How long are college credits good for? Do college credits expire? The answer is that, in general, students’ college credits are valid for life. If you want to acquire a degree with those credits, though, the situation is a little more complicated. In the end, the decision will be made by the new institution where you will be studying.
In this article, you will learn about the transfer credit policies at the school of your choice so you can see if your previously earned college credits can be applied to a new degree program. You will also learn about the application process and policies for reinstatement and readmission if you want to go back to your prior school.
Do College Credits Expire?
In general, college credits do not expire. Many variables, such as the age of the credit hours, play a role in whether or not they can be transferred to another program. It is important to keep in mind that each institution has its own credit transfer policy.
As with any type of educational transfer, you should thoroughly research the policies of the institutions you are considering attending before making a final decision on where you want to go for your undergraduate studies.
When Do College Credits Expire? 5 Things That Affect How Long College Credits Are Good For
- Time. Recency, or the elapsed time since the credit hours were earned, is a common criterion to decide how long are college credits good for. The more recent your course is, the easier it is to transfer.
- Relevance. If your college credits are irrelevant to the new program you wish to pursue, a university may not accept the transfer. General college education courses may transfer more easily than electives, but in general, your college credits must be somewhat relevant to your new degree program in order to be transferred.
- GPA. If you narrowly pass a college course, another institution may not be prepared to accept that credit for transfer. This is particularly true for programs with more complex and rigorous core curricula.
- Number of Credits per semester. Some colleges allow more transfer credits than others. Depending on the institution, transfer credits may be accepted up to a maximum of 30, whereas just 10 credits may be accepted from another institution.
- Accreditation. Most colleges and universities in the United States are accredited by one or more organizations. Your new college might only accept credits from an accredited institution.
How to Transfer College Credits: A Step-by-Step Guide
There is a multitude of reasons why students decide to switch colleges, including relocating, changing careers, or obtaining a higher degree. Some students may wish to return to school after taking a break from their studies.
The following step-by-step guide can help you get started with the transfer process. Read on to find out how to transfer your college credits to a new institution.
Step 1: Check Out Your Prospective School’s Transfer Policies
Every institution has established policies outlining the transfer credits it will accept. Consider these policies while selecting a school from which to graduate. Find the most recent academic catalog on your prospective college’s website. Compare your previous course credits to the course descriptions in the school’s catalog.
Compare the course codes, names, requirements, and descriptions of your transfer courses with those of the courses offered by the institution. This is the type of credit that your future college will accept. Additionally, find out how much credit can be transferred and what kind of credits can be transferred according to the school’s guidelines.
Step 2: Select a Transfer-Friendly School
Because most colleges generally accept between 15 and 90 credits in transfer, you should look around for a school that will take all of your credits. You may have to settle for a college that is less outstanding than the one you had in mind.
Examine your priorities if this is the case. Re-earning credits from an “outstanding” institution might not be worth the time and money when you can use credits you have already earned elsewhere. You can feel secure in your decision provided the college is regionally accredited.
Step 3: Check Your Grades
Once you’ve settled for a school and have confirmed that you’ll be allowed to transfer credits from your previous institution, check your grades. If you obtained poor grades in a particular course, you might not be eligible for transfer.
Even if your courses are eligible for transfer, if you did especially poorly in one it might be a good idea to retake the class, less it impacts your GPA too much. Make sure you evaluate the pros and cons before making a final call.
Step 4: Opt for General Courses
Major-specific courses are often required by most colleges and cannot be taken elsewhere. So, when you think about transfers, make sure you prioritize general courses. They will be more easily accepted and can still go a long way towards shortening the time it takes you to obtain a degree.
Step 5: Use Professional Assistance
Professional academic advisors can assist you in selecting the ideal school for your goals. Because they are not linked with any particular college, they are able to provide you with objective college advice. They will assist you in developing a college plan that takes transfer credits into account. This plan will be adapted to the institution from which you wish to graduate.
