Janice Lozano
Transferring to a new college or university is a common practice among students who want to maximize their time and academic spending. Transfer credit equivalency, also called course equivalency, is a term used in higher education to explain how two institutions compare courses, and equivalencies are used to determine how much coursework is covered in one area of study. International transfer students need to understand the process of course equivalence to ensure that their credits will be accepted at their new institution. The process can vary depending on the country and institution, but typically involves an evaluation of the student's transcripts and coursework to determine if the courses and credits are transferable and meet the requirements of the new institution.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Transfer credit equivalency | A term used in higher education to explain how two institutions compare courses, and equivalencies are used to determine how much coursework is covered in one area of study |
| Transfer credit evaluation | Determines at what ratio your courses transfer |
| Transfer of credits from China | 1 Chinese school credit = 0.6 or 0.7 U of M credits |
| Transfer of credits from Korea | 1 Korean school credit = 0.9 U of M credits |
| Transfer of ECTS credits | 1 ECTS credit = 0.5 U of M credits |
| Undergraduate degree credits at the University of Minnesota | 120 credits |
| Number of credits per academic year at the University of Minnesota | 30 credits |
| Number of credits per semester at the University of Minnesota | 15 credits |
| Coursework evaluation | The Office of Admissions International unit evaluates coursework of institutions outside the United States to determine if they are transferable |
| Transfer of credits from international institutions | Goodwin University accepts international credit earned at collegiate institutions outside of the U.S. by evaluating international transcripts through an evaluation service that is a member of the National Association of Credential Evaluation Services (NACES) |
| Course criterion | The OneStop Student Services Education Requirements page provides information on each LE course criterion |
| Course review | The Office of Admissions reviews coursework to satisfy specific LE requirements |
| Course denial | Contact the Office of Admissions for queries regarding a course that is denied transfer or doesn't count toward a LE requirement |
| Academic departments evaluate transfer courses | To determine if the course is a direct course match with a University of Minnesota course or if it fits into a major or minor |
| SEVIS record transfer | The current school transfers the SEVIS record to the new school so that they can issue an I-20, a form certifying the student's eligibility for academic or vocational student status |
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Transfer credit evaluation
For instance, the University of Minnesota Twin Cities evaluates the coursework of institutions outside the United States to determine their transferability and whether they fulfill Liberal Education (LE) requirements. The University of Minnesota's Office of Admissions determines the transfer ratio based on the number of credits of transferable work completed in a semester or academic year. The conversion rate may differ depending on the student's transcript and may not be the same across other University of Minnesota campuses or U.S. schools.
Similarly, the University of Maine requires international transfer students to obtain a professional course-by-course evaluation of all university-level work from a professional credential evaluation service with National Association of Credential Evaluation Services (NACES) membership. The University of Maine's Office of International Programs evaluates most international credentials in-house, but students may be asked to complete an external evaluation to confirm documentation authenticity and provide guidance on credit and grade conversions.
Goodwin University accepts international credit earned at collegiate institutions outside the U.S. by evaluating international transcripts through an evaluation service that is a member of NACES. Transfer students must contact a NACES member evaluator and request an evaluation of their transcript.
Additionally, UMGC Europe accepts credential and credit evaluations from any NACES-approved organization for course transfer credit toward UMGC programs or degrees. However, an evaluation by an international evaluation agency does not guarantee acceptance or use in the UMGC degree, and additional information may be requested.
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Course equivalency
Transfer credit equivalency, also called course equivalency, is a term used in higher education to explain how two institutions compare courses. Course equivalencies are used to determine how much coursework in one area of study is comparable to another. The process of transferring credits can vary depending on the institution, and there may be different requirements for international students.
For instance, Goodwin University accepts international credits earned at institutions outside the U.S. by evaluating international transcripts through an evaluation service that is a member of the National Association of Credential Evaluation Services (NACES). Transfer students must contact a NACES member evaluator to request an evaluation of their transcript, and then request that the original official evaluation be sent to Goodwin University in a sealed envelope.
The University of Minnesota Twin Cities evaluates the coursework of institutions outside the United States to determine if they are transferable and if they fulfill Liberal Education (LE) requirements. The University posts transfer credits on the Transfer Record of Articulated Courses (TRAC) report, which outlines whether courses have transferred and whether any LE requirements have been met. The University of Minnesota also determines if a course is a direct course match with one of its own, often called an equivalent course, or if it fits into a major or minor without having an equivalent course, often called a major elective course.
Transferology is a nationwide network that helps students explore college transfer options by providing a quick and intuitive way of answering questions about transfer credit. Students can use Transferology to determine if their courses and exams are eligible for credit at the institutions to which they are applying.
