Transfer Credit from Non-Collegiate Institutions

“Side-by-Side” Procedures

Side-by-Side Evaluation

Goodwin College accepts some coursework from programs at non-collegiate, accredited institutions as part of the transfer process (a) if the course(s) were determined to be equivalent to Goodwin courses in level and quality by Goodwin College’s Assessment Team, (b) if the grade earned by the student is a “C” or higher, and (c) if the credit is applicable to the student’s degree plan. The results are designated as earned credit (EC) on the student’s transcript. Students may apply a maximum of 50% of credit designated as EC toward graduation requirements.

Assessment Team

The Assessment Team consists of the appropriate Department Chair, the Director of Institutional Effectiveness, an Advisor, a Transfer Evaluation Committee Member and representatives from the non-collegiate, accredited institution. The team meets and compares the courses taught at the non-collegiate institutions to courses taught at Goodwin College. Their discussion culminates in a brief report that includes credit recommendations and supporting material (Appendix A & B). Once reviewed and approved by the Transfer Evaluation Committee, the report is stored the Academic Advising Center. 

Course Eligibility

Courses should meet the following requirements to be eligible for evaluation:

· Learning acquired through instruction at the non-collegiate, accredited institution should be equivalent in content and quality of instruction to learning acquired at Goodwin College.

· The institution should be accredited by an accrediting agency approved by CHEA or USDE (e.g., ACICS), and the institution should be on the Connecticut Board of Governors’ list of private occupational schools (e.g., Stone, Branford Hall).

· Courses must include a minimum of 15 contact hours or their equivalent (unless they are to be grouped with courses in the same content area).  Team members may use the Carnegie standard of 15 contact hours per semester hour of credit recommended.

Evaluation Guide

·  Does the institution have ACIS accreditation?

· Is the course content equivalent in level and nature to the content of similar courses offered by accredited institutions of higher education in Connecticut?  (Organizations are encouraged to compare their courses with course descriptions in college catalogs and/or to consult with college faculty.)

· Does the course include a minimum of 15 contact hours or their equivalent?  (Shorter courses may be grouped for review with other courses in the same content area)

· Are course texts and other materials equivalent to what would be used in a college course?

· Are the intended learning outcomes clear?  (A learning outcome is a statement of what the learner is expected to know, understand or be able to do as a result of a learning process.  For the purposes of the review, "outcome" and "objective" are considered to be the same.)

· Does the course incorporate assessment in the form of graded assignments, exams, papers, oral presentations, skill performance, or other means for evaluating mastery of the course? 

· Is there a clear and specific description for the course?

· Is there a syllabus of assignments with course learning outcomes or objectives (see above)?

· Has the course been offered in its entirety at least once within the past two years?

· Are evaluations of instructor performance available (by students, by managers or training department personnel)?

Source: COSC Connecticut Assessment Program Checklist (2008).

Report/Outline

The assessment process may include a team visit to the institution, a meeting with administrators or faculty, as well as the collection and review of written documentation (e.g., catalog, course syllabi, sample assignments and assessments, teacher resumes, etc.). The list below includes items that may be collected and included with the final report. Reports are located in the academic advising office.

Part I Organizational Information

Team members & contact information

Meeting date

Organization name, address, Contact person

Description of organization (e.g., Function/Mission)

Part II The Courses

Name of program

Course title, number & descriptions

Syllabus

Course format & length (e.g., breakdown of hours such as lecture/discussion, time allotted for testing, supervised laboratory/shop; or self-study)

Number of Hours (e.g., Pre-course reading/written homework, On-the-job practice)

Description of instruments used to assess student performance (e.g., written exams, papers, oral presentations, skill performance, laboratory or other assignments). 

What are the criteria that are used to judge student performance, and explain how the final course grade is determined?

Part III   Instructor Qualifications

Minimum qualifications required of instructors (e.g., Formal education, teaching experience, work experience)

Part IV Goodwin Course Equivalency and Credit Recommendation

Record team recommendations (e.g., course title, number, and credits)

Part V Supporting Documentation