This is frequently the first and most urgent question students have regarding transfer courses. The best answer to this question is usually more complex than a "yes" or "no." In fact, a better question is "HOW do my courses transfer?"
The main principle is: Courses from other institutions need to be reviewed by UMD faculty to determine how/if they transfer in.
Course Review Process:
If a course has never been reviewed, sending your official transcript starts that review process.
Step 1 Course Description review: Faculty initially review courses based on a "course description." This is typically a 2-3 sentence amount of information.
Step 2 Syllabus review: If a course description decision is not what a student is hoping for AND no other student has had it reviewed based on a full syllabus, you can submit one. This additional information in the syllabus CAN change how the course transfers in.
3 Ways of Transferring:
- Direct Equivalent - faculty have determined the course is substantially similar to a UMD course.
e.g. ECON 1150 “Macro Economics” (at Lake Superior College) = ECON 1022 “Macro Economics” at UMD - Liberal Education Requirement WITHOUT direct equivalent - UMD does not have a substantially similar course, but it has been determined the course meets a liberal education requirement.
e.g. BIO 100 "The Living World" (at Arizona State University) = Natural Science liberal education at UMD - General Elective - the course is not substantially similar to any UMD courses and is does not meet a liberal education requirement, but the course does transfer to UMD and count toward degree completion.
e.g. ENG 3390 “Irish Literature" (at College of St. Scholastica) = ENGL 3999 at UMD
**Additional Information Regarding Transfer Credit can be found at UMD's One Stop Transfer Credit page.
Contact the LSBE Advising & Academic Services Office to continue your educational momentum and transfer credits.