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International credit acceptance
When transferring from an international institution to a university in the United States, for example, students typically need to submit their transcripts and academic records for evaluation. This process determines how many credits will transfer and at what ratio. For instance, the University of Minnesota Twin Cities evaluates international transcripts to determine transferability and fulfilment of Liberal Education (LE) requirements. Credits from China usually transfer at a ratio of 0.6 or 0.7, while credits from Korea transfer at 0.9 and ECTS credits at 0.5.
Goodwin University, on the other hand, accepts international credit earned at collegiate institutions outside the U.S. by evaluating transcripts through an evaluation service that is a member of the National Association of Credential Evaluation Services (NACES). Students must request an evaluation of their transcripts and ensure the official evaluation is sent to the university.
Additionally, students can ensure their credits are transferable by earning credits through examinations. For example, Goodwin University accepts credits from testing centres such as the College Level Examination Program (CLEP) and Advanced Placement (AP) tests.
It is important to note that transfer policies can vary between universities, and students should consult the specific requirements of their intended institution. English proficiency tests, such as the TOEFL, may also be recommended before considering transfer options. Students should also be aware of any requirements for maintaining their legal status when transferring to a university in another country, such as transferring their SEVIS record to maintain their student status in the U.S.
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GPA calculation
When it comes to international transfer students, universities have developed a set of resources to understand their academic backgrounds. Admissions representatives travel globally to understand the regions and schools, and they work closely with national bodies to evaluate transcripts. While the GPA is an important factor, other qualifications and factors are also considered for course equivalence. For instance, in the UK, a 13-year education system may be considered alongside qualifications of an equivalent standard, such as the IBDP, APs, or university/college credit.
The GPA calculation for international students can be tricky due to the different grading systems used worldwide. The United States uses a 4.0 scale for GPA calculations, and each letter grade corresponds to a specific value on this scale. For example, an "A" grade typically represents a 4.0, a "B" is a 3.0, and so on. However, these letter grades may have different numerical equivalents in other countries. The European Credit Transfer and Accumulation System (ECTS) employs a grading scale from A to F, where A represents the top 10% of the class, B represents the next 25%, and so on.
To address these discrepancies, online GPA calculators have been created to assist international students in converting their grades into the US GPA system. These calculators take into account the unique grading scales of different countries and provide a US GPA equivalent. For instance, a "B" grade in Germany, which may equate to a 1.7, would be closer to an American "A" grade with a value of 3.0.
It is important to note that universities evaluate international transcripts within the context of the country's educational system. They consider the grading philosophy and individual school variations. For instance, Brazil employs a punitive grading philosophy, but the degree of punishment varies by school. Thus, universities strive to give international applicants a fair evaluation by considering the specific context of their academic background.
Additionally, universities may offer resources and guidelines specifically for international students to help them understand the admissions process and requirements. These resources can provide valuable insights into how course equivalence is determined and how GPAs are evaluated in the context of their academic backgrounds.
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Immigration status
International students transferring to a US institution must maintain legal immigration status during the transfer process. This involves following instructions from the Designated School Official (DSO) at the transfer-in school for the timely issuance of their I-20. The DSO is responsible for helping students maintain their legal status to study in the US.
The US government uses the Student and Exchange Visitor Information System (SEVIS) to maintain information on international students. The academic transfer must happen first, after which the student can request that their current school transfer the SEVIS record so that the new school can issue an I-20 form. This form certifies that the student is eligible for F-1 academic student or M-1 vocational student status.
F-1 students must maintain their status by pursuing a full course of study or engaging in post-completion optional practical training (OPT) until the transfer release date. They must notify the DSO at their current school of their request to transfer to another SEVP-certified school. M-1 students must apply to the US Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) on an Application to Extend/Change Nonimmigrant Status (Form I-539) for permission to transfer between schools.
International students must understand the US credit system to make informed choices about their courses each semester. This is vital for maintaining compliance with immigration policies, as falling below the required number of credits can violate the terms of a student visa, leading to serious immigration issues. Students should also be aware of the potential impact of their transfer release date on their ability to re-enter the US and their work authorisations.
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Frequently asked questions
Course equivalence, also known as transfer credit equivalence, is a term used in higher education to explain how two institutions compare courses. Equivalencies are used to determine how much coursework is covered in one area of study.
This depends on the university you are transferring to. Most universities have an office or unit that evaluates coursework from institutions outside the United States to determine if they are transferable. They may also determine if these courses fulfill certain requirements, such as Liberal Education (LE) requirements.
To ensure that your courses are considered for transfer, you will need to contact the admissions office of your new university and submit your transcripts for evaluation. This process can take several weeks, so it is important to start early. You may also need to submit additional documents, such as an introduction, resume, credit request summary, and work examples.
