How To Transfer Credit
Students change schools for a variety of reasons, such as needing to relocate, pursuing a different career path, or choosing to graduate from a more prestigious institution. In other cases, students may have dropped out of school before completing their degrees and now want to pick up where they left off.
If youre a first-year student and already know where you plan to transfer to, be sure to research that schools general education program. This can help you choose gen-ed courses that will satisfy the requirements for the school you plan to transfer to.
On the other hand, if you hadnt planned on finishing your degree at a new school, the below tips can help you get started.
How Long Do Colleges Keep Transcripts
College transcripts do not expire and schools are obligated to maintain transcripts for all students who have enrolled in and attended their institution regardless of whether or not that student graduated. Whether you last attended a school six months ago or more than two decades ago, you are able to request access to your permanent academic records from any school youve attended. Colleges and universities maintain these records so that employers can verify a person has the educational background necessary of applicants, or so former students can share their educational credentials with other schools to continue their education.
Awarding Of Transfer Credit
Students attending Camden County College may earn college credit for a variety of learning experiences that were achieved outside of the traditional college setting. For example, students who can document knowledge acquired while in the military, workplace, advanced courses in high school, or non-traditional course work may submit official documentation for an evaluation or request a test that demonstrates college level knowledge in a particular area.
Note: Students who wish to achieve credit this way should look closely at the credits needed to finish their degree, and how their prior learning experiences may satisfy some of the courses they are required to take. Credits earned through these methods are not computed in the cumulative grade-point average.
Proficiency Exams and Credit by Assessment:
- Advanced Placement
- College Level Examination Program
- Apprenticeship to College Credit Apprenticeship to College Credit Handbook
- ACE and PONSI
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Who To Contact About Transferring College Credits
After the registrarâs stated fulfillment period, contact the admissions office at your new college to confirm theyâve received your academic transcript. Theyâll also be able to tell you how long their review process will take and how you can expect to receive the results of their review.
TIP: Ask if the admissions office has contact information for the transfer coordinator who will be working on your transfer credits. That way, if you have any questions throughout the process or want to submit a petition for appeal, youâll have a direct line.
State Policy On Inter
The UW subscribes to the statewide Policy on Inter-College Transfer and Articulation Among Washington Public Colleges and Universities, endorsed by the public colleges and universities of Washington as well as by the State Board for Community and Technical College Education, and adopted by the Higher Education Coordinating Board. The policy deals with the rights and responsibilities of students, and the review and appeal process in transfer-credit disputes.
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By Step: How To Transfer To Another College
Moving Forward With Your Education
If youâre looking to go back to school after completing some college courses, you may be closer to earning your degree than you realize, even if some time has passed since you last entered a classroom.
Before applying to a degree program, learn about your prospective schoolâs transfer policies and any limitations on the transfer credits they accept. Ask if they offer cursory transcript reviews to get more information specific to your prior coursework, and consider whether you might be able to apply work experience, military credit, or independent learning toward your new degree program.
The more you can maximize your previously earned credits and experience, the better youâll be able to focus your time, money, and energy on your academic growth.
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Do Online Colleges Accept Transfer Credits
Yes! Online colleges that accept transfer credits are quite common. Many online colleges operate on the premise that they are serving busy, non-traditional students who may have prior educational experience, and even prior degrees. This is why most online colleges allow students to transfer college credits, often in large quantities. Whether youre currently in a traditional degree program, have been out of school for a few semesters, or you’ve just completed an associate degree program, transferring into an online bachelors degree program should be easy. You just have to meet a few basic criteria first.
Do College Credits Ever Expire What You Need To Know Before Transferring
Sometimes students face unforeseen circumstances and need to take a break from their college studies. In other cases, students may earn their associate degree, embark on a career in their chosen path, and then return to pursue a bachelors degree to open up more and better-paying job opportunities. In other instances, a student may have earned their bachelors degree, but then want to earn a second bachelors or masters degree to distinguish themselves within a related or completely different field.
