How to Determine College Course Credit Value for Online Learning
The number of online college courses and degree programs offered by independent institutions continues to grow. If you have taken online college courses but want to move to a traditional four-year college or university, getting credit for those courses is at the discretion of the institution you wish to attend. Colleges and universities each have their own admissions policies and accepting transfer credits may also vary across individual departments or programs within an institution.
Instructions
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Research Credit Transfer Policies of Different Institutions
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Ask your current institution if they have credit transfer or automatic acceptance agreements with other colleges or universities. If your online courses are through a community college network, they may have articulation agreements with institutional partners in your state to apply course credits toward graduation requirements. Look for these articulation programs on college websites.
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Traditional four year colleges do allow programs for students to transfer course credit. Research schools and programs that fit your goals and allow for credit transfer. Most schools have guides for transfer students available through the course catalogs.
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Meet with an advisor at to help you plan course transfers. Meet with advisors at your current institution before attempting a transfer. Ask them to assist you in making a plan to further your educational goals and transfer course credits. Talk with them regularly throughout the process to stay on track.
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Find out if the university also allows for work life credit or other course credit options. Speak directly with advisors at the college or university to which you are transferring. Ask them to advise you on meeting transfer requirements and getting the most from your transfer course credits. Ask for information regarding additional course credit options, such as advanced placement or work and life credit.
Getting the Credits Transferred
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Get a copy of your course transcript before applying. Obtain a copy of your transcripts for your college courses and copies of any standardized test scores or advanced placement exam results. Submit these with your high school transcript and the application to the new institution.
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Make sure your application is complete before submitting. Submit a transfer application to the college or university you want to attend. Most colleges have transfer advisors to help you with the application process.
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If possible, get approval of your course transfers in advance. Ask the institution during the application process to certify which courses will be accepted for transfer. Schools may limit the number of credits they will allow to be transferred or only accept credits for courses similar to ones they offer.
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Talk to advisors from both schools regularly. Keep in constant communication with the admissions office and with the transfer representatives at both your current school and the institution to which you are applying. Make sure you have met all requirements and the process is moving forward.
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Tips & Warnings
Get all confirmations that your course credits will be transferred in writing.
References
Resources
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