Transfer Procedure Admission Requirements for Transfer Students

ST. CLOUD STATE UNIVERSITY
TRANSFER PROCEDURE
TYPE OF PROCEDURE: Academic
TITLE: Transfer Procedure
RELATED POLICY: Transfer Policy
Admission Requirements for Transfer Students
Student who have earned twenty four (24) or more college-level credits:





A student is eligible for admission as a transfer student if he/she has earned
twenty four (24) or more college-level credits at a regionally accredited
university or college-level institution. All credits earned with a grade of "C-" or
higher from a regionally accredited university or college-level institution are
considered for credit transfer. Minnesota Transfer Curriculum (MnTC) courses
with grades of “A”-“D” transfer; however, a cumulative MnTC grade point
average (GPA) of 2.0 is required.
Transfer credit will not be granted for remedial or non-degree credit as indicated
by the sending institution.
Applicants should have a cumulative GPA of 2.0 or higher.
Credits from other institutions accredited by agencies recognized by the Council
on Higher Education Accreditation (CHEA) will also be evaluated for transfer.
(Note - additional documentation may be required.)
Quarter credits will be converted to semester credits upon transfer.
Students who have earned fewer than twenty four (24) college-level credits:



Apply as a first year student.
Provide official transcripts from any regionally accredited university or collegelevel institution attended.
All credits earned with a grade of "C-" or higher from a regionally accredited
university or college-level institution are considered for credit transfer. MnTC
courses with grades of “A”-“D” transfer; however, a cumulative MnTC grade
point average (GPA) of 2.0 is required.
1|Page
ST. CLOUD STATE UNIVERSITY
TRANSFER PROCEDURE
Students who have earned credits solely through the Post-Secondary Enrollment
Options (PSEO) program:


