Transfer Credit

Postsecondary Transfer Credits

As an institution dedicated to adult learners, the American College of Education (ACE) recognizes and accepts prior postsecondary education credits earned at other institutions or through previous enrollment at ACE. Transfer credits must be from an accredited postsecondary higher education institution recognized by the U.S. Department of Education or the Council for Higher Education Accreditation (CHEA).   

ACE will evaluate transfer credit from these institutions using a course-for-course equivalency review process. The Program Transfer Requirements and Exclusions list outlines program-specific requirements and exclusions. Typically, courses will transfer at the same level (e.g., undergraduate-level course to undergraduate-level course, master-level course to master-level course, and doctoral-level to doctoral-level). Some postsecondary courses fall into general categories that may not be eligible for transfer credits or, in some instances, may receive recognition on a restricted basis. Examples include: 

• Remedial courses in any subject (course level below a 100-level)  
• Repeated courses or courses with duplicate subject content  

Students with a conferred master’s degree from ACE can apply any completed ACE coursework to an “alumni elective track” for pathway or Ed.D. programs, not to exceed what has been outlined for the program.  

ACE reserves the right to deny transfer credit for courses incompatible with its programs. If a student were to leave ACE for any reason, a new evaluation of credit transfers may be needed to ensure compliance with the current college policies upon the student’s return.   

Traditional Credit Transfer Procedures

1. Applicant or current student will submit a request to have post-secondary credits from another institution evaluated. The applicant or current student must submit the request at least one term (5-week term) prior to taking the potentially impacted course(s).
2. ACE applicant or student must include, at minimum, an unofficial copy of their transcripts for a decision to be offered.
3. The ACE applicant or student must provide an official transcript before the actual credit can be awarded in the student record.
4. The college will evaluate the transfer request and award transfer credit using the Transfer Credit Policy.
5. The college will provide the applicant or student a decision via email.
6. The college will apply the credit to the student’s record when the official transcripts for prior credit have been received. If an applicant or student does not agree with the evaluation, they can appeal via the general appeal process.

Nontraditional Transfer Credits 

American College of Education (ACE) recognizes that a student may have acquired college-level knowledge through expertise developed outside the classroom. At ACE, the awarding of nontraditional credit aligns to the college’s commitment to open new on-ramps and pathways for adult learners and its mission to provide them with high-quality, accessible, affordable educational opportunities.

In evaluating and awarding nontraditional credit, ACE adheres to the recommendations, policies, and assumed practices of the Higher Learning Commission (HLC) and the standards of the Council for Adult and Experiential Learning (CAEL).

The college will award nontraditional academic credit to a student based on the standards listed on the Program Transfer Requirements and Exclusions.

At ACE, nontraditional credit takes many forms, including:

• Nationally recognized standardized examinations (e.g., AP, CLEP, IB, Dantes, etc.)
• Military service evaluation of service transcripts (e.g., JST, CCAF, etc.)
• American Council on Education (ACE) and National College Credit Recommendation Service (NCCRS) approved select non-credit course, program, or certificate offered by an organization (e.g., Straighterline, Study.com, Sophia Learning, etc.)
• Prior Learning Assessment (PLA) of a non-credit course, program, or certificate offered by an organization and evaluated by ACE’s Credit for Prior Learning Services department in partnership with Academics.