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By Vicky Phillips, Chief Education Analyst | June 16, 2009
Question:
I attended college twelve years ago and dropped out. I finished three years of college toward my four-year bachelor’s degree in business. Can I transfer all these old credits toward a new online degree? —Tom, Maryland
Answer:
Your old course credits will have to "fit" into any new college's degree structure. Because no two colleges have identical degree requirements, the transfer process rarely results in a perfect fit.
But you’re smart to ask about transfer credits. Losing credits in transfer is like losing your wallet. If you paid $150 per credit for your old courses—a modest price—and you lose fifteen credits when you transfer to a new college, you’ve lost $2,250.
Five issues can affect your transfer credit standing. Before you enroll in any online college scrutinize each school’s policies on these issues. 1) Type of Accreditation
The most important factor in transfer credits is the accreditation of the college where you took your courses. All colleges are not accredited; and among those that are, not all are equal in their accreditation.
There are two types of accreditation: regional and national. The vast majority of degree-granting colleges in the United States that award the four-year bachelor’s degree are regionally accredited. Most online colleges are regionally accredited.
The most common problem online students encounter in transferring old credits is that these credits were earned at nationally accredited colleges and they now want to transfer them to a regionally accredited college.
However, most regionally accredited colleges do not accept courses taken at nationally accredited colleges as the equivalent of their own.
A few regionally accredited online schools do accept nationally accredited credits in transfer. Ask about this specific policy before you enroll.
2) Transfer Grade Point Average (GPA)
GPA is short for Grade Point Average. Colleges require a minimum GPA for admission and to earn a degree. Colleges take letter grades, such as a “C,” and assign a numerical value to them on a 4 point (4.0) scale. They then add up these points and average them to get what is called a GPA.
Grade Point Scale
A = 4.0 B = 3.0 C = 2.0 D = 1.0 F = 0.0
Someone who has a 2.0 has a “C” GPA. Most colleges require a 2.0 transfer grade average for regular admission. A few may require a GPA in the range of 2.5 to 2.75 or a “C+" to "B-” average. All accredited colleges require a minimum 2.0 GPA to earn a degree.
You should be able to transfer old courses that carry a grade of “C” or better. Lower grades may not transfer. Depending on your cumulative transfer GPA, you may be able to transfer all or none of your old courses that carry grades below a “C.”
3) Age of Course Credits: Demonstrating Currency
We’ve seen students successfully transfer courses completed fifty or more years ago. Most colleges do not place limits on the age of general transfer credits.
However, many colleges do have special rules that apply to degree majors. These special rules may limit the transfer of credits taken for classes within your major field ten years or more ago. These special rules are designed to make sure that knowledge in your major area of study is current. Predictably, these rules are called “currency” rules.
Currency rules affect students who major in any area where knowledge can quickly become outdated. Computer programming, for example, is a subject area where things have changed drastically in the last decade. English literature, on the other hand, is an example of a degree major where the knowledge base has not changed much over time.
4) Course Levels
College courses are designed on two levels. Courses that are introductory—designed to be taken in either the freshman or sophomore year—are termed lower level courses. These courses are numbered 100 (freshman) or 200 (sophomore). Courses that are commonly taken in either the junior (third-300) or senior (fourth-400) year, and which cover more advanced subjects, are termed upper level.
To earn a bachelor’s degree, colleges will require you to take a minimum number of upper level or junior/senior courses. You will be required to take most of these upper level courses in your major area. Most distance learning colleges require that from half (60 semester credits) to one-quarter (30 semester credits) of your bachelor's degree consist of upper level courses.
5) Residency Requirements
Regardless of how many credits you have already earned, almost all online colleges require that a certain number of credits be earned from them in order to earn a degree from them. This is called a “residency requirement.”
The standard residency rule in earning a bachelor’s degree is that you must take at least 30 semester credits (10 courses) from the college that is going to award your degree. This is one year of academic study.
A few colleges may insist that you take up to half your degree (60 semester credits) from them. Check “residency requirements” carefully before enrolling in any online bachelor’s completion program.
I’m looking for an online MBA. I’ve found several that fit my budget but none are accredited by the AACSB. What is the AACSB? Do I really need a distance MBA degree that is accredited by them?
—Roberta, Gary, IN
The AACSB is the Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business International. It is considered the gold standard of business school accreditation. But not every student needs an AACSB-accredited MBA...
I was laid off from my job as a real estate agent and want to be a high school math teacher, but my bachelor’s degree is in psychology. Do I need a new degree in education? Will an online bachelor’s in education qualify me to become a licensed teacher?
—Willis, Houston, Texas
If you didn’t earn a bachelor’s degree in education years ago and you now want to teach in the public schools, don’t fret. Every state maintains what are termed “alternative teacher certification” programs...
University of Texas System -- The UT TeleCampus delivers online courses and degree programs from University of Texas System institutions at the graduate and undergraduate level. Programs include: MBA, MPA, MSN, Master’s of Education programs, a handful of bachelor’s completion programs including an RN-BSN, accelerated bachelor’s degrees (coming fall 2010) and various other degrees and certificates. All UT campuses participating in UT TeleCampus-based degrees are SACS (Southern Association of Colleges and Schools) accredited. Learn online via the UT TeleCampus.
Top-ranked by US News & World Report for transfer students, Excelsior College helps you complete your degree, start to finish. We accept most of your prior college credits, military and workplace training. Many affordable, flexible ways to complete your degree, including online courses and credit-bearing examinations. Choose from a variety of undergraduate and graduate business programs. Important accreditations and comprehensive student support help ensure your success. Finish your degree. Advance your career. Enrich your life.
For active-duty military, reservists, veterans, and military families.
More than half of military students use online education. What do you need to know to find schools that best fit your needs? How can you find the best financial aid and scholarship package at your online school? Answers are here.
The field of online education is growing and so is the need for teachers who can teach online. Check out our regularly updated list of online job opportunities, post your job availability, and visit our Online Resource Center, with tips, advice and free downloads for online educators.
Facts from GetEducated's National Survey of Online MBAs. Who offers the cheapest online MBA? Do you need an AACSB-accredited distance MBA? Online MBA rankings and ratings. Everything you need to know to compare 390 accredited online MBAs from 168 online business schools.
I’m looking for an online MBA. I’ve found several that fit my budget but none are accredited by the AACSB. What is the AACSB? Do I really need a distance MBA degree that is accredited by them?
—Roberta, Gary, IN 
The AACSB is the Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business International. It is considered the gold standard of business school accreditation. But not every student needs an AACSB-accredited MBA... 
