Pursue Excellence Through Divine Wisdom and Academic Distinction: All Programs at The American University of Science (AUS)

Institutional Reference Code (IRC): AUS.POL.ACA.TRC.0004

International Academic Credit Equivalency and Conversion Policy

Sponsor: Office of Academics (inclusive of the Department of the Registrar)

Audience: All academic units of The American University of Science (“AUS,” “the University”)

Effective Date: September 3, 2025

Next Review Date: August 3, 2026

Last Effective Date: September 3, 2024

Last Review Date: August 3, 2024

Last Effective Version: V1 (Initial)

Supersedes: Prior international credit conversion advisories and ECTS-only memos

A. Statement of Purpose

With sovereign clarity and rigorous exactitude, this Policy establishes the University’s authoritative, modality-neutral system for converting any external credit schema—domestic or international—into AUS semester credits at the undergraduate (USCH) and graduate (GSCH) levels. It harmonizes heterogeneous global units with AUS’s five-credit curricular architecture, secures auditability and equity, and preserves the integrity of AUS degree requirements while enabling legitimate academic mobility.

B. Scope of Applicability

This Policy governs credit conversion for:

• International and non-U.S. domestic transfer credit (pre- and post-matriculation);

• AUS-approved exchanges, study-abroad, dual/combined degrees, micro-campus, and articulation pathways;

• All sending systems (e.g., ECTS, CATS/UK, quarter, trimester, contact/clock hour, national “credit points,” and institution-specific units).

Application of converted credits toward degrees (caps, residency, duplication, leveling) is controlled by:

• Undergraduate Transfer Credit Policy (IRC: AUS.POL.ACA.TRC.0001)

• Graduate Transfer Credit Policy (IRC: AUS.POL.ACA.TRC.0002)

• Advanced Standing & Recognition of Prior Learning (IRC: AUS.POL.ACA.TRC.0003)

• Academic Credit Hours Policy (IRC: AUS.POL.ACA.CHR.0001)

C. Definitions and Reference Units

• USCH / GSCH: AUS Undergraduate / Graduate Semester Credit Hours (posting units of record).

• ECTS: European Credit Transfer and Accumulation System.

• CATS (UK): Credit Accumulation and Transfer Scheme points.

• Credit Point (CP): National/institutional point systems (e.g., AU/NZ).

• Annual Load: The full-time credit volume per academic year as defined by the sending institution/system.

• Five-Credit Harmonization: AUS standard courses are 5.0 credits; requirement satisfaction is adjudicated in 5.0-credit blocks with approved Bridge Modules (BM) of 0.5 / 1.0 / 1.5 / 2.0 to resolve shortfalls.

• AUS Reference Term Loads (for status guidance and ratio fallback only):

  • Undergraduate: 20 USCH per semester (reference only; program definitions may differ)

  • Graduate (taught): 20 GSCH per semester (reference only; program definitions may differ)

D. Governing Principles

1. Evidence-anchored parity: Conversions reflect verified workload and demonstrated learning, independent of delivery modality.

2. System-agnostic universality: All sending frameworks are normalized by transparent, published rules and the sender’s documented full-time load.

3. Five-credit coherence: Converted quantities are mapped to 5.0-credit AUS requirements; bridges close precise gaps without inflating totals.

4. Integrity & non-duplication: No double counting; residency minima and level-fit remain inviolable.

5. Traceability: Every posting is backed by official documents and, where needed, NACES/ACE evaluation.

E. Policy and Procedures

E1. Master Conversion Framework (Two-Step Method)

Step 1 — Named-System Rules (apply when known):

• ECTS → AUS: USCH/GSCH = ECTS ÷ 2.

• CATS (UK) → AUS: USCH/GSCH = CATS ÷ 4 (120 CATS ≈ 30 USCH/year convention).

• Quarter → AUS: USCH/GSCH = quarter units × 2/3.

• Trimester → AUS: USCH/GSCH = trimester units × 3/4.

• Contact/Clock Hour: Apply AUS Credit-Hour Policy (CHR.0001) minutes-per-credit equivalencies.

• Named national credit-point systems (e.g., AU/NZ): Use the sender’s published annual load with Step 2 (below).

