What is the process for transferring credits to Tacoma Community College?

I've taken some courses at another institution and am thinking about transferring them to Tacoma Community College. Does anyone know how this transfer process works and what I should prepare in advance?

You should first request for an official transcript from the institution where you took your courses. Tacoma Community College will need this official transcript to evaluate your credits. You may be able to request this online from your previous institution, or you may need to contact the registrar's office directly. There may be a fee associated.

You must then submit this transcript to the admissions office at Tacoma Community College. Once they receive it, they'll review it against their own course offerings. They'll determine if the courses you've taken match their own in terms of content, level and credits. Most colleges generally accept credits from regionally accredited institutions so it's key to ensure your prior institution has this status.

Once Tacoma Community College has evaluated your transcript, they'll inform you of how many credits they will accept. Remember, not all credits may be transferable. For instance, if you've taken highly specialized or institution-specific courses at your previous institution, they may not transfer over.

Prepare to be patient during this process. It may take several weeks for your previous institution to issue your transcript, and an additional few weeks for Tacoma Community College to assess it. You can utilize this waiting period to communicate with an academic advisor at Tacoma Community College about potential courses for your intended major, since some credits may only count as electives or general education requirements.

Finally, don’t forget to verify the transfer credit policies directly from Tacoma Community College. Policies may change, so it's important to check their official website or make a phone call to the admissions office.