Regardless of the situation, students often have questions around whether the college credits theyve previously earned have expired or if those credits can count towards a different degree they plan to pursue. The ability to transfer previously earned college credits can help reduce the amount of time a student must spend working toward a new degree.
The good news is that, in most cases, college credits that have previously been earned may remain valid and do not expire. There are, however, some instances where certain types of courses and educational credits may have an expiration date.
Well cover the different scenarios where previously earned college credits can still be applied, as well as some of the common questions students have when considering returning to school.
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What Affects A College Credits Transferability To Another Program
Five main factors affect whether you can transfer your college credits to another university: time, accreditation, relevance, number of credits, and GPA.
Time: If too much time has passed, you might still have the documentation and validity of a college credit to demonstrate your experience in a certain subject however, some schools might not accept it as a contributing credit to a new program if too much time has passed.
Think about innovative or critical subjects like medicine, science, or technology. A lot can change in 5-10 years, so curriculums are updated constantly. If your experience is outdated, a university might require you to take a more recent course. For these reasons, many institutions have implemented a 5-year rule or 10-year rule for college credits.
Relevance: If your college credits arent relevant to your new prospective course of study, a university might not accept the college credit transfer. General education courses might be more easily transferable for electives, but usually, your college credits should be somewhat related to your new degree program to necessitate a transfer.
Accreditation: Most universities in the US have accreditation status from one or more bodies demonstrating their reputation and credibility. To transfer your credits, youll likely need to have college credits that are accredited. Read more about accreditation here.
Can You Transfer Credits From One University Or Degree To Another
Yes! Generally speaking, you can transfer credits from one university to another. At Waterloo, you can transfer up to 50 per cent of the courses toward the degree you would like to earn. Some programs limit the number of credits which can be transferred. An official assessment is completed after you accept your Waterloo Offer of Admission. You may need to submit some or all of your course syllabi, depending on what we have previously evaluated.
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What Are Common Transfer Paths
College students transfer between schools for a variety of reasons. Common motivators include moving from a two-year program to a four-year program, changing majors, and other more personal factors. Whatever the reason, the good news is that today’s college students have more educational options than ever before.
According to the National Center for Education Statistics, as of 2019, there were 4,042 degree-granting institutions in the United States. This variability is nice, but the large number of schools means you have to plan carefully when considering a move between institutions. Understanding the transfer landscape is paramount. A good place to start is to take a look at the most common circumstances under which students decide to transfer.
Transferring from a two-year school to a four-year school is a common path for students. According to a 2017 report from the National Student Clearinghouse Research Center, 49% of students who completed a four-year degree in 2016 had attended a two-year school at some point in the past 10 years.
Many students choose to begin their college careers at two-year schools to save money, get a taste of college life, and/or make a more informed decision about their prospective major. Planning ahead is the key to making this a successful transition. Select courses that are most likely to transfer and count toward your bachelor’s degree.
How Do You Transfer Credits
Each school will address how to transfer college credits a bit differently however, keep the following points in mind as you prepare to talk to your advisor or admissions officer:
- Send a Copy of Your Transcript to Your New School Having a printed copy of your transcript can be helpful when you have to speak with an advisor about which credits may apply to your new degree program.
- Placement Tests May be Required by Your New Program In order to assess your current level of knowledge, placement tests may be required. If the results of these tests place you in a lower-level course for which you’ve already earned credit elsewhere, then you may still be required to retake the class.
- Information on Previous Courses May be Requested Your advisor or admissions officer may request information on previous courses, such as the syllabus or other course materials, in order to evaluate whether they meet current degree program requirements.
- Old Credits May be Applied as Electives This benefits returning students by cutting down the number of additional courses you need to take outside your immediate concentration, while still requiring you to potentially retake courses in subjects where your old credits have become outdated.
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How Can I Be Sure The Classes I Take At Mcc Will Transfer To Another College
The best way to ensure your credits will transfer is to speak with an advisor at your transfer college. Only they can verify what courses will be accepted, and they may even advise you on what courses to take while at MCC. Your MCC advisor can help you develop a plan using courses that will likely transfer by comparing the Texas Common Course Numbering System, used by MCC, and the course numbers of your transfer college. Many universities also provide transfer guides to help you select the appropriate courses at MCC.
