Why apply credits from your associate's degree toward a bachelor's degree?

August 21, 2018

You’ve wrapped up two years at your community college, and next steps are approaching quickly. Once you’ve earned your associate’s degree (congratulations, by the way), it’s time to consider if your future entails transferring to a four-year university.

Furthering your education opens the door to a new world of possibilities. Graduates around the nation are entering an increasingly competitive job market, and it’s critical to have the right training and opportunities to stand out among applicants.

With careers requiring more and more credentials, it’s a smart choice to make plans to earn credits now that will benefit you over the course of a lifetime.

Associate’s Degree Vs. Bachelor’s Degree

A typical undergraduate program includes 120 hours of coursework. After completion, a student earns a bachelor’s degree in their area of study. At Marian University, students have the privilege of choosing from more than 60 undergraduate and graduate programs. A student’s coursework is further personalized through minors and concentration areas.

Coming to Marian with an associate’s degree means you’ve knocked out approximately 60 credit hours—clocking in at 50% of a bachelor’s degree. You’re halfway there.

More than ever before, we realize that your time and money are the two main factors in your decision to pursue another degree. That’s why we ensure that transferring credits to Marian is an easy process.

Checking Course Equivalency

Our Transfer Evaluation System, referred to as TES, allows a prospective transfer student to explore how their associate’s degree credits will translate to a bachelor’s degree at Marian. With a simple search function, you input your current college’s name, and the results list corresponding coursework between institutions. This transfer equivalency tool acts as an unofficial review for you to consider your options prior to receiving admission. Once admitted, an official evaluation of your existing coursework and credits will be completed by the Office of the Registrar.

Schedule a visit with us to see what campus has to offer. While you’re here, we’ll go ahead and take a look at your previous coursework to give you an overall picture of what’s needed to start the next two years at Marian.

Financial Aid Opportunities

We offer a variety of transfer scholarships to eligible students, available in both the fall and spring semesters.

The best part is that when you receive admission, you’re automatically considered for these awards, with no formal application necessary. No strings attached—consider it a pat on the back for your hard work so far.

We want to make sure local community college students see Marian as a logical next step, so we also offer opportunities specific to them. For instance, Ivy Tech Community College ASAP graduates with at least a 3.00 grade point average are guaranteed $14,000 in scholarships.

If you have questions or concerns regarding your eligibility, contact the Office of Undergraduate Admission. A representative will help you with any questions and provide guidance throughout the general application process.

Even after scholarships are given, we will help you seek other financial aid options, outlined on our website, to ensure pursuing your bachelor’s degree doesn’t mean breaking the bank. We’re proud to say more than 99 percent of our students receive institutional grants and scholarships.

Start the transfer process to Marian University today.