Guidelines for Transferring Credits
According to the Department of Education, more than half of all students earning post-secondary credits will attend two or more institutions of higher learning. However, students are routinely challenged by the difficulties of transferring credits from school to school, resulting in significant wastes of time, money, and resources.
Furthermore, the lack of transparency in the credit transferring system means that some students grow frustrated and abandon degrees that were close to completion, simply because of a lack of information. In fact, almost three-quarters of community college students plan to pursue a bachelor's degree, but only a quarter transfer successfully.
There are many factors that affect whether or not credits transfer easily between schools. These factors vary greatly from state to state and from school to school, so it is always best to do specific research based on long-term plans before committing to a program. However, there are some specific criteria that all students should be aware of when making extended educational plans.
AccreditationThe most significant factor in credit transfer is accreditation. In order for transfer credits to be accepted at just about any college or university, the institution at which the credits were originally received must be accredited by the appropriate educational entity. Check the U.S. Department of Education for further information about whether or not your institution is accredited, and by whom. Accreditation bodies are usually regional entities, and representatives of peer institutions determine accreditation status. Make sure you are checking under the right name; some diploma mills have been known to use names that are very similar to other college names in order to trick unsuspecting students into enrolling and forking over their hard-earned cash.
If you plan to transfer to a specific university following a credit transfer from another school, it is wise to check the university's credit transfer policy before beginning your education. This will provide you with information about accreditation requirements for credit transfer, as well as other relevant information. Some universities require that transfer credits only come from schools accredited by a specific agency.
Some schools are not accredited by the appropriate organization. They may provide valuable educational services depending on the area of study; however, it can be challenging if not impossible to get credit elsewhere for such coursework.
GradesTransfer of credits may also require a certain grade, often at least C (or sometimes even a B) although in some cases a D may be accepted for transfer. Grades can also affect whether or not a course counts towards your specific program of future study, or whether it just counts towards your overall course requirements. Again, this varies greatly from institution to institution.
CourseworkIn most cases, time spent on a course and the rigor of the coursework must be comparable to classes at the institution to which you plan to transfer. You may be asked to provide supporting documentation, so save course materials, including your syllabi, notes, and papers or projects just in case.
ProgramsWhether or not you can transfer credit may also vary by program, not just by school. Investigate your school's program through the U.S. Department of Education's Database of Accredited Post-secondary institutions and Programs to learn more.
Also, check with the appropriate department or program within the institution to which you plan to transfer for specific requirements.
Number of CreditsSome colleges and universities have limits on how many credits may be transferred; for instance, you may have earned 72 credits elsewhere and only be able to transfer 60. In cases such as these, it is important to determine which credits are most to your advantage to be transferred. For instance, a course may count as a credit for your overall degree, but not towards your major.
LocationIn some cases, in-state credit transfers may be vastly easier than out-of-state ones. State college systems often provide very clear policies when it comes to credit transfers. Look at the university itself or at your state's Department of Higher Education website to learn more.
Advanced Placement CoursesStudents who take Advanced Placement coursework in high school may find that they can get undergraduate credit (or place out of introductory courses in some cases) depending on their scores on AP exams. This can be a good way to save money, since taking the exams costs significantly less than tuition for an equivalent course; however, not all colleges assign equal value to AP exams. Check with your college to see how your exam scores will help you before you assume that they can substitute for college classes.
The most important advice you can apply to your transfer credits is to plan, plan, plan. Do not assume that all of your coursework will transfer easily. Contact the registrar or admissions office at the institution you plan to transfer to, and make sure that your short-term plans are not interfering with your long-term ones. Planning ahead when it comes to transfer credits is a smart way to save time, money, and hassle. A little research now can make a difference of multiple years and thousands of dollars.
Article ReferencesU.S. Department of Education's Office of Postsecondary Education: Database of Accredited Postsecondary Institutions and Programs
http://ope.ed.gov/accreditation/
U.S. House of Representatives Education & the Workforce Committee
http://republicans.edlabor.house.gov/archive/press/press109/first/05may/ccm050505.htm
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