Apply as a first year student.
All credits earned with a grade of "C-" or higher from a regionally accredited
university or college-level institution are considered for credit transfer. MnTC
courses with grades of “A”-“D” transfer; however, a cumulative MnTC grade
point average (GPA) of 2.0 is required.
Note: Transcripts from institutions within the Minnesota State Colleges and
Universities (MnSCU) system may be retrieved electronically by St. Cloud State
University (SCSU).
SCSU accepts credits from courses and programs similar to those offered by SCSU from
non-regionally accredited institutions. SCSU looks for similarity in course goals,
content, and level of difficulty. Per MnSCU Board Procedure 3.21.1 Part 3. Subpart A.
Determining course comparability or equivalency located at
http://www.mnscu.edu/board/procedure/321p1.html: “The course to be transferred
must be comparable in nature, content and level to courses offered by the receiving
institution.”
Preparing to Transfer
If a student is enrolled in a college or university:
1. A student is advised to discuss his/her plans with a campus transfer team member at
the Office of Admissions, Administrative Services Building, Room 115, 720 Fourth
Avenue South, St. Cloud, MN 56301-4498. Contact information for an appointment:
(320) 308-2244 or (877) 654-7278, or [email protected].
2. Call or visit SCSU. The following materials and information should then be
received:
o
o
o
o
College catalog.
Transfer brochure.
Information on admission criteria and on materials required for admission (e.g.
portfolio, transcripts, test scores). Note that some majors have limited
enrollments, or may have special requirements such as grade point average
criteria.
Information on financial aid (how to apply, including deadlines for application).
2|Page
ST. CLOUD STATE UNIVERSITY
TRANSFER PROCEDURE
3. After these materials have been reviewed, make an appointment to talk with an
adviser in the desired college, school, or program at SCSU; ask about course transfer
and admission criteria.
If an individual is not currently enrolled in a college or university:
1. A student is advised to discuss his/her plans with a campus transfer team member at
the Office of Admissions, Administrative Services Building, Room 115, 720 Fourth
Avenue South, St. Cloud, MN 56301-4498. Contact information for an appointment:
(320) 308-2244 or (877) 654-7278, or [email protected].
Admission Procedures for Transfer Students
Steps for a transfer student to be considered for admission into St. Cloud State
University include:
1. Complete an admission application.
Apply at SCSU’s website: www.stcloudstate.edu/SCSU4U
Applications are also available from:
Office of Admissions, AS 115
St. Cloud State University
720 4th Avenue South
St. Cloud, MN 56301-4498
877-654-SCSU or 320-308-2244
2. Return the completed application along with a $20 (non-refundable) application fee
to:
Office of Records and Registration, AS 118
St. Cloud State University
720 4th Avenue South
St. Cloud, MN 56301-4498
3. Instruct each previously attended college/university to send an official transcript
directly to SCSU's Office of Records and Registration (see address above).
Note: Transcripts from institutions within the Minnesota State Colleges and
Universities system may be retrieved electronically by St. Cloud State
3|Page
ST. CLOUD STATE UNIVERSITY
TRANSFER PROCEDURE
University. Transcripts are considered official when mailed directly from the sending
institution and printed on the sending institution’s official transcript forms. Transcripts
delivered or mailed by the student cannot be used for admission. Faxed transcripts are
not considered official and will not be accepted.
Application Date Deadlines
Fall
September 15
Applications open for review.
February 15
Preferred admission deadline.
Mid-April
Registration by earned-credit priority begins.
May 1
In order to be assured of consideration for admission to SCSU for fall
semester, complete applications must be submitted by May 1. Those
applying after that date may be placed on a waiting list and considered
for admission if space is available. SCSU endeavors to provide quality
service to all students, so it is strongly encouraged to complete the
application process prior to this date.
Spring
Continuous
Applications open for review.
October 15
Preferred admissions deadline; registration by earned-credit priority
begins.
November 15
Applications may be accepted following this date, or late applicants
may be placed on a waiting list. Services may be affected by the short
timeline created by applying after November 15. Services affected may
include campus housing availability, course availability and financial
aid processing time. SCSU endeavors to provide quality service to all
students so it is strongly encouraged to complete the application
process prior to this date.
Students who have been suspended or expelled for disciplinary reasons from any
postsecondary institution may be denied admission to a MnSCU college or university.
MnSCU Board Procedure 3.4.1 Part 6. Students Suspended from Other Institutions
(http://www.mnscu.edu/board/procedure/304p1.html)
Transfer Admissions Appeal
A transfer student who is denied admission may request that the application, together
with his/her written appeal for reconsideration, be forwarded to the Transfer Review
4|Page
ST. CLOUD STATE UNIVERSITY
TRANSFER PROCEDURE
Committee. If admitted with less than a "C" average, a transfer student will be subject
to SCSU Standards of Scholarship policy
(http://www.stcloudstate.edu/policies/categories/documents/StandardsofScholarshipPr
ocedure-Undergraduate.pdf) and procedure
(http://www.stcloudstate.edu/policies/categories/documents/StandardsofScholarshipPo
licy_Undegraduate.pdf) regarding academic warning/suspension.
Transferring from SCSU
Minnesota's public colleges and universities are working to simplify the transfer
process. A student can help by planning ahead, asking questions, and using pathways
created by the transfer agreement. It is the responsibility of each student to contact the
institution he/she is transferring to for assistance. The Minnesota Transfer Curriculum
web page has a Transfer Action Plan to assist with this process:
http://www.mntransfer.org/students/plan/s_tap.php
Understanding How Transfer of Credit Works
The receiving college or university determines which credits transfer and whether these
credits meet its degree requirements. Accreditation requirements of both the sending
and receiving institutions can affect the transfer of the credits a student earns.
SCSU accepts credits from courses and programs similar to those offered by SCSU.
SCSU looks for similarity in course goals, content, and level of difficulty. Per MnSCU
Board Procedure 3.21.1 Part 3. Subpart A. Determining course comparability or
equivalency located at http://www.mnscu.edu/board/procedure/321p1.html: “The
course to be transferred must be comparable in nature, content and level to courses
offered by the receiving institution.”
Not all transfer credits may be applied toward graduation. Baccalaureate degree
programs usually count credits in three categories: (1) General education, (2)
Major/minor courses and prerequisites, and (3) Electives. The key question used to
determine eligibility of credits is, "Will the credits fulfill requirements of the degree or
program you chosen?"
Transfer credit will not be granted for non-college level courses. St. Cloud State
University reserves the right to deny credits in transfer which are:


not consistent with the mission and charter of the granting institution; OR
not approved for transfer based on evaluation by St. Cloud State University.
5|Page
ST. CLOUD STATE UNIVERSITY
TRANSFER PROCEDURE
Final authority regarding course work pertaining to major programs rests with
individual academic departments subject to approval by the Office of Academic Affairs.
Admission into a Major Program
Being admitted to St. Cloud State University is a separate process than that of being
admitted into a major program. Acceptance into St. Cloud State University is the first
step. After acceptance, a student may make application to an individual major
program. Please contact the academic department(s) directly to obtain further
information.
Many departments have minimum grade point requirements. Some programs also
require completion of specific course sequences, minimum grades in certain
prerequisite courses, or completion of an assessment test prior to applying to the major.
It is the responsibility of each transfer student to check all major department
requirements prior to registering for classes at SCSU.
Note: If a student changes to a different major, the student may not be able to complete
all degree requirements within the usual number of credits needed to graduate.
Associate in Arts (A.A.) Degrees/Minnesota Transfer Curriculum/Bachelor’s Degrees
A transfer student who has earned an Associate in Arts (A.A.) degree from a regionally
accredited institution or who has completed the Minnesota Transfer Curriculum will
have met the liberal education requirements
(https://catalog.stcloudstate.edu/Catalog/ViewCatalog.aspx?pageid=viewcatalog&catalo
gid=7&chapterid=6&loaduseredits=False) at St. Cloud State University.
A transfer student who has not earned an A.A. degree or completed the Minnesota
Transfer Curriculum must meet all the requirements of either the SCSU liberal
education curriculum or the Minnesota Transfer Curriculum. Any Minnesota Transfer
Curriculum goal area(s) completed at another MnSCU institution will be considered
complete at SCSU, and any course(s) that meets goal area(s) at another MnSCU
institution will meet the same goal area(s) at SCSU. The student is also responsible for
fulfilling any remaining university requirements
(https://catalog.stcloudstate.edu/Catalog/ViewCatalog.aspx?pageid=viewcatalog&catalo
gid=7&chapterid=6&topicgroupid=36&loaduseredits=False).
6|Page
ST. CLOUD STATE UNIVERSITY
TRANSFER PROCEDURE
A transfer student who has earned a bachelor’s degree from a regionally accredited
institution is exempt from the university’s requirements for liberal education and
diversity courses.
Courses with grades of "D" will transfer for a student who has earned an Associate in
Arts or a Bachelor’s degree from a regionally accredited institution. Courses with
grades of “D” earned as part of the Minnesota Transfer Curriculum will also be
accepted in transfer; however, a cumulative MnTC GPA of 2.0 is required. Some majors
require a grade of "C" or higher for a transfer course to be used to fulfill major program
requirements. It is the responsibility of each student to consult with his/her advisor
regarding these requirements.
Academic Credit Options
Information on academic credit options such as assessment of prior learning, College
Level Examination Program (CLEP), Advanced Placement (AP), International
Baccalaureate (IB), and military credits, is available in the section on Academic
Information and at: http://www.stcloudstate.edu/transfer/credit-options.aspx.
Minnesota General Education Transfer Agreement
Within the State of Minnesota, an array of public higher educational institutions exist,
including technical colleges, community colleges, state universities and the University
of Minnesota. The people of Minnesota and the legislature expect and believe that these
institutions will operate in full partnership. The responsibility for making student
transfers between institutions simple and efficient rests with the systems of higher
education.
Statement of Agreement. St. Cloud State University participates fully in compliance
with the terms of the Minnesota General Education Transfer Agreement. Accordingly,
SCSU:


accepts the responsibility of making the transfer of credits from one institution to
another a simpler, more predictable process for students.
believes that accountability for making this process work rests with the
institutions and the higher education systems.
We agree to discharge this responsibility for transfer through a well-designed network
of further agreements and relationships that honor the following principles:
7|Page
ST. CLOUD STATE UNIVERSITY
TRANSFER PROCEDURE


All students (transfer and non-transfer) will receive comparable treatment.
SCSU will continue efforts to improve students’ access to information regarding
transfer.
Each student will be expected to plan for transfer using the information and assistance
available at all institutions. Institutions authorized by legislative mission and
accreditation to offer general education and their faculty will develop coherent,
educationally sound curriculum that meet the general education goals and objectives
accepted by all systems. Success of transferring students will be evaluated through
collection analysis of performance data and faculty and administrators will have
opportunities for communication across systems. Standards of quality for general
education will be insured. SCSU further agrees at this time to implement three
initiatives which will be the foundation of SCSU’s transfer efforts. These are:



