Can You Transfer College Credits to Online Programs and Vice Versa?

Today I have Alexis Bonari as guest blogger. Please be sure to check out her unique guest post. Guest posts are always welcome, please contact me.

You may find that it is better for you to transfer to another school at some time in your educational career to reflect your changing needs. Maybe you have finished the basic coursework you needed and now want to move into a more demanding program. Maybe your financial situation has changed and you need the flexibility to work.

Whatever the reason, you may find that you need to transfer from a traditional program to an online program, or vice versa. Yet you don't want to lose credit for the work you have already completed. Can you transfer the credits?

The answer, as in most situations, is "it depends." There are a number of factors that will influence whether you can transfer the credits. Here are a few things to consider:

Did you start with credits?

Students who take classes in high school such as Advancement Placement or dual-enrollment classes may be able to get college credit for those classes. However, not every school gives credit for these classes, and those that do don't all give the same credit.

If you started out at College A and received credits for these classes, then you transfer to College B, you may not get credit for those classes at College B. They aren't classes you took while you were a college student, so they would be treated the same as they would if you had applied to College B directly.

Did you complete a degree?

If you finished an associate's degree, you can typically transfer all core classes to any four-year degree, regardless of whether or not the four-year degree would have recognized the classes you took for transfer credit. The same is true if you complete a bachelor's degree and want to start a graduate program.

Most schools will recognize any degree from an accredited institution.

Is the school accredited?

Whether you finish a degree or just take a couple of courses, you must have done the work at an accredited school to get the credit. Unfortunately, there are many online programs at schools that are not accredited, or that are not accredited with the proper agencies.

Generally, if you attended an accredited university, at least some of your credits will be transferrable.

What program are you entering?

Of course, not all classes are applicable to all degree programs. If you started at College A in a program on computer engineering but you want to transfer to College B for a program in the humanities, it's likely that few of your credits will transfer. After all, calculus is unlikely to be one of the required courses for a degree in comparative literature.

How were the classes weighted?

While Introduction to Mathematics might be a four-credit course at one school, it may only be a two-credit course at another. Check the course catalog and curriculum for your program and your intended program to find out how the classes compare. You may have to talk with an academic advisor to find out what classes correspond if the names vary.

What grades did you receive?

Of course, if you performed poorly in a class, you are unlikely to be able to transfer the credit. However, what is considered "poor" in one program may be considered acceptable in another. Some schools have higher passing scores than others. Check with your advisor to find out if any of your low marks are likely to be able to transfer.

When you decide to transfer your program, it is always best to talk with an academic advisor. This person can help you analyze your personal record and let you know how the rules will apply to your case specifically. An advisor can also let you know if any special exceptions can be made where needed.

Alexis Bonari is a freelance writer and researcher for CollegeScholarships.org, where recently she’s been researching scholarships in alabama and grants for minorities.
In her spare time, she enjoys square-foot gardening, swimming, and avoiding her laptop.

Many thanks to Alexis.
Enjoy your reading!