How Do I Appeal My Transfer Credits
Transfer credits may be denied outright or downgraded to general elective credits, even if the courses seem equivalent to those required at your new institution. If this happens, you are entitled to appeal. Institutions approach the credit transfer appeals process in varying ways, as demonstrated by this example from the State University of New York system.
Generally, these appeals processes require evidence of equivalency to overturn the admissions office’s first decision. You must provide, among other materials, the following items:
It’s important to stay organized and maintain your own records and materials, as this process can take some time to complete.
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Online Colleges That Accept Transfer Credits
When looking for colleges that accept transfer credits many of the four year online colleges below will accept up to 90 transfer credits. This is about 75% of total credits you need for a bachelors degree. This means that you may be able to transfer all of your credits from your previous college work. Keep in mind that the info below is for undergrad transfer requests only.
How Do Transfer Credits Work
Transfer credits can be used to meet the requirements for your Waterloo degree. If you receive an offer of admission, we’ll automatically assess your previous courses for possible credit. This process takes place after you accept your Offer of Admission to Waterloo.
Transfer credits will be awarded in one of two ways.
- If a course you complete at a different school is equivalent to a course offered at Waterloo, you’ll receive credit for the equivalent Waterloo course. For example: University of Guelph PSYC 1000 = Waterloos PSYCH 101
- If a course you complete at a different school is either not offered at Waterloo or is significantly different from a course we teach, then you may receive an indirect or unspecified credit. For example: Wilfrid Laurier Universitys PS 101 = Waterloos PSYCH 1xx.
- An unspecified transfer credit can be counted toward the number of courses you take, but cannot be used to replace a specific required course in that discipline. For example, if you receive PSYCH 1xx as a transfer credit and PSYCH 101 is a required course for your program, you would still be required to complete PSYCH 101 at Waterloo. PSYCH 1xx cannot be used to replace a required PSYCH 101 credit but it will count as an elective PSYCH course.
When we transfer any credits from your prior learning, we do not transfer the associated grade from your previous institution. Thus, you’ll begin with a fresh slate in terms of your average at Waterloo.
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Quarter Vs Semester Credits
U.S. colleges and universities that operate on a semester system award semester credit. The UW operates on a quarter system and awards quarter credit.
- To convert quarter credits to semester credits, multiply by .67.
- To convert semester to quarter credits, multiply by 1.5.
Example: A student who earned 30 semester credits would be awarded 45 quarter credits in transfer at the UW.
College credit completed outside the U.S. at a school recognized by the Ministry of Education is evaluated differently: No more than one year of transfer credit will be awarded for one year of study. College and university credit from outside the U.S. is generally awarded a maximum of 45 quarter credits for each full year completed. Semester credits outside the U.S. may not be calculated the same as U.S. semester credits.
Do Community College Credits Transfer Out Of State
Formal transfer agreements are rare between public schools in different states. Without an agreement, the transfer eligibility for each course may be assessed individually.
If you transfer from a regionally accredited community college, your new school may accept credit for the core courses in your field of study. They may also accept some electives if they directly mirror courses offered at the new school. Another option may be an online college. Some online colleges may have out of state agreements with state wide public two year colleges.
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Ready To Start Your Journey
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A variety of factors impact a student’s journey toward earning a college degree. Life events may require switching from full-time to part-time status, taking time off, or transferring to another school or program. According to the National Student Clearinghouse Research Center, 38% of students transfer at least once during their first six years of college.
It’s common for students to transfer from a two-year community college to a four-year institution to earn a bachelor’s degree. In fact, nearly 40% of transfer students come from community colleges. Two-year schools typically offer more opportunities for underserved groups and less expensive tuition rates.
Also, community colleges may work with local universities to ensure credits transfer, which can save students valuable time and money. On average, transfer students in the U.S. lose about 13 credits when transferring to a new school. Depending on the college, this means students could lose more than $10,000 in tuition costs.