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Transferring College Credits
Sometimes, the track to obtaining a college degree doesn't travel as straight as you thought it would. You hopped on one train, expecting that it would take you to the final station, only to discover that it wasn't the right train for you. If the campus-based education train you were chugging along on suddenly derails, or you simply decide to hop off the train, hopping onto a different train can be overwhelming. What if the distance you have already traveled on that campus-based degree train doesn't count towards an online degree train? Or, vice versa, will online degree credits transfer to a campus-based program? Let's hop off of the train analogy for a moment, and talk about transferring college credits!
Without a doubt, you have worked hard to earn the college credits that you have already obtained. But, when transferring to an online education program — how are you supposed to find out if you can transfer these credits? The Admissions Office in most colleges is there to help you through this transition! There are often stringent guidelines for transferring credits in the online degree admissions process, so collaborating through this process with your advisor is a great first step.
In most cases, a college will not accept more than 30-50% of your earned credits as a transfer, and will only accept transfer credits if those credits have been earned in the past few years. A typical guideline is that most colleges will not accept credits that were earned more than approximately 8 years ago. Also, credits must be earned from an accredited university in most cases, as the college needs to be assured that these transfer credits are valid if they are counting it towards an online degree program at their institution.
If your credits meet these general guidelines, you are on the right track! In many cases, general education courses or elective courses are fairly simple to transfer credits from one school to another. The guidelines for obtaining an online degree can be stricter about transfer credits when it comes to degree specific courses though. While many colleges will take into consideration a student's GPA in a course, others will require that the course from which the credits are being transferred from, is very similar, if not identical, to the course offered at their own school.
Transferring credits from one school to another can be an overwhelming process, but with the help of an admissions counselor, this can be a smooth transition, and you can get right back on track towards that ultimate destination of an online education! If you are not sure how to get in touch with a school's admissions representative, it is easy. Click the "Request Info" or "Free Information" button on any of our online school pages and you will be put in touch with someone who can help. You can find most degrees offered at the top schools below, or from the featured schools to the right. To Find a specific program use the "Search Online Schools" tool above.
Find Online Degrees at these Top Online Schools
Capella offers numerous degree programs in over 50 ares of study. This accredited online university over 38,000 students enrolled from 52 countries and all 50 states. Learn more...
Kaplan University offers online Associate's, Bachelor's, and Master's degrees in some of today's most in-demand fields, including: arts, business, criminal justice, education, health sciences, information systems, legal or paralegal, and nursing. Learn more...
Everest online education offers online college degrees in accounting, business, computer information science, criminal investigations, criminal justice, homeland security, medical insurance billing and coding, and paralegal. Learn more...
The AIU Online degree programs allow students the freedom to study online anytime to achieve their Associate's, Bachelor's or Master's degrees in a wide range of degree programs. Learn more...
At South University, you can pursue an Associate's or Bachelor's degree at the undergraduate level, or a Master's degree. Established in 1899, South University offers online programs and campus locations throughout the southeastern United States. Learn more...