Transfer Policy and Procedures

Ferris recognizes courses recommended through the American Council on Education (ACE). If equivalencies have not been established and documented in BANNER and TES®, the TSC will provide the faculty member who will review the courses with the ACE recommended course syllabi and course outcomes to review. The Transfer Course Evaluation process will be followed to evaluate the course. Established equivalencies will be documented in BANNER and TES®.

Assessment of Prior Learning may be initiated by a faculty member, advisor or the student. The Director of OTSSP will contact the program/college to let them know that a request has been made to submit an APL. The program will provide any specific requirements or assignments that the student should complete in addition to the online APL in Canvas. The Director of OTSSP will work with the student to get them started on the APL and to assist them throughout the process. When the APL is complete, the portfolio will be provided to the program for evaluation and recommendation of credits earned. The Director of OTSSP will confirm the credits with the program and will request that the Registrar’s Office post the credits. Once the credits are posted, an email will be sent to the program and the college letting them know that the process has been completed.

+The Transfer Services Center (TSC) will advise students of the APL options and provide them with the resources to submit their online APL portfolio. The TSC will uphold APL procedures and coordinate the process between the student and appropriate faculty/academic program. FSU and KCAD follow the academic standards of the Council of Adult and Experiential Learning (CAEL) when assessing prior learning experience:

• The determination of competence levels and credit awards will be made by the relevant academic college or department personnel.
• Prior learning credit is awarded for college level learning not for experience.
• Knowledge learned must have a balance, appropriate to the subject, between theory and application.
• Prior learning credit is appropriate to the academic context in which it is accepted.

Prior learning credit may be specific course credit, elective credit in a specific area, or general elective credit. Successful completion of the Assessment of Prior Learning portfolio will result in appropriate course credit(s) posted to the student's transcript.  A credit grade, designated as CR, will be assigned for portfolios evaluated at a 2.0 or better grade level.

APL credit will be awarded by semester based on when the completed portfolio is submitted. The credits awarded are granted toward a FSU or KCAD degree.  Credits awarded through prior learning assessment are not guaranteed to transfer to other institutions.

FSU and KCAD reserve the right to deny credit for courses that are not compatible with those offered at their respective institutions. Some general categories of courses may receive credit on a restricted basis only. Examples of courses that receive no credit include:

• Courses considered below college level (usually numbered below 100) unless they are equivalent to a 100 level or higher course
• Repeated courses or courses with duplicate subject content
• Courses offered for non-credit continuing education units (unless documented and approved through APL or a similar process)

Military training and experience are given full consideration in the awarding of college credit for military experiences and training. Eligibility for credit will be determined based on review of the student veteran’s military documentation and an interview. All training and experiences will be verified with the Joint Services Transcript or other military documentation depending on branch of military service. Student veterans may also apply for academic credit through the utilization of ACE recommendations or the creation of an Assessment of Prior Learning portfolio.

Credit for non-credit courses, experiences, and trainings may not exceed 22 credits toward an associate degree and 45 credits toward a bachelor’s degree. Credit for non-credit includes military credit, credits approved through American Council on Education (ACE), assessment of prior learning (APL), College Level Examination Program (CLEP), International Baccalaureate IB, Advanced Placement (AP), etc. Students must meet residency requirements to be awarded a degree from FSU or KCAD.

Transfer credits from non-regionally accredited institutions, foreign institutions, institutions which grant credit for experiential learning. and for non-traditional adult learner programs will be accepted when the coursework is deemed equivalent to an FSU or KCAD course or general transfer credits. The Transfer Course Evaluation process will be followed to determine equivalency.

The MACRAO Transfer Agreement is designed to facilitate transfer from community colleges to baccalaureate colleges and universities. It provides for transferability of up to 30 semester credits to meet many (and in some cases all) of the General Education Requirements at participating Michigan four-year colleges and universities. Students may complete the MACRAO Transfer Agreement as part of an associate degree or as a stand-alone package.

The MACRAO Transfer Agreement applies only to students entering bachelor degree programs at FSU or KCAD, pertains solely to general education, and does not exempt students from meeting specific prerequisite and/or course requirements for their degrees. Only courses with a grade of “C” (2.0) or better will transfer.

Students transferring to FSU with the MACRAO stamp will have met all lower-division general education communication competency; scientific understanding; cultural enrichment; social awareness; race, ethnicity, and gender; and global awareness requirements. Students transferring to KCAD with the MACRAO stamp will have met many of the requirements of the KCAD General Education Pathway and should work with an advisor to determine which pathway courses have been met. In order to complete the general education requirements for a bachelor’s degree, FSU or KCAD students with MACRAO must still complete math proficiency and upper-level communication competency requirements.

