Transferring Credits to an Online College?

I'm considering transferring to an online college and wondering if my current credits will transfer over smoothly. Does anyone have experience with this? I'd love some advice on what to expect in terms of credit evaluations and acceptance.

Transferring credits to an online university is a process that will differ based on the specific institution you are considering, the subject matter of your earned credits, and the accreditation of both your current and prospective schools.

A key factor to look at is whether both schools are regionally accredited, as this is the most widely accepted form of accreditation. Credits from regionally accredited institutions are typically more likely to be transferrable. National accreditation is less common and less widely accepted, but don't rule it out without checking with the potential transfer school first.

Also, it's important to know that each college will have its own policies on accepting transfer credits. For some colleges, they have certain grade or score thresholds for transferable credits, so if the grade in a certain class was below a designated level, the credit may not transfer. Some schools may not accept older credits, typically more than 5-7 years old. In addition, while general education credits often transfer easily, program-specific credits may not always transfer, especially if the new program has a unique curriculum.

In the case of online universities, they generally have offices or departments dedicated to evaluating transfer credits. You can usually submit your transcripts to them for an evaluation, which will give you a good estimate of how many credits will transfer before you commit to the move.

Lastly, remember it's always wise to directly reach out to the admissions office of the online college to inquire about the transfer process and to ask for their advice. Do your due diligence and ask detailed questions about their process and how they handle specific situations relevant to your case. For instance, I've heard from students who found it helpful to ask how the online college treats credits from specific courses in their current program.

Remember, transferring is a common practice and colleges typically have experience and systems to handle this process. The key is to start the process early, be organized, and follow through on your end. It may take a bit of legwork on your part, but it certainly is manageable.