Being able to transfer your credits from a previous school or get credit for experience you have gained in your work life is the key to completing a college degree faster and at the lowest possible cost. The colleges that accept the most transfer credits may give you credit for a wide variety of things, based on some key restrictions.
It’s important to research a transfer university carefully. There are generally some restrictions on credit acceptance based on the grades you got previously, the accreditation of the school you first attended, and how well your previous courses relate to the major at the new school you are about to transfer to. Here’s a listing of some of the most credit transfer-friendly colleges and universities in the U.S. that give online degrees.
AIU, a large online school, gained attention earlier this year by announcing that it would take up to 75% of all credits toward its bachelor degrees. That effectively turns all the 20-plus bachelor degrees the school offers online into completion programs. AIU is a bit different in that its quarterly schedule means you need 180 credits for a BA or BS, though in general the number of courses will be generally similar to what you would take to earn 120 credits on most bachelor programs. The school has a vast number of bachelor degree programs online in business, computers & information technology, healthcare management and criminal justice. Some of the key rules on transferring credits toward an AIU bachelor’s degree:
- Credits you took for an associate’s degree at another school can be accepted as a full block, or on an individual course basis, to account for up to 50% of credit for your AIU bachelor degree.
- You must complete 25% of your credits toward a bachelor’s degree “in residence,” meaning at AIU, to graduate with an AIU diploma. Associate degree rules are a bit tighter: you need to do 50% of credits in residence to get an AIU associate’s degree.
- Only courses you got at least a “C” in (or 2.0 on a 4.0 grading scale) will qualify for transfer. They must also be at least college freshman level courses. High school advanced placement or remedial courses won’t qualify for credit transfer.
- As is the case in most schools, AIU will only accept credits from another accredited college or university. This can be a complicated issue as accreditation is not totally standardized (read more about accreditation issues affecting credit transfer here). You’ll also have to get your old school (or schools) to send an official transcript to AIU to confirm completion of the courses you’re claiming for credit.
- Naturally, the courses you want to transfer in need to be relevant to the major you are getting a degree in at AIU.
- Credits are accepted for work experience, or for passing certain CLEP or DANTES tests.
These are all general guidelines. As each student’s situation is unique, you’ll need to consult an admissions counselor at AIU about your own particular picture on course credits.
Get information on American Intercontinental University
Liberty offers a variety of online degree programs at all levels in business, accounting, education, criminal justice, information systems, psychology, religion and more. Among it’s key transfer policies are:
- A minimum of 15 credits must be taken at Liberty for associate’s programs.
- At lease 30 total credits and 50% of all coursework must be taken at Liberty for bachelor’s programs
- A grade of C or better is required on any courses you wish to transfer credit for. Also, each course to be transferred my be at least 2/3 the number of hours for the same course at Liberty.
- Special conditions where transfer credits are accepted include: Capstone courses, internships, seminars and workshops in some cases and varsity or intramural sports.
Get information on Liberty University
Founded in 1951 to help World War II veterans get a new start in life, Grantham is one of the earliest online-only colleges in the U.S. It offers associate’s, bachelor’s and master’s degree programs in business, engineering, computer technology, human resource management, criminal justice and more.
- Credit transfer is accepted based upon declared program of study and other requirements.
- Credit may get credit for previous college coursework, military experience, employer courses, AP, CLEP or DANTES/DSST testing.
- You must complete at least 25% of your required credit courses at Grantham for a bachelor’s or associate’s degree.
- A grade of at least “C” must have been earned in a course at any other school for it to be accepted in transfer.
- Maximum transfer and PLA combined credit limit is 75% for an undergraduate degree program. PLA credit is limited to 25% for an undergraduate degree program.
Get information on Grantham University
Purdue University Global is a very large and well-known online school, with over 270 online degree programs across the full range of certificate, associate, bachelors and graduate levels. It offers numerous “advanced start” degrees in communications, many different business specialties, information technology, teaching, health science and criminal justice.
- Purdue can accept up to 75% of credits for undergraduate degrees from previous learning at another school. At least 50% of the major or “core” requirements for your degree need to be taken from Purdue.
- No more than 50% of total credits will be accepted in transfer toward a certificate program.
- Transfer or prior learning credit can be given, pending a review by Kaplan, for either college courses documented on an official transcript or through experiential credit.
- Credits can be awarded for CLEP, DANTES, AP, DLPT or ET test passage.
- The student needs to get credit approval before starting school at Purdue.
- Kaplan also has agreements with a large number of community colleges around the U.S. that ease transfer of credits toward a full bachelor’s degree at Purdue.
Get information on Purdue University Global
Colorado Technical University is a Colorado Springs-based school with over 25,000 students, and is regionally accredited by the Higher Learning Commission of the North Central Association of Colleges and Schools.Transfer credits can be accepted for your past experience, certification or training or learning at a prior school. Transfer credit will be accepted upon evaluation and at the discretion of Colorado Technical University in all cases.
Students complete a minimum of 25% of the total credit hours for an undergraduate, graduate or doctoral degree program at Colorado Technical University.
Upon acceptance to the University, a student will be contacted by a Prior Learning Assessment Specialist to discuss options including:
- ”Fast Track” credit for life experience.
- Credit for military experience or training
- Credit for any professional training or certification you may have.
- Standardized assessments for credit may include Advance Placement Examinations, CLEP Exams and/or DANTES Examinations