Maximize Your Education: Credit Transfer Programs for Working Adults

Introduction: Understanding Credit Transfer Programs

Credit transfer programs enable students to transfer credits earned from one college to another. Note that the receiving college must accept the credits for it to be of value.

Why are credit transfer programs beneficial for working adults seeking affordable higher education? We can describe these benefits in brief (More detailed explanations below):

• Enjoy more tuition cost savings.
• Earn your degree in less time.
• Enjoy more flexibility in their choice of college for transfer.
• Gain recognition for work experiences and prior learning.
• Enjoy a more seamless transition between colleges.

Working adults face unique financial challenges that traditional college students don’t. Transfer credit programs ease the burden of these challenges.

What Are Credit Transfer Programs?

Credit transfer programs enable students to transfer credits earned from various sources. The most popular sources are as follows:

Community college credits

These are credits earned from completing courses at community colleges. These can be standalone courses or courses completed as part of associate degree programs. Credits from technical and vocational training are also acceptable. Students transfer up to 60 credits from an associate degree.

For example, graduates with an associate degree from Miami Dade College can transfer credits to Florida International University (FIU).

Four-year university credits

These are credits from completed courses at four-year universities. The credits can be from certificates, undergraduate or graduate degrees, or professional development programs.

For example, Cal State and UCLA have an articulation agreement. Undergraduate students can transfer credits between these universities subject to terms and conditions.

Prior Learning Assessment (PLA) credits

These are credits awarded for learning acquired in the following ways:

• Advanced Placement (AP) credits for satisfactory scores on AP exams taken in high school
• International Baccalaureate (IB) credits in six areas (e.g., language and literature, language acquisition, sciences, mathematics, individuals and societies, and arts)
• Dual enrollment credits from college courses completed as a high school student. Community colleges and four-year universities offer dual enrollment programs.
• College Level Examination Program (CLEP) credits for introductory-level/general education courses
• DANTES Subject Standardized Tests (DSST) credits
• Online course credits come from completing online courses or academic programs. These are available at affordable online colleges. Universities also recognize credits from Massive Open Online Courses (MOOCs). 
• Study-abroad credits are acceptable. The receiving institution must have pre-approved the study-abroad programs.

If you have one or more of these academic credits, take advantage of them. You spent time and money on passing these tests. Applying them in your higher education pursuits as a working adult makes sense.

But if you don’t yet have work experience as a working adult, there’s hope. Many colleges and universities also consider transfer credits from these sources:

• Relevant work experience, particularly industry-specific knowledge, skills, and competencies. An experienced project manager may receive credits for a project management course.
• Military training and service credits. The  American Council on Education (ACE) assesses an official Joint Services Transcript or CCAF transcript.
• Apprenticeships and internships may also translate credits. A healthcare internship, for example, can translate to healthcare administration credits.
• Training programs relevant to your planned field may be acceptable for credits, too. Extensive training in cybersecurity, for example, can result in introductory cybersecurity credits.

You’re well-advised to submit a detailed portfolio for credit assessment. Faculty members will review your portfolio for transfer credit purposes.

Every college and university has specific transfer credit policies and procedures. Contact the admissions and registrar’s office for more information. The more you understand these aspects, the better your preparation can be.

Credit transfer programs come in many forms, too.

Articulation agreements

These are formal agreements between institutions about their transfer credit programs. The terms and conditions cover essential aspects like:

• Courses approved for credits
• People and offices involved
• Process and procedures for credit transfers
• Documents required
• Appeal process

Articulation agreements can be between:

• Community colleges and four-year universities
• Within four-year university systems
• Two independent universities
• Independent organizations, such as ACE, perform credit evaluation functions for colleges and universities

Note that over 40% of undergraduates start their college journey at community colleges. Of these students, the majority plan on transferring credits to universities.

Articulation agreements outline one or more of these aspects:

• Guaranteed transfer of credits of general education and other courses
• Guaranteed admission into specific academic programs
• Dual-enrollment. Students enroll in a community college’s associate degree program and a four-year university’s bachelor’s degree program.

Examples of articulation agreements are:

• Maricopa Community Colleges and Arizona State University
• Houston Community College and the University of Houston
• University of Texas System (e.g.,  UT Dallas and UT Austin)
• State University of New York (SUNY)
• Columbia University and Barnard College
• Harvard University and Massachusetts Institute of Technology

Read the transfer guides and pathways of colleges you’re interested in, too. You can plan which courses to take and ensure smooth credit transfers.

Statewide transfer programs

These are statewide agreements that put in place standards for credit transfers among the state’s public institutions. General education courses and shared course numbering systems are common.

