Academic Success

The School of Labor and Employment Relations will accept transfer credits from an external institution if the courses adhere closely with the MPS in HRER curriculum. In addition, the following criteria must be met:

  • the credits appear on the graduate transcript of a regionally accredited university
  • the credits were earned within the last five years
  • you have a grade of B or higher in the completed courses (B- not acceptable)
  • the credits cannot have been used to earn any other degree

If the above criteria are met, you should email Trisha Everhart ([email protected]) a copy of your transcript along with a copy of the syllabus — or a detailed course description when a syllabus is not available. The graduate program director will determine whether the course(s) transfer and, if so, which courses they replace in the HRER curriculum. We will accept a maximum of only 6 credits for transfer.

Before we can process the transfer, you must first be registered and have paid for your first class. In order to process the transfer, you will need to have the university send us an officially sealed transcript.

We cannot accept noncredit course work in place of MPS in HRER credits. This is because it is difficult for us to evaluate the quality of, and work involved in, such programs. Noncredit training programs offer training on a wide range of issues. Unfortunately, these types of programs vary widely.

The Graduate School at Penn State requires that as a master's student, you must maintain a cumulative GPA of 3.0 in order to graduate and to remain in good academic standing. Educate yourself on the complete policy by viewing Penn State’s master’s degree requirements.

If you receive a failing grade (D or F) in any course, that course cannot be used to meet your degree requirements; therefore, you would be required to retake the course. However, the failing grade would remain on your transcript and factor into your overall GPA.