Courses that Do Not Transfer

First of all, check with the person or office from which you have received this information.  There’s always the possibility that there is a simple misunderstanding or misinterpretation of the information, which is easily corrected.  Perhaps you will just need to provide more information, such as a catalog course description or a course syllabus to make your case.

If you are transferring from one Minnesota State institution to another, there is a specific provision in MnSCU Board Policy that outlines the student appeal process. Check with the receiving college regarding their first level appeal process.  If your appeal is turned down, they must include a reason for their decision and let you know how to appeal at the second level, which is to the Minnesota State System Office.  If you are transferring Minnesota Transfer Curriculum (MnTC) courses from one Minnesota State institution to another Minnesota State institution, the Minnesota State institution(s) you previously attended determines the transfer of these courses.

The second level appeal is used only when the student is not satisfied with the first level decision. The student must have the support of the Chief Academic Officer or designee from the Minnesota State institution from which the transcript has been sent.  The final decision then rests with the Sr. Vice Chancellor for Academic Affairs at Minnesota State.

If you are transferring to or from a non-Minnesota State institution, ask about the appeal process.  Often, college records or admissions office staff who are responsible for transfer evaluations will rely on their own school’s faculty to review the information about a course.  The faculty then makes the final decision about whether course content is similar enough to transfer.  You may also use a school’s Academic Petition process to make a formal appeal for transfer when you are trying to substitute a transfer course to meet a certain requirement.

In many cases if a course does not transfer as an equivalent course, an institution may accept them as elective credits.  It is also important to realize that developmental or remedial courses typically will not transfer.

Above all, be sure to advocate for transfer of your course.  Ask questions.  Find out the process at the institution you are working with and use it to your advantage.  Respect the final decision.  You should have a clear understanding of why a particular course will or will not transfer once you have used the process.

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