The Minnesota General Education Transfer Curriculum
The Minnesota Standards and Procedures for Transfer
The Minnesota Faculty Articulation Councils
Articulation Agreements
St. Cloud State University has articulation agreements with two-year colleges within
and outside Minnesota. These agreements provide for transition from specific
programs at two-year colleges into specific bachelor's degree programs at St. Cloud
State University. Information about programs and two-year colleges with which St.
Cloud State University has articulation agreements is available at
http://www.mntransfer.org/students/plan/sagreements.php.
Appeal of Transfer Credit Decisions
Each student has the right to appeal transfer credit evaluation decisions. The transfer
appeal process involves the following:
1. The student completes and submits a Credit Transfer Appeals form
(http://www.stcloudstate.edu/registrar/pdf/CreditTransferAppealForm.pdf)
including supporting documentation such as a syllabus, course description, or
reading list, to the Office of Records and Registration for review. If the appeal
pertains to the Minnesota Transfer Curriculum, the student must specify that. The
Office of Records and Registration shall consult with appropriate academic
departments regarding requests to recognize specific course equivalencies.
8|Page
ST. CLOUD STATE UNIVERSITY
TRANSFER PROCEDURE
2. The Office of Records and Registration reviews the appeal and sends a notice and
explanation of its decision to the student within fifteen (15) business days of
receiving the appeal. The notification time period may be longer during summer
and the period from December 15 to January 15.
3. The student may appeal the decision of the Office of Records and Registration to the
Vice Chancellor for Academic Affairs of the Minnesota State Colleges and
Universities system in accordance with System Procedure 3.21.1 Part 7. Subpart B.
System level appeal (http://www.mnscu.edu/board/procedure/321p1.html).
Rights and Responsibilities as a Transfer Student
(MnSCU Board Policy 3.39 Transfer Rights and Responsibilities is located at
http://www.mnscu.edu/board/policy/339.html.)
Student Transfer Rights
Each student that transfers has the right to:
 receive comparable treatment with respect to course and program
requirements, whether he/she is a transfer student or direct entry student
at a system institution;
 receive clear, accurate, and current information about transfer admission
requirements and deadlines, degree requirements, transfer policies and
procedures, articulation agreements, course equivalencies, and the
Minnesota Transfer Curriculum;
 access course outlines, consistent with the requirements of MnSCU Board
Policy 3.21;
 receive a degree audit report showing how courses transferred, and
receive clarification about transfer evaluations when the student has
questions;
 appeal transfer decisions at both the college or university and system
levels, as provided in MnSCU Board Procedure 3.21.1;
 have completed courses that fulfill Minnesota Transfer Curriculum goal
areas at the sending institution accepted as counting toward the same goal
areas at the receiving institution; and
 receive acknowledgement of fulfilled Minnesota Transfer Curriculum goal
areas as designated by the sending college or university.
9|Page
ST. CLOUD STATE UNIVERSITY
TRANSFER PROCEDURE
Student Transfer Responsibilities
Students who transfer have the responsibility to:







plan his/her courses of study as early as possible by referring to online
advising tools and published requirements of all system college and
university programs in which he/she intends to enroll;
take advantage of transfer-related orientation, workshops or other
training opportunities offered by the system college or university in which
he/she is enrolled and to which he/she plans to transfer;
seek guidance from appropriate institutional advisors at both the sending
and receiving institutions throughout his/her academic career, especially
when academic plans change, in order to understand how the change may
impact the transfer of his/her courses, and to ensure that the change is
made to his/her enrollment information;
provide his/her college or university with all materials required for
admission, including official transcripts from all previously attended nonsystem colleges and universities;
notify his/her college or university of courses taken at other schools after
transfer or about any changes to transcripts;
seek guidance from appropriate institutional advisors at his/her current
institution when planning to follow the requirements of an articulation
agreement; and
notify the system college or university to which he/she intends to transfer
when planning to follow the requirements of an articulation agreement.
Minnesota State Colleges and Universities College and University Rights and
Responsibilities
Minnesota State Colleges and Universities College and University Rights
System colleges and universities have the right to:



ensure standards of quality for educational programs offered;
determine course equivalencies and admission, program, major, and
graduation requirements in accordance with their missions; and
consider the accreditation of the sending institution and program in
making course transfer decisions.
10 | P a g e
ST. CLOUD STATE UNIVERSITY
TRANSFER PROCEDURE
Minnesota State Colleges and Universities College and University Responsibilities
System colleges and universities have the responsibility to:







provide each student access to advising about transfer processes and
requirements, and provide appropriate support to advisors;
publish their policies and procedures, requirements, and course offerings,
including articulation agreements and course equivalencies, and
communicate these to students and the public;
make electronic course equivalency and degree completion tools available
to students and inform students on how to use these tools to plan for
transfer;
publish current transfer information and periodically update and archive
prior transfer information, including catalogs, articulation agreements,
and program guides;
continuously improve student access to information regarding transfer
and improve transfer processes;
provide written confirmation to students about his/her admission and
transfer-related decisions, including the result of appeals, in a timely
manner; and
provide information necessary for the system office to monitor and
evaluate the effectiveness of existing transfer processes.
PROCEDURE OWNER: Provost and Vice President for Academic Affairs
PROCEDURE CONTACT: Office of Academic Affairs
OTHER DOCUMENTS:
MnSCU Board Policy 3.21 http://www.mnscu.edu/board/policy/3-21.pdf
MnSCU Board Procedure 3.21.1 http://www.mnscu.edu/board/procedure/3-21p1.pdf
MnSCU Board Policy 3.37 http://www.mnscu.edu/board/policy/3-37.pdf
MnSCU Board Procedure 3.37.1 http://www.mnscu.edu/board/procedure/3-37p1.pdf
MnSCU Board Policy 3.39 http://www.mnscu.edu/board/policy/3-39.pdf
EFFECTIVE DATE: February 7, 2014
11 | P a g e
ST. CLOUD STATE UNIVERSITY
TRANSFER PROCEDURE
REPLACES: N/A
______________________________________________________________________________
REVISIONS:
December 3, 2014: Accepted Transfer Credit grade revised to reflect use of shaded grading.
12 | P a g e