Transfer of Undergraduate Credits

Part 1. Institutional Transfer Policy

Saint Paul College – A Community & Technical College will review requests for transfer of credit from individuals who have completed undergraduate coursework from other accredited post-secondary institutions.

Subpart 1. Grade Requirements

Grades earned prior to transfer are evaluated according to the following standards: All college courses in which a student has received a grade of A, B, C, or D, shall be considered for transfer evaluation. P grades shall be accepted as earned credit. If the student’s cumulative GPA at the originating institution is less than 2.0 GPA, D grade course credits will not be accepted in transfer from that school. No F grade course credits will be accepted in transfer.

Students retain the right to appeal the acceptance of credits. Programs with their own standards may accept transfer grades differently.

Subpart 2. Residency Requirement

A student shall earn a minimum of 20 credits for all associate degrees at SPC. The residency requirement shall be reduced to 12 credits for students transferring with at least 12 college-level credits from another Minnesota State Colleges and Universities institution and the University of Minnesota. One-third of the credits required for a diploma, certificate, or the Minnesota Transfer Curriculum (MnTC) must be earned at SPC.

Subpart 3. Transfer Credit Evaluation

A. Comparable or Equivalent Courses. The number of transfer credits granted per course shall not exceed the number granted by the originating institution. Courses approved for transfer must be comparable in nature, content, and level and match at least 75% of the content and goals of the course syllabus for which the student is seeking equivalent credit.

B. Developmental Courses. Developmental courses may be used to satisfy pre-requisites but will not transfer.

C. General Electives. Occupational and Professional Courses which are not comparable or equivalent to specific courses taught at Saint Paul College may be accepted as general electives, up to 24 quarter or 16 semester credits. 

Part 2. Appeal Process

There is a two-level process through which students may appeal transfer credit decisions made by Saint Paul College. The first level is to appeal the decision. Saint Paul College will review the decision and provide in writing a rationale for the decisions and an explanation of the appeal process at the second level. The second level, used when a student is not satisfied with the appeal decision, will involve a System Academic Appeals Review Panel. To be considered, the student appeal must have the support of the Chief Academic Officer. The System Academic Appeals Review Panel includes students, faculty, and administrators from both two-year and four-year Minnesota State institutions and are convened by the Minnesota State system office. Panel decisions will be based on course descriptions, outlines, objectives, learning outcomes, and other relevant information. 

​Reference: Minnesota State 3.21 ​

Each credit to be considered for transfer must be supported by an official transcript from the originating institution and must be reviewed and approved by the Assistant Registrar, a Transfer Specialist, and/or the student’s faculty advisor prior to the awarding of credit. Refer to the College Catalog for additional information regarding transfer.

Students also may be eligible to transfer credit to Saint Paul College through the following:

1. AP – Advanced Placement Exams
2. CLEP – College Level Examination Program
3. Credit for prior work/life experience
4. IB – International Baccalaureate
5. International credentials
6. Military – Related courses and experience

Courses applicable to the Minnesota General Education Transfer Curriculum will be accepted in the required student goals and competencies as determined by Saint Paul College for the equivalent course. Alternatively, transfer courses may also be accepted toward the Minnesota Transfer Curriculum goal and competency as determined by the originating institution. Transfer courses for which Saint Paul College does not have an equivalent will transfer and count toward the Minnesota Transfer Curriculum goal and competency as determined by the originating college.

Transfer of Credit Appeal Process

Step 1:

If a student is questioning a transfer evaluation the first step is to have the student fill out a Transfer Course Evaluation Appeal form in One Stop. The Transfer Evaluator Committee will send a letter of decision to the student by email within 30 days to the email address provided on the form.

Step 2:

If the student is not satisfied with the decision, then the student may appeal to the Vice President of Academic Affairs. The student will be notified by mail within 30 days of the request of the decision.

Step 3:

A third and final transfer appeal is available at the system level. See Minnesota State Colleges and Universities Procedure 3.37.1, Part 7.

