Transfer of Credits

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.

*A correlating program is one in which the coursework the student proposes to articulate in aligns with the degree program in which the student proposes to enroll.  For example, networking technology courses correlate to the AS Networking Services Technology degree, but would not correlate to the AS Accounting Technology degree.

In addition, the State of Florida has approved statewide articulation agreements for transfer to an Associate in 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.

Transfer of Credits - Florida SouthWestern State College - Acalog ACMS™

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 DD214 Form or DD295 (if the 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 a Joint Services Transcript.
4. 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.

Courses in bold are non-institutional course numbers that are state-mandated for use in awarding credit to those students meeting the criteria. 

Transfer of Credits - Florida SouthWestern State College - Acalog ACMS™

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.).

School of Education Bachelor Degree Programs

Students may transfer equivalent courses as determined by the State Common Course Numbering System. However, Edison State College reserves the right to deny common course number credit for courses in which practicum or internship components reside. Students must fulfill all required competencies, standards, skills and dispositions within the Bachelor of Science in Education Programs and may be required to submit additional documentation to support completion requirements.

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 Advisor.

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. Transfer of equivalent courses under the Statewide Course Numbering System (SCNS).
4. Acceptance by the state universities of credit earned in accelerated programs (e.g., CLEP, Advanced Placement, Accelerated Programs, International Baccalaureate).
5. No additional general education core requirements.
6. 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 to State University

EXCESS HOURS ADVISORY STATEMENT

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.

Contact information for each of the state universities in Florida is provided below:

Florida Agricultural and Mechanical University
www.famu.edu
Florida Agricultural and Mechanical University, Tallahassee, FL 32307
(850) 599-3796

Florida Atlantic University
www.fau.edu
777 Glades Road PO Box 3091, Boca Raton, FL 33431
(561) 297-7300

Florida Gulf Coast University
www.fgcu.edu
10501 FGCU Blvd. S., Ft. Myers, FL 33965
(800) 590-3428

Florida International University
www.fiu.edu
Florida International University, Miami, FL 33199
(305) 348-2000

Florida State University
www.fsu.edu
Florida State University, Tallahassee, FL 32306
(850) 644-2525

New College of Florida
www.ncf.edu
5800 Bay Shore Road, Sarasota, FL 34243
(941) 487-5000

University of Central Florida
www.ucf.edu
4000 Central Florida Blvd., Orlando, FL 32816
(407) 823-2000

University of Florida
www.ufl.edu
University of Florida, Gainesville, FL 32611
(352) 392-3261

University of North Florida
www.unf.edu
1 UNF Drive, Jacksonville, FL 32224
(904) 620-1000

University of South Florida
www.usf.edu
4202 E. Fowler Avenue, Tampa, FL 33620
(813) 974-2011

University of West Florida
www.uwf.edu
11000 University Parkway, Pensacola, FL 32514
(850) 474-3000

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 (ESC) 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.