Maximizing Your Transfer Credit: Part 1

2016-07-18T11:26:53-04:00

How many schools have you attended throughout your academic journey? Have you changed your career and educational goals every time you and your spouse change duty stations?

It is important to decide upon a degree path and stick to it as best as possible. Military life happens and career and educational goals change, but you can’t finish your education if the end goal is a moving target.

All too often, I work with students who have an excessive amount of credits from multiple universities. The amount of coursework completed and the credits earned far exceed the number of credits required for an associate degree or, in some cases, a bachelor’s. But the student has yet to earn any degree. This situation becomes frustrating and is a complete motivation killer for the student.

Studies show that the longer it takes to work through a degree program, the likelihood that a student will drop out increases. In 2014, the National Student Clearinghouse (NSC) reported that 81 percent of those who completed their degrees did so in six years or less, whereas 64 percent of those not completing their degrees spent more than six years on their studies.

When I discuss academic goals with a military spouse, veteran, or servicemember, I often come across an unfortunate scenario: a large number of earned credits that cannot be transferred into a particular program of interest. Schools must carefully review transfer credit to ensure that each credit is a near match with a course in the degree plan.

Here’s how to avoid this problem in your academic journey.

- Pick the Right School for Your Needs

Military families regularly find themselves in a new state or country, always integrating into a new community and often relying upon referrals from other people for quality products or services. Students often have little knowledge of the prominent schools in particular areas or the online options available to them. These situations can lead to picking the wrong school for your educational needs.

Finding a school that will work with you to achieve your goals and show you a clearly defined path is relatively painless if you know with whom to connect and where to look. Now that more schools offer quality online programs, it is easier to complete a degree (http://bit.ly/AMU-tc1) as you move from one duty station to another. It just takes some planning and a school that is willing to work with you to achieve your educational goals.

- If You Change Schools, Maximize Your Transfer Credits

The term “student swirl” has gained popularity over the past decade as educators found that many of today’s college students tend to change schools at least once during the pursuit of a degree. In 2015, the National Student Clearinghouse reported that over one-third of college students transfer at least once throughout their academic careers and almost half of those students transfer more than once.

The “student swirl” is an interesting trend as more and more adult learners enter colleges where many students are affiliated with the military. In many cases, it is beneficial for some students to change schools. The trick is to make sure you maximize your transfer credits to a new school without losing your academic credits or to minimize the loss of credits.

- Have a Plan

First-time college students should focus on general education courses within the first 33-36 credits of their college venture. General education program requirements usually yield the most transfer credits, compared to the specialized major or minor courses. When you transfer to a new school or degree program, most of your credits will probably be transferable because you completed the general education courses first.

- Know Who to See about Your Educational Situation

Many military installations have education centers with resources to help you plan your academic career. If you are unsure of your next move, talk with a guidance counselor at the education center. He or she should have good advice on what schools best suit your needs.

School admission representatives and counselors at the university are able to assist you with your transfer credit questions either at the point of admission or through the transfer credit process. If you are not happy with the information and assistance you are receiving, contact AMU’s transfer credit department at [login to see] . They will provide you with a road map of how your previously earned credits can be applied toward your program of interest.

Get the information you need before you apply for admission. Many schools offer a courtesy review of your prior credits and non-traditional credits, so you’ll have a good idea of what to expect regarding your credits should you decide to transfer. If the school cannot provide this information or if their application of your transfer credit is unacceptable, it may be best to find another option.

- Ask Yourself the Right Questions

Before you go through the transfer credit process, it’s helpful to analyze your situation and think hard about your academic goals. Here are some questions to consider during that self-analysis:

What degree is best suited for me and how can I maximize my transfer credits?

If you have a lot of credits beyond general education courses, you have what I call “potluck” credit. You may have some credits in criminal justice, some in IT and even some in emergency management. How do all of these courses translate into a degree? Select a program with a lot of room for elective credit to maximize the number of previous credits that you can apply toward a degree.

Are my credits from a nationally- or regionally- accredited school and what type of credit does this school accept?

College credit comes in many forms: regional, national, and non-traditional credit such as standardized test (CLEP, for example) and American Council on Education (ACE) Recommended Credits. Schools treat various types of credits differently. Find out how the school you’re considering will treat each type of credit that you have.

Is there credit for prior learning?

Many schools work with you to evaluate your past experience and help you build a portfolio for potential academic credit. Determine if the school you are considering accepts prior learning credit and discuss the process with them in detail.

Are there any internal institutional policies that apply to me?

Servicemembers and veterans may have military training that is directly relevant to a program offered by the school based on ACE-recommended credit. Look for schools that offer programs and internal policies that accept military training and directly apply that credit toward a degree program.

By doing your research, picking the right school and being savvy about where to transfer your credits, your credit transfer experience will become smoother. You may even make your academic journey shorter by converting your work experience into academic credit.

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Response by SGT Private RallyPoint Member made Jul 18 at 2016 11:33 AM

2016-07-18T11:33:10-04:00

Leave it to AMU to present the best college advice compared to all universities. I just got an e-mail from AMU. . . and another bullet on my to-do list. *sigh*

I didn't see the JST or VMET mentioned, though.

