Completing Your Degree: How to Check if Courses Transfer into a Professional Program
As the global job market continues to evolve and demand new skills, now is a great time to return to school to complete your degree. This is especially true if you’ve previously earned college credits—by transferring courses you’ve already completed, you can finish your bachelor’s degree in less time.
With varying transfer policies at different universities, you may be wondering how to check if courses transfer. Here are several tips to ensure the transfer process goes smoothly and you get the most out of your course transfers.
Compare Your Transfer Options in One Place
Previously, determining which of your college courses transferred required you to manually compare your completed courses with other institutions—one by one. Now this process is easier to navigate, largely thanks to automation. Andre Argaez, an admissions representative at Azusa Pacific University’s San Diego Regional Campus, recommends an online tool that has made a big impact.
“Transferology is a game-changer for transfer students,” Argaez said. “This database allows you to enter the courses you’ve taken and see how they would transfer to other colleges or universities.”
Using the Transferology database—an all-in-one search tool—helps streamline the process. It’s now possible for you to more quickly and easily compare how courses will transfer while determining the best transfer path for your goals. In addition, standardized exams and military courses can also be factored in to your transfer credits.
See How Your Courses Match Up
If you still have some courses to complete, you can avoid taking classes that aren’t required by reviewing your desired school’s transfer plans. APU’s transfer plans, for example, show exactly which General Education courses are required and the equivalent courses offered at other institutions. With more than 130 listed schools to compare, you can find your school and start building your transfer plan.
Additionally, whether you’re finishing your classes at one school before transferring or you’re coming back to finish a degree, a transfer plan allows for a side-by-side comparison of courses at your current or former college. With this option, you’ll have a better idea of which courses will help you work toward completing your degree.
Keep in mind that schools like Azusa Pacific offer General Education classes to students. GEs should also be considered when creating your transfer plan as those classes are often more readily available at APU than at your local community college. Take time to explore the upcoming General Education course offerings.
Review Your Transcript and Degree Requirements
It’s also wise to request a transcript evaluation directly from the university to which you want to transfer. You can see exactly how all of your previous coursework would transfer and which courses you would need to finish your degree.
If you’re interested in enrolling at APU, you can request a transcript evaluation from the admissions team simply by starting your application to one of the university’s bachelor’s completion programs and uploading a copy of your unofficial transcript(s). Plus, when you know how many courses you still need, you’ll have a better idea of your estimated tuition costs—allowing you to prepare for the financial aspects of returning to college, including financial aid opportunities.
“You’re in great hands here at APU, and we look forward to walking alongside you every step of the way,” said Argaez. He recommends reaching out to a representative from one of APU’s bachelor’s completion programs who can walk you through the entire process, from inquiry to the application to the start of your first class.
Now that you understand how to check if courses transfer, it’s time to take the next step and continue working toward your degree! Start your application for a bachelor’s completion program today and request a transcript evaluation.
Whether you want a traditional undergraduate experience or to complete your degree at a regional location or online, APU has many pathways for transfer students. Find yours at apu.edu/transfer/.
Posted: September 29, 2020