How do Lone Star College transfer credits work?

I’m planning to transfer from Lone Star College to a university, but I’m not sure how the credit transfer process works. Can someone explain what credit advising involves and how it might help me?

The credit transfer process essentially involves two aspects: figuring out what credits you can transfer from Lone Star College to your university of choice, and understanding how those credits apply to your intended degree at the 4-year institution.

First, let's talk about the process of transferring credits. Universities typically evaluate individual courses from Lone Star and assess whether they match the content and rigor of their own courses. If they do, they'll accept those courses for transfer credit. The specific guidelines for transferring credits vary from university to university, thus it is always recommended that you check with the university that you plan to transfer to. Keep in mind that not all credits you earn at Lone Star may transfer over or apply to your intended degree.

Now, on to credit advising. Credit advising is a service provided at many community colleges, including Lone Star, to help students understand how their earned credits can transfer over to 4-year institutions. An advisor will help you understand the transfer process, articulate your academic goals, and map out a path to complete your intended degree program. They can also help you understand the prerequisites for certain programs and how to fulfill those requirements while at Lone Star.

For example, if you're planning to transfer into an Engineering program at a four-year university, a credit advisor might guide you through courses you need to take at Lone Star that would align with the first two years of coursework in that four-year programs. This would help maximize the number of credits you can successfully transfer.

To make the most of your time at Lone Star before transferring, I'd recommend setting up a meeting with a credit advisor as soon as possible. This way, you can ensure that the classes you're taking will directly contribute to your future degree and make your transition to the next institution smoother. It might also save you a significant amount of time and tuition in the long run.