Transfer of Credits

Edison State College has a number of articulation agreements that ensure the transfer of credit from other schools, colleges, and universities into Edison State degree programs, and from Edison State degree programs into programs at other colleges and universities. The Florida Department of Education also has agreements that ensure transfer of credit across state colleges and universities. These agreements are summarized below.

High School and Technical Centers

In accordance with the Florida Department of Education, Edison State College provides articulation opportunities to high school and technical center graduates from Lee, Charlotte, Collier, Hendry and Glades District Schools. Edison State College and these districts are partners in the Tech Prep program, which offers students the opportunity to focus on technical high school electives that will help train them for highskill, high-wage occupations. While high school or technical center students are preparing for careers and postsecondary education, they can earn college credit that may be applied toward an Associate in Science degree at Edison State College.

Articulated credit may be awarded to the eligible student who meets the following criteria:

1. The student must have completed an approved technical program of study (at least 3 high school courses or an earned technical center certificate);
2. The student must be currently enrolled and seeking an associate degree in a correlating discipline at Edison State College. The student must successfully meet all requirements that apply to associate degree seeking students as stated in the Edison State College Catalog;
3. The student must successfully complete a minimum of 12 credit hours at Edison State College.

In addition, the State of Florida has approved statewide articulation agreements for transfer to an Associate of Science degree for students who complete an approved technical program of study and earn a technical center certificate. Please note: the State of Florida is continuing to develop agreements. The following table outlines approved transfers:

Please see Degree Acceleration Programs  for high school articulation.

Service Member’s Opportunity College

The American Association of Community Colleges has designated Edison State College as a Service member’s Opportunity College (SOC). Aside from stated and traditional means of obtaining credit toward degree or certificate programs, the following special policies, procedures, and services are available to active-duty service members, the National Guard, reserves, new recruits and veterans.

Credit may be earned through the College Level Examination Program (Please see CLEP in the Degree Acceleration Programs  section for more information).

Credit may be earned through relevant, validated military service training, including military service schools and United States Armed Forces Institute (USAFI) courses. The recommendations found in the American Council on Education (ACE) Guide to the Evaluation of Educational Experiences in the Armed Services serve as the basis for accepting such training and awarding college credit. Recommendations in the ACE Guide are advisory in nature and credit awarded is at the discretion of Edison State College.

After enrolling at Edison State, a student may initiate the request for such credit by providing appropriate documentation as determined by Edison State College. (Please see Credit from Military Service Schools below for more information)

Credit From Military Service Schools

Edison State may award college credit for military service school training in accordance with the following conditions and stipulations:

1. The person making the request must be applying or currently enrolled as a degree seeking student.
2. The person making the request must submit the following documents to the Office of the Registrar at the time the request is made:
   1. Armed Forces of the United States Report of Transfer or Discharge.
   2. Course Completion Certificate for each service school/course for which credit is being requested.
   3. DD214 Form or DD295 (if applicant is currently enlisted).
3. In addition to the documents required in (2) above, the student requesting acceptance of credit from U.S. Army Military Occupational Specialty (MOS) schools/courses must provide the following documents:
   1. Course Completion Certificates from each MOS producing school/course completed.
   2. USAEEC Form 10 (for enlisted personnel from October 1975 though December 1976).
   3. The Officer Qualifications Record (DA Form 66) for Warrant Officers.
4. In addition to the documents required in (2) above, the student requesting acceptance of credit from U.S. Navy general rates and ratings schools/courses, must provide the following document:
   1. Navy Occupational/Training and Awards History (NAVPERS 1070/604).
5. Credit may be granted under this rule in those areas appropriate to the lower-division baccalaureate level. The credits may be included in the student’s degree program as long as the credits fulfill published degree requirements.

Credit Based on ACE Recommendations

The American Council on Education (ACE) Corporate Programs recommends academic credit for college-level examinations and training courses offered by business and industry, labor unions, associations, and government agencies. Edison State College recognizes the recommendations of ACE as shown on the following pages. In order to receive credit, the Edison State College Office of the Registrar must receive official documentation of successful completion of the training, or examination scores, either from an ACE transcript or score report, or from the sponsoring organization. Documentation must be sent from ACE or the sponsoring organization directly to Edison State College Office of the Registrar, P.O. Box 60210, Fort Myers, FL 33906. Credit will not be awarded if it duplicates credit already posted to a student’s transcript.

