Transfer Services

The Reverse Transfer initiative is a collaborative effort between Arizona Western College and the three in-state universities (ASU, NAU, UA). Students who transfer without completing their associate’s degree to a participating Arizona university from Arizona Western College are given the opportunity to combine community college and university credits to determine if missing associate degree requirements have been met.

There is no cost for participating Arizona Western College students. There are no “hidden” fees – if you have been determined to be eligible and opt-in to the process, your university and Arizona Western College will provide your transcript information free of charge. And there are no graduation application fees. 

Self-Identified Reverse Transfer: Get the Degree You Have Already Earned

Students who have not opted in or do not meet the criteria for the Reverse Transfer Initiative with the three in-state universities may request a degree eligibility evaluation through Self-Identified Reverse Transfer directly with Arizona Western College Transfer Services.

The Self-Identified Reverse Transfer process applies to students who do not have an AWC associate degree and who meet the following criteria:

•  Completed a minimum of 15 credits applicable towards a degree at Arizona Western College;
•  Earned credits at an accredited university or college;
•  Met all requirements for an associate degree as outlined in the student’s Arizona Western College catalog; and
•  Be in good financial standing with AWC. Financial holds restrict official transcript requests.  

Through Self-Identified Reverse Transfer, former Arizona Western College students who made progress toward an associate degree prior to transferring may apply credit earned at a four-year institution or another college back to AWC to retroactively be awarded an associate’s degree.

There is no cost or graduation fees for participating in the Self-Identified Reverse Transfer Process.

By submitting the Electronic Self-Identified Reverse Transfer Request Form and sending the official transcripts from all institutions attended, students can claim the AWC degree already in progress with the credits earned without being actively enrolled at AWC.

The Reverse Transfer Coordinator will review and evaluate transcripts and determine which degree best matches the courses completed. Typical degrees include the Associate in Arts (AA) degree, the Associate in Science (AS) degree, the Associate in Business (ABUS) or the Associate in General Studies (AGS), depending upon the student’s coursework completed to date.

If you are an international student who needs to start the process of becoming an AWC student, please contact the International Office at (928) 344-7699 or visit the office in the 3C building.

Credit from Foreign Institutions

Transfer students with non-U.S. transcripts of post-secondary education who apply for an online Evaluation of Credits must request a course-by-course evaluation report from one of the recommended foreign credential evaluation services listed below to determine the U.S. equivalency of credit and also provide a course syllabus or course description in English for each class.
Submit the online Evaluation/Re-evaluation of Credits Request form.

Foreign Credential Service of America Contact Number 1(877) 553-4285

In order to perform an evaluation we require the following:

• Must be a detailed evaluation of coursework
• Page 2 of this application form signed and dated
• Final Degrees, Diploma or Certificates
• Full, Official Transcripts/Marksheets/Academic Records showing all subjects studied, examinations, and grades
• Certified word-for-word English Translation for all academic credentials submitted. Certified translations must be performed by a qualified disinterested third party, typically a professional translation company, university or government agency.

Exception: If your documents are in Spanish you may provide your translation or submit one performed by a friend or family member.
Cost: $140.00 for a detailed evaluation of coursework

SpanTran The Evaluation Company Contact Number (713) 266 8805

In order to perform an evaluation we require the following:

• In order to perform an evaluation, we require the following:
• Students must complete the online form (SpanTran Application for Arizona Western College) 

• Here's what you'll need to complete this application:

  1) Copies of your official transcripts in their original language

  2) Copies of any diplomas/degree certificates you earned in their original language

  3) A scan of your passport

  4) Credit/debit card for payment. We accept all major credit and debit cards (Visa, American Express, MasterCard, etc.)

  If you have any questions, please send an email to intake@spantran.com.

Cost: $150 for a Course Analysis Report (list’s courses, grades and GPA)

International Educational Equivalency Evaluation Services Inc. Contact Number: (414) 319-5000

In order to perform an evaluation we require the following:

• The credential requires for admission to each program.
• The level of the program (i.e. secondary, post-secondary).
• The indigenous qualification terminology and the most sensible English translation.
• The coursework required for all post-secondary programs. If no grade report is available for evaluation, we will reconstruct based on our resources to the extent possible.
• The resources used in making the determination.
• Must be a detailed/course-by-course evaluation

Cost: $175.00 for a detailed/course-by-course evaluation

Transcript Research Contact Number: (214) 810-1124

In order to perform an evaluation we require the following:

The Course-by-Course Evaluation includes a synopsis of each educational credential and its U.S. equivalency. It includes the indigenous and U.S. Grade Point Average (G.P.A.) and identification of the recognition of post-secondary institutions. In addition, it includes a list of courses taken at the post-secondary level from each institution attended, along with indigenous grades, recommended U.S. equivalent grades, recommended U.S. credit hours for each course, and total recommended credits. 

