FAQ's for Transfer Students
How do I learn what credits transfer from my previous college?
Preliminary Evaluation: Prospective students and applicants who have not completed the admission process are encouraged to contact our Center for Transfer Services at 970-248-1232 or Carrie Hinds for a preliminary evaluation. This advisory session can be done using unofficial transcripts provided by the applicant. We welcome walk-in visitors or appointments can be held in person, by phone or even online. Evaluation of general education courses can be done within about an hour, while courses to be used toward the major will take longer.
The Preliminary Evaluation does not replace the official evaluation of transfer credit (or TER) done in the Registrar's Office, but is intended to give the student information for planning purposes. It is done by student request.
Transfer Equivalency Report: The TER is produced by the Registrar's Office after the student has been
admitted and all official transcripts are received. It consists of a computer printed page showing course transfer equivalents and a page showing how transfer courses can be used for general education requirements. It will not show how courses are used in the major program; you will need to see an advisor to determine that. The TER is generally completed and sent within two to three weeks after acceptance to Mesa State.
How many credits can I transfer and how many do I need to graduate?
Students who have a prior bachelor's or associate's degree should see the information below.
Note: not all transferred courses will necessarily apply to your specific degree program.
Baccalaureate: The majority of majors require a minimum of 120 credits to earn a bachelors degree. To
receive a first baccalaureate degree from Mesa State College, students must complete a minimum of 28 semester hours of credit in no fewer than two semesters of study at Mesa State with at least 15 semester hours in major discipline courses numbered 300 or higher. Therefore, a maximum of 92 credit hours can be transferred in from previous institutions.
Associate: The Associate of Arts and Associate of Science degrees require a minimum of 60 credits to
graduate. The required number of credits for an Associate of Applied Science degree varies with the program. A minimum of 16 semester hours of credits must be taken at Mesa State College to complete a Mesa State associate-level degree.
Credits toward Graduation: Determining how to make the best use of your transfer credits (along with
planning your future Mesa State courses) is done in concert with your faculty advisor. If an advisor in your selected major has not been assigned by your first term, you need to contact the appropriate department to do this.
What are the general guidelines for accepting a course for transfer?
Accreditation: Courses are considered for transfer only from peer institutions. Schools that maintain membership in one of the six U.S. regional accreditation bodies are acceptable. Mesa State is a member of the North Central Association.
International Institutions: Please see the question below.
Process: Each course is evaluated using the abbreviation, level, title and description. On occasion, a course syllabus is necessary to complete the evaluation. With this information, the course is compared to the classes offered at Mesa State College. Courses with an exact match are given the Mesa State course equivalent while those without an exact equivalent are coded with the department prefix and level (i.e. MANG 1XX) or as an elective (i.e. ELEC 2XX). Once an equivalent course decision is made, it is entered into the permanent database.
Grades: A grade of "C-" or higher must be earned in each transferable course. Courses with a "Pass", "Satisfactory" or other non-letter grade will only be considered if the transcript key confirms that it is equivalent to a C- or higher on the grade scale.
Restrictions: Preparatory classes taken in preparation for college level English Composition or College
Mathematics will transfer as zero credits. Other "pre-college" classes do not transfer. Religious classes are generally not accepted. No more than two physical activity courses are accepted for a baccalaureate degree; no more than one for an associate's. Technical trades classes generally do not transfer unless they are applicable to your Mesa State College/Western Colorado Community College program. Classes over 15 years old are looked at on a course-by-course basis. Some Mesa State College majors have "age" restrictions on the use of certain courses in those majors. The final approval of how classes are used toward major area requirements is done by the department chair.
Quarter to semester hour conversion: Classes taken at an institution using a quarter hour system are
converted to semester hours by multiplying by two-thirds (i.e., 3 quarter hours = 2 semester hours).
What are Mesa State College General Education courses?
General Education courses form the broad base upon which all degree programs are built. A minimum of 33 credit hours of general education classes are required for any Mesa State bachelor's level degree and a minimum of 34 credit hours are required for the Associate of Arts or Associate of Science degree. Although the discipline areas and credits differ at the baccalaureate level and associate level, the same course list is used to choose general education classes.
By its nature, an Associate of Applied Science degree requires fewer general education courses. See the specific degrees for their requirements.
How are Statewide Guaranteed Transfer (GT Pathways) courses used?
A course from a Colorado school that has been identified as having been approved under the GT
Pathways initiative as a Guaranteed Transfer course is guaranteed as useable toward the general education requirements of any public two-year or four-year college or university in Colorado. These courses are often coded on the transcript so that they are recognizable and each college also lists them in their catalog. Not only does Mesa State accept all GT identified courses, but we will consider all other general education type courses for use toward our general education requirements.
Mesa State's GT courses are check-marked on the General Education Requirements course list.
What if I already have a prior degree?
Mesa State College will waive the general education requirements portion for most baccalaureate and associate degrees when the student already has earned a prior baccalaureate or Associate of Arts or Associate of Science degree. Students with a prior baccalaureate degree are also exempt from the Kinesiology/Wellness requirement. This waiver policy does not apply to an Associate of Applied Science, Associate of General Studies and other types of occupational degrees. Mesa State also has policies on the minimum number of credits and number of semesters taken in "academic residency". Contact the Registrar's Office for complete "second degree" information.
Exceptions: Certain Mesa State degree programs require specific courses as part of the general education
portion of the degree. These specific courses are still required for these degrees and are not waived under the above policy.
Does Mesa State accept credits from the International Baccalaureate, AP courses, CLEP or military education courses?
Credit from these types of sources are known as non-traditional credit. Details of acceptance can be found in the Mesa State catalog under the Non-Traditional Credit heading. The total combination of any non-traditional credit cannot exceed 30 semester credits for a baccalaureate degree; 15 semester credits for an Associate of Arts or Associate of Science degree; 20 semester credits for an Associate of Applied Science degree or twenty-five percent of the semester credits required for a technical certificate.
What if I have taken courses at an international college or university?
Whether you are a citizen of the U.S., an international student or a permanent resident, you can find information at Educational Documents from International Schools. Mesa State College students interested in study-abroad programs need to consult with the Registrar's Office before signing up.
What do I need to do to make sure that my financial aid award will also transfer to Mesa State? What scholarships are available to me?
Mesa State College must be listed on your Free Application for Federal Student Aid; our Title IV school code is 001358. If you need to add Mesa State College to your FAFSA, you may contact the Federal Processor at 800.433.3243.
If you are transferring to Mesa State College in the middle of the academic year (Spring or Summer semester), please contact the Office of Financial Aid at 970.248.1396.
It is highly recommended that you borrow all of your loan funds from one lender. If you borrow from more than one lender, you may have to make payments to each lender when you enter repayment.
The Admissions Office offers a variety of academic scholarships. You simultaneously apply for these scholarships when you complete the scholarship application with the admission application. Please contact the Admissions Office 970.248.1875 for more information on scholarships.
