Transfer Planning
More than half of new students indicate that their goal is to work towards the completion of their general education requirements and transfer to a four-year college or university. Whether your transfer objective is clear or undefined, you won't be alone as you navigate the transfer process. Knowledgeable counselors are available to assist you with this important decision. You can also utilize the many important tools and resources to help you make informed decisions about transfer.
Will my credits transfer?
Yes, Inver Hills has formed partnerships with a number of institutions of higher learning. A key part of such relationships is an "articulation agreement" which guarantees course transfer. Even if we don't have a specific articulation agreement with another college, our credits are commonly accepted.
Where do students transfer?
Some of the most popular transfer schools include: University of Minnesota, University of St. Thomas, Metro State University, University of Wisconsin - River Falls, Minnesota State University - Mankato, and many other public and private colleges in the region. Inver Hills students have transferred credits all over the country.
How do I know which credits transfer?
There are excellent web resources for you to utilize as you make your transfer decisions:
- Counseling Department Transfer Resource Webpage - direct links to schools, admissions deadlines, minimum credit requirements, applications, transfer guides, equivalency tables etc.
- Minnesota Course Applicability System (MNCAS) - information and equivalency guides on how courses transfer from one institution to another.
- Mntransfer.org - a website that enables students to access official, consistent and accurate transfer information
- Transfer guides specific to an institution and/or major program
The Inver Hills counseling department works closely with many transfer institutions. It's advisable that you work with a counselor early in your program to ensure smooth transfer.
Advantage of an AA degree
Most transfer students choose to pursue the Associate in Arts (AA) degree in preparation for transfer to a bachelor's degree. The Associate in Arts degree is designed to help you reach the half way point in completing a four year curriculum (bachelor's degree). For example, most degrees at the University of Minnesota total 120 credits. The AA degree is 60 credits and it is designed to satisfy the University's general education requirements as well as help you prepare for more advanced major courses (pre-major requirements).
The Associate in Arts degree includes the Minnesota Transfer Curriculum (a general education core of classes designed for seamless transfer). Completion of the Minnesota Transfer Curriculum at one institution enables a student to receive credit for all lower-division general education requirements upon admission to any other Minnesota public institution. Several private colleges as well as the University of Wisconsin - River Falls also accept the Associate in Arts degree to satisfy their general education requirements.
Both transfer and undecided students benefit from following the AA degree. The choices are broad and the courses satisfy the requirements for many programs and majors.
Suggestions for a successful transfer:
- Meet with an Inver Hills Counselor
- Visit other colleges and universities
- Meet with transfer representatives from other colleges and universities
- Utilize Transfer Guides
- Visit department websites at transfer schools
- Apply to several schools, particularly if admission is competitive
- Apply early!
I plan to transfer without the AA degree
If you plan to transfer without earning the AA degree take the necessary steps to ensure smooth transfer of your credits.
- Review the admissions guidelines for transfer students at the receiving institutions web pages
- Work closely with any transfer representatives.
- Follow any available transfer guides
- Consult transfer tables
- Visit the Counseling Transfer page for direct links to many of the above resources
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