You Earned Them, Now Use Them: How to Transfer Your Valuable College Credits

Earning a degree is an exciting journey and the time that you dedicate to a degree is never wasted. What you learn can never be taken from you, but sometimes life happens, and your educational progress slows, or plans change, or you must move on. Just because where you were isn’t where you currently are doesn’t mean you need to start all over. 

Good news! The college credits you’ve accumulated can still have value as they become transfer credits.

Regardless of the reason behind your transfer — financial, location-based, or a change of interest — you owe it to yourself to get credit for your hard work. While transferring credits sounds simple, the process can vary from school to school. In some cases, students may lose credits during the transfer process or not even be aware that transferring credits is an option. This is why it’s imperative to ensure that your hard-earned credits will transfer moving forward. Here’s what you need to know to get the most out of all your education, both the stuff you’ve done and the stuff you’re going to do.

Why are transfer credits important?

If you’re transferring to a new program or school, transfer credits will be one of the first things your admissions advisor will look at. These credits paint a picture of your past experiences as well as identify what gaps still exist. Your advisor will help you determine what classes you still need to take, tests that need to be completed or other opportunities to ensure you graduate on time and career-ready. Transfer credits set students up for future success by enabling them to keep their academic standing and finish their degrees without having to retake previous courses. 

How can I transfer college credits?

Make your time, energy and monetary investment count by taking these steps for transferring your credits.

• Get familiar with your school’s transfer policies
  • The best way to start transferring your credits is to speak with your current college’s support services department. From there, you can gain a better idea of what credits are transferable to your desired University or program. Submit a transcript request to have official documentation of your completed courses and grades. 
• Select a transfer-friendly school
  • Unfortunately, not all credits may transfer over to your new program, so it’s important to have a clear idea of the credits you currently have, and where you’re aiming to be. If your new program or school does not offer many transferable credit options, this could be an indicator that it isn’t the ideal program for you.
• Speak to an advisor
  • You can learn more about the transfer procedure and determine whether it's a good fit for you by scheduling time to speak with your academic advisor. This is an opportunity to answer any questions about the eligibility of your credits and plan your pathway moving forward. Your adviser can guide you through the application process, assist you to get transcripts and provide you with details on any potential transfer agreements or financial aid.
• Make your move
  • Once you’ve identified your ideal university, it’s time to take the biggest step — applying to a new program. You have all the tools to succeed, now it’s time to put them to work! If you’re ready to take the next step in your academic journey, discover the advantages and ease of transferring credits to Herzing University.