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If you’ve taken college courses at more than one institution of higher learning, you can still earn a degree. It’s not unusual for students to bounce around from one college to another before settling into a program. While you may be able to transfer college credits from one institution to another, there are a few points to consider:
Most colleges require that you earn a certain number of credits at their institution to graduate. If you’re planning to transfer your credits to another college, check out that college’s transfer credit policy. You may be able to get a copy of it online. There are specific rules for accepting transfer credit, so it’s best to be aware of them so you won’t get caught with an unpleasant surprise, such as having to repeat a course when you transfer.
For instance, your college may require that you complete a certain number of credits at the degree-granting institution in order to graduate with a degree from their program. Some students prefer to complete a two-year degree at a community or technical college before they transfer to a university, although it’s not necessary.
In order for credit to transfer, it must be equivalent. Because colleges have strict standards about transfer credit, it’s a good idea to keep copies of your course catalog and syllabi from each class you’ve taken. That way, if there’s ever any doubt, you can present information to the transfer review team to show them that you’ve completed the necessary coursework.
Sometimes there are discrepancies when the two colleges offer (what seems to be) the same course; however, one course is equivalent to three credit hours while the other is equivalent to four credit hours. Another issue is when you’re transferring credit from a college on the quarter system to a college on the semester system or vice versa. If you think you may transfer to another college down the road, keep the course descriptions and syllabi of all the courses you’ve taken.
Some two-year colleges are offering “transfer back” options that allow you to earn your two-year degree. Because many students begin their studies at a two-year college and transfer to a university before they complete their associate’s degrees, many community and technical colleges are offering a “transfer back” option. This means that you may be able to transfer the credits earned at the four-year institution to the two-year college. In doing so, you can earn your associate’s degree but continue taking courses at the university. This allows students to have a completed degree program on their transcripts while pursuing a bachelor’s degree at another institution of higher learning.
Transferring College Credit is Usually a Seamless Process
Usually, transferring course credit from one institution to another is a seamless process. However, you may run into problems when you’ve taken courses at one institution that are not offered at another. In that case, you may be able to transfer the credit as an elective but that’s not a guarantee.
If it’s been 10 years since you’ve taken a particular course, you may have to get special consideration to approve the credit. Some colleges have strict standards about older college credit, so it’s possible that you may have to take the course over again to refresh your memory, especially if it is directly related to your field or technology.
Regardless, keep in mind that you don’t necessarily have to finish your degree at the same college where you started it. If a better opportunity arises, by all means contact the student records office to see if your earned credit will transfer with you.