Many degrees require specific courses and prerequisite courses that also count for FSU’s or KCAD’s general education requirements. Because these specific courses are required for the degree, they must be taken even if a student has sufficient coursework to complete the MACRAO agreement.

If a student already has a “MACRAO Satisfied” endorsement previously placed on their transcript, the MACRAO will apply and FSU or KCAD will still honor it in the best interest of the student.

The Michigan Transfer Agreement (MTA) is designed to facilitate the transfer of general education requirements among Michigan higher education institutions. It provides for transferability of 30 semester credits to meet many (and in some cases all) of the General Education Requirements at participating Michigan four-year colleges and universities. Students may complete the MTA Transfer Agreement as part of an associate degree or as a stand-alone package.

The MTA pertains solely to general education, and does not exempt students from meeting specific prerequisite and/or course requirements for their degrees at FSU or KCAD. Only courses with a grade of “C” (2.0) or better will transfer as a part of the MTA Agreement. Many FSU and KCAD degrees require program-specific courses and prerequisites that also count towards institutional general education requirements. Specific prerequisite and general education degree requirements must be completed even if a student has the “MTA Satisfied” endorsement.

Students transferring to FSU with the “MTA Satisfied” endorsement will have satisfied the University general education requirements in the following areas:

• 2 courses in Communication (1 in Written Communication and a second course in Written Communication or 1 course in Oral Communication) 
  • A student who has satisfied the MTA requirements for Communication will fit into one of two categories: (1) the student completed two Written Communication courses and if not already completed, will need to take an Oral Communication course, or (2) the student completed one Written Communication Course and one Oral Communication and if not already completed, will need to complete a second Written Communication course. Students must complete a 300 level or higher Written Communication Course.
  • 1 course in Quantitative Literacy from one of three pathways: College Algebra, Statistics, or Quantitative Reasoning
  • 2 courses in Self and Society (from two disciplines)
    • Students will have met the two lower level Self and Society courses in two disciplines as a part of the MTA and if not already completed, will need to complete one Culture course at the 200 level or higher.
  • 2 courses in Culture (from two disciplines excluding studio art and performance classes)
  • Students will have met the two lower level Culture courses in two disciplines as a part of the MTA and if not already completed, will need to complete one Culture course at the 200 level or higher.
  • 2 courses in Natural Sciences including one with laboratory experience (from two disciplines)
  • 2 courses in Diversity

Students transferring to KCAD with the “MTA Satisfied” endorsement will have satisfied up to 30 credits of broad, integrative courses in Writing, Intro to Narrative Studies, Intro to Cultural Studies, Intro to Philosophy and Math or Science Elective.

Students should consult with a KCAD advisor to determine how their transfer general education courses meet the KCAD General Education Pathways.

 FSU students pursuing the MTA should contact the institution’s Registrar’s Office to request an MTA audit. KCAD students pursuing the MTA should contact Academic Records at KCAD. Transcripts for FSU or KCAD students that meet MTA will be updated to include the “MTA Satisfied” endorsement on their transcript.

Students eligible for reverse transfer who have met the MTA requirements may request the “MTA Satisfied” endorsement from their prior institution at the time the reverse transfer audit takes place.

Ferris participates in and provides course equivalency updates to the MiTransfer Network. Here is the new site for the Michigan Transfer Network, Michigan's statewide transfer site.  With support from the state of Michigan, the Michigan Association of Collegiate Registrars and Admissions Officers (MACRAO) partnered with the Michigan Community College Association, the Michigan Association of State Universities, and the Michigan Independent Colleges and Universities to update the Michigan Transfer Network.  In addition to providing information about course equivalencies, the new Michigan Transfer Network shares information about course equivalencies, the Michigan Transfer Agreement, institutional profiles, and additional information about transfer.

The MiTransfer Pathways agreements are multi-institutional articulation agreements that allow students to complete up to an associate degree at a transfer institution and to transfer the credits seamlessly to participating institutions across the state of Michigan. 

FSU signed on to one agreement in Phase I, Criminal Justice, and will be applying to participate in the other agreements from Phase I.

FSU signed on to all of the pathways in Phase 2 and Phase 3 with the exception of Exercise Science. FSU does not have a program in Exercise Science. For Art, KCAD’s Art History Program is the participating program.

To fulfill the residency requirement for an associate degree, a student must earn a minimum of fifteen credit hours from FSU or KCAD. To fulfill the residency requirement for a bachelor's degree a student must earn a minimum of thirty credit hours from FSU or KCAD. Students completing a BFA or BS at KCAD must complete at least half of their Major Studio credits through KCAD.

