How To Transfer Colleges To WGU
Are you considering transferring to WGU and wondering about the process? Congratulations on taking the first step in your education journey. It’s vital to do the research and really understand the college transfer process. And that starts with your academic plan, what courses you’ll have to take, and how to begin transferring credits.
The Process for Transfer Applicants and Admissions
Students transferring to WGU can expect a comprehensive transfer policy. We work to ensure that as many transfer credits as possible are able to be applied toward your degree. WGU degree Pprograms are also competency -based, which means you can apply your existing knowledge toward your program to progress more quickly through courses, potentially graduating faster and saving money.
It’s important to understand that eEach student’s situation will be different when it comes to transfer credits. An individual transfer evaluation will be facilitated by WGU, and an expert will review each course and determine how it will transfer over upon your admission. The transfer expert will help you outline an individualized and specific academic plan that shows exactly which courses you will need to take to earn your degree once you have been admitted.
A transcript evaluation gives you a clear picture of exactly what classes you will need to take and how quickly you can get your diploma. Many students find that after getting a transfer evaluation, they are much further down the path than they had imagined. This is just the first step, and a decision from our academic team is still required for admission to WGU.
Sending Transcripts to WGU
A transcript is the permanent record of academic work undertaken at a college or university. At WGU, we’re committed to removing barriers to education and making the application process easier, so we work with many other educational institutions to request and gather transcripts for you.
Transcripts must be sent to WGU directly from the issuing institution to be considered official. Be sure to request them from any schools you have attended, even if you only completed one class. A transcript evaluation is completed once official transcripts from all previously attended institutions have been received by WGU.
Here are the steps you will take during the application process:
- Provide information about your prior enrollment at other educational institutions.
- WGU’s free transcript service will let you know if any of those institutions participate in our transcript request program. If an institution does not participate, you will need to request that transcript independently.
- You will then be asked if you would like to use the free transcript service to gather transcripts from previous institutions. Check “yes” if you are interested in this service.
- If you opt out or have a previous institution that does not participate in WGU’s free transcript service, then you will need to arrange and pay to have your official transcripts sent to WGU. This can be done electronically or by mail. Electronic transcripts are sent securely in PDF format and offer the fastest processing time. Official electronic transcripts will need to be sent to: Western Governors University, Student Records 03339400 transcriptinfo@wgu.edu. Otherwise, physical transcripts can be mailed to:
Western Governors University
Attn: Transcripts Department
4001 South 700 East, Suite 300
Salt Lake City, UT 84107-2533
Plan ahead, because it can take a few weeks to process your request. Transcripts should be submitted by the first day of the month before your intended start date.
Most universities have a transfer office to help facilitate this process for students. Schools that do not participate in WGU’s free transcript service may require payment of a small fee. However, transferring credits can reduce your course load and future tuition expenses. An official transfer credit evaluation is the only way to really determine what courses you need to take to fulfill your coursework requirements.
Bachelor's Degree Credit Transfers
An official transfer evaluation is required, but reviewing the guide for your specific program can offer insight into which courses may be accepted for transfer credit.
Students who have completed college-level coursework at another accredited institution may meet WGU’s requirements for general education and other lower-division courses through transfer credits. For some programs, approved professional certifications may clear additional requirements. Generally, an associate degree will waive most general education requirements and allow you to start much further down the path for your bachelor’s, potentially saving you time and money. Courses accepted for transfer credit must be college- level coursework from an accredited institution. A grade of C- or better is generally required.
WGU also has partnerships with many colleges around the country that can aid in transfers. This guide will help you know which colleges and community colleges we partner with to help students easily transfer and finish their education.
Similarly, WGU accepts AP and CE credits earned while in high school. Transcripts for these courses can be submitted along with college transcripts to be evaluated for transfer credit.
Your bachelor’s degree may be much closer than you think. Get a transcript evaluation and get started on the path today!
Master's Degree Transfer Credits
WGU accepts transfer credits for many of our master's programs, unlike many colleges in the U.S. These guidelines for each master’s program will provide a good indication of which transfer credits satisfy WGU degree requirements. Master’s degree programs focus on specialized courses directly related to your field of study. For example, MBA courses focus solely on business, while an IT management master’s program is made up comprises almost exclusively of IT courses. An official transcript evaluation will determine which of your existing credits qualify for transfer.
WGU also provides options to help you move through your program quicker. Our competency-based education model allows you to advance to the next course as soon as you’ve proven mastery of the current course material. And with no set log-in times, you can do coursework on your schedule. This can help you graduate faster, even without transfer credits. This is true of both bachelor’s and master’s degrees, so you are truly in control of your education and learning experience.
Choosing the Right Transfer Option for You
WGU works hard to make education accessible for students. This includes ensuring that the education you’ve already received is put to good use. An official transcript evaluation will help you get on the path to your bachelor’s degree, and help you finish what you started.
Additionally, WGU is approved by the U.S. Department of Education to offer federal student aid in all of our degree programs. Financial aid can be used for tuition, fees, and other educational expenses. WGU's robust scholarship offerings may also apply to qualified students, further reducing out-of-pocket expenses.
Your Enrollment Counselor can assist you with the transcript evaluation process and point you in the right direction for financial aid and scholarships. Once you’re enrolled, a Program Mentor will guide you through every step of the way with your degree progress. Your next diploma is within reach. Apply to WGU today to get started.
