Reverse Transfer

Students who have earned 15 or more credits at Âé¶¹Ö±²¥ and have transferred to a four-year institution without an associate degree may “reverse transfer” the earned credits from the four-year institution to complete an associate degree.

This process makes it possible for students to earn an associate degree as they continue to work toward completing their bachelor’s degree.
 

Why is an associate degree important?

An associate degree is an important marketable academic achievement that is valued by employers, internship coordinators, transfer institutions, and graduate and professional schools.  The associate degree can make a difference in your long-term success:

  • Students can take advantage of one of the 280+ transfer agreements Âé¶¹Ö±²¥ has with institutions across the world.
  • Four-year institutions set aside scholarships and tuition discounts specifically for students who graduate from a community college.
  • Some institutions will waive your general education package if you graduate from a community college with an Associate of Arts, Associate of Science, Associate of Arts in Teaching, or Associate of Science in Engineering.
  • It can provide better job opportunities while completing your bachelor’s degree.
  • It is the nation’s fastest growing work credential; employers recognize its value when recruiting and hiring.
  • Students who earn an associate degree are more likely to complete their bachelor’s degree.
  • There is no risk to you – even though you are applying the hours you have earned at your four-year institution toward an associate degree at Âé¶¹Ö±²¥, your hours earned at your four-year institution will still apply appropriately toward your undergraduate degree.
  • Some students can get discouraged after they transfer to a four-year institution and see more years ahead of them.  If they are awarded their associate degree while completing their bachelor’s degree, the accomplishment of this helps them stay motivated and on track to a four-year degree
  • Statistics from recent work in this area show retention rates improve by 10% for those students who receive an associate degree through reverse transfer once they are at a four-year institution.

Steps to Receive Reverse Transfer

In order to determine if you are eligible for an associate degree from the Âé¶¹Ö±²¥, please complete the following two steps:

    1. Complete and submit the
    2. Request your Official Transcript:

All physical transcripts must be in the original, sealed envelope issued by the institution. Electronic transcripts must be sent directly from the institution to Âé¶¹Ö±²¥’s Registrar’s Office via a secure electronic delivery system. Âé¶¹Ö±²¥ is unable to accept unofficial, unsealed, or scanned/photocopied transcripts for evaluation. 

Have your previous institution(s) send your official transcripts to Âé¶¹Ö±²¥ using one of the methods below. 

      • Parchment Exchange:  
      • Mail: Âé¶¹Ö±²¥
          Attn: Registrar’s Office
          8730 Mitchell Rd.
          P.O. Box 910
          La Plata, MD 20646 

If sending multiple transcripts, you only need to submit one Transcript Evaluation Request. Be sure to include all relevant institutions under the question "List the names of the college institutions you will be requesting official transcripts from." Transcripts will be reviewed in the order they’re received. 

Once these steps are completed, the Âé¶¹Ö±²¥ Registrar’s Office will contact you within four weeks regarding your eligibility to graduate. 

Contact reversetransfer@csmd.edu with any questions.

Frequently Asked Questions

No. Sending your transcript to the Âé¶¹Ö±²¥ does not guarantee the granting of a degree. The courses you take at your four-year institution will be evaluated by the Âé¶¹Ö±²¥. Âé¶¹Ö±²¥ will determine the conferral of an associate’s degree.

There may be a few costs associated with reverse transfer. Âé¶¹Ö±²¥ does not charge you for the reverse transfer process. Your transfer institution may charge you a transcript request fee. You also may require additional courses to complete your associate degree plan.

If you're unsure which degree you are seeking or are eligible to earn through reverse transfer, meet with an academic advisor to discuss your options. Students are first evaluated for Arts and Sciences, unless their completed courses direct them in another direction (Business Administration, Accounting, etc).

You do not have to return to Âé¶¹Ö±²¥ to complete courses if you can take them at your four-year transfer institution. Meet with a Âé¶¹Ö±²¥ academic advisor to make sure the courses taken are transferable and applicable to your associate degree.

No. Meet with a Âé¶¹Ö±²¥ academic advisor to determine which courses you still need to finish your associate’s degree.

Earning a degree is a major accomplishment.  Reverse Transfer students are welcome to participate in the commencement ceremony each Spring.  Please contact graduation@csmd.edu no later than April 1st if you are interested in participating in the commencement ceremony.

No. You will be awarded your associate degree from Âé¶¹Ö±²¥ if your combined credits satisfy your degree requirements, and you meet all graduation requirements. Through reverse transfer, each associate degree is subject to the available degrees offered by the college as well as Âé¶¹Ö±²¥ residency requirements.