Recognizing the challenges students face when moving between schools, WSCUC has updated two policies that make it easier for students to transfer college credits — and potentially graduate faster and reduce overall debt. Adopted by the Commission in June, the complementary policies affirm that college-level learning occurs through multiple pathways and helps ensure that students’ academic achievements are recognized, regardless of where or how credits were earned.

WSCUC’s Credit for Prior Learning Policy, first adopted in 2015, provides institutions a framework for evaluating and awarding credit for demonstrated college-level learning gained outside traditional academic settings. The revised Credit for Prior Learning Policy streamlines institutional procedures, removes caps on how much prior learning credit can count toward a degree, and includes updates that provide institutions greater flexibility in recognizing students’ past educational experience while upholding consistent quality standards.

WSCUC’s revised Transfer Credit Policy responds to today’s evolving learning landscape, where students earn microcredentials, industry certifications, and credits from nontraditional providers. The updated policy supports both sending and receiving institutions in making clear, well-informed transfer decisions and emphasizes transparent communication with students before enrollment.

The updated policies arrive at a time of increased student mobility. According to data released in March by the National Student Clearinghouse Research Center, nearly 1.2 million college students transferred to new institutions in fall 2024, representing a 4.4% increase in transfers over the previous year. Last fall, WSCUC partnered with the Beyond Transfer Policy Advisory Board and Sova to design and conduct a survey examining how institutions experience and support transfer and learning mobility. The findings helped identify opportunities to reduce barriers, improve credit recognition, and strengthen transfer student pathways.

To continue this work, WSCUC will host a webinar in the fall focused on advancing transfer student success. Additional information will be announced soon.