Transfer Issues
This FAQ is intended for students with transfer concerns.
Students with transfer concerns yet to be resolved at the college level, the Washington Student Achievement Council (WSAC) has designated a Transfer Liaison. If you have questions or concerns about how your credits transfer from one institution to another, you may contact the WSAC for assistance.
Are there advantages to earning a Direct Transfer Agreement (DTA) or the Associate in Science Transfer Track 1 or Track 2 (AS–T #1, AS–T #2) associate degrees and then transferring?
Earning a DTA or AS–T associate degree before transferring has advantages. Transfer degrees were developed by community/technical college and baccalaureate institutions to enable you to enter your upper-division course work and complete your bachelor's degree as efficiently as possible. Courses included as part of the DTA/AS–T that otherwise might not transfer on a course–by–course basis will transfer, and for many public baccalaureate institutions, the DTA/AS–T ensures priority during the admissions cycle if you apply prior to the admission deadline.
The DTA degree satisfies all or most of the lower–division general education requirements. The AS–T degree includes more math and science than can fit in the DTA, and leave some general education requirements to be completed at the baccalaureate institution. This pathway can save time for students majoring in math and science fields.
In addition, you may be able to complete your transfer DTA, AS–T, AA or other associate's degree after your initial transfer to your four–year school by either transferring classes back from your four–year school or taking remaining classes at your community/technical college. Check with both schools to be sure of their policies.
What do I need to know if I plan to transfer without earning an associate's degree?
Completing a Direct Transfer Agreement (DTA) or the Associate in Science Transfer (AS–T) associate degree will often maximize the number of college credits that will transfer to a university and save students money. However some students may need to transfer prior to completing their DTA/AS–T degree. Many colleges and universities will require applicants with fewer than 40 transferable credits to submit pre–college test scores (SAT or ACT) and meet earlier freshman admission deadlines. High school transcripts could play a more important role in the admission process. If so, you will need to consider whether your performance in these areas will meet a school's requirements should they be used in the admission application review process. Students should also know that in some cases, the highest priority for admission is given to applicants holding an associate degree.
The transfer process is a vital link in Washington's higher education system
All colleges and universities (two– and four–year, public and private) are committed to making the transition from one college or university to another as seamless as possible—to assist our students and to meet the state's goals for bachelor degree attainment.
- Students have the right to seek clarification regarding their transfer evaluation and may request the reconsideration of any aspect of that evaluation. In response, the institution will follow established practices and processes for reviewing its transfer credit decisions. Students who encounter other transfer difficulties have the right to seek resolution. Each institution will have a defined process for resolution that is published and readily available to students.
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If concerns are not resolved after following every avenue at the college level, the Washington Student Achievement Council (WSAC) encourages students to complete the Transfer Issues Report Form located on their website. This Transfer Issue Online Report allows students to provide feedback on the transfer experience that will improve the transfer system in Washington. Students may complete the form anonymously, or may include name and/or email address if a response is requested or desired.
Alternatively, the following questions can be pasted into email and returned to transferliaison@wsac.wa.gov.
Subject: TRANSFER ISSUE REPORT FORM:
Your Name: Supplying your name is optional, but it will allow us to assist you more efficiently if you have specific questions or concerns
E-Mail Address: Is your email address correct? Please check to confirm that it was entered correctly.
What is the nature of your transfer issue?
Please be as specific as possible. Information that could be relevant and assist us includes:- Transfer Out College - this is the college you are transferring courses from.
- Transfer In College - this is the college you are transferring courses to.
- Courses (with course identification numbers, like ENG 101) that did not transfer as expected.
- Reason courses did not transfer.
What do you think should happen and why?