and multiple start dates through the year. That’s one reason it works well for transfer students and working adults. You usually don’t have to wait for a single fall intake.

Because Purdue University Global uses rolling admissions, there usually isn’t one fixed fall or spring deadline. Instead, students apply for the next available start date and submit documents early enough for review. Transfer students should send transcripts as soon as possible so credit evaluation doesn’t slow down registration.

Yes. Purdue University Global was built around adult and transfer students, so its policies are usually more flexible than those at residential universities. It also has a long history of evaluating prior learning, military credit, and ACE/NCCRS coursework. That makes it a practical option for students who’ve already earned credits elsewhere.

No, Purdue University Global does not require SAT or ACT scores for most undergraduate applicants. Transfer students usually apply based on college records and prior coursework instead. That makes the process much simpler if you’re bringing in UPI Study credits or community college work.

Yes, new students typically complete an online orientation before classes begin. Transfer students can also use it to learn the academic system, registration steps, and student services. It’s built for distance learners, so you won’t need to show up on campus.

Purdue University Global is primarily online. It doesn’t operate like a traditional residential university, so dorm life isn’t part of the model. Most students study from home while working full-time or part-time.

Purdue University Global offers several tuition-reduction options, including transfer and partner discounts, military benefits, and some merit-based aid. Scholarships vary by program and student type, so transfer students should check with financial aid early. If you’re bringing in UPI Study credits, you may be able to shorten the number of paid Purdue University Global credits you need.

Most students finish a single course in 2–4 weeks studying a few hours per day. There are no deadlines. You can go faster if you already know the material, or spread it out over a couple of months if you're working full-time. The self-paced format means your schedule decides the timeline, not a semester calendar.

ACE (American Council on Education) and NCCRS (National College Credit Recommendation Service) are organizations that evaluate non-traditional coursework and recommend it for college credit. They're the same bodies that evaluate military training and CLEP exams. Over 2,100 US universities have policies to accept credits from ACE/NCCRS-evaluated sources. The recommendation doesn't automatically mean a specific university will take every course — each registrar evaluates independently — but it's the standard credential for this type of transfer.

Once you pass a course, you can request an official transcript through the UPI Study portal. Transcripts are processed within a few business days and sent directly to your university's registrar, or provided as a PDF for you to submit yourself. The transcript lists completed courses, credit hours, grades, and the ACE/NCCRS recommendation reference.