• Select the Type of Report You Need.
• Complete the Application Form and Pay the Fees.
• Attach Scans of Your Documents to the Online Application.
• Send Official Documents only if You Need an Official Evaluation.

Cost: $200 for a detailed/course-by-course evaluation

ACEI Academic Credentials Evaluation Institute, INC    Contact Number 1-800-234-1597

In order to perform an evaluation, we require the following:

• Students must fill out and return the completed application for evaluation form ACEI Application for Evaluation.
• Students must submit the following documents:
  • Transcripts Official/Original complete sets of student’s permanent academic record (transcripts/report cards/examination statements/marks sheets) showing subjects or courses studied per each academic term/year with hours of instruction [lecture/laboratory/credits/units] and final examination results/grades/marks issued by the institution(s).
  • Translations Official/Original complete set of translations for all academic documents issued in a language other than English must be translated into English and submitted (with 2 sets of photocopies). Translations must be official or original, line-by-line, word-for-word and in the same format as the original-language documents prepared by a licensed translator. Official or original translations will be returned to the applicant at the completion of the evaluation if requested in writing. NOTE: DO NOT SUBMIT ENGLISH TRANSLATIONS WITHOUT THE DOCUMENTS IN THE ORIGINAL LANGUAGE. EVALUATIONS ARE NOT BASED ON TRANSLATIONS ALONE. If you need assistance with the translation of your credentials, please contact ACEI for more information or click on TRANSLATION SERVICE.

Cost $185.00 for a comprehensive course-by-course report.

How many external credits can be transferred into Arizona Western College?

Arizona Western College does not have a limit of credits students can transfer into Arizona Western College. However, not all credits transferred can be applied towards a degree or certificate. Please refer to the institution's Policies and Procedures for incoming students in the next tab.

Non-traditional education and/or experience may be equivalent to college-level credit?

Prior Learning Assessment (PLA)

Prior Learning Assessment (PLA) is learning individuals gain outside of traditional educational classrooms. Individuals may obtain learning in a variety of non-traditional settings such as workshops in the workplace, training through the military or law enforcement, professional certifications, or national examinations. The best part is that many non-traditional learning experiences may be equivalent to college-level credit!

Prior Learning Assessment methods include:

• AP
• CLEP
• Special Examination
• Portfolio

Many exams are available under this program for those who wish to earn college credit by examination. Students should be aware that CLEP and AP credit policies vary among colleges and universities, given that credit given by Arizona Western College may be increased or decreased upon transfer.

If this applies to you, learn more about our Prior Learning Assessment program.

Visit the AZTransfer.com Exam Equivalency Guide for information on these five testing programs: Advanced Placement (AP), Cambridge International Exams (CIE), College Level Examination Program (CLEP), DANTES Subject Standardized Test (DSST), and International Baccalaureate (IB)

COLLEGE LEVEL EXAMINATION PROGRAM (CLEP)

1. Official transcript scores from CLEP need to be sent directly to:

Arizona Western College
Transfer Services Office
PO Box 929
Yuma, AZ 85366-0929

2. Evaluation and posting of CLEP testing credit will be completed once Transfer Services has received the official transcript (score report) and the student is registered for a minimum of six (6) credits at Arizona Western College.

Credit cannot be granted for courses equivalent to or at a lower level than courses already completed through formal course work or in progress during or after the eighth week of the semester. For example, students enrolled in Spanish 260, 261, 263, 265 and who desire CLEP credit for SPA 101, 102, 201, 202 must take the CLEP exam before the 8^th week of the semester.

Please note: AWC no longer accepts the traditional Spanish CLEP exam. Current policy requires Spanish Language 1 & 2 With Writing for transfer credit. For university requirements, check for CLEP equivalencies by visiting the university website or AZtransfer.com.

