Transfer students

• Where do I find the transfer guide?
• Does VCU accept course work taken through dual enrollment?
• How many total credits will VCU accept from another institution?
• Are additional general education courses needed even if I transfer to VCU with an associate degree?
• Which community colleges have a transfer general studies degree? Which ones do not transfer?
• May I take additional courses at the community college after an associate degree is awarded?
• I took ENG 112 at the community college. How does it transfer to VCU?
• Which transfer math courses are recommended for science and liberal arts majors?
• When do I receive an evaluation of my transfer credit at VCU?
• Do my transfer courses affect my VCU GPA?

Where do I find the transfer guide?

The VCU Transfer Guide is available online. It also is available in most student services, advising and admissions offices at all Virginia community colleges. The VCU Transfer Guide provides detailed information on transfer policies, the state policy on transfer agreement and recommended first- and second-year Virginia community college and Richard Bland College courses for all programs of study offered at VCU.

Does VCU accept course work taken through dual enrollment?

Yes. VCU enthusiastically accepts dual enrollment credit and applies this credit toward students’ intended programs of study. Students must request the college that awards the dual enrollment credit to send a transcript to VCU prior to attending the STAR program (VCU’s orientation program) to ensure that credits are properly awarded and that advisers do not recommend that students enroll in classes for which they have already received college credit.

How many total credits will VCU accept from another institution?

There is no limit to the number of credit hours that VCU will accept from another four-year college or university; however, students must complete a minimum of 30 credit hours (called the “residency requirement”) at VCU in order to earn a degree from VCU. From two-year colleges, VCU will accept a maximum of 63 credit hours. If students take more than 63 credit hours from a community college, the 63 credits that are most applicable to the intended major and general education requirements will be accepted.

Are additional general education courses needed even if I transfer to VCU with an associate degree?

VCU has an agreement with all Virginia community colleges and Richard Bland College that students transferring to VCU who hold A.A., A.S. or A.A.&S. degrees will have junior standing and will be considered to have met all lower-division general education requirements upon acceptance to VCU. However, a few general education requirements apply even to associate degree holders, and these are outlined in the VCU Transfer Guide.

Which community colleges have a transfer general studies degree? Which ones do not transfer?

Many Virginia community colleges offer associate degree programs in general studies. Based on the courses required in these programs, the state policy on transfer agreement applies to only the following community colleges offering this degree: Dabney Lancaster, Germanna, Lord Fairfax, Mountain Empire, Patrick Henry, Piedmont Virginia, Southside Virginia, Virginia Western and Wytheville. Transfer students who hold a general studies degree from other Virginia community colleges not on the list will be evaluated on a course-by-course basis.

May I take additional courses at the community college after an associate degree is awarded?

A maximum of 63 semester credits are accepted from any community college. Courses taken beyond the associate degree will not be accepted if they exceed 63 credit hours. Transfer students are encouraged to meet with a VCU academic adviser before taking additional course work at any college or university after earning their associate degree.

I took ENG 112 at the community college. How does it transfer to VCU?

All students at VCU are required to take ENGL 101 Writing and Rhetoric Workshop I (freshman composition) and ENGL 200 Writing and Rhetoric Workshop II (a research writing course). If ENG 112 was taken after summer 2005, it is equivalent to ENGL 200. If ENG 112 was taken prior to summer 2005, it applies as a general elective unless the student completed ENG 111 (with a “C” grade or better), ENG 112 (with a “B” grade or better) and a 200-level literature course (with a “C” grade or better). If all three courses were taken, credit is granted for ENGL 101, 200 and a general education literature. Students transferring with an associate degree recieve credit for ENGL 200 for completing ENG 112.

Which transfer math courses are recommended for science and liberal arts majors?

Different majors at VCU require various types and levels of math courses. Generally, if you are interested in majoring in a science-related major (i.e., engineering, biology, chemistry, physics, math, bioinformatics, forensic science) or a major in the School of Business, pre-calculus (MTH 166 at the community college) and, in some cases, calculus (MTH 173), is required. Humanities and social sciences majors generally accept a liberal arts math (MTH 151 and 152 or 170 at the community college) in addition to a statistics course (MTH 240 or 241 at the community college). Refer to the Transfer Guide for additional equivalencies and recommendations of math courses offered through the Virginia Community College System.

When do I receive an evaluation of my transfer credit at VCU?

You can expect to receive your transfer credit evaluation during the STAR program that will be held prior to your first semester at VCU. At this time, an academic adviser will explain how courses taken at your previous institution(s) apply toward your VCU major. If you wish to discuss your transfer credits prior to the orientation program, you may do so by calling the Office of Undergraduate Admissions at (804) 828-1222 or (800) 841-3638, and a representative will connect you to the appropriate person who can assist you.

Do my transfer courses affect my VCU GPA?

No, your VCU GPA will be based on courses taken at VCU only. There are only three times when your grades from other colleges and universities you attended will be considered:

Upon applying to VCU, a minimum 2.25 in all non-developmental hours attempted at all accredited colleges you attended is recommended for admission (although some majors require a higher GPA for direct admission).

To qualify for graduation with honors, your VCU grades and grades accepted for transfer at VCU will be considered.

Certain programs that have selective admissions (including nursing, allied health and graduate school programs) will likely consider all grades ever taken at a college or university.