Examples of Colleges That Accept Old Credits: At a Glance
| School | Location | Notes on Transfer Credit Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Bellevue University | Bellevue, NE | Can transfer your full associate degree At least 60 of your previously earned credits Previous credits never expire |
| Charter Oak State College | New Britain, CT | Transfer credits can be no more than 10 years old Grades higher than F are accepted in transfer |
| Excelsior College | Albany, NY | Credits are transferable if earned from degree-granting institutions, military and job training records Review commitie will decide which credits will transfer and how many |
| Grand Canyon University | Phoenix, AZ | Can transfer up to 30 credits National exams, GCU-approved certificates, and LLA (life-long learning assessment) credits can be transferred |
| Purdue University Global | Online | Associate degree credits may cover up to 75% of a bachelor’s degree Tuition reduction for partner institution’s graduates |
| Southern New Hampshire University | Manchester, NH | Transfer up to 45 credits toward an associate degree Transfer up to 90 credits toward a bachelor’s degree A 10% online tuition scholarship |
| Strayer University | Washington, D.C | Transfer up to 126 credits into an undergraduate program Transfer up to 18 credits into a graduate program |
| The University of Arizona Global Campus | Online | Transfer up to 90 credits towards bachelor’s degree program Transfer up to 9 credits towards master’s degree program Transfer up to 30 credits towards doctoral degree program |
| Thomas Edison State University | Trenton, NJ | Transfer up to 90 credits for a baccalaureate degree Transfer 45 semester hours for an associate’s degree |
| University of Phoenix | Phoenix, AZ | Transfer up to 87 credits to bachelor’s degree Save $144 on every 3-credit course |
10 Colleges That Accept Old Credits: Details
Most colleges and university offer the facility to transfer credit earned in a previous institution, yet they may have small differences in criteria of accepting those credits depending upon the program applied, state studied, previous institution accreditation, and other factors.
Bellevue University Transfer Credit Policy
Taking advantage of the liberal credit transfer policy at Bellevue University will save you time and money by allowing you to skip classes you have already completed. If you want to transfer your entire associate degree you might be able to, or at least 60 of your previously earned credits.
Top Bellevue University Programs to Transfer Into
- Bachelor of Science Degree in Behavioral Science | Total program credits: 127 | Max transfer credits: 60
- Bachelor of Science Degree in Data Science | Total program credits: 127 | Max transfer credits: 60
- Bachelor of Science Degree in Mathematics | Total program credits: 127 | Max transfer credits: 60
Charter Oak State College Transfer Credit Policy
Charter Oak allows students with grades as low as D- but no lower than that. Concentration and major courses, as well as English Composition, require grades of C (2.0) or higher. Both the Cornerstone and the Capstone courses should always be completed at Charter Oak State College in order to fulfill their requirements.
Top Charter Oak State College Programs to Transfer Into
- Bachelor of Science Degree in Business Administration | Total program credits: 120 | Max transfer credits: 9
- Bachelor of Science Degree in Criminal Justice | Total program credits: 120 | Max transfer credits: 9
- Bachelor of Science Degree in Cyber Security | Total program credits: 120 | Max transfer credits: 9
Excelsior College Transfer Credit Policy
When determining which credits will transfer to Excelsior College and how many credits can be awarded, the college will look at records of training received in the military and on the job, as well as professional certifications and licenses, and records from other degree-granting institutions.
Top Excelsior College Programs to Transfer Into
- Associate in Science in Nursing | Total program credits: 66 | Max transfer credits: 27
- Bachelor of Science in Liberal Arts | Total program credits: 120 | Max transfer credits: 113
- Bachelor of Science in Information Technology | Total program credits: 120 | Max transfer credits: 113
Grand Canyon University Transfer Credit Policy
College transfer policies have been put in place by GCU as a means of assisting students in their transition to a new institution. Transfer opportunities include national exams, GCU-approved certifications, and the Lifelong Learning Assessment for a maximum of 30 credits (LLA).
Top Grand Canyon University Programs to Transfer Into
- Bachelor of Science in Accounting | Total program credits: 120 | Max transfer credits: 90
- Bachelor of Science in Forensic Science | Total program credits: 120 | Max transfer credits: 90
- Bachelor of Science in Biomedical Engineering | Total program credits: 128 | Max transfer credits: 90
Purdue University Global Transfer Credit Policy
Up to 75 percent of an undergraduate program’s credits or 50 percent of a graduate program’s credits can be transferred in from previous education or work-life experience to Purdue University. Program and state-specific exclusions may be applicable.