The Reverse Transfer report will be pulled by the Student Service Rep 4 in the Admissions and Records Office at the end of the Spring Semester and unofficial transcripts will be printed and stamped with the Ferris State University stamp. The report will be provided to OTSSP in an Excel format with the transcripts. OTSSP will provide a copy of the individual transfer partner’s spreadsheet and transcripts to each partner with a note asking them to review each student’s transcript to see if they qualify for an Associate’s Degree through Reverse Transfer. Each transfer partner is asked to provide OTSSP with a list of which students meet the requirements for and are being granted an Associates Degree. Partner institutions are asked to provide Ferris with a transcript showing the Associate’s Degree for an students who meet this criteria. OTSSP will provide the list of degrees granted and the transcripts to the Admissions and Records Office so that they can update the student’s record.

Students transferring to FSU or KCAD prior to earning an associate degree from their transfer institution may qualify for reverse transfer once adequate eligible credits are earned. 

If students have not earned their FSU or KCAD bachelor’s degree but have earned at least 60 credits total, including transfer credits, they may be eligible to earn an associate degree from their transfer institution.

To participate, students must not have opted out at the time of completing their transfer application. Once 60 credits total have been reached, the student’s transcript will be sent to the Registrar’s Office at their transfer institution. The transfer institution will review the transcript to determine if the student can be awarded an associate degree through the Reverse Transfer Program.

FSU and KCAD students interested in participating should contact the TSC.

Transfer courses are evaluated by the relevant academic program. Course evaluations are  based on course descriptions, course syllabi, or course outcomes. Courses are considered a direct equivalent to a FSU or KCAD course when there is a 75% or greater course content match. Courses evaluated as no direct equivalency will be granted general program or general credit. Course equivalency evaluations are not based on an individual student’s transcript or performance in a class and are not for an individual student only.

FSU and KCAD utilize TES® the Transfer Evaluation System from CollegeSource for course evaluation including not yet evaluated courses (NYEs). Student transcript reviews are initiated by the College Dean’s Office. Staff will route the course for review to the appropriate faculty/department through TES®. Courses sent for review from partner schools will be routed for review to the appropriate faculty/department directly from the TSC. A reminder to complete the review will be provided to faculty assigned to review the course, one week from the date the initial request was sent. If the faculty member has not reviewed the course within two weeks from the initial date the course was sent for review, the TSC Director will review and evaluate the course for general program credit. Established course equivalencies will be entered by the TSC in BANNER and TES®.

Transfer disputes may arise when a lower-division course is not accepted for a direct credit equivalency by FSU or KCAD. Students who wish to file an appeal may do so by contacting the Transfer Services Center (TSC). The appeal must include a rationale for a change of evaluation review that is supported by evidence, including but not limited to course descriptions and/or course syllabus. The TSC will consult with the academic program and, if necessary, the Dean of the respective college. The decision of the academic program and/or Dean is final and will be communicated to the student by the TSC within 30 days from the date the appeal is submitted.

FSU and KCAD allow a maximum of 30 transfer credits of lower-division coursework to be applied toward an institutionally granted associate degree and no more than 90 transfer credits of lower-division coursework to be applied toward an institutionally-granted bachelor’s degree. Programmatic requirements must be met, regardless of the number of credits transferred to FSU or KCAD.

Ferris recognizes courses recommended through the American Council on Education (ACE). If equivalencies have not been established and a student would like for a course to be reviewed, they should contact the Transfer Services Center to start the process.

The Transfer Services Center (TSC) will advise students of the APL options and provide them with the resources to submit their online APL portfolio. The TSC will uphold APL procedures and coordinate the process between the student and appropriate faculty/academic program. FSU and KCAD follow the academic standards of the Council of Adult and Experiential Learning (CAEL) when assessing prior learning experience:

• The determination of competence levels and credit awards will be made by the relevant academic college or department personnel.
• Prior learning credit is awarded for college level learning not for experience.
• Knowledge learned must have a balance, appropriate to the subject, between theory and application.
• Prior learning credit is appropriate to the academic context in which it is accepted.

Prior learning credit may be specific course credit, elective credit in a specific area, or general elective credit. Successful completion of the Assessment of Prior Learning portfolio will result in appropriate course credit(s) posted to the student's transcript.  A credit grade, designated as CR, will be assigned for portfolios evaluated at a 2.0 or better grade level.

