how transfer works in mnscu

Louise DiCesare, System DirectorProgram Collaboration & Transfer

Transfer and the MnTC: How Transfer Works in Minnesota

MN Student Leadership SummitOctober 16, 2015

Transfer of Courses/Credits

• Can change due to laws• Can change due to system policies and

procedures• Can be influenced by national changes• Changes are shifting to data-driven

mechanisms

Transfer & Collaboration 2

2014 Transfer Legislation Chapter 312, Article 1, Sec. 12

• MINNESOTA STATE COLLEGES AND UNIVERSITIES BACCALAUREATE DEGREE COMPLETION PLAN.The Board of Trustees of the Minnesota State Colleges and Universities shall develop a plan to implement multi-campus articulation agreements that lead to baccalaureate degree completion upon earning the number of credits required for the degree minus 60 credits at a system university after transfer to the system university by a student with an associate in arts degree, associate of science degree, or an associate of fine arts (AFA) degree from a system college. The board shall assign the task of developing the plan to the appropriate committee formed under the board’s “Charting the Future” initiative. The board shall report on this plan to the legislative committees with primary jurisdiction over higher education finance and policy by March 15, 2015.


2015 MINNESOTA SESSION LAWS; ARTICLE 3 HIGHER EDUCATION POLICY

Sec. 21. BACCALAUREATE DEGREE PATHWAYS •Subdivision 1. Regulate MnSCU baccalaureate transfers. The Board of Trustees of the Minnesota State Colleges and Universities shall implement new transfer pathways for associate of arts degrees, associate of science degrees, and associate of fine arts degrees toward baccalaureate degree programs. The implementation must, to the greatest extent possible, be done in accordance with the implementation plan, including its timeline, developed pursuant to Laws 2014, chapter 312, article 1, section 12. •Subd. 2. New or enhanced bachelor of applied science degrees. The board, in consultation with system constituency groups, is encouraged to create a plan to enhance or develop new bachelor of applied science degree programs in areas of high employment need in the state to facilitate transfer pathways for students with associate of applied science degrees. •Subd. 3. Report. By March 15, 2016, the board must report to the chairs and ranking minority members of the legislative committees with jurisdiction over higher •education on the status of implementation of transfer pathways under subdivision •1 and any deviations from the implementation plan.


2011 Higher Education 2011 Session Laws, Chapter 5, Article 2, Sec 14

• The MnSCU Board – shall provide information about progress made

toward achieving the goals described in the Smart Transfer Plan

– Shall provide information about the number of students transferring between and among the system’s two- and four-year institutions during the previous fiscal year

– Shall include a system study of mechanisms for effective transfer in other states


Higher Education Bill May, 2010• Enhance information on transferring and tracking credits;• Improve training for all staff involved with credit transfer• Identify discrepancies in transferring and accepting credits by

institutions within the system and devise methods to improve the uniform treatment of credit transfers

• Require, to the extent feasible, institutional rather than student obligation to provide prompt required documentation for course equivalency determinations

• Board must provide systemwide transfer information on the Internet that is easily accessible and maintained in a current and accurate status


Smart Transfer Plan

• Resulted from legislative and internal audits, and student transfer survey results– Ensure communication about Transfer and the MnTC– Provide appeal information in multiple formats– Promote ongoing training of staff involved with transfer– Ensure course equivalencies are encoded for display in

u.select (now Transferology)– Ensure transfer information provided on institutional websites– Use course outlines for transfer evaluations; post on

institutional websites and MnTransfer.org


http://www.northlandcollege.edu/admissions/transfer-students/minnesota-transfer-curriculum/

https://www.transferology.com/state/mn

http://www.metrostate.edu/msweb/pathway/registration/transfer/index.html

http://www.mntransfer.org/students/plan/s_schedules.php

2010 and2013 Student Transfer Surveys

• 2010 Student Transfer Survey led to development of the Smart Transfer Plan

• 2010 and 2011 laws reinforced its implementation

• 2013 Student Transfer Survey found improvement student satisfaction in all categories!


Joint Statement on Transfer and Award of Academic Credit

Public funding is routinely provided to colleges and universities. This funding is accompanied by public expectations that the transfer process is built on a strong commitment to fairness and efficiency.

…policies and procedures should provide maximum consideration for the individual student who has changed institutions or objectives.


