Understanding Miami Dade College transfer credits process

I'm planning on transferring from Miami Dade College and I'm a bit confused about how credits will transfer to my new school. How do these credits work and is there anything I should be particularly aware of?

Transferring credits from one school to another can often feel like a maze, but once you understand the process, it becomes a lot simpler. One important thing to understand is that the receiving institution (the college to which you want to transfer) has the final say about which credits will be accepted for transfer and which will not.

Regarding the credit system, Miami Dade College operates on the semester system, so if your target school is also on a semester system, the credit calculation will be straightforward--Miami Dade's credit hours should align with your new school's credit hours. However, if your target school uses a quarter system, things can get a little complicated because the conversion isn't 1-to-1. You can speak with the registrar's office at your target school for a clear understanding of how credits are converted between systems.

To ease the transfer process, do your due diligence: research the transfer policies of your target school, speak with an academic counselor from both Miami Dade and the prospective school, and, if possible, communicate with the department of your intended major at your target school as individual departments often have specific criteria for transferring credit. All these steps can provide clarity on how your credits will transfer.

When choosing your courses at Miami Dade, be mindful of the agreements some colleges have with community colleges, known as articulation agreements. These agreements ensure that certain classes and credits will transfer smoothly from one institution to another. If your target school has such an agreement with Miami Dade, you'll have a roadmap of which courses you should take to guarantee their transferability.

Finally, keep in mind that not all credits might transfer, especially those that are tied to specialized or vocation-oriented courses that don't have precise equivalents at the four-year institution.

All in all, starting your planning early and maintaining open communication with advisors and administrators in both colleges will set you up for a successful transfer. Best of luck!