How do transfer credits work at Kirkwood Community College?

I'm thinking about transferring from Kirkwood Community College to a four-year university and wondered how transfer credits are handled. Do any universities have partnerships with Kirkwood? Any tips on ensuring my credits transfer smoothly?

Sure thing, transferring credits can be quite an involved process, so it's smart you're asking about this ahead of time. The process largely revolves around both institutions: the school you're transferring from (in this case, Kirkwood Community College) and the school you're transferring to. It generally involves the latter school evaluating the courses you've taken to see if they match their course requirements.

When it comes to partnerships, many community colleges, including Kirkwood, have articulation agreements with four-year institutions. These agreements simplify the transfer process by predetermining which courses at the community college satisfy which requirements at the four-year institution. Worth noting, Kirkwood Community College has transfer partnerships with several universities including University of Iowa, Mount Mercy University, among others. Be sure to research or reach out to a counselor at Kirkwood to see if they have a partnership with the school you're interested in.

As for ensuring your credits transfer smoothly, here are a few pointers:

1. Save your syllabi. A syllabus provides the information schools will need to determine if a course you took at Kirkwood matches one of their courses.

2. Stay in touch with academic advisors at both schools. They can provide you with information about which credits will and won't transfer.

3. Look for comparable courses. The closer a Kirkwood course matches a course at your new school, the more likely it will be accepted.

4. Try to finish your associate degree before transferring. Many schools have agreements to accept all credits from a completed associate degree.

Remember, transfer policies can vary widely from school to school, so it's worth taking the time to research each university you're considering. Best of luck with your studies and future transfer!