What to do with college course credits that don't transfer?

I've heard that some college course credits don't transfer when moving schools. If that's the case, can I retake those courses at my new college, or is there another way to meet those requirements?

Yes, it can definitely be a frustrating experience to realize that some of your hard-earned college credits don't automatically transfer when you switch schools. However, you still have options.

Firstly, before resigning to the idea that you have to repeat the course, you might want to speak in depth with the registrar’s office or your academic advisor at your new school. In some cases, they might be able to manually evaluate your completed coursework and provide credit based on syllabi or course descriptions from your previous institution.

Depending on your situation and the requirements of your program at the new school, you may indeed need to retake some courses if they are essential prerequisites for other classes or if they are core components of your major.

The situation is different for general education credits that don't transfer. You might simply need to take different courses at your new school that satisfy the same general education requirements. For example, if a literature class you took doesn't transfer over, you might have the option to take a different literature class – or even a course from another discipline that fits within the same requirement category.

Finally, be sure to maximize the use of the non-transferrable credits as electives if allowed. Many degree programs incorporate a number of open elective or free elective credits, which effectively allow for a bit of customization in the student's curriculum. If your transfer credits fall into this category, they might still allow you to graduate more swiftly.

Remember that the rules for transferring credits can differ vastly not just between academic institutions but also between departments within the same university. It is therefore crucial to directly contact relevant faculty or staff at your new school for accurate information and guidance regarding your specific situation.