+- Online Degrees and CLEP and DSST Exam Prep Discussion (https://degreeforum.net/mybb)
+-- Forum: Main Category (https://degreeforum.net/mybb/Forum-Main-Category)
+--- Forum: General Education-Related Discussion (https://degreeforum.net/mybb/Forum-General-Education-Related-Discussion)
+--- Thread: How do ECTS credits map to a US degree? (/Thread-How-do-ECTS-credits-map-to-a-US-degree)
How do ECTS credits map to a US degree? - EstBob72 - 12-22-2025
Hi
I’ve only recently started looking into ways to complete a degree as cheaply and quickly as possible, but I found the post about ECTS credits from the University of Turku, along with some other discussions about similar Finnish universities offering free or online ECTS courses.
I know the ECTS are only worth about 0.5-0.75 credits, but how do I know if those credits are counted towards the specific degree I apply for at UMPI or UMass Global to reduce the amount of credits I have to take? I’m not from America, but I assume say, the Finnish as a Foreign Language credit wouldn't help if I wanted a degree in business from UMPI?
Sorry if this whole post has been a stupid question, but I don’t quite understand the US university system (doesn’t bode well for my degree if I can’t figure this out, I guess, does it?)
Thanks for any help.
RE: How do ECTS credits map to a US degree? - Mint Berry Crunch - 12-22-2025
(12-22-2025, 05:37 PM)EstBob72 Wrote: Hi
I’ve only recently started looking into ways to complete a degree as cheaply and quickly as possible, but I found the post about ECTS credits from the University of Turku, along with some other discussions about similar Finnish universities offering free or online ECTS courses.
I know the ECTS are only worth about 0.5-0.75 credits, but how do I know if those credits are counted towards the specific degree I apply for at UMPI or UMass Global to reduce the amount of credits I have to take? I’m not from America, but I assume say, the Finnish as a Foreign Language credit wouldn't help if I wanted a degree in business from UMPI?
Sorry if this whole post has been a stupid question, but I don’t quite understand the US university system (doesn’t bode well for my degree if I can’t figure this out, I guess, does it?)
Thanks for any help.
Here's the information you need for applying to UMPI as a foreign student:
https://www.umpi.edu/admissions/online-how-to-apply/
As for what transfers? Hard to say until its evaluated. When it is, you'll then know what courses are remaining which you can follow up with through Sophia or Study.com
RE: How do ECTS credits map to a US degree? - wow - 12-22-2025
Finland has tightened its criteria for who can take free university courses from them online. You will have to check whether or not people from your country qualify for these programs.
RE: How do ECTS credits map to a US degree? - Tomas - 12-23-2025
Finnish as a Foreign Language might/shall be counted as elective or towards some general education requirements (eg. in humanities category).
Before I gave up on same idea, I was more unclear on whether for example 3 ECTS for a specific class, say Economics, would mean fulfillment of same Economics class on US university, if that class is 3 US credits worth, or whether it too would have to be transferred as elective.
RE: How do ECTS credits map to a US degree? - bjcheung77 - 12-23-2025
It really depends on the institution you're going to be attending and which foreign credential evaluation agency they want you to use. The FCE will determine the number of credits and the course equivalency and any extra details. You'll need a course-by-course evaluation completed beforehand, generally you'll have a 2 to 1 ratio (2 ECTS to 1 US credit).