Will My Credits Transfer? 8 Things to Know About College Transfer Courses
Is academic advising for college transfer students available?
All community colleges and universities – including the University of St. Thomas – support transfer student success with academic advising. Our transfer student advisors are experts at degree planning and will help you with:
- Interpreting test scores and transcripts
- Registering and class scheduling
- Completing an individual plan and setting goals
- Selecting a degree completion plan that matches your interests and skills
Will my credits transfer?
Your University of St. Thomas admissions counselor can review your transcript and class schedule to ensure enrollment in classes that transfer credits easily. If you take remedial, performance or vocational work courses, these do not transfer to a 4-year institution.
As you start on your search for universities that interest you, look for information about college class transfers they accept. For example, most universities offer transfer course guides online that provide a roadmap to courses that best transfer and fit the description of the majors offered at the university.
How will my college classes transfer?
Early planning is the key to successfully transferring to a new college or university or returning to a 4-year institution and maximizing your transfer credits. Start by working closely with your advisor. Academic advising will help you set up a plan for success. The advisors are trained to tackle any college transfer questions, even the ones that seem impossible at the time, and will help you with a plan to complete your education at a 4-year university.
Every college has different guidelines; so make sure to speak with an admissions counselor at the university you want to attend prior to making your final decision. Typically, universities accept up to 72 hours from community colleges and 90 hours from universities.
Are there minimum GPA requirements for college transfers?
All universities have minimum academic standards to get transferable credit hours so maintaining your GPA is important. You typically need a 2.0 GPA for a course to transfer. In addition, there are overall GPA requirements to enter a university. UST requires a cumulative GPA of 2.50 (on 4.0 scale) for transfer students.
Do public and private universities have different degree requirements?
Yes, public universities have state mandated degree requirements. In Texas, these requirements facilitate college class transfers from community colleges to public universities. Private universities have more flexibility and typically have different core requirements that fit the mission of the university.
What is a residency requirement?
For degree-seeking students, a credit hour residency requirement indicates the number of credits you must complete through the university in order to graduate.
Your university admissions counselor can provide a transcript review along with guidance on transferrable classes to help student and adult degree completion. Some university websites provide an option where you can find your counselor to set up an appointment.
What university resources are available to help transfer students succeed?
In general, universities support student success through a wide variety of services such as Academic Advising, Tutoring, Counseling and Disability, Admissions, Financial Aid and International Services. Admissions counselors, advisors and university staff work together to help you plan for the move.
How will I know what college to transfer to?
Universities range from very large public institutions to small private colleges. They all have advantages, so it’s simply a matter of finding the one that fits best with who you are and what you’re looking for.
For example, in smaller class environments you may be more likely to form and maintain a personal bond with your instructors, as they have more time to get to know each student in the classroom.
If you have additional questions or would like more insight about how to best prepare for transferring to another college or returning to college for adult degree completion, I’d be happy to assist. You can find my contact info on The University of St. Thomas website.