Top Purdue University Global Programs to Transfer Into
- Bachelor of Science in Professional Flight | Total program credits: 120 | Max transfer credits: 90
- Bachelor of Science in Health and Wellness | Total program credits: 120 | Max transfer credits: 90
- Bachelor of Science in Early Childhood Administration | Total program credits: 120 | Max transfer credits: 90
Southern New Hampshire University Transfer Credit Policy
The transfer credit policy at Southern New Hampshire University is among the most flexible in the country. The University will accept up to 90 bachelor’s credits and 45 credits for an associate’s degree.
Top Southern New Hampshire University{School} Programs to Transfer Into
- AS in Business Administration | Total program credits: 60 | Max transfer credits: 45
- BS in Computer Science | Total program credits: 120 | Max transfer credits: 90
- BS in Criminal Justice | Total program credits: 120 | Max transfer credits: 90
Strayer University Transfer Credit Policy
Students can transfer credits when applying to Strayer University’s undergraduate and graduate programs. The three steps mentioned in the transfer credit webpage at the university’s website include the selection of the program, the state in which you have earned those credits, and the estimated savings related to it.
Top Strayer University{School} Programs to Transfer Into
- Bachelor of Business Administration | Total program courses: 40 | Max transfer courses: 28
- Online Bachelor of Science in Criminal Justice | Total program courses: 40 | Max transfer courses: 28
- Associate in Arts in Information Technology | Total program courses: 20 | Max transfer courses: 14
The University of Arizona Global Campus Transfer Credit Policy
The articulation agreements offered by the University of Arizona Global Campus allow transfer students to use their previously earned credits toward any of their bachelor’s degrees. These incentives for the transferring student are included in this articulation agreement, which was created in an effort to foster collaboration among institutions.
Top University of Arizona Global Campus Programs to Transfer Into
- Bachelor of Arts in Business Administration | Total program credits: 120 | Max transfer credits: 90
- Bachelor of Arts in Organizational Management | Total program credits: 120 | Max transfer credits: 90
- Bachelor of Arts in Early Childhood Education | Total program credits: 120 | Max transfer credits: 90
Thomas Edison State University Transfer Credit Policy
The transfer credit policy at Thomas Edison State University is among the most generous in the country. It does not matter where you got your credit from, the university will only accept up to 90 undergraduate credits and 45 semester hours for an associate’s degree from non-collegiate providers. ACE and NCCRS credit recommendations fall under this category.
Top Thomas Edison State University Programs to Transfer Into
- Associate of Applied Science Degree, Applied Computer Studies | Total program credits: 60 | Max transfer credits: 45
- Bachelor of Science Degree in Data Science and Analytics | Total program credits: 120 | Max transfer credits: 90
- Bachelor of Science in Cybersecurity | Total program credits: 120 | Max transfer credits: 90
University of Phoenix Transfer Credit Policy
Students pursuing an associate degree can complete the three years of general education requirements at a community college that is a part of the 3+1 transfer pathway program, and then they can finish their bachelor’s degree in a little more than a year at the University of Phoenix.
Top University of Phoenix Programs to Transfer Into
- Bachelor of Science in Health Management | Total program credits: 120 | Max transfer credits: 87
- Bachelor of Science in Information Technology | Total program credits: 120 | Max transfer credits: 87
- Bachelor of Science in Management | Total program credits: 120 | Max transfer credits: 87
How to Make the Most of Old College Credits
Transferring college credits can help you save time and money in the long run if your primary goal is to reduce the amount of time and money it takes to earn your college degree. If you pursued studies in another institution, there’s a good chance you can still take advantage of that time and effort and put it towards your new degree in a different college.
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Different institutions have different transfer policies, so make sure to do your due diligence and research your prospective school. You can even contact them directly to get assistance and learn how you can make the most of your old college credits.
Old College Credits FAQ
An official transcript does not become obsolete, and institutions are required to keep a college transcript for every student who has ever registered in and attended their institution, regardless of whether or not the student graduated from that college or university.
Yes, you can typically transfer back to your old college if you decide to return and finish your degree. While college students who have been away from their studies for an extended period of time can often re-enroll without having to go through a rigorous admissions procedure, most schools ask them to provide some additional documentation, such as an intent to return application.
Yes, it is worth it to transfer your old credits if you are planning to return to school. While you may not be able to transfer all your credits, even a few can go a long way toward reducing the time and money you need to invest to obtain your degree.
No, it is not hard to transfer college credits. Most institutions have clearly laid out policies regarding the types of credits they will accept from your previous institution. Make sure you contact them directly to receive support during this process.
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