Slideshow by Sara Blackwell

Slide 1 - My Professional Perspective

sblackwell5_1 — 2023-12-15 05:03:19 UTC

I work with prospective transfer students at a public university here in Texas and one of the first topics students are concerned about is the transferability of their credits. Course transferability is relevant to students, academic advisors, admissions staff, retention staff, transfer articulation staff, and many others. This topic impacts many different areas but there aren't many federal regulations for it. It's importance to a number of areas and my personal connection to the topic are two of the main reasons I've chosen it.

Slide 2 - Governing Agency

sblackwell5_1 — 2023-12-15 05:06:54 UTC

At the state level course curriculum and transferability is governed by the Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board. At the federal level course curriculum and transferability would fall under the Department of Education but most guidelines regarding this topic are set at the state level. In Texas, THECB has set numerous guidelines to ensure that students can have an easier transition between in state institutions.

Slide 3 - Constitutional Law

sblackwell5_1 — 2023-12-15 05:29:43 UTC

§4.37 of Title 19 in the Texas Administrative Code outlines the Texas Common Course Numbering System (TCCNS) and the requirements Texas institutions are required to meet if they use this to number their courses. If a school doesn't use this to number their courses they are required to meet certain expectations in their institutional catalog.

The TCCNS course code has to be listed next to the institutional course code.
The catalog has to include an explanation of the TCCNS and why it's significant.

19 Tex. Admin. Code § 4.37 (2021)

Slide 4 - Statute and Administrative Laws

sblackwell5_1 — 2023-12-15 05:42:15 UTC

Statute - Per Rule §4.28 of Title 19 of the Texas Administrative Code students are required to fulfill a set core curriculum put in place by the institution that has been approved by the THECB.

Administrative Law - Per Rule §4.28 of Title 19 of the Texas Administrative Code specialized programs like medical or dental ones that admit undergraduate transfer students are expected to encourage their transfer students to complete their core curriculum courses at a general education institution or public junior college.

19 Tex. Admin. Code § 4.28 (2021)

Slide 5 - Case or Common Law

sblackwell5_1 — 2023-12-15 05:43:47 UTC

At this time I was not able to find case or common laws pertaining to this topic.

Slide 6 - Federal Regulation or Mandate

sblackwell5_1 — 2023-12-15 05:55:07 UTC

In 2008 the Higher Education Opportunity Act was enacted and a provision was included that requires institutions to disclose their transfer of credit policies.

Slide 7 - Local Administrative Policy

sblackwell5_1 — 2023-12-15 06:00:14 UTC

While each institution sets their own core curriculum - they must do so within the guidelines and purpose set by the Board. The Board is intentional about core curriculums needing to give students the opportunity to build the following skills:

critical thinking
communication
empirical and quantitative
teamwork
personal responsibility
social responsibility

19 Tex. Admin. Code § 4.28 (2021)

Slide 8 - Risk Management Strategies

sblackwell5_1 — 2023-12-15 06:03:04 UTC

3 Risk Management Strategies are:

Have clear policies on transfer coursework outlined in the university catalog and easily accessible for students on the website.
Ensure that staff members who work with transfer students are trained in those policies and receive updates if any items are changed.
Implement resources that make it easy for students to understand how their credits may transfer prior to applying.

This is important because how their credits transfer will make or break a students decision to attend the school and respecting the work they've already completed by having a sense of transparency with them is important.

Slide 9 - Ethical Principle

sblackwell5_1 — 2023-12-15 06:03:18 UTC

One general skills outlined by the Council for the Advancement of Standards in Higher Education that I think is crucial to the success of transfer students and transferring of coursework is working collaboratively. When ensuring the transfer of courses it's a team effort from individuals in Admissions, the Registrar, Transfer Articulation, and Academic Departments. If these areas can't collaborate then students could be misinformed and spend money applying to an institution that won't accept their coursework.

Advocacy. (n.d.-b). Council for the Advancement of Standards in Higher Education. https://www.cas.edu/ethics--values.html

Slide 10 - Personal Connection

sblackwell5_1 — 2023-12-15 06:03:40 UTC

In the beginning of this slideshow when I explained why I chose this topic I mentioned that I work with transfer students and that connection was part of why I chose it. The other part of why I chose this topic was because I was a transfer student myself and transferred between 3 different public institutions during my undergraduate college career. Learning more about the laws behind course transferability helped me gain insight to the experiences I went through transferring my courses and what barriers I experienced that weren't necessary. These laws clearly state that institutions need to be transparent about their policies on transfer coursework but when I was transferring schools the policies were hidden in a catalog that I didn't know how to navigate as a student which is frustrating to look back on. Transparency goes a long way with students and knowing what I have learned as a staff member in higher education I'm glad I have the opportunity to build that transparency with the students I work with.

Recommendations/Best Practices

sblackwell5_1 — 2023-12-15 06:04:13 UTC

My recommendations are listed below:

Have transfer coursework policies posted somewhere in addition to the catalog so students are able to access it easily.
Create resources for students that give them an idea of how their specific courses transfer before they apply.
Collaborate across departments to ensure employees are receiving the same training so messaging is consistent across the university.
Have staff members that specialize in transfer coursework and working with transfer students.
Ensure that TCCNS course codes are easily accessible for students to view.
Create a record of all courses from across the country that have been accepted previously and make that accessible to prospective students.
Set aside time yearly to go over policies and procedures to ensure they're compliant with state and federal guidelines and are being followed.