Click on CLEPs Exams Guide to see free and comprehensive resources to help prepare for these exams. (Resources provided by Center for School, College & Career Resources)

Students planning to transfer to a university must request an additional official score report to be sent by CLEP.

1. To obtain an official transcript (score report) complete the required steps in CollegeBoard:

CLEP transcript
Box 6600
Princeton, NJ 08541-6600
1 (800) 257-9558
FAX (609) 771-7088
https://www.collegeboard.org/

ADVANCE PLACEMENT (AP) EXAM

1. Official transcript scores from AP need to be sent directly to:

Arizona Western College
Transfer Services Office
PO Box 929
Yuma, AZ 85366-0929

2. For students who have completed the Advance Placement (AP) Exam, the evaluation and posting of credits will be completed once the official transcript (score report) is received and the student is registered for a minimum of six (6) credits at Arizona Western College.

Students planning to transfer to a university must request an additional official score report to be sent directly to that specific university.

To obtain the official transcript (score report) complete the required steps in CollegeBoard.

AP Services
Box 6671
Princeton, NJ
(212) 713-8066

https://www.collegeboard.org

For specific questions on the previously mentioned tests, visit Testing Services.

ACCEPTABLE EXTERNAL CREDITS

Arizona Western College accepts credits from institutions accredited by the 6 regional associations and by specialized accrediting bodies as listed by the office of Postsecondary Education.

Is your school accredited? - Find out from the U.S. Department of Education.

Arizona Western College does not accept transcripts/credits from the following online learning platforms or credit recommendation services:

• Sophia Learning
• ACE (American Council on Education)
• StraighterLine
• Study.com
• NCCRS (National College Credit Recommendation Services)

Our policy states that students must complete 15 credits in-house for a degree, and 6 credits in-house for a certificate. The maximum number of credits through examination/non-course that can be transferred is 30. Therefore, 49 transfer credits can be applied towards a degree and for the certificate; it is determined based on the amount of credits each one requires.

How courses are evaluated and awarded?

Courses transferred from another regionally accredited institution to Arizona Western College are evaluated by reviewing the course content, goals and outcomes to determine if the course will be awarded.

• Courses that are considered developmental courses are only transferred to meet requirements into the next level (i.e. below 100-level).
• All coursework completed with a letter grade “C” or higher within an 8-year time frame will be evaluated regardless of major currently pursuing at Arizona Western College. Transfer course grades are not reflected on AWC transcripts nor included in Arizona Western College GPA.
• Courses more than eight years old apply to degree requirements at the discretion of the College. In areas where information changes rapidly, departments may accept, reject, or request revalidation of earlier courses. There is no time limit for general education courses (AGEC).
• Quarter-Hour Credits: Students with quarterly hours will need to make up the difference of credits equated to Arizona Western College coursework. A deficiency in an AGEC category due to quarter-hour must be recovered by additional credits within the same or another AGEC categorical requirement. *Quarter hour = two-thirds (.67) semester hours. (i.e. 6 quarter hours x .67 = 4.02 semester hours).
• Certain coursework outcomes and goals are provided to Faculty to recommend the applicable equivalency.
• Students must submit coursework descriptions for the following reasons:
  • coursework completed prior to 2011
  • foreign coursework
  • re-evaluation of credits
• All external credits evaluated and posted onto Arizona Western College transcripts are considered a permanent record.
• A Standard three-credit course (3cr) with an instructional method of lecture (3 lec) requires 2400 minutes (40 hours) of instructional time (regardless of delivery mode) per semester. 1 credit (lecture) is equivalent to 800 minutes.

RETENTION POLICY

Effective March 31, 2015, Transfer Services will no longer keep any external transcripts or evaluations on file prior to a year of receipt. The only records that we will have on file will be for the current year. According to Arizona State Library, Archives and Public Records, external transcripts and evaluations are not considered an essential record and by law we are not required to keep them on file once evaluated and posted onto the student record. It is considered to be a liability to the institution.

External is considered (CLEP’s, AP’s, Institution transcripts, and Military)

As per AWC Policy, official transcripts submitted to AWC Transfer Services are deemed the property of AWC and cannot be returned to students or prospective students. Copies may be acquired from the AWC Transfer Services Department upon presentation of either an AWC ID or a government-issued ID.

Should you have any questions, please contact Transfer Services.