APL credit will be awarded by semester based on when the completed portfolio is submitted. The credits awarded are granted toward a FSU or KCAD degree.  Credits awarded through prior learning assessment are not guaranteed to transfer to other institutions.

Students interested in completing an APL should contact Dr. Deedee Stakley at [email protected]

FSU and KCAD reserve the right to deny credit for courses that are not compatible with those offered at their respective institutions. Some general categories of courses may receive credit on a restricted basis only. Examples of courses that receive no credit include:

• Courses considered below college level (usually numbered below 100) unless they are equivalent to a 100 level or higher course
• Repeated courses or courses with duplicate subject content

Courses offered for non-credit continuing education units (unless documented and approved through APL or a similar process)

Military training and experience are given full consideration in the awarding of college credit for military experiences and training. Eligibility for credit will be determined based on review of the student veteran’s military documentation and an interview. All training and experiences will be verified with the Joint Services Transcript or other military documentation depending on branch of military service. Student veterans may also apply for academic credit through the utilization of ACE recommendations or the creation of an Assessment of Prior Learning portfolio.

Credit for non-credit courses, experiences, and trainings may not exceed 22 credits toward an associate degree and 45 credits toward a bachelor’s degree. Credit for non-credit includes military credit, credits approved through American Council on Education (ACE), assessment of prior learning (APL), College Level Examination Program (CLEP), International Baccalaureate IB, Advanced Placement (AP), etc. Students must meet residency requirements to be awarded a degree from FSU or KCAD.

Transfer credits from non-regionally accredited institutions, foreign institutions, institutions which grant credit for experiential learning. and for non-traditional adult learner programs will be accepted when the coursework is deemed equivalent to an FSU or KCAD course or general transfer credits.

Financial Aid Consortium Agreements

The MACRAO Transfer Agreement is designed to facilitate transfer from community colleges to baccalaureate colleges and universities. It provides for transferability of up to 30 semester credits to meet many (and in some cases all) of the General Education Requirements at participating Michigan four-year colleges and universities. Students may complete the MACRAO Transfer Agreement as part of an associate degree or as a stand-alone package.

The MACRAO Transfer Agreement applies only to students entering bachelor degree programs at FSU or KCAD, pertains solely to general education, and does not exempt students from meeting specific prerequisite and/or course requirements for their degrees. Only courses with a grade of “C” (2.0) or better will transfer.

Students transferring to FSU with the MACRAO stamp will have met all lower-division general education communication competency; scientific understanding; cultural enrichment; social awareness; race, ethnicity, and gender; and global awareness requirements. Students transferring to KCAD with the MACRAO stamp will have met many of the requirements of the KCAD General Education Pathway and should work with an advisor to determine which pathway courses have been met. In order to complete the general education requirements for a bachelor’s degree, FSU or KCAD students with MACRAO must still complete math proficiency and upper-level communication competency requirements.

Many degrees require specific courses and prerequisite courses that also count for FSU’s or KCAD’s general education requirements. Because these specific courses are required for the degree, they must be taken even if a student has sufficient coursework to complete the MACRAO agreement.

 If a student already has a “MACRAO Satisfied” endorsement previously placed on their transcript, the MACRAO will apply and FSU or KCAD will still honor it in the best interest of the student.

The Michigan Transfer Agreement (MTA) is designed to facilitate the transfer of general education requirements among Michigan higher education institutions. It provides for transferability of 30 semester credits to meet many (and in some cases all) of the General Education Requirements at participating Michigan four-year colleges and universities. Students may complete the MTA Transfer Agreement as part of an associate degree or as a stand-alone package.

The MTA pertains solely to general education, and does not exempt students from meeting specific prerequisite and/or course requirements for their degrees at FSU or KCAD. Only courses with a grade of “C” (2.0) or better will transfer as a part of the MTA Agreement. Many FSU and KCAD degrees require program-specific courses and prerequisites that also count towards institutional general education requirements. Specific prerequisite and general education degree requirements must be completed even if a student has the “MTA Satisfied” endorsement.