American Association of Collegiate Registrars and Admissions Officers 9/28/01American Council on Education 9/28/01

Council for Higher Education 9/28/01

Transfer of credit from one institution to another involves:

1. The educational quality of the learning experience which the student transfers;

2. The comparability of the nature, content, and level of learning experience to that offered by the receiving institution; and

3. The appropriateness and applicability of the learning experience to the programs offered by the receiving institution, in light of the student’s goals

American Association of Collegiate Registrars and Admissions Officers 9/28/01 American Council on Education 9/28/01

Council for Higher Education 9/28/01www.chea.org

Transfer & Collaboration11

http://www.chea.org/

75% Rule

• The course work to be transferred must be comparable in nature, content and level to courses offered (or that could be offered) by the receiving institution.

• In evaluating courses for transfer equivalency, the standard for review should be at least 75% comparability of course content


Minnesota Standards and Procedures for Transfer, The Intersystem Transfer Logistics Committee, 3/5/92

Things that Impact Transfer• Several things affect the transfer of courses:

– Student’s change in program or major– Age of credits– Type of credit (MnTC, technical, lower division, quarter,

etc.)– Grades in courses and cumulative GPA– Type of program– Accreditation It is very important to seek advising early and often,

especially when your program/major changes!


Minnesota Transfer Curriculum Agreement 1994

• 40 semester credit transfer curriculum for the University of Minnesota and Minnesota State Colleges and Universities

• Common goals and competencies• Faculty-developed courses; faculty verify courses meet MnTC

Goal Areas according to system policies and procedures• Flexibility: goals the same, means may vary• Equivalent, comparable• Competency certified

– http://www.mntransfer.org/pdfs/transfer/PDFs/MNTC.pdf


http://www.mntransfer.org/pdfs/transfer/PDFs/MNTC.pdf


2001 Omnibus Higher Education Bill

“By January 1, 2002, the board must implement the Minnesota transfer curriculum at all state colleges and universities. Once a course has met the criteria necessary for inclusion in the Minnesota transfer curriculum in any area of emphasis, the course must be accepted for full credit in that area of emphasis at all Minnesota state colleges and universities.” Note: Applies to MnSCU, not U of ML. Baer, Interpretation of Transfer Legislation, 2001 http://www.mntransfer.org/pdfs/transfer/PDFs/InterpretationMnTCLegislation.pdf

http://www.mntransfer.org/pdfs/transfer/PDFs/InterpretationMnTCLegislation.pdf

http://www.mntransfer.org/pdfs/transfer/PDFs/InterpretationMnTCLegislation.pdf

General Education Model

General Education(MnTC)

General Education(other than the

MnTC)


System Policies and Procedures

• Policy 3.21 Undergraduate Course Credit Transfer• Procedure 3.21.1 Undergraduate Course Credit

Transfer• Policy 3.37 Minnesota Transfer Curriculum• Procedure 3.37.1 Minnesota Transfer Curriculum• Policy 3.39 Transfer Rights and Responsibilities

• Transfer policies and procedures are currently under review.


http://www.mnscu.edu/board/policy/321.html

http://www.mnscu.edu/board/procedure/321p1.html


http://www.mnscu.edu/board/procedure/337p1.html


Associate Degrees

• Not all associate degrees are alike!• Transferability varies depending on the type

of associate degree.


Associate of Arts (AA)

O 60 semester creditsO Designed for transfer to a baccalaureate degree (Note: some

majors don’t require the AA degree)O Requires completion of at least 40-credit general education

curriculum that fulfills the Minnesota Transfer Curriculum goal areas

O May have one or more emphases of at least 9 credits provided there is an articulation agreement with a baccalaureate degree

O At least 20 credits taught by faculty recommending the award


“Typical” Transfer

• Most students who want to transfer take courses that follow an Associate of Arts plan and take pre-major courses as part of the AA degree.– Liberal Arts majors do not require transfer guides

or agreements– Transfer Guides are usually available for some specialized majors (i.e. business, health careers, engineering, etc.)


