Can FEMA College Credits Transfer to Other Schools?

I've taken some FEMA online courses and earned credits. I'm wondering if anyone has experience transferring these credits to a college. Any tips on how to make sure these credits count toward my degree?

Sure, FEMA (Federal Emergency Management Agency) does have an extensive online course catalog through the Emergency Management Institute (EMI), and some of these courses are indeed eligible for college credit.

However, whether these credits can be transferred to a specific college depends heavily on that school's particular transfer credit policy. Several colleges do recognize and accept these EMI credits, but the exact course equivalency can vary greatly. For example, some schools might apply these credits as elective credits within a related major (like Public Administration or Emergency Management), while others might count them as general elective credits.

The first step in this process would be to have your EMI credits reviewed by the American Council on Education (ACE), which can translate your FEMA coursework into a transcript college will understand. After receiving an ACE transcript, you can send this to the college you're interested in attending.

Remember, before you spend much time and effort in this process, check with the registrar's office or the admissions office at your potential college. They can give you a clear idea of how they handle transfer credits, especially from unconventional sources like FEMA.

Keep in mind, too, that even if the credits aren't directly accepted by your preferred institution, having these courses on your transcript could still be advantageous. It demonstrates a clear commitment to learning, not to mention your interest in public service and emergency management, which could be a boon in the application process and narrative supplements.

In summary, confirm the credit transfer possibility with the specific institution to which you want to transfer the credits. But, don't forget the intrinsic benefits that come with taking such courses, whether the credits transfer or not.