Incoming Transfer Students
At Ridgewater, we understand it can feel daunting to transfer colleges. We’re committed to helping you through the transfer process. Use the information on this page to get started with admissions.
- What transcripts do you need to provide to be evaluated?
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When transferring to Ridgewater, it’s important to have transcripts from all prior institutions at which you have taken courses evaluated to see if/which credits will transfer to Ridgewater.
If you attended a Minnesota State college or university, we will be able to access and evaluate the transcripts for you. You do not need to request official transcripts be sent to us at the time of admission. However, note that if you have changes to your Minnesota State transcripts after the initial evaluation, you will need to notify the registrar’s office.
If you attended the University of Minnesota, a private college, or an out-of-state college, you must have an official transcript sent directly to the admissions office of the campus you plan to attend. If you are requesting an electronic transcript, please have it sent directly from the institution to [email protected] via secure web.
You can receive a tentative evaluation using Transferology. Transferology is a multi-state online tool for students and advisors to determine course equivalencies, program requirements, and applicability of coursework when transferring between schools. Step-by-step documentation to help guide students through steps for Finding Transfer Matches and how courses apply to a program in Transferology can be found at Transferology[PDF]
- Which credits does Ridgewater accept?
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Ridgewater considers for transfer lower-division college-level credits earned at a degree-granting college accredited by one of the six regional associations of colleges and schools in the U.S., or from a comparable international college or university. Students must have earned a grade of C- or better for the credits to transfer.
Credit shall be granted for veteran’s military training and service in compliance with Subd. 2 of Minnesota Statute 197.775 – “Higher Education Fairness” according to the standards and equivalencies of the American Council on Education. A student must present evidence of satisfactory completion of such education to the Transcript Evaluator. The credits awarded are entered on the student’s transcript without grades. When necessary, the Transcript Evaluator should consult with departments and/or disciplines regarding transferability of military credits.
Minnesota State policy requires that we accept passing grades for Minnesota Transfer Curriculum (MnTC) courses from other Minnesota State institutions. This policy also requires, however, that students must have a cumulative MnTC GPA of 2.0 or higher for completion of the entire 40-credit package of the MnTC.
- How do transferred credits apply toward your degree?
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To receive a degree, diploma, or certificate, you must earn a minimum of one-third of the required semester credits at Ridgewater. A maximum of 16 credits from technical programs or departments may be used as electives toward an AA and most AS degrees. Review Ridgewater’s Minnesota Transfer Curriculum (MnTC) policy.
Transfer credits will compute into your “total credits earned,” but do not calculate into GPA. Details of courses accepted in transfer will not appear on the Ridgewater student transcript; the transcript will only indicate the transferring institution and the number of credits accepted.
MnTC courses completed at other Minnesota State institutions transfer in the goal area(s) designated by that institution. You can find equivalency tables for how courses and exams (such as CLEP, AP, DSST, and IB) transfer from selected Minnesota colleges and universities to Ridgewater through Transferology. For equivalency information on other institutions, please contact the transcript evaluator at 1-800-722-1151.
- Is there an expiration date on transfer credits?
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General education and elective credits have no time limit for transfer to Ridgewater. (Please note: If you intend to transfer for further education after Ridgewater, you may be asked to repeat older courses in highly technical or scientific areas at the next institution.) General studies and technical coursework up to five years old is considered for equivalent credit for technical program requirements. General studies courses more than five years old may be considered for equivalent credit if they are not technical in nature.
- How do you view and/or appeal your transcript evaluation?
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Students will receive notification when your transcript evaluation has been completed. Information will be provided on the number of credits transferred, the equivalency status of each course, and the applicability of transfer work to your program of study. They will have the opportunity to receive an explanation for the acceptance or non-acceptance of credits thru the Transfer Review process. Students may appeal an evaluation decision if not satisfied with the explanation. An appeal denied at the institution level may be brought to the system level. All 3 levels of Transfer Review, Transfer Appeal and System Level Appeal can be done thru the Transfer Review process in eServices.