A Narrative Review on Course Equivalency

Abstract

Course equivalency is the term used in higher education describing how a course offered by
one college or university relates to a course offered by another. If a course is viewed as equal
as or more challenging in subject and course material than the course offered by the receiving
college or university, the course can be noted as an equivalent course. A course equivalency
can be unilateral, meaning it is deemed equivalent by the receiver. Or, it could be bilateral,
meaning both sender and receiver acknowledge their acceptance of each other's course as
equivalent. The methods and measures used to determine course equivalency vary by
institution, state, region and country.