Do I have to submit data each year to PDE?
All participating institutions and the state-related universities must submit transfer data annually.
How and when do I submit the data each year?
Institutions are asked to submit the Interim Report of Credit Transfers electronically in January of each year. A template report and exact deadline will be sent to each institution during several months prior to the report deadline.
How does TAOC define a “transfer student”?
The term “transfer student” should be limited to students who have taken 12 or more college-level credits prior to enrolling in a receiving institution.
For reporting purposes, what is meant by “institution of origin”?
The legislation states that institutions must report on how many credits students took at their “institution of origin” and how many of those credits transferred. But increasingly students attend multiple institutions as they pursue a degree. Thus, when reporting data for PDE, institutions should report the total number of credits that a student took at any prior institution they accept for transfer.
The legislation states that participating institutions need only report on students that transfer from institutions with which they have an “articulation agreement.” Is that really the case?
Specifically, Section 2003-C (a) (1) states that institutions must report on “the status of the institution’s articulation agreements” by reporting a series of transfer data points. While most institutions will accept credits from any non-proprietary, accredited institution, they do not have formal articulation agreements with all of these institutions. Rather, most institutions have developed articulation agreements with the handful of institutions from which they receive most of their transfer students. Therefore, PDE directs institutions to report transfer data on all transfer students regardless of institution —not just those with which the receiving institution has a formal articulation agreement.
Does transfer data include in-state and out-of-state transfers?
Yes, institutions should report on both in-state and out-of-state transfer students.
How do I join the statewide initiative and ePortal?
Institutions interested in becoming a participating member of the statewide transfer system should contact PDE’s Office of Access Initiatives by calling 717-787-4313 or emailing
ra-patrac@state.pa.us. PDE then provide additional information including a template of the data collection report, an outline of the Transfer Credit Framework, and a sample Interagency Agreement.
Deadline for joining PA TRAC and the statewide transfer system is Nov. 15 of each year.
Is there a fee for joining PA TRAC and the statewide transfer system?
There is no charge to PDE for joining the statewide transfer system. However, state-related and private institutions are required to pay for their own subscriptions and annual maintenance agreements with the software vendor selected to create the course equivalency databases and ePortal. Vendor contracts are negotiated directly between the institution and the vendor. PDE does not negotiate the contracts on the institution’s behalf or have control over the cost of the agreement.
How many institutions participate in PA’s transfer system?
As of Spring 2008, a total of 32 college and universities participate. This number includes all 14 PA Community Colleges, 14 State-Owned Universities, Lincoln University, Lackawanna College, Seton Hill University, and St. Francis University.
What is the Transfer Credit Framework?
The Transfer Credit Framework is a range of credits that a student may select from each of the disciplinary categories/areas for transfer to any of the participating institutions. The Framework ensures that students do not elect a “lopsided” 30 credits that would make it difficult for receiving institutions to apply all credits to their foundation-level courses.
Does the legislation require a 30-credit common “core curriculum”?
No. The legislation only requires that 30 credits from existing courses at each institution be approved for transfer at each of the participating institutions.
Must participating institutions stop at creating 30 credits of course equivalencies?
No. This is the minimum required by the legislation; there is no maximum. In fact, institutions are encouraged to continue to develop and enter course equivalencies in the Course Equivalency Management Center.
What if my college does not have an equivalent course for an approved framework course?
Every participating institution must establish a transfer equivalency when a course is approved by a TAOC Subcommittee for the Minimum Transfer Credit Framework. If a direct equivalency does not exist then participating institutions are required to establish an equivalency. Institutions have the following options when establishing equivalencies:
- Enter the exact equivalency in the Course Equivalency Management Center;
- Create a course equivalency; or
- Create a "ghost" course to indicate that the course is accepted even though there is no matching course taught at the institution.
What are the “rules” of the Transfer Credit Framework?
Students who successfully complete 30 credits from the Minimum Transfer Credit Framework may transfer to any of the participating colleges and universities and have those credits counted towards graduation. A reason for not applying an approved course towards graduation is based on the receiving institution’s external accreditation requirements not internal college/university requirements. The student is responsible for working with an advisor to select appropriate courses as they relate to the major.
When does the framework and statewide transfer system take effect?
The Transfer Framework goes into effect for students matriculated for Fall 2008 and beyond.
How many votes are needed to approve a course as transfer under the Transfer Credit Framework?
A minimum 2/3 vote is needed to approve a course. Since then number of subcommittee members varies with each subcommittee, this number can vary
Does the appeals committee deal with student appeals regarding individual courses?
No. The Dispute Resolution Subcommittee handles grievances at the institutional level only. Students should follow the credit appeals process in effect at the transfer institution if they feel courses were inappropriately evaluated or transferred.