If you're considering returning to school after a hiatus, you may wonder whether any of your previous credits will be accepted in your new program. At Indiana Wesleyan University (IWU), we strive to make the transfer of credits as straightforward as possible, enabling you to get a head start on your degree. Whether you're interested in online bachelor’s completion options or options at the graduate level, we offer transfer-friendly policies for online, on-campus, military, and international students alike.
Familiarizing yourself with our transfer policies will prepare you for the application process, including submitting your transcripts.
For students who have put their education on a temporary pause, being able to find a school with transfer-friendly policies can make all the difference when it's time to pick up the books once again.
Applying previously earned credits to a new program can shorten the time it takes to complete your degree. In turn, you'll save yourself some money on tuition and keep more of your hard-earned money in your pocket.
Choosing a school with transfer-friendly policies can also be helpful for working adults who may have many responsibilities on their plates. From full-time employment to taking care of a family, adding a return to college into the mix can make for a busy schedule. With a transfer-friendly school, you'll be able to apply the credits you've previously earned, so you can take less time to complete your degree this time around.
Likewise, because many of IWU's programs are offered with online coursework, working adults can enjoy the flexibility and convenience of completing coursework on their own time.
So, what sets IWU's transfer-credit policy apart from that of many other schools?
Generally speaking, we strive to recognize all previously earned credits from properly-accredited institutions, provided that the following requirements are met:
Keep in mind that schools only nationally accredited do not automatically meet IWU's standards for "properly-accredited," and must be evaluated on an individual basis.
We also strive to make the process of transferring credit at IWU as straightforward as possible. Start by submitting your application, along with previous academic transcripts. From there, our team will automatically evaluate your transfer credits. You will be notified of both your acceptance decision and which of your previous credits will be transferred. If you have any questions about your transfer credits, please don't hesitate to contact an advisor for assistance.
Our admissions and academic team uses a formal, established process to determine which credits are eligible for transfer.
First, our team of advisors will look closely at your previous academic transcripts, ensuring that the institution(s) you attended have earned proper accreditation.
Next, our team looks closely to ensure that all requirements for transfer credit have been met during the credit evaluation process. This includes reviewing course content and the specific course level taken to assess its rigor and determine relevance. If a previous course is found to be equivalent to a course in your IWU program and meets all requirements for transfer, you will be issued transfer credit.
When credits are related to a specific degree or field of study, a block transfer may be completed. Credits from similar classes are grouped and approved for transfer without the need for an in-depth, course-by-course evaluation.
Suppose you're looking for other ways to use your previous experience to count for college credit here at IWU. In that case, consider exploring some prior-learning assessment (PLA) options, including portfolio/challenge pathways and exam-based credit.
If you have proven experience working in a role that's relevant to the degree you'll be pursuing at IWU, you may be eligible for college credit for work experience. This process involves careful documentation in the form of a portfolio (a collection of evidence). At most IWU programs, you can transfer up to 40 hours by demonstrating that your prior experiences or training are relevant and equivalent to college-level coursework.
You might also be eligible for exam-based credit if you previously took any Advanced Placement (AP), College-Level Examination Program (CLEP), or similar standardized tests. Speak with our advising team to learn more about how this process works and how to determine your eligibility.
Have you served in the military? If so, then you could have up to a 75 percent head start on your program here at IWU. We strive to maximize military learning experience, offering a free military transcript evaluation to help you get started.
To determine your eligibility for military transfer credit, we accept both Joint Service Transcripts (JST) and Community College of the Air Force (CCAF) transcripts. You can obtain the necessary documentation by contacting your base education center, which can then transfer it to us. You can also request your joint services transcript here.
At IWU, we also strive to accept relevant credits through the American Council on Education (ACE) and the National College Credit Recommendation Services (NCCRS). Using these services, we can award credit for learning and training completed outside of a "traditional" higher education program — including military training and service.
If you're thinking about applying for transfer credit to any of our IWU online programs, there are some things you should be aware of as you get started.
For undergraduate programs, no more than 75 percent of IWU's course requirements may be satisfied through transfer credits alone — including a limit of 50 percent of a major's core coursework. For graduate-level programs, the limit is 30 percent. Graduate transfer credits must also meet upper-division requirements, so only 500-level courses (and higher) may be accepted.
Courses that have residency requirements and capstone projects related to a degree/major must be completed at IWU. In other words, you cannot apply for transfer credits for these requirements.
Thinking about applying for IWU transfer credits and completing your degree with us? Now is a great time to build your transfer plan and schedule your online academic advising appointment.
Once you have a better idea of how your credit evaluation went and how many of your previous credits will transfer to your new program, you'll want to carefully review your degree plan and determine how many credits you'll still need to complete. From there, you can create a map of your remaining coursework and work alongside your advisor to determine when you'll take each required class.
If there are any courses that didn't transfer or any IWU courses you believe you may have previous experience with, explore options to fill these gaps. For example, suppose you have prior work experience or even military training that applies to a general education course. In that case, you may be able to build a portfolio that demonstrates this and earn additional transfer credits. However, you'll want to speak with an advisor to help you get started.
Looking for ways to make your college degree more affordable? There are many potential options you can explore, ranging from traditional financial aid to employer tuition assistance and more.
For starters, be sure to fill out your Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) to determine your eligibility for all kinds of government grants, subsidized loans, unsubsidized loans, and more. In addition to federal aid, IWU offers a wide range of aid options (including scholarships and grants), and convenient payment plans for college that allow you to break up your tuition expenses into more manageable installments.
Another potential way to maximize your value per credit and complete your degree program sooner rather than later is to explore accelerated online courses, which condense your learning into a shorter timeframe and make it possible to earn your degree faster.
As you prepare to start your program at IWU, it's important to know that you're supported every step of the way.
IWU's Center for Student Success is committed to supporting students outside the classroom with a wide range of services to make your experience a positive one. Likewise, we offer dedicated Career Advancement Support when it comes time to craft your resume and search for your first job in the field.
At various times during your studies at IWU, you're also encouraged to meet with your academic advisor to check in and review your progress toward your goals. This can also help you ensure that you're on track to graduate based on your degree plan and course requirements.
Undergraduates can transfer up to 75 percent of their required credits (with a cap of 50 percent of core degree credits), whereas graduate students can transfer a maximum of 30 percent.
In some cases, these credits can affect a student's eligibility for financial aid. This most often occurs when a large number of these credits transfer, allowing the student to drop their enrollment status from full- to part-time. As a result, students may be ineligible for aid (or eligible for less aid) due to their enrollment status.
This will really depend on the specific program you've enrolled in and how many transfer credits you have. In some cases, these programs can be completed in as little as a year, but you should speak with an advisor to examine your unique situation.
Whether you're ready to finish your undergraduate or graduate degree, Indiana Wesleyan University is here to help with transfer-friendly policies. Get in touch with an advisor today to learn more about our transfer policies, explore our program list, or start your online application now!
