Transfer Credit for Math Courses: Student Guide Effective Fall 2027

• Available for six courses: MATH 105, 115, 116, 214, 215, 216.
• Offered on a walk-in basis before and after orientation periods for transfer students, at the start of fall and winter terms, and periodically throughout the year.
• Picture ID is required to take the proficiency exam.
• No notes, calculators or phones.
• Should be taken within 1 year of receiving transfer credit or enrolling at U-M.
  • A student who does not take the test because it is not needed in their program and later switches to a program that does require it can speak with a Math advisor to request an exception.
• In cases of sequential courses, you need take only the proficiency test for the last course in the sequence. These sequences include 115 - 116 - 215 and 115 - 116 - 216.
  • Example: Transfer credit for MATH 111 & MATH 112 will convert to credit for MATH 115 & MATH 116 upon passing the proficiency test for MATH 116 only. 
  • Note, however, that the material for MATH 214 is substantially different from the material for MATH 115 and 116, so passing the linear algebra test will only convert 213 credit to 214 credit, and you will need to pass an additional calculus proficiency test to convert MATH 111 and 112 to 115 and 116.
• You typically get only one attempt to pass the proficiency test.
  • If you fail a proficiency test, you will be offered additional advising and an opportunity to participate in an optional 1-credit support course.
  • Passing the support course will allow an additional opportunity to take the proficiency test for U-M credit.
• In cases in which a student has Departmental Credit for a particular course that is very close in content to a U-M course but missing a small portion of topics required for the course to receive topic equivalency status, the student may request permission to take the corresponding proficiency test. In this case, a Math advisor may need to look over course information to determine whether the course is sufficiently close that the student is likely to be able to fill in any gaps in topics not covered in their course. If this appears to be the case, then the advisor can give the permission to take the proficiency test, and if the student passes the test, then the course will be updated to the U-M course number on the student’s transcript. If the student does not pass the test, then the course will remain Departmental Credit.
• Proficiency tests can only be used to change the status of a course that is already on the student’s transcript. It cannot be used to add a course to the transcript. Students who believe that they know the material from a course well enough that they should not take the U-M course but do not have any sort of corresponding course on their transcript should speak with an advisor about their options.

There is much more to taking a mathematics course than simply getting credit—mathematics is an essential skill needed for future courses. Your future success depends on high quality preparation! 

Mathematics courses vary widely across institutions. For example, at U-M, MATH courses involve significant discussion and problem solving with peers with the guidance of an experienced instructor. Research shows this style of teaching promotes learning, especially in challenging courses such as MATH. MATH courses are in-person at U-M because we know how hard it is to establish a learning community, or get immediate feedback and conversation with an instructor,  in online settings. 

U-M MATH courses are highly coordinated and emphasize learning outcomes that we simply can not guarantee have been incorporated elsewhere where we are not actively supervising instruction. For example, U-M MATH courses offer:

• Problem-solving techniques
  • You will practice solving complex, multi-step problems in a variety of contexts.
• Analytical skills
  • You will hone the logical and analytical skills needed in today’s world in nearly all business and STEM careers.
• Oral and Written Communication
  • You will gain confidence in presenting difficult material to different audiences.
• Technical Teamwork
  • You will work together on a team of peers to master complex ideas.
• Critical thinking
  • You will develop skills to question data, and to spot questionable quantitative claims that are increasingly common as AI-generated material invades our newsfeeds.
• Depth and rigor
  • You will be ready to use and understand the material in your future endeavors.
• Significant support
  • Peer collaboration, free tutoring at the Math Learning Center or IBL Center, organized study groups and extensive office hours are a part of every introductory MATH course at U-M.

Proficiency testing cannot guarantee these outcomes either. But testing can help certify that you have mastered some important skills required at U-M before moving on to courses that will assume them.

• Course numbers MATH 101X, 201X, 301X & 401X indicate that the course is similar to a course that could be offered at Michigan but does not correspond exactly to any Michigan course.
• These numbers may also be assigned if the student has not submitted enough information to make a determination. For example, 
  • MATH 101X may be assigned if a student does not submit sufficient documentation to establish that their Calculus I course had a substantial component based on in-person, proctored assessments. 
  • MATH 201X may be assigned if a student submits a course in multivariable calculus but the list of topics covered does not include one of the main modules of MATH 215.
• Departmental Credit course numbers do not correspond to any specific U-M course; the first digit indicates the level it would likely be if it were a U-M course.
• Courses at other institutions that have online assessments may be assigned Departmental Credit when the course is similar to one that could be offered at Michigan, but these are not eligible for Transfer Credit. 
  • Note that all MATH courses at Michigan have in-person, proctored assessments.

• Indicates a math course taken at a college but could not be taken at U-M because it is a prerequisite for MATH 105 at Michigan, such as College Algebra or Trigonometry; 
• Counts toward total credits, but not toward any math requirements.

Sometimes courses submitted to the Mathematics Department are not given transfer credit because the course may fit more naturally in another department such as Statistics or Computer Science. In these cases, students can submit transfer credit requests to a more appropriate U-M department. Note that although mathematics, statistics, and computer science are often combined at smaller colleges into one department, that is not the case at U-M.

Of course, there are sometimes good reasons to take courses elsewhere after enrolling at U-M. Transfer credit is allowed in special cases, such as:

• Study abroad;
• The need to stay on track in a program or repeat a course;
• Changes to academic plans creating a need to satisfy some requirements off-cycle;
• Medical circumstances; or
• Other exceptional circumstances.

You must obtain permission BEFORE enrolling elsewhere. Without approval, transfer credit will not be granted. Begin the process as soon as you know you will need transfer credit from elsewhere.

1. Submit a request through the Math Advising website at least 6 weeks prior to the start of the class.
2. Provide:
   • Your certification that you understand the course must have in-person, proctored assessments, and that final approval will depend on your securing proof of such.
   • Course details
   • Reason for taking it elsewhere
3. Math Advisors can help you understand what is needed and how to get it. Do not hesitate to sign up for an appointment.
4. We advise waiting for approval before paying for a course elsewhere.

If approved:

• The course will be evaluated like pre-admission transfer credit.
• You may still need a proficiency test if your program requires it.

• Talk to a Math Advisor if you have extenuating circumstances.
• If you cannot take a proficiency test (e.g., studying abroad in your last semester), your case will be reviewed individually.
• For certain courses at partner institutions, the approval process may be simplified.