How to Transfer Credits to Another University

These five steps can help you maximize your credit acceptance during the transfer process.

You’re not alone. According to a report by the National Student Clearinghouse Research Center, more than a third of college students who entered college for the first time in 2008 changed schools at least once within six years.¹ Of that group, 45% changed schools more than once.

Before you make the switch, it’s important to get credit where credit is due. Here’s how to transfer your hard-earned school credits to another university.

Step 1: Learn your university’s transfer agreements. Get started by exploring transfer agreements at your previous school. Some colleges and universities collaborate with other schools on curriculum and then create transfer agreements to maximize the number of credits that can be transferred.

Step 2: Request your transcripts. To ensure timely transfer, request transcripts as soon as you decide to apply to another university. There are several ways to do this.

• Electronic delivery – This is the fastest option. Many schools have partnered with transcript service providers that manage transcript requests.
• Direct contact – Reach out to your previous school and ask officials to email or mail your transcript to the admissions office of your new school.
• Third-party requests – In some cases, your new school can request transcripts on your behalf.

Step 3: Submit official transcripts. Send your official transcripts by the listed deadlines to increase your chances of credit transfer and avoid enrollment delays. At Walden University, official transcripts are required within 30 days of admission. As you’re waiting for your official transcripts to arrive, you can submit unofficial transcripts to expedite your free transfer-of-credit evaluation. This evaluation includes a summary of courses accepted for transfer.

Step 4: Share work and life experience. You may be able to earn college credit (saving money and time) if you’ve previously served in the military or worked in a career. At Walden University, work and life experience credits can come from direct credit transfers, prior learning assessment portfolios, and professional certifications or designations.

Step 5: Talk with the admissions office. Once your transfer is complete, meet with your enrollment specialist or academic advisor to learn which classes will count toward your degree and which ones you still need to take. Knowing your total number of transferable credits will also help determine the length of your program and tuition savings. Don’t forget to update any federal student aid documents.

Ease of Transferring to Walden University

Walden University provides more than 80 online degree programs that make it easy for adult learners to balance academics with work and family commitments. Perhaps that is why so many students decide to complete their degree at Walden. While the number of transferable credits varies by student, Walden allows up to 75% of required undergraduate credits or up to 50% of required graduate credits to be transferred, potentially saving you time and money. Walden will even pay your transcript fee for you.

Without the need to travel to class, you can earn a bachelor’s degree, master’s degree, or doctoral degree on your own schedule, from the comfort of home—or wherever it works best for you.

Walden University is an accredited institution offering bachelor’s, master’s, and doctoral degree programs online. Expand your career options and earn your degree in a convenient, flexible format that fits your busy life.

¹Source: https://nscresearchcenter.org/wp-content/uploads/SignatureReport9.pdf

Walden University is accredited by The Higher Learning Commission, www.hlcommission.org.