Step 2 — Universal Ratio Rule (fallback for atypical/unstated systems):

AUS credits=(Course units at senderSender’s full-time units for the period)×AUS Reference Load for the period\textbf{AUS credits}=\Big(\frac{\text{Course units at sender}}{\text{Sender’s full-time units for the period}}\Big)\times \text{AUS Reference Load for the period}AUS credits=(Sender’s full-time units for the periodCourse units at sender​)×AUS Reference Load for the period

• Period = semester/term or academic year, matching the sender’s published full-time definition.

• AUS Reference Loads for fallback: 20 USCH/GSCH per semester (i.e., 40 per AY when year-based), unless a specific AUS program publishes a different reference for this purpose.

E2. Full-Time Status (Exchanges/Abroad)

AUS recognizes host-defined full-time registration as full-time while abroad. Credit posting still follows §E1. The AUS reference of 20 USCH/GSCH per semester is advisory for planning and ratio fallback, not a substitute for host definitions, financial-aid, immigration, or program-specific rules.

E3. Documentation & Accreditation

• Official records must be received directly from the issuing authority.

• International credentials requiring system/load clarification must include a course-by-course evaluation by ECE or another AUS-designated NACES/ACE member.

• Minimum grade, level, and pass/fail acceptability are governed by the applicable UG/GR transfer policy.

E4. Rounding & Aggregation

• Compute precisely; round to the nearest 0.5 credit for posting, unless a published articulation states otherwise.

• Where the sender transcripts numerous micro-units, the Registrar may aggregate courses before rounding to prevent rounding loss (documented rationale required).

E5. Five-Credit Harmonization & Bridges

• Requirement satisfaction is determined in 5.0-credit blocks.

• If the mapped quantity is < 5.0 toward a specific AUS requirement, the deficit must be met via an approved Bridge Module (0.5/1.0/1.5/2.0) or companion course.

• Excess beyond 5.0 typically applies to electives unless a laddered application is codified (e.g., Calc I → Calc II).

E6. Graduate-Level Particulars

• Research/Thesis/Project units convert via §E1 but post as specified or unspecified graduate credit only where level-fit and scope are confirmed by faculty.

• Mixed “coursework+research” blocks follow the Universal Ratio Rule when the sender lacks granular apportionment. Degree applicability remains at Program discretion.

E7. Safety-Critical Co-Requisites

Where AUS policy mandates in-person lab/clinical competencies, an external online/unsupervised lab may articulate as lecture-only; an AUS lab bridge is then required.

E8. Appeals, Audits, Records

• Appeals follow the UG/GR transfer policies.

• The Registrar conducts sampling audits each term; evaluation files (calculations, sources, decisions) are retained ≥ 5 years.

F. Roles and Responsibilities

• Provost (Responsible Official): Final compliance authority and exception approvals.

• Office of Academics — Department of the Registrar (Policy Custodian): Maintains conversion tables; validates loads; executes evaluations; posts credit; leads audits.

• Education Abroad (within Office of Academics): Verifies host full-time thresholds; pre-advises students on expected conversions.

• Faculties/Programs & FCRCs: Determine course equivalencies, bridges, and degree applicability; adjudicate graduate research mapping.

• Faculty Senate: Reviews substantive changes; affirms implementing guidance.

G. Implementation Measures

• Effective as of the date above for new evaluations; prior cohorts may elect if advantageous and consistent with degree progression.

• Systems: Articulation database; evaluation worksheets; audit dashboards.

• Training: Annual workshops and quick-reference sheets for advisors, schedulers, and evaluators.

H. Enforcement & Compliance

• Pre-posting verification by the Registrar;

• Mid-term and post-term audits;

• Corrective actions include recalculation and re-posting; safety gaps trigger required bridges; willful misrepresentation is referred under conduct codes.

I. Review & Amendment

• Scheduled Review: August 3, 2026, and annually thereafter.

• Amendment Path: Registrar drafts → FCRCs & Education Abroad review → Faculty Senate recommends → Provost approves → versioning under IRC.

