Q & A Guide for Transfer Students
Q: What classes will transfer to Western State College?
A: Any class in which a ‘C-‘ or better was earned that is not remedial, preparatory, non-academic, or vocational should transfer. Western has established equivalency guides with all of Colorado’s two-year schools. Transfer guides are available for each academic year.
Q: How do associate degrees transfer?
A: Western participates in Colorado’s GE Statewide Transfer Program. For students enrolling or re-enrolling in a Colorado two-year school beginning Fall 2003, up to 35-37 credits of approved general education courses are guaranteed to transfer, which should satisfy the General Education requirements at Western. Western will also still honor the “Colorado Core Curriculum” stamp as satisfying our General Education requirements. See information on gtPathways for more information. Western will do a course by course evaluation for out-of-state two-year schools.
Q: What is meant by “upper-division” credit?
A: This refers to courses that are junior or senior level (300-499 at Western). All students are required to complete a minimum of 40 hours of upper-division credit to earn the BA degree at Western. If you successfully complete junior/senior level work at other institutions, those upper-division hours will count towards to 40 hour requirement. By their nature, two-year colleges cannot offer upper division credit. Although classes taken as lower-division may be equivalent to a 300 or 400 numbered course at Western, these courses will still only count as lower-division credit.
Q: Can I get credit from anything other than coursework?
A: Credit can be earned through Advanced Placement (AP) exams, College Level Examination Program (CLEP) exams, the International Baccalaureate (IB) Program, and for military experience. Official score reports must be submitted for consideration from AP and CLEP. Official transcripts must be submitted for consideration for IB credit. Western requires the AARTS transcript or DD-295 to earn credit for military experience.
Q: When will my credits be evaluated?
A: If you are accepted to Western you will receive your transfer evaluation with your acceptance letter. You can expect these to arrive in the mail 2-4 weeks after you apply to Western.
Q: How many credits can transfer to Western?
A: 30 maximum from military experience/non-traditional training
40 maximum from AP, CLEP, IB
60 maximum from all 2-year schools
90 maximum from all sources
Q: How many hours will it take to complete my degree?
A: That will depend on the degree program you choose to complete; however, all students must complete a minimum of 120 semester hours to earn the BA degree. Of that 120 hours, a minimum of 30 must be earned in residence at Western, to include 15 hours in your major (in residence) and, if completing a minor, 8 hours (in residence).
Special information for students transferring in 60 or more hours:
You should pay close attention to meeting the 40 hour upper-division requirement. Generally speaking, if you have a choice in taking lower or upper division classes in your major, minor or as electives, take the upper-division.
Q: How do I obtain a graduation evaluation?
A: For those students transferring in 60-80 hours who know what their degree program is, a graduation evaluation can be obtained after you have complete one semester at Western. For students with 80-plus transfer hours, a graduation evaluation can be obtained during your first semester at Western if you know what your degree program is. The graduation evaluation will provide you with a list of the courses you still need to complete to earn the BA degree.
To obtain a graduation evaluation, your advisor must turn in GE and major check-sheets to the Registration Services Office in the major of your choice. Instructions are available outside of Registration Services, Taylor 201.
For Students Who May Still Need to Apply for Admission
Q: Is there an application fee?
A: Yes, the fee is $30 for a paper application and the online application is free. Students with an AA, AS or AGS degree from a Colorado two-year school can have their application fee waived through the Pathway Program.
Q: Should I apply as a transfer student or a new freshman?
A: All students who have taken college coursework after high school graduation are considered transfer students regardless of the number of credits completed.
Q: What are the entrance requirements and how do I apply for admission?
A: Typically, students who have a 2.5 cumulative GPA in college coursework are admitted. All applicants must submit official transcripts from every college previously attended. Students who have earned fewer than 30 semester hours should also submit their high school transcript and ACT/SAT test scores.