Semester to Quarter Credit Converter
Convert semester credits to quarter credits (or the reverse) using the standard 1:1.5 ratio. Essential for transfer students, degree audits, and academic planning between different US university systems.
Semester vs. Quarter: Two Academic Calendars
The majority of US colleges and universities operate on a semester calendar — two main terms per academic year, each typically 15–16 weeks long. A full-time student takes 12–18 semester credits per term, and most bachelor's degrees require 120 semester credits.
Semester institutions include most state university systems, liberal arts colleges, and the vast majority of community colleges.
Quarter-system universities divide the academic year into three (or four) terms of approximately 10 weeks each. Students typically take 12–18 quarter credits per term. A bachelor's degree usually requires 180 quarter credits — equivalent to 120 semester credits.
Major quarter-system universities include Stanford, UCLA, UC Davis, Northwestern, University of Chicago, University of Washington, and Georgia Tech.
Who Should Use This Converter
Transfer Students
Converting your semester transcript to quarter credits is the first step in understanding your standing at a quarter-system university and knowing how close you are to your degree.
Students Switching Systems
If you started at a semester school and are transferring to a quarter school (or vice versa), use this converter to map your existing credits before meeting with an advisor.
Degree Audit Planning
Academic advisors and students doing self-directed degree audits can use this tool to verify that transferred credits meet quarter-credit minimum requirements.
Graduate Applicants
Many graduate programmes state credit prerequisites in semester hours. Use this tool to confirm your quarter-system coursework satisfies those prerequisites.
International Students
Some countries use trimesters or other systems. Understanding where your credits fall on the semester/quarter scale helps when applying to US institutions.
Course Planners
Planning a part-time schedule? Convert the required credits to the other system to see exactly how many courses and terms you need to complete your degree.
The Conversion Formula
The 1.5 ratio derives from the term-length difference: 15 weeks (semester) ÷ 10 weeks (quarter) = 1.5. One semester credit represents 1.5 times the instructional contact hours of one quarter credit.
Transfer from a community college (semester) to UCLA (quarter):
60 semester credits × 1.5 = 90 quarter credits
You arrive at UCLA with 90 of the 180 quarter credits needed for a bachelor's degree — halfway through.
Transfer from Stanford (quarter) to a semester school:
45 quarter credits ÷ 1.5 = 30 semester credits
Your first year at Stanford equals 30 of the 120 semester credits needed at the receiving institution.
Quick Reference: Semester ↔ Quarter Credits
| Semester Credits | Quarter Credits |
|---|---|
| 1 | 1.5 |
| 3 | 4.5 |
| 6 | 9.0 |
| 12 | 18.0 |
| 15 | 22.5 |
| 30 | 45.0 |
| 60 | 90.0 |
| 90 | 135.0 |
| 120 | 180.0 |
Major Universities on the Quarter System
If you are transferring to or from any of these institutions, credit conversion is required:
Common Mistakes to Avoid
Credit Conversion and Financial Aid
Federal student aid (FAFSA) determines enrollment status — and therefore aid eligibility — based on credit loads. The thresholds differ by system:
| Status | Semester Credits | Quarter Credits |
|---|---|---|
| Full-time | 12+ | 18+ |
| Three-quarter time | 9–11 | 14–17 |
| Half-time | 6–8 | 9–13 |
| Less than half-time | 1–5 | 1–8 |
Converting your credit load correctly ensures you understand your aid eligibility status when planning a part-time schedule or cross-system transfer.
What to Do Next
Credits converted? Use these tools to continue your academic planning.
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