Considering your pathway into higher education? Wondering, “What’s best? Finish an associate’s degree, then transfer? Or to transfer credits from a community college to finish my bachelor’s elsewhere? What’s the best way to transfer credits?”
These are complex questions, without set-in-stone answers. Luckily, it’s also a common line of inquiry from prospective transfer students: Will an associate’s degree transfer to any college? So you’re in good company.
Below, we’ll unpack how to transfer colleges with an associate’s degree, whether associate degree programs are a good investment for your chosen career, and how to start the process if you’re ready to make a move.
Understanding how an associate’s degree transfers
Firstly, you won’t technically be transferring your degree. If you have completed an associate’s degree, then that’s it. You’ve completed it. You won’t be getting another associate’s from your new school (even if they offer a similar program).
You will be transferring credits from the completed degree to count toward your new bachelor’s program, so you don’t start from square one or repeat any courses you’ve already completed within this new degree.
Further, when you transfer with an associate’s degree, there is no universal guarantee that all the degree’s credits will transfer to every institution, as transfer policies vary by college, accreditation, state agreements, and the student’s specific program of study.
Yet, many community colleges have programs with local four-year colleges that make the transfer process easier for students. These articulation agreements often outline exactly which credits will transfer (more on this below).
Be prepared to do some in-depth communicating when sorting out which of your credits transfer to your new institution, as each situation is unique. If you’re at a community college, check with your guidance counselor to see what transfer programs you might be eligible for.
How to transfer colleges: Factors that influence transferability
This process may be tricky, perhaps. But far from impossible. If you’re ready to relay your associate’s degree into a full-fledged bachelor’s program, several factors influence transferability of your credits, so you can anticipate how much credit you’re likely to receive.
Institutional accreditation
First up, it matters if your associate’s degree comes from an institution with appropriate accreditation. This helps your new school trust your previous school’s credits, since a third, unbiased party has verified the course material and quality of education.
Ready to make your move? Explore transferring to University of Bridgeport.
Transfer articulation agreements
To that end, some schools have already sorted out detailed agreements with each other, outlining which courses transfer and into what corresponding credits. These agreements are called articulation agreements, and can save transfer students a lot of headaches when wondering what they’ll get credit for.
Earned grades
Another element that comes into play is the grade you received in each class. Strong grades make it easier to transfer credits and demonstrate that you’re a capable, committed student. The good news is that schools often look for progress and consistency rather than perfection, so an upward trend in your grades can work in your favor if you didn’t get off to a great start.
Schools offer equivalent credit for concepts you’ve fully grasped, so you’re not behind when taking upper-level specialized courses in your new degree. If you barely passed the first time, you may have to retake the class at your new school to make sure you’re up to speed. This isn’t a punishment, but a benchmark that helps you succeed in later coursework.
General education requirements vs. major-specific course requirements
Schools tend to transfer general education requirements more readily than major-specific coursework. Again, this varies from school to school, but transferring with an associate’s degree typically means your general education requirements will be met and you’ll begin your bachelor’s focused on major-specific coursework.
Transferring an associate’s degree vs. transferring credits
Remember, you’re not transferring the degree, per se; you’ll be transferring individual credits from that degree toward a bachelor’s degree. However, some degrees transfer more fully than others.
For example, some associate’s degrees are designed to flow easily into a bachelor’s degree of the same concentration. An Associate of Arts (AA) or Associate of Science (AS) transfers fairly simply into a Bachelor of Arts or Science (BA or BS), respectively. But if you’ve completed an Associate of Arts and decide to shift gears a bit into a Bachelor of Science — perhaps your work experience has led you in a new direction — there may be more courses you need to take to make up the difference.
In terms of maximizing transfer credits, completing an associate’s degree is the best way to ensure you’ll be able to do so. It signifies to your new school that you completed something fully and are prepared to do so again at their institution.
Other strategies to increase your number of transfer college credits include:
- Researching transfer policies early
- Working with academic advisors
- Requesting transcript evaluations
Whether you’re transferring a few credits because your first school wasn’t the right fit, or transferring with an associate’s degree to pursue your bachelor’s for the first time, changing schools doesn’t have to be difficult.
Transfer with an associate’s degree to University of Bridgeport
University of Bridgeport makes the transfer process simple. With easy-to-find deadlines and helpful advisors, transferring is seamless. From credit evaluations to personalized advising, University of Bridgeport is committed to helping transfer students reach their academic goals.
See how our transfer process works! Apply today to finish your degree at University of Bridgeport.