Reverse transfer is the process by which a student who transferred from a community college to a four-year institution before completing an associate degree later receives that associate degree after earning the remaining credits at the four-year school.
How it works
The student opts in to reverse transfer. After completing a set number of credits at the four-year institution, the four-year school transmits the transcript to the community college. The community college runs a degree audit against the associate requirements. If all requirements are satisfied, the associate degree is awarded and posted. The student may then continue toward the bachelor’s degree.
Example: a student completes 45 credits at a community college, transfers to an online bachelor’s program, and later earns 20 more credits. Those 20 credits are sent back, the community college awards the associate degree, and the student continues in the online bachelor’s program with an additional credential already earned.
How it differs
Ordinary transfer moves credit forward to the new institution. Reverse transfer moves credit backward to award a prior institution’s degree. An articulation agreement governs forward movement; reverse transfer is a specific backward-award process that may be included in broader agreements.
Common errors
Assuming reverse transfer happens automatically without student consent. Expecting every community college–university pair to participate. Counting the newly awarded associate degree as satisfying bachelor’s residency requirements.
References
- 1. Institutional reverse-transfer policiesAwarding associate degrees after transfer
- 2. State reverse-transfer initiativesCommon models
Reverse transfer is the process by which a student who transferred from a community college to a four-year institution before completing an associate degree later receives that associate degree after earning the remaining credits at the four-year school.