Transfer Credits and Accreditation
The school's accreditation determines whether the transfer credits are transferable. It is important to be able to explain the differences in accreditation and how it affects the transfer of credits at your school.
The most important word to not use when discussing credits and accreditation is guarantee. The transfer of credits depends on the institution and is based on several factors. It is also important to know your organization's accreditation.
I agree it's important to know your school's accreditation. I believe potential students also benefit from understanding the difference between National and Regional Accredited schools, colleges and universities. Many people are unaware of the difference and end up with huge debt and the inability to have any of their credits rolled over into a 4 year regionally accredited program. National accredited education is good if the student only plans to become a cosmotologist, radiology tech or lab tech etc...The problem is if the student wants to start a bachelor degree at a regionally accredited school the student may have to face the fact that most, if not all, of their credits won't be able to role over. My advice is to advise the student to check each colleges requirements, if they plan to transfer, so the student isn't waisting time or their money.
Disclosing to the potential student the differences in accreditation, your institution's accreditation, and how transfer credits are applied at your institution assists the student in making a sound decision about their academic program.
As an advisor you must also let them know when transferring credits from one school to another the applicability towards your degree is always determined by the school who chooses to accept the transfer credits.
Michael, I agree. Most schools will provide the student with an evaluation of their transcripts even before they enroll so they can make a sound decision. Well said.
Laura ,
There are no guarantees. Transfer of credits is one of those things that people just assume. Unfortunately, they often assume wrong.
Patty Aronoff
Michael,
Absolutely! It is the student's responsibility to research the transfer of credits to whichever institution they are interested in. There are no guarantees.
Patty Aronoff
Kathy,
You are correct. Students often assume that they will. Unfortunately, it is not that easy.
Patty Aronoff
Judy,
The receiving institution makes the determination of whether or not credits will transfer. Even if it is the same accrediting body, it is no guarantee that the credits will transfer.
Patty Aronoff
IS ALSO NECESSARY DO YOU TELL STUDENTS THAT THE CREDITS ARE YOU CREDITED ONLY AT THE OPTION OF THE INSTITUTE IS
We as admission representative can't say that all or some credits are transferable because it depends of the another institution if they accept it or not. It is important to explain to the student that there is not guarantee of it.
At our institution we do get this question often. Students have been promised things before and have felt burned by other schools. First and foremost we tell them we can not guarantee our credits will transfer as it is up to each receiving institution. Just the same as an admissions rep I can't guarantee their previously credits will transfer to our school. They are informed of the process to provide a transcript to be reviewed by our registrar's office.
Finding out why transferring credits is important to understand the student as well. I feel its important to explain to students as career training schools that the degrees are terminal in nature. We are providing them with all the necessary knowledge and skills to be successful in that specific career field. That doesn't mean that further education can not be obtained in the future, but they are being set up for success in the field.
DAGMARA,
It is up to the receiving institution to determine the transferability of credits.
Patty Aronoff
Carolina,
No guarantees! The receiving institution makes the determination on the transfer of credits to their institution.
Patty Aronoff
Emily,
We need to have these honest and upfront conversations. Often students assume only to be gravely disappointed.
Patty Aronoff
We get this question all the time as our school is nationally accredited. It is imperative that we explain to each student that there is no guarantee of transfer credits. We advise them to bring in their transcripts and we will have them reviewed for possible transfers. We also recommend that if they are looking to continue on elsewhere that they need to call that college prior to applying, to verify if they will accept credits from our institution.
Amanda,
Perfect! It is up to the receiving institution to determine the transferability of credits.
Patty Aronoff
Yes,though accreditation is important to cover there are so many other factors. Including but not limited to date of when the class was taken, grade received, type of course and whether or not it applies to the program student is going into, and more.
Monique,
This is why we request official transcripts and catalogs. We must have solid, verifiable information in order to review.
Patty Aronoff
Definitely, the admission director must have explain and have student understand that not their credit hours might not be transferable and especially to other state institution.
