TRANSFER OF CREDIT BEST PRACTICES Jeanne Herrmann and

TRANSFER OF CREDIT BEST PRACTICES Jeanne Herrmann and Linda Baer

Historical Review • • • MCCA Mn. SCU MN Transfer Alliance

Transfer Issues • • • Accreditation Source – Regional versus National Legislative concerns regarding transferability Federal and Accreditation Initiatives for Change— As of July 1, 2010 CHEA, AACRAO and ACE Joint Policy Statement HLC Policy Recommendations

Sector Relationships • • MN Commitment to Student Choice – Equal Sector Representation Higher Education Advisory Committee and P-20 Partnership

Finding Common Ground • • • Comparison of accreditation standards, course objectives, textbooks, faculty credentialing, etc. Setting the Vision Putting the Student First

Creating a Plan for Change • • Following the HLC and CHEA recommendations – a policy change was made Educational leaders from both sectors met to discuss implementation

The Policy Change • • • Change in language Move towards change in procedures at the institutional level Procedure 3. 21. 1 requires system colleges and universities to follow the Joint Statement on the transfer and award of credit signed by CHEA, AACRAO and ACE Appeal Process Change in Policy to require information about appeals at the time transfer evaluations are completed (pending board approval).

Communication and Training • • Creating a culture change Spreading the message Use of a common voice/presentation for communicating the message Combined training opportunities

Student First • • • The fair and right thing to do Suggestions for easing administrative process (Most Favored Nation concept) Ideas brought forward at CHEA conference

Student Survey on Transfer Issues Minnesota State College Student Association & Minnesota State University Student Association Academic and Student Affairs Division

Transfer Challenges 11 Changing expectations of students Curricular autonomy versus seamlessness Access to information Training for students and advisors Impact on cost of attendance

Background 12 Increase in student complaints in 2007 -2008 MSCSA hosted student roundtable in Fall 2008 Transfer Hotline launched in Spring 2009 MSUSA partners with MSCSA in Fall 2009 Information gathered from others in Fall 2009 Decided to gather more comprehensive data to identify and address problems

Transfer Survey 13 Survey questions developed by the student associations with assistance from ASA staff and pilot tested by students Survey content: Demographics Planning for transfer/advising Information and resources Type of credit Appeals processes Student satisfaction/expectations Survey administered online by Distance Minnesota staff at MN State Community and Technical College

Respondent Satisfaction and Ease of Transfer 14

Respondents Transfer Patterns 15

Types of Transfer Credits 16

Reasons that Credits Didn’t Transfer as Expected 17 47% of respondents reported credits transferred as expected Reasons credits didn’t transfer as expected:

Awareness of Appeals Process 18 67% were not aware of appeals process 33% of respondents who were aware learned about process from:

Appeals and Outcomes 19

Comments on Transfer and Process 20 24% of respondents (250) provided comments 19% were positive comments about transfer 74% were complaints about the following aspects of transfer

Observations 21 Significant numbers of respondents did not seek advice on the transfer process. Although many respondents sought advice late in the process, early planning did not appear to impact ease of transfer. Respondents depend on institution websites so links to system websites are important. Very few respondents reported using u. Select/CAS. Many respondents reported credits accepted as electives.

Observations 22 The majority of respondents were not aware of the appeals process. Some or all credits were accepted in the vast majority of appeals. The majority of respondents rated their transfer experience positively; one-third rated it “fair” or “poor. ” A large majority of respondents reported that transfer met or exceeded their expectations, while one-fourth said that it did not meet their expectations.

Next Steps • • • Smart Transfer Toolkit for Students Forum for Sharing Best Practices Oversight and Accountability

Questions