Transfer Credit Opportunities


Approved Tests & Proficiency Options

Through approved nationally recognized tests (e.g., AP, CLEP and DANTES), an appropriate credit recommendation may be recognized for proficiency credit. A student's military educational history may also be recognized for proficiency credit via an appropriate credit recommendation from the American Council on Education (ACE). Incoming students requesting transfer credit from approved tests must submit official transcripts prior to initial registration.

Students who believe course material has been mastered, either through coursework completed outside Chamberlain for which transfer credit cannot be given or through self-study, may request a proficiency examination for the course, provided they have never been enrolled in the course at Chamberlain and have not previously attempted the proficiency exam.

Credit for approved tests requested after the initial registration must be approved by the campus president or online dean prior to registering for the test. Testing must be completed within the first semester of enrollment. All proficiency credit from approved tests must conform to residency and curriculum requirements, and meet the minimum score required by Chamberlain.


RN Portfolio Process

A portfolio is documentation of experiential learning submitted by an RN student to earn course credit in the RN to BSN option. Each portfolio is assessed on an individual basis by faculty teaching the course for which credit is sought. A separate portfolio is submitted for each course.

A maximum of 8 credits may be earned via portfolio.

The following courses are eligible for portfolio credit:

  • NR-443: RN Community Health Nursing
  • NR-447: RN Collaborative Healthcare
  • RNs who believe they have the knowledge and experience to meet individual outcomes for these courses should contact their student services advisor. Course registration is required for portfolio validation credit hours. Tuition for portfolio validation credit is the same as for course registration. Credits received with portfolio validation will count toward the residency requirement of Chamberlain College of Nursing. Additional information related to the RN portfolio process and specific course outcomes will be forwarded to the student once eligibility is determined by the course coordinator for the respective course.


    CCAP Credit

    Chamberlain College Articulation Program (CCAP-RN):
    RN to BSN option


    Registered nurses with a current, active RN license in the U.S. or from a jurisdiction that is an associate member of the NCSBN are awarded 81 transfer credit hours through the Chamberlain College of Nursing Articulation Plan (CCAP). This transfer credit includes 37 liberal arts and applied sciences credits and 44 nursing credits as indicated below:


     Nursing – 44 credits
      NR-228: Nutrition, Health & Wellness  2 credits
      NR-224: Fundamentals – Skills  3 credits
      NR-226: Fundamentals – Patient Care  3 credits
     NR-281: Pathophysiology I  2 credits
     NR-282: Pathophysiology II  1 credit
     NR-291: Pharmacology I  2 credits
     NR-292: Pharmacology II  1 credit
     NR-320: Mental Health Nursing  5 credits
     NR-321: Maternal-Child  5 credits
     NR-322: Pediatric Nursing  5 credits
     NR-324: Adult Health I  5 credits
     NR-325: Adult Health II  5 credits
     NR-340: Critical Care Nursing  5 credits

     Liberal Arts & Applied Sciences – 37 credits
     Anatomy and Physiology I, II,III and IV  8 credits
     Chemistry  4 credits
     Microbiology  4 credits
     Composition  3 credits
     General Psychology  3 credits
     Developmental Psychology  3 credits
     Interpersonal Communication  3 credits
     Sociology  3 credits
     Logic/Critical Thinking  3 credits
     Ethics  3 credits


    Chamberlain College Articulation Program (CCAP-LPN):
    LPN to RN Bridge option

    The Chamberlain College Articulation Program (CCAP-LPN) for LPNs was established to recognize previous knowledge and foster career mobility for LPNs graduating from accredited institutions and possessing a valid U.S. license. To be eligible for the CCAP-LPN, the individual must hold a current, active, unrestricted and practical/vocational nursing license in the U.S. or in a jurisdiction that is an associate member of the NCSBN and successfully pass a validation test of adult health content administered as part of the course requirement for NR-225. Upon passing the validation test, the LPN is awarded up to 10 credit hours toward the associate degree. Seven credit hours are granted toward the associate degree for knowledge gained in previous practical nurse education programs. Three liberal arts credit hours are awarded toward the associate degree for developmental psychology.






    Graduate Transfer of Credit


    Chamberlain College of Nursing welcomes transfer students from graduate programs accredited by agencies recognized by the Council for Higher Education Accreditation (CHEA). An applicant seeking to transfer credit from another institution must request a credit evaluation prior to initial registration at Chamberlain and provide an official transcript from the institution where the credit was earned. Transfer of courses is considered on an individual basis.

    Official foreign transcripts must be evaluated by a NACES approved evaluating agency. Chamberlain may require a catalog or additional material and all transfer credit must comply with residency and curriculum requirements.

    Transferring courses may affect eligibility for financial assistance. Contact a student services advisor for more information. Transfer credit that satisfies graduation requirements is considered when determining a student's academic level and progress, however, this credit is not used when computing GPA.

    Students should be aware that actual degree program requirements vary from institution to institution. If considering a transfer to Chamberlain College of Nursing, students should examine Chamberlain requirements early in their college experience to begin making transfer plans in advance. Transfer students must follow the Chamberlain College of Nursing admission guidelines and procedures.


    Additional graduate transfer guidelines:


  • The course or courses taken must be equivalent to a Chamberlain College of Nursing course in content, credit hours and level. The course or courses must have been completed within the past five years to be considered for transfer.
  • A grade of B or higher is required for all transfer credits.
  • Courses taken on a pass/fail basis will not be transferred.
  • Transfer of a nursing course from another accredited nursing program is considered on an individual basis.

  • Courses taken through DeVry University's Keller Graduate School of Management must have been taken within the past five years to be considered for transfer.
  • Chamberlain does not transfer credit for life experience or proficiency examinations with the exception of military educational history. A student's military educational history may be recognized for proficiency credit via an appropriate credit recommendation from the American Council on Education (ACE).