Transferring schools is becoming more common for college students as higher education returns to its pre-pandemic status quo. Consider these highlights from 2023 data collected by the National Student Clearinghouse Research Center:

• The number of college students who transferred to a new school in fall 2023 grew 5.3 percent compared to the previous fall.
• Transfer students represented 13.2% of all continuing and returning undergraduates, up from 12.5% the previous year.

College students who embark on this path may encounter a lack of information about the transfer process. To combat this, we’ve published this series of articles to help potential transfer students learn everything they need to know to make the process as quick and easy as possible.

What to Expect When Transferring Credits

The most critical element of the transfer process is making sure that your hard work as a student is carried forward to your new school and degree program. Each school is different, so make sure to contact your new university to determine how many credits they will accept. Also, research the courses and goals of your degree program, as this may impact how many of your previous credits are accepted. For example, if you completed a class in your chosen field of study that does not align with the academic rigor or values of your new school, they may deny those credits.

To explore this further, follow this link for our article about questions to ask when transferring credits.

Credit for Professional Certifications and Training

Many students already work in the field that they’re studying, and this experience may have included some kind of training program, professional certification, or license. Because these represent a form of on-the-job or third-party provided education, they can sometimes be accepted as college credit.

If you have certifications you think might apply, learn more about how to submit them for consideration in our article about professional certifications and training.

Credit for Work Experience

Like certifications, certain elements of your day-to-day work experience can be considered for college credit, depending on the field of study. Since working in the field gives you an invaluable understanding of the subject matter you’re studying, many schools consider your work achievements valid for college credit. Once you submit examples of your work and expertise, it will be reviewed by the school.

To learn more, here’s our article about receiving credit for work experience.

Credit for Military Service

If you’re a military veteran, your service may be accepted as college credit in certain fields. Each school has a unique policy regarding military service credit – and some do not accept it – so it can make a difference to find a school that will give your military record consideration. Once you find a school and begin the application process, you’ll need to obtain your Joint Services Transcript, or JST. The JST serves as your definitive record, documenting every detail of your training and service. As with other transfer credit processes, your prospective school will review your JST and determine which elements of it will be accepted as transfer credits.

To learn more about this process, here’s our guide to receiving college credit for military service.

College-Level Examination Program

The College-Level Examination Program – or CLEP – is a way for students who already have expertise in a certain subject to display their knowledge and earn credits toward their degree. Depending on the subject matter and your previous experience, colleges may accept CLEP exam results and allow you to bypass certain general studies course requirements, which allows you to focus on the subject matter you care about most. Before you sign up, ask your school about CLEP exams and determine whether it’s worth it for you to pay the fees for an exam.

Here's our breakdown about CLEP exams.

Articulation Agreements

An articulation agreement is an agreed-upon set of standards and rules between two schools, typically between a community college and university. It codifies the relationship between the schools and the process through which students can transfer from one to the other. They can sometimes include automatic acceptance, degree tracks for credit transfers, and dual enrollment. Because articulation agreements are designed to help students obtain their bachelor’s degree, they can be a great way to further your studies.

Learn more in our article about articulation agreements.

Transferring to CSU

Here at Columbia Southern University, our online degree programs are designed to help students earn a degree, no matter where they started.

To learn more about CSU’s online degree programs at the associate, bachelor’s, master’s and doctoral levels, visit our website.

Multiple factors, including prior experience, geography and degree field, affect career outcomes. CSU does not guarantee a job, promotion, salary increase, eligibility for a position, or other career growth.

Amount of transfer credits is dependent upon transcript evaluation and pending Prior Learning Assessment (PLA) process.