ACE program evaluations are published in the National Guide to Education Credit for Training Programs and the Guide to Educational Credit by Examination, which are distributed annually to college registrars and admissions officers throughout the United States. Academic divisions within the College may make a determination, on a case-by-case basis, of credit awards for training programs or examinations not listed below, but contained in one of the ACE publications. If a determination is made to grant a credit award, the Academic Dean will notify the Office of the Registrar accordingly.

Transfer Information and Policies

Transfer Classification

A student is classified as a transfer student if he/she has previously registered at any other regionally accredited college or university, regardless of the amont of time spent in attendance or credit earned.  Students may transfer credit from other institutions into Edison State College; however, at least 25% of the program or certificate credit must be earned at Edison (excluding CLEP, credit by exam, or prior learning).

Applicants who plan to earn a degree or certificate at Edison State College must provide official transcripts from all previously attended colleges or universities. Official transcripts must be sent directly to Edison State College, Office of the Registrar, Lee Campus, within the first semester of enrolling. These documents must be sent directly from the educational institution to Edison State. Hand-delivered or faxed transcripts are not considered official.

Acceptance of Transfer Credits from Regionally Accredited Institutions

All credits earned at other colleges or universities accredited by one of the six regional accrediting bodies will be recorded as transfer credit and placed on the student’s permanent record (transcript). For students pursuing a baccalaureate degree, all earned credits will be recorded at the appropriate level, i.e. freshman, sophomore, junior or senior level.

Acceptance of Transfer Credits from Non-Regionally Accredited Institutions

Acceptance of credits from non-regionally accredited institutions of higher education will be based upon evaluation and recommendation from the Edison State College instructional department responsible for the course subject area(s). Credits awarded at institutions not regionally accredited may be accepted by Edison State College and placed on the transcript if the credits represent collegiate level coursework relevant to the program of study and course credit and level of instruction resulting in student competencies that are at least equivalent to those of students enrolled in comparable instruction at Edison State. The following factors will be considered in determining whether courses are transferable and if so, how they will be recorded.

1. Breadth, depth and rigor of course content as evidenced by course syllabi, prerequisites, placement test scores, exit requirements, student portfolios, textbooks, writing or oral communication requirements, grading standards, catalog descriptions, etc.;
2. Qualifications of the faculty member(s) providing the instruction;
3. Age of credits;
4. Recommendations through other established credit assessment bodies (e.g. ACE);
5. Institutional accreditation via other professional assessment/accrediting bodies (e.g. AMA, NLN, state agency);
6. Secondary documentation of course competencies (e.g. professional certification, standardized exam scores, etc.).

Recording Transfer Credits on the Student’s Permanent Record (Transcript)

While evaluating credits, Edison State College reserves the right to delay the recording of transfer credits on the student’s permanent record. Final award or posting of credits to the student’s permanent record may be contingent upon successful completion of one or more of the following requirements:

1. Edison State College residency requirement;
2. Successful completion of higher-level courses in the student’s program of study;
3. Successful completion of subsequent courses in the subject/course sequence;
4. Demonstration of specific lab/clinical skills or other applied competencies;
5. Additional supplemental independent/directed study in the subject area;
6. Presentation of a portfolio of coursework substantiating the competencies;
7. Verification of faculty credentials at the transferring institution.

Once accepted, transfer credits will be recorded on the student’s permanent record as externally awarded and will indicate the original institution awarding the credit. Where appropriate, an equivalent Edison State College course number may also be indicated. When Edison State College does not offer an equivalent course or if the course differs substantively from the suggested Edison State College course, the transfer credits may be listed on the transcript as an elective course.

Application of Transfer Credits to the Baccalaureate Degree Programs

In order to maintain both flexibility and subject area integrity, as well as to recognize the structure of the Baccalaureate programs, the following guidelines apply to the use of upper division elective credit for program completion requirements.