Students transferring to FSU with the “MTA Satisfied” endorsement will have satisfied the University general education requirements in the following areas:

• 2 courses in Communication (1 in Written Communication and a second course in Written Communication or 1 course in Oral Communication) 
  • A student who has satisfied the MTA requirements for Communication will fit into one of two categories: (1) the student completed two Written Communication courses and if not already completed, will need to take an Oral Communication course, or (2) the student completed one Written Communication Course and one Oral Communication and if not already completed, will need to complete a second Written Communication course. Students must complete a 300 level or higher Written Communication Course.
  • 1 course in Quantitative Literacy from one of three pathways: College Algebra, Statistics, or Quantitative Reasoning
  • 2 courses in Self and Society (from two disciplines)
    • Students will have met the two lower level Self and Society courses in two disciplines as a part of the MTA and if not already completed, will need to complete one Culture course at the 200 level or higher.
  • 2 courses in Culture (from two disciplines excluding studio art and performance classes)
  • Students will have met the two lower level Culture courses in two disciplines as a part of the MTA and if not already completed, will need to complete one Culture course at the 200 level or higher.
  • 2 courses in Natural Sciences including one with laboratory experience (from two disciplines)
  • 2 courses in Diversity

Students transferring to KCAD with the “MTA Satisfied” endorsement will have satisfied up to 30 credits of broad, integrative courses in Writing, Intro to Narrative Studies, Intro to Cultural Studies, Intro to Philosophy and Math or Science Elective.

Students should consult with a KCAD advisor to determine how their transfer general education courses meet the KCAD General Education Pathways.

 FSU students pursuing the MTA should contact the institution’s Registrar’s Office to request an MTA audit. KCAD students pursuing the MTA should contact Academic Records at KCAD. Transcripts for FSU or KCAD students that meet MTA will be updated to include the “MTA Satisfied” endorsement on their transcript.

Students eligible for reverse transfer who have met the MTA requirements may request the “MTA Satisfied” endorsement from their prior institution at the time the reverse transfer audit takes place.

Ferris participates in and provides course equivalency updates to the MiTransfer Network. Here is the new site for the Michigan Transfer Network, Michigan's statewide transfer site.  With support from the state of Michigan, the Michigan Association of Collegiate Registrars and Admissions Officers (MACRAO) partnered with the Michigan Community College Association, the Michigan Association of State Universities, and the Michigan Independent Colleges and Universities to update the Michigan Transfer Network.  In addition to providing information about course equivalencies, the new Michigan Transfer Network shares information about course equivalencies, the Michigan Transfer Agreement, institutional profiles, and additional information about transfer.

The MiTransfer Pathways agreements are multi-institutional articulation agreements that allow students to complete up to an associate degree at a transfer institution and to transfer the credits seamlessly to participating institutions across the state of Michigan. 

FSU signed on to one agreement in Phase I, Criminal Justice, and will be applying to participate in the other agreements from Phase I.  

FSU signed on to all of the pathways in Phase 2 and Phase 3 with the exception of Exercise Science. FSU does not have a program in Exercise Science. For Art, KCAD’s Art History Program is the participating program.

To fulfill the residency requirement for an associate degree, a student must earn a minimum of fifteen credit hours from FSU or KCAD. To fulfill the residency requirement for a bachelor's degree a student must earn a minimum of thirty credit hours from FSU or KCAD. Students completing a BFA or BS at KCAD must complete at least half of their Major Studio credits through KCAD.

Students transferring to FSU or KCAD prior to earning an associate degree from their transfer institution may qualify for reverse transfer once adequate eligible credits are earned. 

If students have not earned their FSU or KCAD bachelor’s degree but have earned at least 60 credits total, including transfer credits, they may be eligible to earn an associate degree from their transfer institution.

To participate, students must not have opted out at the time of completing their transfer application. Once 60 credits total have been reached, the student’s transcript will be sent to the Registrar’s Office at their transfer institution. The transfer institution will review the transcript to determine if the student can be awarded an associate degree through the Reverse Transfer Program.

FSU and KCAD students interested in participating should contact the TSC.

Transfer courses are evaluated by the relevant academic program. Course evaluations are  based on course descriptions, course syllabi, or course outcomes. Courses are considered a direct equivalent to a FSU or KCAD course when there is a 75% or greater course content match. Courses evaluated as no direct equivalency will be granted general program or general credit.

Transfer disputes may arise when a lower-division course is not accepted for a direct credit equivalency by FSU or KCAD. Students who wish to file an appeal may do so by contacting the Transfer Services Center (TSC). The appeal must include a rationale for a change of evaluation review that is supported by evidence, including but not limited to course descriptions and/or course syllabus. The TSC will consult with the academic program and, if necessary, the Dean of the respective college. The decision of the academic program and/or Dean is final and will be communicated to the student by the TSC within 30 days from the date the appeal is submitted.

FSU and KCAD allow a maximum of 30 transfer credits of lower-division coursework to be applied toward an institutionally granted associate degree and no more than 90 transfer credits of lower-division coursework to be applied toward an institutionally-granted bachelor’s degree. Programmatic requirements must be met, regardless of the number of credits transferred to FSU or KCAD.