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Life has a way of taking us on unexpected detours, and sometimes that means pausing your college education. Did you put your degree on hold to start a family? Perhaps you decided to set aside the books to start working. Whatever the reason, the good news is that a college credit transfer opportunity can help you pick up right where you left off.

Sort of.

How you can apply your previous college credit to a new program depends on your chosen school’s program policies, articulation agreements and the relevance of your previous coursework.

Read more to learn how you can apply your credit and complete that long-awaited college degree!

Some people return to college to change careers, stay updated with industry trends or gain a new set of skills. Others are looking for a career shift that better aligns with their passions and skills.

For many, the prospect of starting a degree program can feel daunting. That’s where transferring your college credits enters the picture. This process can allow you to build upon the academic groundwork you’ve already laid.

If your goals have changed since starting a degree program, that’s OK. Often, college credits from general education courses transfer, even if you’ve decided to pursue a bachelor’s degree instead of an associate degree or are changing your field of study altogether. Again, that’s an “often,” not an “always.” There are many caveats when it comes to transferring credits.

The credits you’ve earned are more than just numbers on a transcript — they represent the time, effort and money you’ve invested in your education. Allowing them to go unused could be a missed opportunity.

However, you may be concerned whether old credits are still valid. The good news is that once you’ve earned college credits, they stay on your transcript forever. However, not all credits are transferable.

Most general education course credits (e.g., English, basic science and history) remain valid for years, sometimes even decades. You can often apply them to a new degree program.

Credits from STEM-related courses may not transfer after about 10 years because those fields undergo rapid advancements. Graduate-level credits often have an even shorter shelf life, which is typically about seven years. However, this greatly varies by institution. 

When planning to transfer your college credits, one of the most important steps is finding a school that accepts your credits and also aligns with your academic and career goals.

You may want to look for schools that have articulation agreements with your previous college. These formal agreements outline how credits will transfer between institutions. They also help ensure that your hard-earned credits are recognized and applied toward your degree at the new school.

Colleges have specific requirements for transferring credits. They’ll look at the accreditation of your previous institution, the relevance of your completed courses to your new program and your grades.

Colleges also exercise discretion in accepting credits. Different institutions have varying policies. They consider where your credits come from, how old your coursework is and how well it aligns with their curriculum. Credits from nonaccredited institutions or outdated courses may face more scrutiny and are less likely to be accepted.

This is particularly common in fast-evolving fields such as computer science, engineering or information technology. 

Colleges publish their policies on how many and which transfer credits they will accept. Choosing a “transfer-friendly” school can be beneficial for both your time and wallet.

To ensure you’re getting the most out of your efforts, talk with an enrollment or admissions representative at your chosen college. They can help ensure you receive all the credits you’re eligible for.

To maximize the number of college credits you can transfer, submit all your transcripts from previous institutions. You can also include credits from Advanced Placement exams you’ve taken or military credits you’ve completed (which are different from transfer credits).

You can obtain your unofficial transcripts from the registrar’s office at each college you attended. Some colleges allow you to access them directly through your student portal. 

You don’t always need to finish college coursework to earn credits. Sometimes, the best classroom is life itself. Consider exploring alternative ways to get college credits.

For example, if you’ve gained substantial knowledge through work, life experience or independent study, passing the College-Level Examination Program (CLEP) exam in that subject can translate into college credits. CLEP can help you fulfill general education or elective requirements.

You can even earn credits by completing short, self-paced courses with alternative credit providers such as Study.com, Straighterline or Sophia. For example, Study.com is a  platform that allows you to complete upper- and lower-division courses, and other providers offer similar pathways to college credits. 

College credits might not be accepted if the course content doesn’t align closely enough with the curriculum at the new institution, or if a student exceeds the maximum number of credits that can be transferred.

Additionally, credits may not be applied due to perceived differences in academic rigor.

If a college does not apply your credits, you’re not completely out of options. You could appeal the decision, especially by working directly with the academic departments that handle the courses in question.