- What is a “transfer option”?
- What is meant by “sending” and “receiving” institutions?
- Who would want to know about transfer options at SAIT?
- What are the different types of transfer options on the SAIT website?
- What determines how my credits transfer to other post-secondary institutions?
- How do I find out which transfer option is right for me?
- If SAIT has a transfer option to another institution, am I automatically accepted for admission when I decide to apply?
- What is a “residency requirement”?
- What is “transfer credit” and how is it determined?
- Why is the amount of awarded transfer credit not the same for different post-secondary institutions?
- What could limit the amount of transfer credit that I receive?
- What should I consider when selecting a transfer option?
What is a “transfer option”? A transfer option is an opportunity to use the credential earned from one institution for credit towards the completion of an advanced credential at another institution, e.g. a certificate to diploma, diploma to degree, applied degree to baccalaureate degree, etc. The first credential may be used as an admission requirement to the advanced program or it may be used to meet curriculum requirements so that you do not need to duplicate coursework – how it is used depends upon the receiving institution.
What is meant by “sending” and “receiving” institutions? A receiving institution is the one to which a student intends to transfer. The receiving institution awards credit for course work completed at the institution from which the student is transferring, also known as the sending institution.
Who would want to know about transfer options at SAIT? - Prospective students – knowing what additional learning opportunities are available after completing a SAIT credential allows for better career planning. As well, students who have been away from education for a while get an idea of what options may be best for them.
- Current students – students knowing that they want to go on with their education know ahead of time where such opportunities exist and the necessary admission requirements and costs which help with planning.
- Alumni – SAIT graduates who have been working for a while may desire advanced educational opportunities and knowing which transfer options exist for their credential allows for career planning and preparation.
- Faculty and staff – often institutions that partner with SAIT include professional development opportunities or advanced credentials that are targeted to specific areas of study.
- Other institutions – often other institutions seeking transfer opportunities for their graduates check the websites looking for potential transfer options.
What are the different types of transfer options on the SAIT website? Different institutions have different policies and practices regarding accepting transfer students and as a result, there can be four transfer formats: - General Policy – this is pre-determined by the receiving institution and generally posted on their admission or program websites. If you meet all the admission criteria that the institution requires, your credential would be considered for transfer credit.
- Specific Recognition – this is where specific credentials from a specific institution, in this case SAIT, have already been evaluated by the receiving institution and it is posted on their admission or program websites. Graduates with that SAIT credential that meet the stated admission and program requirements would be eligible for the transfer credit described.
- Formal Agreements – these can be called “Articulation Agreements” or “Memorandum of Understanding” depending on the preference of the institution. They are formal, legal agreements that stipulate transfer credits for specific programs with or without special conditions. They are usually for a specific time period and are specific to the receiving and sending programs stipulated in the agreement. Students must still meet the admission requirements of the institution as well as the admission requirements of the specific programs described in the agreement.
- Internal Options – this is where programs may be accepted for transfer credit within the same institution provided admission requirements are also met.
What determines how my credits transfer to other post-secondary institutions? It depends upon a number of things: the requirements of the program that you are applying for, the grade point average (GPA) that you achieved, and the age and type of the coursework that you completed. Coursework has a “shelf life” and for most institutions it is 7 years from the date of completion. Each receiving institution has its own policies about accepting transfer credit and it is always wise to find out ahead of time what you can expect to receive and the admission and graduation requirements.
How do I find out which transfer option is right for me? It depends on the next credential that you would like to complete, the institutions that offer that credential and their admission requirements, plus the cost and time to completion involved. It is always best to see what is available for you on the Transfer Options website and do your research on the other institution’s website. Speaking to department personnel or faculty directly is always a wise idea. You are not limited to just the agreements SAIT has listed and are always free to check out other possible transfer options at any institution of your choice.
If SAIT has a transfer option to another institution, am I automatically accepted for admission when I decide to apply? No. You must also meet the admission requirements to that institution as well the admission requirements to your program of choice. As well, some institutions have residency requirements. SAIT lists transfer options that fall into four types along with the general and program websites for that institution. Always contact the receiving institution to clarify what they require for admission. It is possible that policies and procedures may change with delays in public notifications on websites or academic calendars.
What is a “residency requirement”? This is the amount of coursework that must be completed at the home institution to be eligible to receive a credential. Institutions will advertise this in their calendars and websites and students are advised to find out this requirement. In some cases, this may limit the amount of coursework that is eligible for transfer to that institution for specific programs. Another meaning for “residency” refers to where you physically reside. Some institutions want students to have established permanent address for a certain length of time in their province before they will grant admission to their programs. It is always best to check for this requirement if you are considering transferring from another province.
What is “transfer credit” and how is it determined? Transfer credit is the value that a receiving institution awards coursework from a sending institution in terms of their grading system. It is determined by evaluators at the receiving institution who compare work competed (and sometimes level of achievement) to determine its comparison to work done at its institution. There are a number of results of such comparisons and evaluations: - Direct equivalency credit – means that the course sent has a greater than 80% match to a comparable course at the receiving institution and will be awarded an equal number of credits as a receiving institution offers regardless of what was originally awarded.
- Unspecified or elective credit – these courses are not close enough in content to transfer as equivalencies to a receiving institution but could transfer as option or elective credit, usually specified for first or second year.
- Block transfer credit – where a group of courses are considered as a whole and not individually for credit towards an advanced credential.
Why is the amount of awarded transfer credit not the same for different post-secondary institutions? Each institution determines the graduation requirements for its own programs and credentials. Each institution also determines what and how much transfer credit coming from sending intuitions will be accepted towards the graduation requirements. Because the content of programs will change between institutions even though there may be a similarity in the topics covered, receiving institutions have the prerogative to determine what they will accept in transfer credit and how much transfer credit they will award.
What could limit the amount of transfer credit that I receive? If the coursework is not covered by a transfer agreement, there are a number of factors that could limit the amount and type of credit received: how current your course may be, the content match at the receiving institution, the mark received, and/or the time taken to complete the course or program.
What should I consider when selecting a transfer option? There are a number of factors to consider when deciding to complete an advanced credential: - Do I have the admission requirements to be accepted?
- How much transfer credit can I expect? Is it covered under an existing agreement?
- How will this new credential advance my career opportunities?
- What will be the costs of the additional years of study? Can I afford this?
- Do I want to study full-time or part-time, on-line or on the campus? What options are available to me?
- What is the level of commitment expected of me?
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