Other Transfer Options

• The Associate of Science and Associate of Fine Arts are other types of associate degrees– Fewer MnTC courses and more

“technical/occupational” courses mean they need an articulation agreement with a four-year university to transfer all the credits


Associate of Science (AS)

O 60 semester creditsO Designed for limited transfer; May be designed for employmentO May be awarded either in a broad or specific field of studyO Transfers to a related scientific, technological or other professional field by way of

articulation agreementsO Must have at least one articulation agreement with a university that awards a

related baccalaureateO Designed to transfer in its entirety to a related baccalaureate degree program at a

state university. O At least 30 MnTC credits from at least six goal areasO At least 20 credits taught by faculty recommending the award


Associate of Fine Arts (AFA)

• 60 credits• Designed for limited transfer: Requires at least one articulation agreement

with a regionally accredited university awarding a related baccalaureate.• A (system) college shall pursue an articulation agreement with a system

university before establishing an articulation agreement with a non-system university.

• Designed to transfer in its entirety to a related baccalaureate degree program at a state university.

• Art: at least 24 MnTC credits from at least six goal areasMusic: at least 30 MnTC credits from at least six goal areasTheatre Arts: at least 40 MnTC credits and completion of the entire MnTC

• At least 20 credits taught by faculty recommending the award


Associate of Applied Science (AAS)

O 60 semester credits in a scientific, technological or other professional field; NOT designed for transfer

O At least 15 MnTC credits selected from three Goal AreasO At least 30 semester credits in program’s occupational or

technical fieldO At least 20 credits taught by faculty recommending the awardO May have one or more emphasesO Prepares students for employment; May be accepted in transfer

to a related baccalaureate program, but all credits might not transfer


“Typical” Transfer:Course-to-Course and Course-to-Program

• Based on transfer of Associate in Arts degree/Minnesota Transfer Curriculum (students should consult academic advisors and the four-year university early and often)

• Based on how 2-year college courses “fit” into 4-year university curriculum requirements– Based on course equivalencies between 2-year and 4-year curriculum– Based on 2-year curriculum “matching” the first two years of a 4-year

degree– Any specific pre-major requirements are identified and can be

completed at the 2-year college – “Works” for many 4-year universities


Articulation Agreements: Program-to-Program• Designed primarily for specialized programs AS

– AFA– AS– AA with Emphasis

• Based on program-to-program transfer rather than solely on course equivalencies

• Occupational/Technical credits are matched to courses and/or requirements where appropriate

• Minnesota Transfer Curriculum courses transfer; remaining MnTC completed at 4-year institution

• Require communication between faculty groups• Need to be updated due to curricular changes• Only “work” for college and university covered by the agreement• Bachelor of Applied Science (BAS) degrees developed to facilitate transfer


Reverse Transfer• “Credit When It’s Due” was a $500,000 Lumina Grant received by

MnSCU• Promotes Associate of Arts degree completion• Process is used to identify students at system universities who

have attended at least one system college• These students transferred without completing AA degree• Credits are transferred back from university to college • 1,463 degrees conferred during grant from

2013 –June, 2015• 239+ degrees conferred so far since grant ended


Technologies Developed from Grant

• Students can import all MnSCU courses into Transferology

• Students can monitor completion of their MnTC regardless of program they’re following

• Registrars are able to find students who’ve completed the MnTC and instantly provide notation of it on transcript (19,000 found so far!)

• Automated consent process asks students for permission to transfer back courses


Other Recent Developments

• Transfer Review/Appeal Process– Will provide students the ability to review course

transfer and consult with staff when there are questions

– If students continue to disagree with transfer after review, will allow for transfer appeal process

• Transfer Website Redesign


Resources• MnTransfer.org: www.mntransfer.org

– Transfer Action Plans, Transfer Specialist Contacts– Program search tools, course research resources, Minnesota Transfer

Curriculum information– College and university transfer web pages– Links to course information including course outlines– Link to Transferology

• Minnesota Transferology (launched March, 2014)– https://www.transferology.com/state/mn Allows students to see course matches and to apply courses to programs at other

participating transfer colleges and universities.


Transferology

• Based on DARS• Transferology provides:

– Course Equivalencies– Course Matches– “Apply Courses to a Program”Articulation Agreement sample


Transfer Resources

• Use www.mntransfer.org

• Use Transferology https://www.transferology.com/state/mn

• Find Transfer Specialists at the Transfer Specialist Network http://www.mntransfer.org/students/basics/s_tscontacts.php


Questions?

• Louise DiCesare, System Director for Collaboration & [email protected]

• Shannan Ellis, Assistant Director for [email protected]
