How does online college class transfer work?

I'm thinking about taking some online classes to get ahead in college credits. How does the transfer process work for online classes when trying to get them counted towards a degree at a different college?

Transferring online college credits involves a process that is similar to transferring credits from traditional, on-campus courses. Here are the general steps that you would take:

1. Research Articulation Agreements: Some colleges have arrangements called "articulation agreements" with other institutions. These agreements establish that certain courses at one institution are equivalent to certain courses at another, facilitating the transfer process. If your target college has such an agreement with the institution offering your online courses, your credits are more likely to transfer.

2. Understand Transfer Policies: Different colleges have unique transfer policies. Most institutions have a policy that to be transferable, a course should be similar in scope, depth, and length to the course offered at the target college. Also, the institution where the course was taken should be accredited. You'll want to consult an academic advisor or transfer credit office at the target college for specific guidelines.

3. Choose Transferable Courses: It's crucial to choose online courses that are likely to transfer to your target college. General education courses or introductory courses in your major are the most likely to be accepted. In contrast, highly specialized or unique courses may not find an equivalent at the target college.

4. Confirm Transferability Before Enrollment: Most importantly, before you enroll in an online course, reach out to the admissions office or the department of your major at the target college to confirm that the course you're considering will be accepted for credit. You might be asked to provide a course syllabus or detailed course description for review.

5. Achieve Satisfactory Marks: Pass your online courses with the best grades possible. Many institutions have a minimum grade requirement (often a C or better) for transferred credits.

6. Request Official Transcript: Upon completion, request an official transcript from the institution offering the online course. Usually, you can do this online or by contacting the registrar's office. Then, have this transcript sent directly to the target institution.

Remember, each institution has its own transfer policy, so what works for one may not work for another. The best measure is always to check with the institutions involved before you enroll in any course with the intention to transfer the credit.