Response by MSgt James Mullis made Jul 18 at 2016 1:56 PM

2016-07-18T13:56:18-04:00

For those of you with credits to be transferred to a new school, here are a couple additional points to keep in mind.
1. Course work typically only lasts for around 6 years or so or until the university you attended changes its course catalog. So, its important to get the credits transferred to the new university as soon as possible.
2. Almost all universities will take credit transfers as long as the prior university was regionally accredited (national accreditation can be a little iffy). However, almost all universities will require you to take the last two years worth of classes from them (because they want your money).
3. Credits transfer but not the grade and that is important for those of you worried about your GPA. Why? Because if you are required to take a course you are afraid you will do badly in, you can take it at another school and transfer the credit to your current school while not taking a hit against your GPA. For this reason, it might not be a good idea to maximize your transfer credits up front.

Response by Capt Brandon Charters made Jul 18 at 2016 2:15 PM

2016-07-18T14:15:30-04:00

Really enjoyed this piece SSG Tonda (Dillivan-Rudoll) Navarrete.
"Is there credit for prior learning?" This question many times goes unasked and it's important to see what might be available when the school's admissions staff looks at your full background. Don't leave anything out in these discussions. Could save you semesters worth of course work. I've been really impressed at seeing more schools crediting military experience.

Response by CMSgt Danny Roby made Jul 18 at 2016 2:31 PM

2016-07-18T14:31:58-04:00

Great insights Tonda...thanks for sharing! The world of transfer credit can be a rough and rocky road if you are not well armed with knowledge. This information will definitely help many!

Response by CAPT Kevin B. made Jul 18 at 2016 7:23 PM

2016-07-18T19:23:59-04:00

Credits are a something like American Express. They aren't accepted everywhere. The other thing is you want to make sure your degree at the end of the pipeline is worth the paper it's printed on. Most professions have educational standards, and along with states, licensing standards. You just can't take "nurse stuff" and hope to be eligible to sit a license exam later on.

I'm much more familiar with the engineering and science side. So if you take an engineering course from an ABET EAC listed school, it's good for taking licensure later on. If it's a technology type course, that's ABET ETEC. Similar for applied science and computing. Other professional credentialing bodies will weigh in on what's acceptable coursework and degrees from what schools they accredit.

The variety of accredited programs means if you take courses from one accredited school and then transfer to another, your credits are good. If not, one of the schools will have an interesting "Come to Jesus" meeting with the accrediting body. So watch out for the snake oil out there.

Response by MAJ Raúl Rovira made Jul 19 at 2016 12:49 AM

2016-07-19T00:49:53-04:00

I spent several months researching for a graduate program that would maximize ILE credits. I found out that both UMUC and Central Michigan University give 15 credits (5 classes) towards a a masters degree. Think about it, one class and you are half way there. You are saving about $7,500 in tuition and 40 weeks of school.

Response by MAJ David Brand made Jul 21 at 2016 3:03 PM

2016-07-21T15:03:13-04:00

Take a look at this very successful program that has helped many Soldiers earn their college degree!

https://www.linkedin.com/pulse/special-operations-applying-experiential-credit-college-kalahiki

special-operations-applying-experiential-credit-college-kalahiki

Response by MSG Private RallyPoint Member made Jul 27 at 2016 1:22 PM

2016-07-27T13:22:54-04:00

Awesome information, I am currently finishing up at Upper Iowa University and I had over 60 hours to transfer, and 16 of them are upper division. Any SM still in should go to any and all functional training to up those hours!

Response by SGM Private RallyPoint Member made Aug 17 at 2016 2:05 PM

2016-08-17T14:05:59-04:00

Great info! Couple of additional things to add from my experience getting a BA:
1) Download your AARTS Transcript at https://www.atrrs.army.mil/selfdevctr/login/loginSDC.aspx?ntul=ST
2) Download your Joint Services Transcript at https://jst.doded.mil/smart/signIn.do
3) Find a school that will accept the maximum number of credits from these transcripts and apply for enrollment.
4) Have a plan for the shortest path towards a degree.
5) Stick to the plan and track progress towards your goal.

Response by SrA Chris "Shadow" McGee made Aug 17 at 2016 4:09 PM

2016-08-17T16:09:15-04:00

SSG Tonda (Dillivan-Rudoll) Navarrete Great Post with several things to think about as i research going back for my Master's Degree.

Response by CDR James Funk made Aug 17 at 2016 8:34 PM

2016-08-17T20:34:58-04:00

Attend a Servicemember Opportunity College (SOC) (http://www.soc.aascu.org/socdns/Default.html) member institution. SOC institutions have agreed to work together for military personnel to obtain a degree and not have to begin again with each PCS move. These colleges have SOC counselors who can put together an academic plan so that you can take classes elsewhere, transfer them to the home college, and receive a degree.

Servicemembers Opportunity Colleges — File Not Found

Response by SGM Barry Kindred made Aug 17 at 2016 8:44 PM

2016-08-17T20:44:33-04:00

Great picture of me. Took 8yrs for my B. S.
Same things you discussed are very important indeed. Sometimes there is no chance for the weary.
I'm glad I had the tenacity.