Transferring academic credit from one or many institutions to your "home" institution (the college or university from which you plan to earn your degree) can be a complicated and difficult process. We have assembled information and tools to help you understand the "ins and outs" of credit transfer, general rules for credit transfer, records you will need, and how you can ensure the maximum number of credits you have accumulated will transfer.
While credit is the academic "coin," you need to know that these "coins" have very different values and use depending upon a variety of factors. Where you earned your credits, how long ago, by what means, and how well you did in previous coursework all factor into the number of credits you might be awarded. Ultimately the institution that you plan to earn your degree from holds the authority and final decision about the number of credits that will transfer and, more importantly, which credits will articulate (or count) towards specific degree requirements. Given all these variables, you need to be aware of some fundamentals of credit transfer as well as the resources and services available to you. You need to develop a plan for ensuring you will receive the maximum return on the credits you have earned towards a degree.

There are a variety of transfer categories, some of which have been carefully arranged and articulated for you that ensure ease in the transfer process. Other categories are less automatic. Be aware of this as you move forward. Here are some transfer categories that might help. These categories presume all colleges and universities are regionally accredited and are either public or independent (not-for-profit).

• Two-year (A.S and A.A) to four-year colleges and universities — these transfer arrangements are often formalized by states or state systems (see links below). Students completing an associate of arts or associate of science degree from a community college often can receive full credit and junior standing at another state institution through articulation agreements. Transfer from two-year to four-year may also be by design in what is called a "two plus two" arrangement where the student completing the associate's degree moves directly into a coordinated upper level program to complete the bachelor's degree.
• Four-year to four-year colleges and universities — typically not covered by formal arrangements, these may be situations where students enrolled as a regular or "non-degree" students, accumulated credits and now wish to transfer them to their "home" institution. The credits often will transfer (assuming you have earned an acceptable grade) but may not meet specific requirements or may be accepted as elective credit or as "additive" credit (meeting no requirements but listed as transfer credits on your transcript).
• Four-year to two-year institutions — some students take a reverse path, possibly having completed some coursework at a four-year institution and now are seeking a degree at a two-year institution. There are also some "reverse two plus two" programs where a student completes coursework at a four-year institution and returns to a two-year institution to complete a program of study.
• Multiple credits from multiple institutions to a "home" institution — a growing number of students are taking courses from a variety of institutions and hoping to "bank" them eventually at an institution and earn a degree. This can work, but credits earned in this fashion are subject to greater scrutiny — particularly if you were not an admitted student at the college or university where you earned the credit.
• Proprietary (even when regionally accredited) to public and independent institutions — whether appropriate or not, students attempting to transfer credit from a proprietary institution to a public or independent college or university often face a loss of credit in the transfer process.
• Credits earned through assessment, prior learning, credit equivalency, and other non-traditional means to a "home" institution — there are significant differences in institutional policy regarding the acceptance of credits earned through alternative methods, both in terms of the number that might be acceptable and use of the credits. You should research the policies of your "home" institution prior to registering for any alternative credit program.

Here are some helpful tips you should consider as you begin your efforts to transfer your credits.

• Check on any formal articulation agreement within your state that ensures the transfer and articulation of credit. Some states have online transfer tools to help with the process.
• If your state has such a credit transfer or articulation agreement, recognize that the arrangements typically do not traverse state lines, i.e., if you wish to pursue a degree from an institution in another state, credits may transfer but not in "bulk."
• Be watchful of "old" credits that may have been earned years ago and which may not be accepted as transfer credits.
• Remember that only credits transfer, not grades — if an earlier educational experience was not successful, it does not preclude your credits being accepted.
• As best you can, try to enroll in courses that are generally transferable — this means staying away for "unique" or "pop" courses offered by many institutions.
• Become knowledgeable about general education or core courses that you will need and specific requirements in your major.
• Find a contact in the registrar's office and in your academic department to assist you in the credit transfer process.
• Keep good records! That includes transcripts, catalogs (for course descriptions) from the college or university where you earned credit, and if available course syllabi or outlines. This information can prove very helpful in determining the applicability of credits to course requirements.
• If you are planning to take courses at another institution while you are currently enrolled in a college or university in hopes of transferring the credit back to meet a requirement, be sure you have agreement on the transfer BEFORE taking the course.
• Finally, understand transfer policies and regulations. Your knowledge and understanding will be of great assistance in the process.

CALL will utilize whenever possible the Louisiana Statewide Student Transfer Guide and Articulation System developed by the Louisiana Board of Regents. More information about the system is outlined below and can be accessed at Statewide Guide.

The Louisiana Board of Regents and the higher education community recognize the importance of well designed transfer policies. Transfer policies should be practical, predictable, and fair. Over the past few years, the Louisiana Board of Regents, the Management Boards (Louisiana State University, Southern University, University of Louisiana and the Louisiana Community and Technical College System Boards of Supervisors) and all their member institutions have worked together to make the transfer process easier to understand and to complete with a minimum loss of credit. As a result of these efforts, the Statewide Student Transfer Guide includes a matrix of General Education college credit courses which (with few exceptions) can transfer between and among most of Louisiana's public colleges and universities.

The guide represents Louisiana public higher education's on-going effort to improve the transfer process. Although each of Louisiana's campuses is unique and serves a specific mission, the higher education community also recognizes that in order to better serve students, the process of transfer and evaluation of credit must be more easily understood. The courses in this guide's matrix are typically referred to as "general education" or "core curriculum" courses. While for the most part all of these courses will transfer for credit between and among Louisiana's institutions, students must remember that these courses may or may not be applied to a particular degree program. Students should note that this matrix is limited to those general education courses for which full credit would likely be granted by most other Louisiana colleges and universities. In addition to this statewide agreement, many institutions have entered into specific transfer/articulation agreements. These institutional agreements often include far more extensive listings of courses which can be successfully transferred between those specific institutions. Therefore, the student is urged to contact the institution to which he/she is transferring to determine if courses will count toward degree requirements in a specific major.

To make the process easier, this guide includes contact information for each campus. Additionally, information on tuition rates and office contacts for financial aid and housing are included for the student's use.