Examples include:

• California Community Colleges and California State University System (ADT Program)
• Florida College System 2+2 Program
• Massachusetts Transfer Pathways
• Texas Common Course Numbering System
• Virginia’s Guaranteed Admission Agreement

National transfer networks

These are nationwide systems that speed up credit transfers between member institutions. Working adults can transfer credits across state lines because of these systems.

Check out these tools and systems:

• Transferology, an online tool for students planning on transferring credits
• National Student Clearinghouse Transfer Center
• Interstate Passport Initiative
• Southern Regional Education Board
• Midwestern Higher Education Compact

Are you overwhelmed by the transfer credit process at this point? Don’t be. You will find plenty of resources and people to help you out. Besides, you must persist because successful transfer credits bring many benefits.

How Credit Transfer Programs Save You Time and Money

For working adults, education for career advancement or change can be more challenging. Keeping a roof over your family’s head and sending children to school are challenging enough. Adding the cost of a college education can break the bank if it isn’t already.

Fortunately, there are ways to save time and money on education. Explore your financial aid options. Grab all scholarship opportunities that come your way. Adopt effective tuition paying tips, including budgeting for payments and setting up reminders.

As a working adult, put your prior educational experiences to work, too. This is where credit transfer programs come in.

Here are the reasons why transferring credits results in cost and time savings for working adults.

Cost savings

Transferring credits reduces both direct and indirect costs of education. There’s no need to repeat courses you’ve already taken or earned credits for. The reduced number of courses required to earn a degree means less tuition and fees.

Fewer courses for completion means less money spent on indirect costs, too. These include textbooks and supplies, technology and equipment, and transportation.

Time efficiency

Transferring credits also means time savings. You can skip general education courses. Going straight for major and concentration courses means less redundancy. Instead of spending four years in a bachelor’s degree program, it’s 2-3 years only.

If you’re a working adult, you can grab career advancement opportunities sooner, too. Your opportunity cost, particularly lost income, is lower, too. Even if you pursue your studies on a full-time basis, it’s a shorter time-to-degree. 

Let’s look at a few examples of these cost and time savings.

Community college to university transfer

Let’s say you earned a 60-credit associate degree from a community college. You plan on transferring its credits to a four-year bachelor’s degree program.

Instead of a four-year time-to-degree, you can earn a bachelor’s degree in two years. The average cost of community college is $8,220 for two years. For a bachelor’s degree, it’s $38,270 per year. Your estimated savings is $68,320 to earn a bachelor’s degree.

Military training and service

If you’re an active-duty service member or veteran, request for your military official transcripts. You can receive college credits for your military training and work experience. Specialized training, such as in military-technical and medical programs, counts for credit. Even leadership courses count.

Let’s assume that 30 transfer credits – or one academic year – were approved from your military service. Public universities charge $406 per credit hour, on average. You can then enjoy $12,180 in tuition savings.

And these are just for tuition and fees. Your savings will take other forms, such as indirect costs and opportunity costs.

Steps to Transfer Credits Successfully

On-campus and online degree programs offered by accredited colleges and universities usually have transfer credit programs. Whatever your choice in a program, you should have an easier time transferring credits with these steps.

Do your research.

Start by reading and understanding the credit transfer policies in whatever colleges you’re interested in. Request for a hard copy or print the soft copy provided by the colleges. Contact an authorized college for more information, if necessary.

Highlight important terms and conditions. List down the documentary requirements and step-by-step procedure. The more you know, the more you can meet requirements.

Make an informed assessment of course equivalences.

Compare the content, outcomes, and credit value for the completed courses at your old college to the new college. Check the transfer pathways and guides for this purpose. Again, don’t hesitate to ask an admissions officer or a registrar’s office staff for guidance. Use online tools, such as the National Student Clearinghouse Transfer Center.

Gather and organize the required documentation.

Check that, indeed, your papers meet the transfer credit criteria for form and substance. Colleges have different requirements, but the most common are:

• Official transcripts
• Course descriptions
• Transfer Credit Evaluation Form
• Official test scores, if available (e.g., IP or CLEP)
• ACE transcript
• Consent to the terms and conditions of the Transfer Credit Policy Agreement
• Letter of Good Standing
• Application for admission

Always double-check your documents before submission. It’s easier to correct errors at the source than when the documents have been submitted for formal assessment.

Submit your transfer application.

You should submit your application to the college where you plan on enrolling (i.e., a new school). Most colleges and universities have an online portal for this purpose.

Now, all you can do is wait for the results. If you follow the college’s instructions to the letter, your chances for success increase. You can also file an appeal in case of a rejection.

Conclusion: Make the Most of Your Prior Education

Transferring credits results in greater college education value. You can save on cost and time and, thus, get a higher return on investment in your college education. Getting a head start on career advancement opportunities sooner also sweetens the deal.

But transferring credits takes time, effort, and a little money, too. Keep at it and your educational goals are one step closer. Consider online learning options, too, for their affordability and flexibility.