Has anyone successfully transferred credits from an online college to a traditional school? I'm thinking of doing some online courses but want to make sure they'll transfer. Would love to hear anyone's experience with this!
Transferring credits from an online college to a brick-and-mortar institution can be done, though it's important to keep in mind a few key factors.
First, make sure that the online college is accredited by an agency recognized by the U.S. Department of Education or the Council for Higher Education Accreditation. Accreditation is the foremost determining factor in terms of credit transferability. If the college is accredited, other institutions are more likely to accept its credits, though the transfer is never guaranteed and schools can have varying policies.
Second, the specific course evaluations matter. Often, credits transfer when they are part of an equivalent course at the traditional school. For example, if you're taking English Composition I online, many traditional universities offer an equivalent course, so there's a higher chance they'll accept the credit. Conversely, more specialized or unique courses may not transfer as easily.
Finally, it's wise to contact both the school you're planning on taking the online courses from and the institution where you intend to transfer the credits. Each school has its transfer policies, so it's best to get all the details directly from the source. For instance, some schools have a cap on the number of credits you can transfer.
Ultimately, each institution will evaluate your credits based on its academic standards, and final approval rests with that institution. However checking the accreditation status, course equivalency, and schools' policies can increase the chances that the credits will successfully transfer.
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