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 high-skill, high-wage occupations. While high school or technical center students are preparing for careers and post secondary 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.

Credit From Military Service Schools

Edison follows the guidelines in Florida State Board Rule 6A-10.024 for awarding credit for Defense Activity of Non Traditional Educational Support (DANTES) exams. Edison grants credit for the United States Armed Forces Institute (USAFI) and College Level Examination Program (CLEP).  Edison is a Service Opportunity College (SOC) member and uses the American Council on Education (ACE) guidelines in evaluating military learning experiences.

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.

DANTES Subject Standardized Tests (DSSTs)

Edison will award college credits for qualifying DANTES Subject Standardized Tests (DSSTs) examination scores per FAC 6A-10 guidelines and the Articulation Coordinating Committee Credit-By-Exam Equivalents adopted September 19, 2001, as follows: 

·     Since a grade of “S” for satisfactory will be assigned, no grade points will be assigned for credits awarded through the DSST Program.

·     Determination of the specific college courses or subject areas for which credits are awarded will be determined by the College Registrar, guided by the equivalency matrix below, upon receipt of official DSST examination results.

 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.

Department Challenge Exam Policy

Department challenge exams are designed to allow a student to challenge prerequisites for specific courses. All Edison State College department challenge exams will follow the rules and procedures outlined below. 

Students must initiate a request with the appropriate Department Chair.  Should the Chair approve, the student must arrange for the examination with the department offering the course.

Departments offer challenge exams in a limited number of courses and have the prerogative of excluding certain courses which are demonstrably unsuited for waiver by examination.

The academic standards for challenge examinations will be commensurate with the academic standards for the course.  If a student’s performance on the examination is judged to be of C or higher quality, the department Chair will notify the Office of the Registrar that the student will not be required to complete the course as part of his/her academic program.  Students will not earn credits through challenge examinations.

If a student fails to achieve C or higher quality work on an attempted examination, no action is required other than the notification of the student by the department.  However, that student is not eligible for another such examination in the same course.  Once a student has failed a course, the student is not eligible for a challenge exam  for that course.

• Students may only take a challenge exam during the allotted period designated by Edison State College.
• Students must show a valid student ID in order to take the exam.
• No books, notes, and/or papers are allowed in the examination room.  All personal items, including cell phones and electronic devices, must be left outside the testing area.
• If calculators and/or scrap paper are needed for the exam and allowed by the specific course, they will be provided by the college and collected before the student leaves the testing site.
• There will be strict adherence to predetermined departmental time limits.
• All challenge exams must be proctored by the respective department associate dean, chair, or faculty member designated by the individual departments.
• A grade of 70% or better must be earned in order for the exam to count toward a prerequisite bypass.
• Once the student has received the exam, he/she may not leave the testing site.  If the student opts to leave, he/she may not return to finish the exam.
• Once the student completes his/her exam, the exam is graded and the grade is sent to the Department Chair.  The Department Chair submits the results to the Registrar through the Challenge Exam Grade Report Form.
• Students will be notified of the results within two weeks of completing the exam.
• It is the responsibility of the students to notify the department Associate Dean or Chair at least two weeks prior to the testing date if he/she wishes to take a challenge exam.
• A student may take an individual exam only once.
• No exam may be taken by a student who has already begun the course.
• A student may not take a challenge exam if he/she has already taken and/or failed or received a W (withdrawal) in the specific course.
• A challenge exam cannot be used to replace an I (Incomplete) for any course.
• A student requesting a challenge exam must be currently enrolled at Edison State College.
• A student may not use a challenge exam as part of his or her credit load or for maintaining financial aid requirements.

Challenge exams are offered in a limited number of courses.  Student records will be reviewed for comparable courses to determine eligibility to take department challenge exams.  Upon successful completion of a challenge exam, the student will receive credit, but no grade, for the course.  Edison State College reserves the right to deny students an opportunity to challenge credit through this process.  If eligible, students can pay the applicable testing fee to sit for the challenge exam.  Students must successfully pass the challenge exam to receive comparable credit.  Students are also encouraged to complete any related CLEP exams to receive college-level credit.  Information about CLEP exams may be obtained in the Testing Department at Edison State College.

Transfer Information and Policies

Transfer Classification

A student is classified as a transfer student if he/she has previously registered at any college or university prior to Edison State College, regardless of the amount 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). Courses will be equated to a similar course or an appropriate unclassified elective. 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

Edison State may accept credits from institutions that are not regionally accredited in accordance with the State of Florida K-16 Articulation Agreement, which recognizes courses approved in connection with the Florida Department of Education Statewide Course Numbering System. 

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.).

College/University Transcripts from Outside the United States or U.S. Territories

Students must have an English translation and course-by-course evaluation performed, at students’ expense, by a member of the National Association of Credential Evaluation Services (NACES).

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. Credits recorded as transfer credit are not guaranteed to meet specific degree requirements for the student’s program.  The College may limit the number of transfer credits applicable towards the student’s degree.  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.  Final determination of how transfer credits may apply to a specific degree program lies with the Academic Dean, in consultation with the Faculty Chair and Registrar.

Appeal of Transfer Credit Denial

A student may appeal the denial of transfer credits by submitting a Course Re-evaluation Appeal to the Office of the Registrar.  Credits in question will be reviewed by the Academic Dean and an area of experts from the instructional department normally responsible for the subject matter in question.  Appeals must be accompanied by course descriptions, faculty credentials and syllabi.  All decisions are forwarded to the student in writing via their Edison email account. 

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

 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 or college, 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 or colleges, 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 or colleges, 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 limited access 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.

Section 1009.286, Florida Statutes, establishes an “excess hour” surcharge for a student seeking a baccalaureate degree at a state university.  It is critical that students, including those entering Florida colleges, are aware of the potential for additional course fees.

“Excess hours” are defined as hours that go beyond 120% of the hours required for a baccalaureate degree program.  For example, if the length of the program is 120 credit hours, the student may be subject to an excess hour surcharge for any credits attempted beyond 144 credit hours (120 x 120%).

All students whose educational plan may include earning a bachelor’s degree should make every effort to enroll in and successfully complete those courses that are required for their intended major on their first attempt.  Florida college students intending to transfer to a state university should identify a major or “transfer program” early and be advised of admission requirements for that program, including the approved common prerequisites.  Course withdrawals and/or repeats, as well as enrollment in courses non-essential to the intended major, may contribute to a potential excess hours surcharge. 

Transfer Services

Students who plan to transfer to an upper level college or university program are encouraged to consult with an Academic Advisor or Coordinator of Student Services 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 an Academic Advisor or staff in the Baccalaureate and University Programs Division.

Edison State University Center

In accordance with F.S. 1007.22, Edison State College has established formal agreements with regionally accredited education institutions to increase access to higher education in the ESC service area.

The Edison University Center (EUC) is an alliance between Edison State College and regionally accredited colleges and universities offering unique opportunities for Edison graduates to earn bachelor and graduate level degrees.  Features of degree programs offered through the EUC include the convenience of distance-based learning formats, classes on an Edison campus, transfer of up to 90 hours of credit from Edison, seamless admission from a bachelor’s program into a graduate program and, in some cases, tuition benefits. Students are supported in their learning by ESC staff.  Participating colleges and universities may also have support staff on-site. EUC programs are individually tailored by Edison and participating institutions and compliment Edison associate and baccalaureate degrees.

Current Program Offerings

For more information about Edison State College baccalaureate degrees, consult the EUC website or the Baccalaureate and University Programs Division at (239) 489-9295 or (800) 749-2322, option #5, or e-mail bachelorsdegree@EdisonState.edu.