How to Transfer Course Credits

Transferring credits can put you on a quicker path toward graduation.

Rarely do students simply earn college credits from a single university. College students take classes during the summer months, participate in study abroad, and take courses online---often at different universities. Transferring credits back to your home university can seem like a complicated experience if you have never done it before, but it's actually fairly simple. Chances are your home university has a stream-lined process in place. Check with the Registrar's office. Many colleges are using software applications such as U.Select which allows students to see course equivalencies and request an evaluation of transfer work against a program.

Things You'll Need

• Official transcripts
• Course descriptions

Instructions

1. Make a plan before you enroll. Draw up a short list of potential classes at the new school that would count toward your declared major. Once you have two or three classes in mind, take that list to your current university's Transfer Equivalency Office. This office may also be called a Transfer Student Office. These offices are typically located in the Enrollment Management office.

2. Meet with a Transfer Officer. The Transfer Officer's job is to ensure that the college you hope to enroll in is an accredited university and is a school your home university has accepted credits from in the past. Once this is determined the Transfer Officer will determine the equivalency for the course you will be enrolling in.

3. Complete a Transient Student form. Once you learn the course equivalency, some schools require students to complete a Transient Student Form before enrolling in another university. Such forms are meant to indicate that you are in good standing and are simply taking a course to bring back to your home university. You can find out if such information is required by visiting your Registrar's office.

4. Apply to the new school. Often you will be required to submit an official transcript with your application.

5. Request a transcript be sent to your home university. Your final transcript should be sent to Undergraduate Admissions at your home school. The Admissions Officer will put the course on your college transcript and the information will be sent to the Transfer Office. The Transfer Officer will mark the course equivalency on your transcript---and your credit will be reflected on your college transcript.

Tips & Warnings

• Start the course equivalency process months before you plan on enrolling at another university.

• It often takes two to three weeks for a decision regarding course equivalency to be determined. Obviously, this process can be somewhat slower in summer months as many faculty are not available. Once the decision has been received the Transfer Officer will contact you (via phone or email) and tell you what the course equates to.

• Many schools require a minimum grade of C or better in order to receive credit for a course at your home institution. Ask your Transfer Officer if your university has any such policy in place prior to enrollment.

References

• About U.Select

Resources

• Community College Initiatives Lead to Spike in Transfers to UT Institutions