Transferring to a new college is an exciting opportunity, but it can feel a little like hitting the reset button — especially when it comes to making the most of your previous coursework and experience. Fortunately for students today, it doesn’t have to mean starting from scratch. Many colleges offer options to help you receive credit for what you’ve already accomplished, from prior classes and professional training to military and real-world experience.
Every credit matters when you’re working toward completing your degree, and maximizing those transfer credits can save you both time and money. More than 1.2 million U.S. students transferred to a new college or university in the 2024-25 academic year — a number that continues to increase year over year. Some experts say this is a good thing, signaling students are adjusting their goals in response to evolving education and labor market conditions.
In this article, we’ll explore smart ways transfer students can maximize their existing college credits and prior experience to stay on the fast track toward earning a degree.
There are a number of ways to apply alternative college credits at a new school, but it likely won’t be the same across every institution. Students seeking transfer can find related information on school websites to explore options. Once identified, prospective students should formally apply to schools of interest and go through their application process for better insight. This allows you to obtain accurate information on exactly which transfer credits are applicable at each institution and to specific programs.
There are four primary transfer options available to students considering completing their education at University of Massachusetts Global. Reviewing each one can help you get a sense of which route may work best for you.
You’re not alone if you began working toward a degree but decided to take a break from school. It’s incredibly common for students to pause their studies, with many choosing to finish their degree at an entirely different institution. Unfortunately, those learners are often forced to watch much of their hard work go to waste. According to the EducationDynamics 2025 Higher Education Landscape Report, on average, students lose almost 11 credits — often accounting for an entire semester — when transferring between institutions. Not only is this disheartening, it can have a real impact on the student’s time, money, and career. In fact, this loss of credits can amount to more than 30 thousand dollars in lost tuition, delayed income, benefits, and savings — and it’s not a motivating start to any degree path.
It’s completely possible, and advisable, to transfer eligible credits to your new school, particularly if the last college you attended was regionally accredited. That said, every institution has a slightly different transfer policy. Make sure to investigate how much of your previous coursework will count toward a degree before enrolling in a program. And know that just because two institutions have similar names for courses doesn’t mean the material covered in them is equivalent.
If you’re interested in a graduate program, it’s also worth considering whether any of your undergraduate education could be applied toward an advanced credential. This is a common practice at UMass Global.
While it’s common that military experience can be applied toward a degree, some schools are more generous with their policies than others. It’s worth reviewing whether any institution you’re considering is ranked by the Military Friendly Advisory Council, because military-friendly colleges like UMass Global work hard to make it as easy as possible for you to earn credit.
For example, our application includes a place for students to indicate if they would like for us to automatically request their Joint Services Transcript (JST).During students’ pre-admission appointment, an advisor will identify what’s transferable and what the best programs are for them to utilize all the credits they’ve already obtained.
Based on the Military Guide from the American Council on Education (ACE), the JST breaks down credit recommendations in a few ways. One method is to consider coursework you’ve completed as part of your training. These are structured classes that are taught by qualified instructors, driven toward specific learning objectives, and intended to measure students’ mastery of the material through assessments. ACE also makes credit recommendations for the on-the-job learning that occurs during service, which can vary depending on the specific role. Generally speaking, the higher the ranking a service member achieves, the more credits they can expect to receive. Just note that the ACE recommendations are suggestions rather than requirements.
Believe it or not, you can get college credits for your work experience. Depending on which schools you’re considering, you may have a few options for how to go about this. One of the most common options is a prior learning assessment, which typically involves compiling a portfolio that demonstrates you’ve accumulated college-level knowledge in a particular subject outside the traditional classroom setting. It might include writing samples, reference letters, certificates earned, and any other number of materials, which will vary depending on the course. Note that you will need to go through a separate portfolio process for each individual course you’d like to forgo.
Some institutions also design their programs so that certain professional certificates ladder directly into them. This is a particularly good option for professionals who are in fields such as human resources or information technology. UMass Global even allows students who’ve obtained the Retail Management Certificate to apply all 24 credits toward a Bachelor of Business Administration in General Business.
Advanced Placement (AP) exams are a well-known option for getting ahead on program requirements, but they aren’t the only route to testing out of courses. College Board administers the College-Level Examination Program (CLEP), which includes 34 different tests in a range of subjects. The DSST, previously known as the DANTES Subject Standardized Tests, offered by Prometric, are also options. These exam pathways are open to anyone looking to earn college credit for what they already know.
Bear in mind that simply taking the test isn’t sufficient for earning credit. You need to perform well enough to demonstrate that you’ve mastered the material covered on whichever exams you take. There are set guidelines for scoring at each institution. Students who have questions about what a particular school accepts as sufficient should inquire prior to taking any exams.
Most institutions allow students to apply college transfer credits for some of their prior education or experience but be aware that schools can vary considerably in what they will and won’t accept. Some have far more generous policies than others.
While it can feel like a huge undertaking to figure out how to transfer credits from one college to another or apply what you already know toward a degree, the right institution can help simplify the process. Being prepared is the best way to ensure you earn the maximum amount of credit for your previous coursework, experience, and knowledge. Review these FAQs to get started.
If you have further questions about transfer credits, policies, or to begin the application process with UMass Global, reach out to an enrollment coach today at (800) 746-0082 to get started.
UMass Global offers a wide variety of degree programs. Explore your transfer options and find a degree that fits you.
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