Transferring Credits Into an Online Degree

Of all the ways to cut the cost and time of an online degree, transferring credits is usually the most powerful. A student with sixty credits from earlier study might skip half a bachelor's degree. One with none starts from the beginning. Yet transfer is also where students lose the most money, because credits that seem solid turn out not to count toward the degree they want. This guide explains how credit transfer works, what to ask before you commit and how to protect yourself from expensive surprises.

Transfer rules differ widely by institution and country, and change over time. This guide uses no figures and is general information. Always get specifics in writing from the institution you plan to attend.

Transfer, acceptance and application are different

Three terms are often confused.

1. Accepted: the institution recognizes the credit as legitimate college-level work.
2. Applied: the credit counts toward a specific requirement of your degree, such as a major course or a general requirement.
3. Counted as elective: the credit is accepted but does not satisfy a specific requirement, so it takes up space without reducing what you must still take.

A credit can be accepted but not applied to your major. Always ask how each credit will be applied, not just whether it is accepted.

What kinds of credit may count

• College or university courses from other recognized institutions.
• Community college credits, often covered by agreements with universities.
• Credit by exam, through approved tests in subjects such as languages, math or sciences.
• Prior learning assessment, where institutions evaluate experience or portfolios.
• Military training and experience, where recognized.
• Professional and corporate training, where the institution has evaluated it.
• Certificates and diplomas, especially stackable ones. Our guide to stackable certificates that lead to degrees explains how they work.
• Credits from international institutions, often after an evaluation.

Rules for each category differ, so ask about each one separately.

How evaluation works

When you apply, the institution examines your transcripts and compares your courses with its own. Evaluators usually look at:

• Accreditation of the previous institution. Credits from unaccredited or unrecognized institutions are often refused.
• Level of the course: college-level and not remedial or vocational.
• Content and credit hours, matched with the receiving course.
• Grade: many institutions require a minimum, such as a pass or a C equivalent.
• Age of the credit: some subjects, such as technology, may expire.
• Relevance to your program.

Evaluation may take days or weeks, so start early.

Common limits and rules

• Maximum transfer credit. Many institutions cap the number of credits that can transfer in.
• Residency requirement. A minimum number of credits, or a final stretch, must be completed with the institution that awards the degree.
• Major requirements. Some departments require a set number of major courses to be completed in-house.
• Grade minimums.
• Time limits on how old credits can be.
• Different rules for different degrees, such as stricter limits at graduate level.

These rules can change your plan completely, so ask about them before you enroll, not after you have paid.

Getting a written evaluation

This is the most important step.

1. Request official transcripts from every institution you attended, and send them to the school you are applying to.
2. Ask for a formal credit evaluation, and ask that it list each course and how it will be applied.
3. Compare evaluations from two or three schools if you are choosing between them.
4. Check the remaining credits and cost after transfer.
5. Keep the evaluation, and make sure any promises are in writing.

An adviser's verbal statement is not enough. Do not pay a deposit or tuition before you have seen the evaluation.

Counting the cost with transfer

A school that accepts more of your credits can be cheaper overall, even if its rate per credit is higher. To compare:

1. Take the total credits required for the degree.
2. Subtract the credits applied from your evaluation.
3. Multiply the remaining credits by the cost per credit, and add fees.
4. Compare totals across schools.

Our guide to how much does an online degree cost shows how to build a full comparison, including fees and extra terms.

Prior learning and experience

Some institutions offer credit for what you know from work or life.

• Portfolio assessment: you document your learning and have it evaluated against course outcomes.
• Challenge exams: you take the final exam for a course to earn credit.
• Standardized exams: approved tests in specific subjects.
• Evaluated training: programs that a recognized body has already assessed.

There may be fees and effort involved, but the savings can be large. Ask about the process, deadlines and how many credits can be earned this way.

Planning transfers before you take courses

If you are taking courses elsewhere with the plan to transfer them:

• Choose the destination first, and check its requirements.
• Get written agreement on which courses will count.
• Check transfer or articulation agreements between the institutions.
• Avoid courses you cannot verify will be accepted.
• Keep syllabi and course descriptions, in case you need to prove content.

Community college to university routes are the most common.

International credits

If your previous study was abroad, you may need:

• An official credential evaluation from a recognized service.
• Translated transcripts.
• Course descriptions to prove content and level.
• Proof of accreditation or recognition of the foreign institution.

Allow extra time, since international evaluations can take weeks.

If your credits are refused

• Ask for the reason in writing.
• Provide syllabi and course descriptions that show the content matches.
• Ask for a review by the academic department, not just the admissions office.
• Use the appeal process, if there is one.
• Consider another institution with more flexible policies.
• Look at credit by exam or prior learning to replace refused credits.

Do not assume that a refusal is final. Evaluators sometimes change their view when given better information.

A worked example

Imagine a student who completed three semesters of college ten years ago, then worked. He wants an online business degree. He requests his transcripts and sends them to two schools, asking for written evaluations. School A accepts most credits but applies only a few to the major. School B accepts fewer credits overall but applies them well and offers a prior learning assessment for his work experience. After comparing the remaining credits and fees, he chooses School B, pays for a portfolio assessment and starts with a clear plan.

By comparing evaluations before paying, he saved time and money.

Working with an adviser

An academic adviser can map your credits against a degree plan and flag courses that duplicate what you have already done. Bring all your transcripts, a list of certifications and a description of your work experience. Ask the adviser to put the plan in writing, with a note of which credits are applied to which requirements. Revisit the plan each term, since requirements can change.

Keeping your records safe

Before you start, collect syllabi, course descriptions and grade reports from past study, because schools sometimes ask for them to review borderline credits. If an old institution has closed or merged, ask the education authority where its records are held. It is far easier to secure documents now than after a deadline has arrived.

Timing your request

Send transcripts well before the application deadline, because evaluations can take weeks and sometimes depend on other institutions replying. If you are comparing several schools, start all requests at once and note each response date.

Common mistakes

• Assuming credits will transfer without checking.
• Confusing accepted with applied.
• Taking courses elsewhere before getting approval.
• Not checking residency and maximum transfer rules.
• Paying before seeing a written evaluation.
• Ignoring prior learning and exam options.
• Giving up after the first refusal.

A quick checklist

• Have I requested a written evaluation, listing how each credit applies?
• Do I know the maximum transfer and residency requirements?
• Have I compared the remaining credits and cost across schools?
• Have I looked into exams and prior learning credit?
• Do I have everything in writing?

Final thoughts

Credit transfer can save a great deal, but only if you check it carefully and get answers in writing. Ask how each credit will be applied, compare evaluations and use exams and prior learning to fill gaps. A few emails before you enroll can be worth months of study.