What's the process for transferring online college credits?

I've taken some courses online and want to transfer those credits to a traditional college. What challenges might I face, and what's the best way to ensure the credits will transfer successfully?

The process of transferring online college credits usually involves a few steps, which are generally similar to transferring credits from a traditional campus-based institution.

First, you'll want to make sure the online institution where you've earned credits is regionally accredited, as credits from accredited institutions are more widely accepted by other colleges. National accreditation isn't valued as highly, and unaccredited institutions' credits will almost never transfer.

Next, you'll need to request official transcripts from the institution where you took the online courses. These transcripts will need to be sent directly to the institution you intend to transfer to. Some schools require this to be done electronically, others by mail, so check with your target school.

The new institution will assess if your credits are transferable by analyzing course content and outcomes. This is why the course syllabi from your online classes can be handy, so make sure to save them. If they determine the course is similar enough to a course they offer, they will generally accept the credits. They'll also check your grade in the course, as many colleges won't transfer credits for courses where the student earned below a certain grade (often a C or better).

However, there can be limitations on the number or nature of credits that will be accepted. For instance, some colleges have a limit on the total number of credits you can transfer. Others might only accept credits for general education courses, not major-specific ones.

To minimize the risk of credits not being transferred, it's best to check in advance. Reach out to the admissions office or registrar of the institution you're transferring to, and ask about their transfer policies. They should be able to give you a good idea of whether or not your credits will be accepted, though final determinations are usually made after you formally apply and send in your transcripts.

Lastly, be prepared that the process may take some time. Evaluating credits is done on a course-by-course basis and can take a few weeks to complete. So, make sure to factor in this timing if you're planning to enroll in a specific term.

In a nutshell, by doing your research upfront and being proactive in understanding transfer policies, you can facilitate a smoother process of transferring your online course credits.