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Transfer Questions
Why doesn't one institution
automatically accept credit from another institution?
Institutions develop their curriculum and courses internally. Evaluation of
transfer credit is done to ensure that transfer students can smoothly integrate
their previous learning to a new environment and not suffer from having an inadequate
preparation.
What terms are used to describe
different types of transfer credit?
While each institution uses its own terms to describe transfer credit, below
are some terms with common usage.:
- Course equivalents: Course work taken at other accredited institutions may be recognized by the awarding of credit for similar courses at the institution you wish to transfer to. Acceptance of course equivalents is usually based on guidelines established by the faculty. It is important to understand that the application of credit toward your degree program is often determined by an academic unit, or college. Questions about fulfillment of degree requirements should be directed at professional counselors and advisors in that academic unit or college.
- General credit: This term is often used to describe credit you have completed at another institution that may have an equivalent course at the institution you are transferring to, but the credit value cannot be determined immediately. Many academic departments want to review transfer course work on a case-by-case basis, so the person who first evaluates your credit (sometimes called a Transfer Credit Evaluator) awards General credit for certain types of courses. The academic department may later award specific credit instead of General credit. You may be advised to submit documentation, such as a course syllabus or official course description to help in the review process.
- Special credit: This term is often used to describe credit you have completed at another institution that does not have a specific course equivalent at the institution to which you are transferring. Special credit is usually assigned as elective hours in your major, but it may be used to fulfill specific degree requirements if later approved by the appropriate college office.
- Technical credit: This term is often used by four-year institutions to designate that technical course work taken at a two-year institution is acceptable for undergraduate credit. Like General and Special credit, Technical credit often counts toward overall earned hours, but its application toward degree programs is determined by a college or academic department.
- Unknown Deferred or Unknown credit : This term is often used when a Transfer Credit Evaluator is unable to determine if transfer work is acceptable for credit. It is not included in the total transfer hours awarded, and does not become part of your record at your new institution until further evaluation indicates that credit can be awarded for the course work.
What is a transfer
credit evaluator?
A Transfer Credit Evaluator is a person employed by most colleges and universities
to make initial decisions on transfer credit. Further evaluation decisions may
be referred to college offices or faculty. Often the Transfer Credit Evaluator
works in the Office of Admissions.
How can I find out if my past course
work will transfer to a new institution?
There are two main ways to find out how your past course work will transfer
to a new institution. First, use the
Course Applicability System (CAS).
Read more on
how to use CAS with distance courses and program
offerings,
and review the suggestions outlined at the site.
While CAS can answer many questions about the
transferability of previous course work, some institutions are not yet involved
in CAS. In these cases a second approach might be necessary: contact institutions
directly using our
Ohio higher education listings.
It is best to start your search at institutions you
wish to transfer to. Your first stop should be their Admissions home page. Look
for an Admissions Counselor or any personal contact to get started.
Can I receive college credit for my previous work experience or knowledge?
It is up to each institution to decide whether it will provide a procedure
to measure or grant college credit for prior experience and knowledge. Many
institutions will award such credit through programs such as: the American College
Testing – Proficiency Examination Program (ACT/PEP), the College-Level Examination
Program (CLEP) , the American Council on Education (ACE) approved credit, Experiential
Learning Portfolio Credit, Law Enforcement and Fire Science Credit, or Military
Credit.
Credit By Examination:
American College Testing - Proficiency Examination Program (ACT/PEP) and credit is awarded at some colleges. These exams are accepted to fulfill requirements in very specific subject areas. A student should see an academic advisor at the institution before taking any credit-bearing exams to verify that the appropriate exam has been selected for the degree that the student is working on.
College-Level Examination Program (CLEP) provides students with an opportunity to demonstrate college-level achievement through a program that focuses on undergraduate college course examinations. The exams cover material taught in courses that most students take as requirements in the first two years of college. A college will often grant the same amount of credit to students earning satisfactory scores on the CLEP examination as it will grant to students successfully completing the actual course. Students should verify with an academic advisor at the institution, prior to taking the exam, that the appropriate exam was selected.
Experiential Credit:
American Council on Education (ACE) approved credit includes courses that have been approved for credit by the American Council on Education. Check with an academic advisor at the institution to see what training could be evaluated by ACE and approved for credit. The advisor should also be able to determine whether ACE credit will affect a student’s overall academic requirements or grade point average.
Experiential Learning Portfolio Credit involves the development of a portfolio that demonstrates a student’s achievements and what the student learned in the process. Schools that use this procedure often have very specific requirements for how the portfolio should be developed. A student who wishes to take advantage of this measure should first check with an academic advisor at the institution to determine the best approach for developing a successful portfolio.
Law Enforcement and Fire Science Credit is sometimes awarded to students who have completed specific courses in law enforcement or fire science training. An academic advisor at the institution can advise students on whether such credit will be recognized at the institution.
Military Credit for military training is awarded at some institutions. The training must be verified prior to receiving credit. Academic advisors at the institution can advise on whether such credit can be awarded, and what procedures must be followed to receive the credit.
What if I select a college or university outside the U.S?
We recommend that you follow the same process for transferring college courses from an institution outside of the US as we recommend for those within the U.S.: Check with your home institution first.
