Transfer and Prior Learning Credit

Minnesota’s public higher education institutions, consisting of the University of Minnesota and Minnesota State Colleges and Universities, are dedicated to helping you earn your degree by transferring previously earned equivalent credits and providing credit for other prior learning activities.  Answers to many of your questions on these topics are made available through the Minnesota Transfer website. 

Transfer Basics
Transfer Basics provides basic transfer information you can use to get the transfer process started.

Transfer Planning
Transfer Planning provides information and resources you can use to plan for a successful transfer.

Transfer Help
After reviewing the transfer basics and transfer planning sections you may need assistance to understand what specific requirements apply to your circumstance. Do not hesitate to immediately contact a Transfer Specialist or an Advisor who can quickly answer your questions and guide you through the transfer process.

Minnesota u.select
Minnesota u.select is a multi-state, web-based transfer information system that provides you with fast and accurate course and transfer equivalency information.

Transfer Guides
Transfer Guides assist you in selecting courses that will satisfy general education and/or program or major requirements at receiving universities.

Transfer Websites
Transfer Websites provide you with specific transfer information for the college or university to which you are applying.

Minnesota Transfer Curriculum (MnTC)
Minnesota Transfer Curriculum (MnTC) is the model for general education transfer among the campuses of the University of Minnesota, and Minnesota State Colleges and Universities.

MnTC Course and Goal Lists
MnTC Course and Goal Lists provide information about Minnesota Transfer Curriculum (MnTC) courses offered at the Minnesota State Colleges and Universities and the University of Minnesota that fulfill the ten goal areas of the MnTC.

Articulation Agreements
Articulation Agreements are formal agreements between two or more colleges and universities to accept credits in transfer toward a specific academic program.

Prior Learning Assessment
Credit for Prior Learning can be awarded for what you have learned outside the classroom through corporate training, work experience, civic activity, and independent study. Through a process called Prior Learning Assessment (PLA), universities evaluate and award credit for this learning when they determine it to be similar in content, depth, and breadth to university-level learning.

Prior Learning Help
After reviewing information on prior learning assessment, you may need assistance to understand what specific requirements apply to your circumstance. Do not hesitate to immediately contact a Transfer Specialistor an Advisor who can quickly answer your questions and guide you through the credit for prior learning process.

Portfolio Based Assessment
Portfolio based assessment involves developing a portfolio that presents the evidence necessary for your learning to be evaluated to determine if it is at college level.   It may include experience at work, as a community volunteer and leader, in the military, through job training, independent reading, open source courseware study, etc.   Contact the Minnesota Learning Commons Online Support Center to find out more about Portfolio Based assessment.

Evaluation of Local Training
The ACE National Guide to College Credit for Workforce Training contains ACE credit recommendations for formal courses or examinations offered by various organizations, from businesses and unions to the government and military.

Challenge Examination
Credit by examination may be given for selected courses that are regularly taught for credit and described in the college catalog. Check with institutions' catalogs for more information.

Advanced Placement (AP) Exams
As a high school student, enrollment in AP classes provides you with the opportunity to earn credit or advanced standing at most of the nation's colleges and universities.

College Level Examination (CLEP) Exam
The College-Level Examination Program (CLEP) is a College Board program that allows you to earn college credit by demonstrating their mastery of college-level material in introductory subjects.

DSST Credit by Exam Program
The DANTES Subject Standardized Tests (DSST) program is an extensive series of examinations in college subjects that are comparable to the final or end-of-course examinations in undergraduate courses. The DSSTs are now also available for use by civilians at universities and colleges throughout the country.

International Students
You can use the resources on this page to gather, testing requirements, and studying in the US.

High School Students
You can use the resources on this page to learn about transitioning from high school to college.  You can learn about transfer, link to college and university websites, and find out if you are eligible to receive college credit for courses and exams completed during high school.

Veterans
You may be eligible to receive credit for your military training and prior learning experiences-help further your military career or prepare you for a civilian career. Use these resources to explore options for obtaining credit.