J. Associated Policies & References

• Undergraduate Transfer Credit (AUS.POL.ACA.TRC.0001)

• Graduate Transfer Credit (AUS.POL.ACA.TRC.0002)

• Advanced Standing & RPL (AUS.POL.ACA.TRC.0003)

• Academic Credit Hours (AUS.POL.ACA.CHR.0001)

• Distance & Online Education Standards; Syllabus Policy; Academic Records & Scheduling Manual

GOVERNANCE, GUARDIANSHIP, AND PERPETUAL ALIGNMENT

The governance of AUS, entrusted to its Board of Governors, constitutes a sacred guardianship of the University’s mission, vision, and institutional integrity. This stewardship transcends administrative obligation; it is a solemn vocation of moral leadership, doctrinal fidelity, and eternal accountability.

Each section of this codified text—whether doctrinal, academic, ethical, or structural—is subject to continuous review and conscientious reaffirmation. This process ensures that the living identity of AUS remains harmonized with its divine mandate and responsive to the evolving exigencies of global higher education. The Board conducts annual reviews of all foundational texts, policies, and institutional declarations, ensuring their alignment with the transcendent principles upon which the University was founded.

As of this publication, the schedule of reviews and ratifications is as follows:

• First Review: August 3, 2021

• First Publication: September 3, 2021

• Second Review: August 3, 2022

• Second Ratification: September 3, 2022

• Third Review: August 3, 2023

• Third Ratification: September 3, 2023

• Fourth Review: August 3, 2024

• Fourth Ratification: September 3, 2024

• Fifth Review: August 3, 2025

• Fifth Ratification: September 3, 2025

• (and perpetually henceforth, on an annual basis)

This living governance process does not merely preserve institutional integrity; it embodies the University’s irrevocable vow to uphold the highest standards of transparency, moral clarity, doctrinal fidelity, and visionary continuity. It affirms that AUS is not merely an academic institution, but a consecrated covenant—binding wisdom to governance, mission to accountability, and leadership to eternal truth.

Appendix A — Global Equivalency Formulae (Authoritative)

A1. Named-System Mappings (precedence):

• ECTS → AUS: ECTS ÷ 2 = USCH/GSCH.

• CATS (UK) → AUS: CATS ÷ 4 = USCH/GSCH (120 CATS ≈ 30 USCH/year convention).

• Quarter → AUS: quarter × 2/3.

• Trimester → AUS: trimester × 3/4.

• Contact/Clock Hour: Apply AUS CHR.0001 minutes-per-credit.

A2. Universal Ratio Rule (fallback):

AUS credits=(Course unitsSender’s full-time units for the period)×AUS Reference Load for that period\textbf{AUS credits}=\Big(\frac{\text{Course units}}{\text{Sender’s full-time units for the period}}\Big)\times \text{AUS Reference Load for that period}AUS credits=(Sender’s full-time units for the periodCourse units​)×AUS Reference Load for that period

• AUS reference for fallback: 20 USCH (UG) / 20 GSCH (GR taught) per semester (≈ 40 per AY when year-based).

• Do not apply fallback when a named mapping exists and the sender’s annual load is standard and verifiable.

A3. Posting: Post to USCH (UG) or GSCH (GR). Degree caps, residency, and duplication rules apply.

Appendix B — Quick Tables (Illustrative)

B1. ECTS → AUS

B2. CATS (UK) → AUS (120 CATS ≈ 30 USCH/year)

*Round per §E4; apply bridges per §E5 to meet a 5.0 block.

B3. Quarter/Trimester → AUS

Appendix C — Five-Credit Harmonization & Bridges (AUS Standard)

• Rule: AUS requirements are satisfied in 5.0-credit blocks.

• Bridges: 0.5 / 1.0 / 1.5 / 2.0 (subject-matched).

• Examples:

  • UK 15 CATS → 3.5–4.0 AUS → BM 1.0–1.5 to reach 5.0.

  • ECTS 7.5 → 3.5 AUS → BM 1.5 for a 5.0 requirement.

  • Online lab + lecture: post lecture; require AUS lab bridge to satisfy safety/competency policy.

Appendix D — Full-Time Equivalency & Status (Study Abroad)

• Host benchmarks (illustrative; verify):

  • ECTS: 30/semester (60/AY) = full-time.

  • CATS (UK): 60/semester (120/AY) = full-time.

  • Quarter: ~12 quarter units/term = full-time.

• AUS reference for planning: 20 USCH/GSCH per semester (advisory only; program/aid/immigration rules may define differently).

• Recognition: AUS accepts host full-time registration for status; conversion for posting still follows §E1.