1. Upper division courses previously taken from related academic areas, which are not identified as equivalent courses through transfer evaluation, may be reviewed on a case-by-case basis by the Associate Dean of Baccalaureate Programs in collaboration with program faculty. Students may present courses for review by following the process outlined below:
2. Submit to the District Registrar, in writing, a request for course review (attach the Edison State Course Outline for the course in question. A separate form must be submitted for each course),
3. Attach all relevant documentation (transfer course syllabi, assignments, exams, course outlines). If needed, a student may be asked to participate in a meeting with the evaluator. Once a decision has been made, a letter will be sent to the student from the District Registrar’s office acknowledging the action taken.

Please note that equivalencies may be determined by combining multiple documentation sources. As a result, the Associate Dean may determine that credit will be awarded after completion of specific Edison State College upper division coursework or through a combination of transfer courses where grades are consistent with the Baccalaureate program graduation requirement.

1. Failure to report previous college level work attempted constitutes a falsification of the admissions application and subjects students to loss of all credits earned and dismissal.
2. Applicants eligible to return to the previously attended institutions of origin are admitted to Edison State. Final acceptance is made after receipt and evaluation of official transcripts.
3. Applicants who were suspended or dismissed from the previously attended institution(s) may be provisionally admitted to Edison State. These applicants must submit a petition requesting admission. (Please see Petitions, in the Financial Aid  section, for more information.)
4. Applicants admitted to Edison State, who were not in good academic standing at the previously attended institutions, are classified in the same or similar manner under Edison State’s Standards of Academic Progress.
5. Credits and grades earned at the previously attended institution(s) transfer in but may not be accepted for a specific program. All grades earned at previously attended institutions transfer in to Edison State as part of the student’s academic record. Grades of “S” and “P” will be accepted and credit will be awarded but will not be calculated in the student’s transfer GPA.
6. Applicants may be exempt from placement testing based on an unofficial review of the student’s college transcripts. Completion of specific coursework will be assessed for an exemption from all three parts of the placement test. (Please see Assessment Services, in the Student Services  section, for more information.)
7. Applicants who have completed an AA or a baccalaureate degree at another regionally accredited college or university cannot enroll in an AA degree program at Edison State.
   1. In-State AA students with a previously earned Associate in Arts degree from a Florida community college or State University are considered to have met the general education requirements of an Edison State College degree.
   2. Out of State AA students with a previously earned Associate in Arts degree from a college or university outside the State of Florida will be reviewed on a case-by-case basis to match the 36 hours general education core requirements. Students must have earned equivalent credit hours in each general education category (i.e. 6 hours of humanities, 9 hours of social behavioral science). Students with a minimum of 36 hours of general education core are considered to have met the general education requirements of Edison State College.
8. Previously earned Baccalaureate degrees:
   1. Students who have earned a previous baccalaureate degree from a regionally accredited institution are considered to have met the general education requirements of an Edison State College degree.
   2. Students who have earned a previous baccalaureate degree from an International institution, and have had the necessary course-by-course evaluation completed by an approved International Evaluator, will be reviewed on case-by-case basis for specific program admission and graduation requirements. For some programs, in the event the student does not receive transferable credit for English Composition I and II, the student will need to complete the TOEFL for waiver from ENC 1101 and ENC 1102. Students must score a minimum of 80 on the Internet-based test or a 550 on the paper-based version of the TOEFL for a waiver from the composition requirements.
9. Students who have completed previous upper division coursework in an education program may present those courses for evaluation by the Discipline Chair for Education. In some cases, students may be required to submit portfolio icons or assignments to demonstrate competency in the required Florida Educator Accomplished practices, reading or ESOL standards. The student is urged to provide the Discipline Chair for Education with corresponding syllabi, samples of student work and textbook/assignment information related to each upper division course.

Edison State College reserves the right to deny common course number credit for courses in which practicum or internship components reside.

