How Do Transfer Credits Work?

When you complete coursework at one college and then enroll at another, your new school evaluates your previous courses to determine which credits apply to your degree program. These accepted credits are called transfer credits, and they can count toward general education requirements, major prerequisites, or elective credits.

The transfer credit evaluation process typically involves submitting official transcripts from all previous institutions to your new school’s admissions or registrar’s office. Evaluators compare course descriptions, credit hours, and content to determine equivalencies with courses offered at the receiving institution.

Not all credits transfer equally. Your courses might receive direct equivalency to a specific course at your new school, satisfy general education requirements without a direct match, transfer as elective credits that count toward graduation but not toward specific requirements, or be denied transfer altogether.

Understanding these distinctions matters because credits that transfer only as electives may not reduce the total number of courses you need to complete your major. According to the U.S. Government Accountability Office, students who transferred between 2004 and 2009 lost, on average, an estimated 43 percent of their credits, and credit loss varied depending on the transfer path

Several critical factors influence whether your previous coursework will be accepted by a new institution. Understanding these factors helps you make strategic decisions about where to take courses and when to transfer.

Accreditation status is the most significant factor. Credits from regionally accredited institutions transfer more readily to other regionally accredited schools. Typically, regionally accredited schools do not accept credits from nationally accredited schools. Before enrolling anywhere, verify the school’s accreditation through the U.S. Department of Education’s database.

Minimum grade requirements apply at most institutions. A grade of “C” or better has been recorded on official transcripts and is typically required for transfer eligibility, though some programs require higher grades for major-specific courses.

Course content and credit hours must align. Departments evaluate whether your previous course covers similar topics, learning objectives, and credit hours as their equivalent course. Departments are looking for a minimum of 70% content match in course content between a transfer course and its ECU potential equivalent.

Course age can also matter, particularly in rapidly changing fields. All appropriate and comparable courses undertaken by transfer students in the past 10 years at an accredited junior or senior college are typically evaluated, but STEM courses may face stricter time limits due to curriculum changes.

An articulation agreement is a formal contract between two educational institutions that specifies which courses from one institution will be accepted at the other. These agreements eliminate guesswork and provide you with a clear roadmap for completing transferable coursework.

In creating an articulation agreement, both institutions provide students with a roadmap not only for transferring credits but also for choosing the academic program that is right for them. Students will know which courses to take at each college, how many of those courses will transfer, and how each will apply to various majors, minors, and general education requirements.

Articulation agreements are most common between community colleges and four-year universities within the same state. At least 31 states have policies requiring a transferable core of lower-division courses and a statewide guarantee of the transfer of an associate degree.

Some states have particularly robust systems. California’s ASSIST (Articulation System Stimulating Interinstitutional Student Transfer) provides online access to official transfer pathways between California community colleges and UC/CSU campuses. Florida guarantees that students with an associate degree from a Florida community college can transfer at least 60 credits to public four-year colleges and universities in the state.

If your community college and target four-year school have an articulation agreement, following that prescribed pathway is one of the most reliable ways to ensure your credits transfer fully.

Even if all your previous coursework meets transfer criteria, you won’t necessarily be able to apply unlimited credits toward your degree. Most institutions impose transfer credit limits and residency requirements that affect how many transferred credits count.

Transfer credit limits vary by institution and degree level. You can transfer a maximum of 64 college credits from a regionally accredited community, junior, or two-year college for courses in which you have earned a “C” (4.00=”A”) or better. For bachelor’s degrees, many schools accept up to 90 credits from four-year institutions but only 60-64 from community colleges.

Residency requirements mandate that you complete a specific number of credits directly at the degree-granting institution. To be recommended for a first or subsequent baccalaureate degree, a student must complete 45 of his or her final 60 credits as a matriculated student in residence at the University of Washington campus where the degree is conferred. This means even with maximum transfer credits, you’ll need to complete at least 30-45 credits at your new school.

Some programs have additional restrictions. At the time of transfer, all completed transferable work from an accredited junior or community college will be recorded on the student’s official transcript. However, Texas State will apply no more than 72 junior/community college credits to a specific degree.

The largest barrier to a transfer student completing a bachelor’s degree is losing credits when transferring to a four-year institution. The more credits they lose, the less likely they are to complete their degree. Taking proactive steps can dramatically reduce your credit loss.

Start with the end in mind. Identify your target transfer institution and intended major as early as possible. This allows you to select courses that align with your four-year school’s requirements rather than taking classes that won’t apply to your degree.

Work closely with academic advisors at both institutions. Advisors are experienced with how the transfer process works at institutions and can help students choose the right courses to advance their transfer goals. Schedule appointments with advisors at your current school AND your target school to create a cohesive academic plan.

Request unofficial transcript evaluations from prospective schools before you commit. Many universities offer free preliminary evaluations that show exactly how your credits would transfer. This information helps you compare schools and make informed decisions.

Examine how credits are being applied. A common trick that colleges use is that they claim they will accept up to 60 or 90 credits from transfer students, but then assign many of those credits to “elective” categories instead of the student’s major. Ask specifically how many credits apply to your major requirements versus general electives.

Consider earning an associate degree before transferring. Many state systems guarantee that students with completed associate degrees enter as juniors with general education requirements fulfilled.

Beyond traditional college coursework, you may have other experiences that translate into college credit. Understanding these alternative pathways can further accelerate your degree completion.

Advanced Placement (AP) and International Baccalaureate (IB) exams from high school can earn college credit at most institutions, though score requirements vary. Most schools require a minimum AP score of 3, though competitive programs may require 4 or 5. Check each school’s specific policies before assuming your exam scores will transfer.

Military training and experience often translate to college credit. If you are interested in receiving credit for military experience that is not reported on a transcript, contact the UF Office of Veteran Services or your school’s equivalent office. The American Council on Education (ACE) evaluates military training and recommends college credit equivalencies that many institutions accept.

Prior Learning Assessment (PLA) allows you to earn credit for knowledge gained through work experience, professional certifications, or self-study. Portfolio assessment is a flexible, efficient way to earn college credit for the college-level knowledge a student has acquired outside a traditional college classroom. This option is particularly valuable for adult learners returning to complete their degrees.

Credit by examination programs like CLEP (College-Level Examination Program) and DSST allow you to demonstrate knowledge and earn credit without taking courses. Note that acceptance varies: UC does not award credit for work or volunteer experience, vocational or technical training, or personal enrichment courses; remedial academic or pre-baccalaureate courses, especially in English and math; or College-Level Examination Program (CLEP) or DANTES Subject Standardized Tests (DSST) exams.