Can I Transfer My Associate’s Degree to a Bachelor’s?

If you’re thinking about how to transfer programs, you might be feeling overwhelmed. Maybe you’re wondering, “Can I transfer my associate’s degree to a bachelor’s?”

The short answer is yes, you can transfer into a bachelor’s degree program with an associate’s degree, and you don’t have to figure it out alone. Your incoming school will walk you through how to transfer credits as effectively as possible.

Earning a bachelor’s degree begins with understanding your completed education. An associate’s degree is a great place to start. Your receiving institution will evaluate your previous coursework and decide which credits meet their academic requirements. The number of credits that transfer depends on several variables.

Below, we’ll explore the particulars of that process and how to get a bachelor’s degree using some, if not all, of the coursework you’ve already completed.

How does transferring an associate degree to a bachelor’s work?

Transferring from an associate degree to a bachelor’s program starts with a standard transfer student application to a four-year university. Instead of transferring your associate degree in its entirety, you’ll transfer all of your eligible credits. A standard bachelor’s degree requires 120 credits, while an associate’s typically requires 60. So, if most of your credits transfer, you’re about halfway through a bachelor’s degree and will enter your new program as a third-year student.

The number of credits that you transfer to your receiving institution will depend on their policies, so you’ll want to reach out to their admissions counselors and understand these policies fully. You can also request a transfer credit evaluation so you can have a clear picture of what credits will transfer toward your degree.

How many credits can you transfer from an associate degree?

The total number of credits that transfer depends on the school you transfer to and the program you’re interested in. Transferring programs is relatively simple if you’re in a related field, but if you got, say, an associate’s in art and you’re shifting gears to apply for a bachelor’s in a STEM field, you’ll probably need to complete additional coursework to catch up with your peers.

Typically, an associate’s degree is about 60 credits, but you shouldn’t expect all credits to transfer. Certain community colleges will have transfer agreements/tracks with local universities, so be sure to look into those if you’re at a community college. Ultimately, you’ll want to talk to admissions at your receiving school to see what credits may or may not transfer.

What determines whether your credits will transfer?

Unfortunately, “How to transfer credits?” doesn’t have a universal answer, since every university has its own policies that determine which credits are accepted.

Accreditation of your previous institution

Your current school’s accreditation will significantly affect how you transfer into a bachelor’s degree. The evaluation process often includes your previous school’s accreditation, your academic standing, and any programs that might connect with the receiving institution.

Many transfer programs and policies differ, so do your research and understand the university’s requirements before you submit your application.

Course equivalencies and curriculum alignment

When determining what credits a university will accept, they’ll review your previous courses. You may need previous syllabi to show how they compare with the receiving university’s comparable classes.

Although many course names are similar, they don’t necessarily cover the same content, outcomes, or credit hours. When you transfer to a bachelor’s program, you hope much of your previous coursework will count toward your intended program’s requirements, but there are no guarantees.

 

Take the next step toward your bachelor’s degree at University of Bridgeport

 

Grades earned in previous courses

The grades you earned in your associate’s degree can affect whether or not those credits are eligible for transfer. Many receiving institutions have a minimum grade requirement to be considered for transfer credit.

If your grades are below that requirement, they may not be considered at all. Reviewing the university’s transfer policies will help you plan and prepare for transfer to a bachelor’s degree.

Alignment between your associate degree and bachelor’s program

So, if you’re wondering, “Can I transfer my associate’s degree to a bachelor’s?” the answer is a little more complicated than the simple “yes” we started with. It’s more like a “Yes, but…”

A lot of factors are at play here. Importantly, the major you’re applying for is an essential consideration when transferring. If your associate’s degree aligns well with your bachelor’s, most of your credits will likely transfer.

However, if you’re hoping to study something entirely different from your associate’s degree, there may not be much crossover in coursework. That said, many of your general education requirements will still count provided the university approves them.

Transfer credit limits and program requirements

Check with your receiving institution to know their maximum credits accepted. Many universities require students to complete a specific number of credits at their school to earn a bachelor’s degree.

Further, many schools require specific prerequisites to be completed in a specific order for certain programs. When you check with the institution, be sure to check with the specific program you hope to transfer into so you fully understand the coursework you’ll need to complete to earn your bachelor’s degree.

Take the next step toward your bachelor’s degree at University of Bridgeport

If you’ve earned an associate’s degree, that’s an amazing start to your education. Build on the work you’ve already done by transferring your eligible coursework into a bachelor’s program.

One of the biggest keys to understanding how to transfer effectively is knowing up front that not all of your credits will transfer, but many will.

Explore transfer options at University of Bridgeport. Connect with our caring admissions team to see how your previously earned college credits can apply toward your intended bachelor’s degree program. Ready to take the next step? Learn more or apply today.