10. Transfer Evaluation
    
    1. Upon review of evaluated transfer credit, the District Dean/Campus Dean/Associate Dean/Program Coordinator or Director may submit a Change of Transfer Credit Form to the Registrar’s Office. The use of this form is to change the transfer designation when an equivalency has been determined.
11. Transfer students MUST complete a minimum of 25% (30 credit hours) of course work at Edison State to graduate from Edison State with the bachelor’s degree. English for Non-Native Speakers (ESL/ENS, EAP), below the 1600 level and college preparatory courses do not apply. Thirty (30) upper division program hours (courses at the 3000 level or above) must be completed through Edison State College.

State University System Articulation Agreement

Florida law provides that Associate in Arts degree graduates of a Florida community college must be granted admission to an upper-division program offered by a state university institution, unless that program has been designated limited access (see Transfer Guarantees below) If limited access minimum standards are not met, universities may deny both acceptance into the desired program and acceptance into the university. The law gives priority to community college Associate in Arts graduates over out-of-state students for admission to a state university. Florida community colleges have similar articulation agreements with the Independent Colleges and Universities of Florida (ICUF).

Effective Fall 2000, all graduates of an Associate in Science degree program listed in the Statewide Articulation Manual shall be granted admission into a corresponding baccalaureate program at the state universities, except for limited-access programs and those requiring specific grades in particular courses for admission. The Florida Department of Education stipulates that the integrity of the general education program will be recognized by all public institutions of higher education in Florida. Any questions about the general education program should be addressed to an Academic Advising Specialist or the Coordinator of Counseling Services.

Transfer Guarantees

Florida community college Associate in Arts graduates are guaranteed the following rights when transferring to a state university under the Statewide Articulation Agreement (State Board of Education Rule 6A-10.024):

1. Admission to one of the state universities, except to limited-access programs which have additional admission requirements.
2. Acceptance of at least 60 credit hours by the state universities toward the baccalaureate degree.
3. Adherence to university requirements and policies based on the catalog in effect at the time the student first entered a community college, provided the student maintains continuous enrollment.
4. Transfer of equivalent courses under the Statewide Course Numbering System.
5. Acceptance by the state universities of credit earned in accelerated programs (e.g., CLEP, Advanced Placement, Accelerated Programs, International Baccalaureate).
6. No additional general education core requirements.
7. Advance knowledge of selection criteria for limitedaccess programs.
8. Equal opportunity with native university students to enter limited-access programs.

The universities determine the courses and prerequisites that must be taken to receive a baccalaureate degree. Although all credits earned toward an Associate in Arts degree will transfer to a university, not all credits earned will meet program prerequisites or course requirements for a baccalaureate degree. Therefore, students must assume responsibility for knowing the course requirements of the intended program and taking the appropriate course(s) while pursuing the Associate in Arts degree.

Transfer Services

Students who plan to transfer to an upper level college or university program are encouraged to consult with the Coordinator of Counseling Services or Advising Specialist concerning transfer requirements. Students should also obtain a catalog and list of the requirements from the institution that they expect to attend. The Florida Academic Counseling and Tracking for Students program (available via www.FACTS.org) offers a variety of student services and resources provided by the State of Florida and participating institutions. Students anticipating transfer should begin a preliminary application to the college of their choice in the fall session of their sophomore year. Students who plan to transfer to Edison State College Bachelor programs should meet with the Program Advisor.

Edison State University Center

By partnering with accredited colleges and universities, the Edison State University Center offers unique opportunities for Edison State graduates to earn bachelor’s degrees at an Edison State campus or online. Students may transfer up to 90 hours of credits taken at Edison State and be eligible for tuition discounts from partner institutions. Students receive assistance from the Edison State University Center staff, and participating colleges and universities may also have support staff on site.

The baccalaureate program options offered are individually tailored by Edison State College and participating institutions. Program requirements are specific and applicable to baccalaureate degree completion at the participating institutions only, as provided in each agreement and do not apply to baccalaureate degree transfer to other institutions.

Current Program Offerings
 

For more information or to find out if new programs have been added, call the Baccalaureate and University Programs Division at (239) 489-9295 or (800) 749-2322, option #5, or e-mail bachelorsdegree@EdisonState.edu.