Transferring doesn’t have to be complicated. Below are answers to some common questions and topics related to the transfer process, the PA College Transfer site, and Pennsylvania’s statewide transfer policies.
A course equivalency is an official recognition that a class you’ve taken (or plan to take) at one college or university matches the content, learning outcomes, and credit value of a course at another school. Here’s how it works:
| Content Alignment |
Your original course syllabus (learning objectives, textbooks, assignments, contact hours) is compared with the receiving institution’s course. If the majority of these factors line up, the school will deem the two courses equivalent. |
| Credit Value |
Colleges assign credit hours to each course based on time in lecture, labs, or seminars. Equivalencies ensure you don’t lose or gain unfair credit—you transfer the same number of credits you originally earned. |
| Degree Progress |
Once a course is approved as equivalent, it counts toward your new institution’s degree requirements—general education, major, or elective. This prevents you from re‑taking material you’ve already mastered and keeps you on track to graduate sooner. |
| How to Check Them |
Go to Course Equivalencies. Enter the “From” and “To” Colleges. Provide the Course Prefix and Course Number to see how that course transfers to your destination college. If a course isn’t listed, you can submit your syllabus to the registrar or transfer office for a formal review. |
| Why They Matter |
By leveraging course equivalencies, you ensure every credit you’ve worked for moves with you—so you save money, save time, and stay on the fast track to graduation. |
| Advanced Placement (AP) Program |
A program authorized by the College Board that allows a student to study college-level subjects while enrolled in high school and to receive advanced placement and college credit for earning a qualified score on the course-related Advanced Placement Program exam. |
| Associate degree |
An academic degree requiring a minimum of 60 semester credit hours. The term includes an associate of arts degree, associate of science degree, associate of fine arts degree, or associate of applied science degree. |
| Cambridge Advanced |
An academically rigorous college-level program offered by Cambridge Assessment International Education, a part of the University of Cambridge, comprised of a one-year AS-Level and a two-year A-Level course and exam and the core requirements of the AICE Diploma program. |
| Career, technical or applied courses |
Courses usually offered as part of an associate degree curriculum designed to prepare students for entry-level professions, not for transfer to baccalaureate programs for advanced studies. |
| College-Level Examination Program (CLEP) |
A set of standardized tests developed by the College Board for various subjects, and on which a qualifying score can be used to earn college credit. |
| Credit for prior learning |
College-level credit granted toward the award of a postsecondary degree or certificate for experiential learning that can be demonstrated through various means of assessment to be the equivalent of learning gained through formal collegiate instruction, including an Advanced Placement Program exam, International Baccalaureate Diploma Program exam, a College-Level Examination Program exam, Cambridge advanced exam and Dantes Subject Standardized Tests. |
| DANTES Subject Standardized Tests |
A set of subject exams approved by the American Council on Education that tests knowledge of both lower-level and upper-level college material. |
| Developmental or remedial courses |
Courses typically consisting of reading, writing, and math designed to prepare students for college-level courses and that are not transferable. |
| Equivalent courses |
Courses determined to have generally equivalent content and level as determined by the faculty of an institution of higher education consistent with the policy at each institution of higher education. |
| General Education courses |
Courses required to be completed by students that provide an academic foundation required for degree attainment and upper-level skills. |
| Independent institution of higher education |
An institution of higher education which is operated not for profit, located in and incorporated or chartered by the Commonwealth and entitled to confer degrees and to apply to itself the designation "college" or "university" as provided for by the standards and qualifications prescribed by the State Board of Education pursuant to 24 PA Ch. 65. |
| Industry-recognized credential |
-Is sought or accepted by employers within the industry or sector involved as a recognized, preferred or required credential for recruitment, screening, hiring, retention or advancement purposes;
-Where appropriate, is endorsed by a nationally recognized trade association or organization representing a significant part of the industry or sector;
-Is approved by the department.
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| Institution of Higher Education (IHE) |
-A public institution of higher education.
-A rural regional college.
-A State-related institution.
-The Thaddeus Stevens College of Technology.
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| International Baccalaureate Diploma Program |
An academically challenging two-year precollege diploma program comprised of three core requirements and six academic subject areas with final examinations that prepare students, 16 to 19 years of age, for higher education and life in a global society. |
| Parallel baccalaureate degree program |
A bachelor's degree program in a comparable field of study and with similar foundation-level, major-specific competencies as an associate degree program, as articulated in program-to-program agreements. |
| Public institution of higher education |
A community college or an institution which is part of the State System of Higher Education pursuant to 1949 Act 14 Section 2001-A. |
| Public school |
-A school district.
-An intermediate unit.
-An area career and technical school.
-A charter school as defined in section 1703-A.
-A regional charter school as defined in section 1703-A.
-A cyber charter school as defined in section 1703-A.
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| Receiving institution |
The institution of higher education where a transfer student plans to enroll and to apply previously earned credit toward a degree program. |
| Sending institution |
The institution of higher education where a student earned credits that they would like to transfer to another institution. |
| State-related institution |
The Pennsylvania State University, the University of Pittsburgh, Temple University, Lincoln University and their branch campuses. |
| Transfer and Articulation Oversight Committee (TAOC) |
The committee established under 1949 Act 14 Section 2004-C for the purpose of:
-Consulting with the Department of Education on a process and timeline, subject to approval by the department, to identify the associate of arts or associate of science degree aligned with the graduation requirements of the parallel baccalaureate degree in all public institutions of higher education in consultation with faculty and personnel.
-Identifying associate of arts or associate of science degree programs for transfer with full junior standing into a parallel baccalaureate degree in consultation with faculty and personnel in those degree programs by December 31, 2011.
-Identifying modifications that may be required in existing associate or baccalaureate degrees to satisfy external accreditation or licensure requirements in consultation with faculty and personnel. Approved modifications shall recognize all competencies attained within either the associate or baccalaureate programs.
-Defining requirements, in consultation with faculty and personnel, for education degrees, including early childhood education degrees, leading to certification to be included in an associate degree and to be accepted for transfer with full junior standing into a parallel baccalaureate degree program.
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