How do I know what classes I have completed and can transfer?

[tazz]

Hi!

I recently stumbled upon the Degree Forum Wiki and have been going through it. I had decided on WGU for a CS degree based off recommendations from a lot of colleagues and the wiki helped me confirm my choice. The one question I have is that  I did three or so semesters of college before dropping out 4-5 years ago and was wondering would I be able to claim credit from those classes and apply them towards WGU? If so, is it possible to contact WGU to figure that out without locking myself into an application?

The reason I ask this is because a colleague had warned me that I would not be able to transfer credits after my application has been submitted and accepted. I may have misinterpreted them but wanted to reach out here to hear from others experience. What I'd like to do with the information that WGU provides me is then use it to figure out which classes from Sophia or Study.com I can avoid doing.

Thanks for the help in advance! 

[MNomadic]

1) application is free
2) you're never "locked in" to an application
3) your colleague is wrong or you heard them wrong. You can keep sending more transcripts and classes until 30ish days before your start date. You're "finalized" 15 days before your official start date so any transfer courses need to be in and evaluated before that
4) best of luck! You're welcome to ask any questions here and we will try to help you out.

[BitWiseGuy]

You’ll likely want to check out the official transfer agreement of WGU at https://partners.wgu.edu/ to see what classes transfer from each provider.

Also, only classes completed within 5 years of your WGU start date will count for transfer into WGU. You can read the specifics of the transfer guidelines for the CS degree at https://partners.wgu.edu/Pages/BSCS.aspx

And, you can transfer credits in up to your enrollment date, I believe. You should verify with your enrollment counselor though confirm specifics.

[tazz]

Thanks so much for the quick responses, much appreciated it! I'm relieved to hear all that and will work on getting my Sophia/Study.com/Starterline classes done ASAP so I can get my Bachelor's in CS done!

[MNomadic]

You’ll likely want to check out the official transfer agreement of WGU at https://partners.wgu.edu/ to see what classes transfer from each provider.

Also, only classes completed within 5 years of your WGU start date will count for transfer into WGU. You can read the specifics of the transfer guidelines for the CS degree at https://partners.wgu.edu/Pages/BSCS.aspx

And, you can transfer credits in up to your enrollment date, I believe. You should verify with your enrollment counselor though confirm specifics.

Just to clarify, only technology specific courses(CS, programming, etc.) and calculus need to be within 5 years. Most other general education courses have no time limit for that degree.

[tazz]

Thanks for the clarification, if it’s okay to run this plan by y’all for look overs:

- Contact WGU/Advisor
- Look into what courses I can transfer from my time at college by gathering transcripts (within last 5 years)
- Once I get final list of courses that are eligible I then do classes on WGU partners(Sophia, Study, etc.) that fulfill credits I don’t have
- After I get all the credits possible from the partners/following the wiki I then open an application to have everything transferred and then begin my BA CS @ WGU ?

[allvia]

You can transfer into WGU right up until you are enrolled (which is not the same as being an applicant). WGU does not auto enroll, and delaying enrollment is a pretty straight forward processed with WGU. After your initial transfer evaluation is done you'll know what you're missing.  They offer a listing online of courses for each program that can be transferred in (not all can), you can then figure our how to get the max in before enrolling to complete your degree.

[dfrecore]

WGU doesn't just enroll you in a degree; you must choose to enroll, and choose a start date.

They also allow transfers of GE much longer than 5 years old.

So just apply, send in your transcripts, see what everything comes in as, go to the website to see what you can take at SDC, Sophia and SL prior to enrollment, make a degree plan to get all of those courses done, transfer in your credits from your alt-credit providers, and THEN make arrangements to pick a start date.

[bjcheung77]

Thanks for the clarification, if it’s okay to run this plan by y’all for look overs:

- Contact WGU/Advisor
- Look into what courses I can transfer from my time at college by gathering transcripts (within last 5 years)
- Once I get final list of courses that are eligible I then do classes on WGU partners(Sophia, Study, etc.) that fulfill credits I don’t have
- After I get all the credits possible from the partners/following the wiki I then open an application to have everything transferred and then begin my BA CS @ WGU ?

@tazz, did you create a spreadsheet for reference and tracking purposes of your WGU BSCS degree? I would get a spreadsheet going so you know exactly which courses you will take from the alternative providers and what you'll take at WGU. How did you come to the conclusion of WGU for the BSCS? Was it due to a budget, commitment, or some competency model that you're interested in?

Anyways, I would recommend pretty much exactly what was in previous comments, in addition to that, the spreadsheet is what you want to use to review/track your progress and know what courses are coming from which provider. I suggest exactly that, the Sophia and Study.com combo, if anything not available from those, then take at StraighterLine or any other 'partner' on their website.

[tazz]

Apologies for the delay in my response, but thank you so much for all your helpful comments and replies! I'm feeling confident to begin my journey to get my degree again, cheers