Frequently Asked Questions
- What transfer courses will be accepted?
- Usually full credit is given for coursework completed with a grade of "C" or better from a regionally accredited institution. Full credit may be given for coursework (grade of "C" or better) completed at an institution nationally accredited by ACICS - Accrediting Council for Independent College and Schools. Additionally, credit may be awarded on a course by course basis for courses (grade of "C" or better) completed at an institution nationally accredited by AABC - Accrediting Association of Bible Colleges or ACCSCT - Accrediting Commission for Career Schools and Colleges of Technology.
- How does a lower level course that is equivalent to an upper level Columbia College course transfer?
- Columbia College accepts credit transferred at the level granted by the transferring institution. Courses transferred from two-year institutions are not accepted for upper level credit even if a direct equivalency to an upper level course is made. Upper level coursework from a transferring institution does not lose its upper level value even if a direct equivalency is made to a lower level course.
- Do I have to submit all of my official transcripts from other colleges for admissions and credit evaluation?
- Yes, all transcripts must be submitted directly from the sending institution to the Columbia College campus where you plan to enroll. Additionally all CLEP, DSST, AP, etc. exams and military documents should be submitted as well. Columbia College does not do an initial evaluation until all transfer documents have been received thereby producing a complete evaluation and degree audit for planning purposes. Advising, Tuition Assistance, Veteran Affairs certification, Financial Aid, Class Level, etc. are all affected by an incomplete evaluation. There are only a few situations recognized for exception.
The catalog policy explains this policy in detail.
- How will my associate/baccalaureate degree transfer to Columbia College?
- An approved transferable Associate in Arts or Associate in Science degree from an approved accreditating body, completed prior to enrollment with Columbia College will be accepted in transfer as fulfilling the Columbia College baccalaureate general education requirements. The approved accreditating bodies for this transfer policy include but are not limited to the following: MSA, NCA, NEASC-CIHE, SACS-CC, WASC-JR and WASC-SR.
Any other Associate degree from an approved accrediting body or any other Associate degree from any other accepted accrediting body will follow the alternate Associate Transfer Policy. The alternate policy acknowledges Associate degrees from accepted and/or regionally accredited institutions completed prior to enrollment with Columbia College that contain ENGL 111 and ENGL 112 with a grade of "C" or better, 33 hours of Columbia College defined General Education courses with representation in Humanities, Social/Behavioral Sciences and Mathematics/Science.
Bachelor of Arts and Bachelor of Science degrees from institutions accredited by United States regional associations and/or approved by the United States Office of Education and recognized by Columbia College shall be honored as their equivalents at Columbia College with regard to baccalaureate general education requirements.
If students have not received an associate or baccalaureate degree from a transferring school prior to enrollment with Columbia College, then Columbia College's general education requirements must be completed even if the previous school's requirements were met. Associate general education requirements are not considered fulfilled as a whole by any transferred degree. Requirements are evaluated on a course by course basis.