Preparing for Transfer

Since requirements and acceptance of Saint Paul College credits differs from one college to another, it is important to talk to a Saint Paul College Pathway Advisor, consult college catalogs and web sites, and talk to advisors at the 4-year college to which you are transferring. Transfer guides to 4-year colleges may be available to provide you with guidance in selecting the courses that you intend to transfer from Saint Paul College. You may also use the Saint Paul College website (www.saintpaul.edu) or the Minnesota Transfer website (www.mntransfer.org​) for more information.

Obtain the following materials and information from the 4-year college:

• College catalog
• Transfer website
• Information about admission criteria and what materials are required for admission (i.e., transcripts, test scores, portfolio, etc.) Note that some majors have limited enrollments and/or special admission requirements such as higher grade point averages.
• Information on financial aid (how to apply and by what date).

After you have reviewed this information, make an appointment with an advisor or with someone in the division or program you want to enter. Be sure to ask about course transfer and admission criteria.

Note: Minnesota State Universities and the University of Minnesota have High School Preparation requirements for admission. Consult an advisor at your intended transfer school for more information.

Understanding How Transfer of Credit Works

The receiving college or university decides what credits transfer and whether those credits meet its degree requirements; however, a course that meets a Minnesota Transfer Curriculum (MnTC) goal at Saint Paul College will meet the same goal at a Minnesota State Colleges and Universities institution. Note: a course can meet a Minnesota Transfer Goal at the receiving institution and yet may or may not be considered equivalent to a course at the receiving institution. The accreditation of both your sending and your receiving institution can affect the transfer of the credits you earn, but it is not the only factor in determining transfer of credits.

Institutions accept credits from courses and programs like those they offer. They look for similarity in course goals, content, and level: “like” transfers to “like.” The name of a course is not sufficient in determining equivalency.

Not everything that transfers will help you graduate. Baccalaureate degree programs usually count credits in three categories: general education, major/minor courses, and prerequisites and electives. The key question is: Will your credits fulfill requirements of the degree or program you wish to complete?

If you change your career goal or major, you might not be able to complete all degree requirements within the usual number of graduation credits.

Applying for Transfer Admission

• Application for admission is the first step in transferring. Fill out the application as early as you can prior to the deadline and pay the application fee.
• Request that official transcripts be sent from every institution you have attended. You might be required to provide a high school transcript or GED test scores.
• Make certain you supplied the college or university with all the necessary paperwork. Most colleges make no decisions until all required documents are in your file.
• If you have heard nothing from your intended college of transfer after one month, call to check on the status of your application.
• After the College notifies you that you have been accepted for admission, your transcript will be evaluated for transfer. A written evaluation should tell you which courses transfer and which do not. How your courses specifically meet degree requirements may not be decided until you arrive for orientation or have chosen a major.
• If you have questions about your evaluation, use the contact information provided on your transcript evaluation results letter to speak to the person who evaluated your transcript. Ask why judgments were made about specific courses. Many concerns can be cleared up if you understand why decisions were made. If not satisfied, you can appeal. See “Your Rights as a Transfer Student.”

Your Rights as a Transfer Student

You are entitled to:

• A clear, understandable statement of an institution’s transfer policy.
• A fair credit review and an explanation of why credits were or were not accepted.
• A copy of the formal appeals process. Usual appeal steps are:

1. Student fills out an appeals form. Supplemental information you provide to reviewers—a syllabus, course description, or reading list can help, depending upon the type of appeal.
2. Department or committee will review the form.
3. Student receives, in writing, the outcome of the appeal.
4. Student can appeal decision

• At your request, a review of your eligibility for financial aid or scholarship.

For help with your transfer questions or concerns, contact Advising & Counseling at (651) 846-1739

Transfer of Credits to Other Institutions

Credit and course transfer is at the discretion of the receiving institution. Saint Paul College has developed transfer articulation agreements and transfer guides with several colleges and universities in Minnesota to assist in the transfer process.

If you plan to earn a four-year degree after completing general education requirements at Saint Paul College, you should meet with a Pathway Advisor to explore the requirements of your chosen transfer college. Since requirements and the acceptance of Saint Paul College credits differs from one college to another, you are advised to obtain a copy of the transfer college catalog early in your first year, discuss transfer plans with advisors from the transfer college, and work with the Saint Paul College Advising Center. You are also encouraged to use the Minnesota Transfer website: www.mntransfer.org.