Moving forward
without
starting over
J
osh is a psychology major at the University of Arizona.
Holly is a psychology major attending Phoenix College,
and is planning to transfer to UA after completing two years
at PC.
Both students are working toward the same goal, a Bachelor’s
degree in Psychology. By working with her academic advisor, Holly
can parallel Josh’s pathway during her freshman and sophomore
years of college, earn an associate’s degree from PC along the way,
and be right on track to graduation when she transfers to UA.
Right on track, that is, if the courses she takes are transferable
and applicable toward her degree program, and these terms are
often confused by students. Courses that are transferable from
one college to another are evaluated by the receiving, or transfer,
institution as being equivalent in academic content. Applicable
courses count toward a student’s degree requirements. In other
words, many courses are transferable between colleges, but whether
or not they are applicable depends on the student’s specific major
and degree requirements.
Careful planning with an academic advisor at the community
college, including the development of a semester-by-semester
educational plan, is critical when a student wants to maximize
the transferability and applicability of credits from the community
college to the university.
George Ennis, an academic advisor and recruiter at Wayland
Baptist University in Phoenix, urges students to rely on professional
advisors. “Do not guess or try to self-advise; talk to someone
who can give you accurate information, provide advice, and give
direction,” he said.
If possible, see advisors at both your community college and
intended transfer university to learn how your associate’s degree
requirements and Bachelor’s degree requirements overlap. In cases
where an associate’s degree requirement can be met by a number
of course options, advisors can often provide additional guidance
on selecting courses that meet your university requirements and
prepare you to succeed academically in your junior and senior level
courses at the university.
“Before committing to any school, request for the school to
complete a degree plan for you so you know exactly what courses/
credits will transfer and what you still need to complete your
degree,” said Jasmine Khong, Executive Director of Student Success
at Touro University Worldwide, an online university based in Los
Alamitos, California.
Christina Yang, Director of Academic Partnerships at Excelsior
College, an online university based in Albany, New York, said, “In
order to get the most accurate assessment of where you stand, be
sure to submit all of your transcripts to your transfer institution,” and
added, “You don’t want to repeat coursework!”
Transfer resources such as major guides on aztransfer.com
and transfer guides on the Maricopa Community College Online
Transfer Center (www.maricopa.edu/transfer/partners) also
provide support to help fine-tune your degree planning.
While efficiency in planning is usually a goal, allowing yourself
some flexibility to explore or narrow-in on areas of interest is also
important.
Dr. David Bolman, Provost at the University of Advancing
Technology in Tempe, said, “Building a program path that is both as
straight as possible, while also giving room to explore interests as
“Many courses are
transferable between
colleges, but whether or
not they are applicable
depends on the student’s
specific major and degree
requirements.”
you grow in your degree preparation is a very satisfying approach.
Choosing courses early in your academic career, as a first-or-secondyear student, that expose you to a spectrum of ideas, but are
applicable in more than one program, is a good strategy.”
Dr. Brian Sajko, Dean of Enrollment Management at Prescott
College in Prescott, urges community college students to focus on
taking general education courses, along with only basic majorrelated courses, to maximize transferability by leaving room for
specialization after transferring.
Choosing one transfer institution over another can play a big
part in how many transfer credits can be applied toward a transfer
program. Most universities will accept and apply 60-64 community
college credits toward most of their Bachelor’s degrees. However,
many institutions accept up to 90 community college credits for
select programs, which leaves only 30 credits at the university to
earn a Bachelor’s degree.
“However, students need to take the right credits to seamlessly
transition (to a university),” said Doug Small, Director of Strategic
Partnerships at Northern Arizona University, Extended Campuses in
Maricopa County. He recommends connecting early with a university
advisor to help select the best program to meet your personal and
professional goals. Along with the number of acceptable transfer
credits, be sure to consider the academic content, cost, convenience,
support services, and program length of your transfer institution
options.
Prior Learning is a credit source that’s often overlooked when
choosing a transfer school. Prior Learning credits are awarded
for knowledge gained outside a traditional classroom. Common
topics include subjects like management principles, human services,
business communications, leadership or other job or life experience
that is evaluated and used toward university degree programs.
Depending on the school, there is usually a fee for Prior Learning,
and students are required to complete an essay and/or an interview
with a qualified evaluator to earn the credits.
Diana Hawkins is an academic advisor at SUNY Empire State
College’s Center for Distance Learning in Saratoga Springs, New
York. SUNY Empire accepts up to 96 transfer credits of classes or
Prior Learning to use toward a bachelor’s degree. Hawkins discussed
the value this option brings to her students.
“Prior Learning is as unique as every student I work with. When
you think about it, we learn every day at work, in the community,
through internships and volunteer work. Why not get credit for it?
Prior Learning credits save time and money and help students get to
their goal faster – graduation,” she said.
Although the Prior Learning process works well for many
students, credits are usually only accepted for transfer at other
institutions as part of an awarded degree. It is important that
students ask transfer advisors about the opportunities to earn
and apply Prior Learning credit at the transfer institutions they
are considering because policies vary on the type and number of
useable credits.
With early planning, information from online resources, and
support from college and university professionals, you can maximize
your transfer credit and save time and money on your college
education.
M A R I CO PA CO M M U N I T Y CO L L E G E S • U N I V E R S I T Y T R A N S F E R G U I D E • S U M M E R 2 014
“Will it transfer?”
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