Students with prior coursework at other institutions of higher learning should have official transcripts sent from each institution to the Admissions Office on the Ridgewater campus they plan to attend. Students who are not planning to earn a degree from Ridgewater and are not applying for financial aid are not required to provide these transcripts, however, any transferable credits posted to a student’s record will allow an earlier registration window.

Ridgewater College considers for transfer lower-division college-level credits earned at a degree-granting college accredited by one of the six regional associations of colleges and schools in the U.S., or from a comparable international college or university. Students must have earned a grade of C- or better for the credits to transfer.

For students starting Spring 2008 and after, MnSCU policy requires that we accept D grades for MnTC courses from other MnSCU institutions. This policy also requires, however, that students must have a GPA of 2.0 or higher in their MnTC courses for full completion of the Minnesota Transfer Curriculum.

To receive a degree, diploma or certificate, a student must earn a minimum of one-third of the required semester credits at Ridgewater College. A maximum of 16 credits from technical programs or departments may be used as electives toward an AA and most AS degrees.

General education and elective credits have no time limit for transfer to Ridgewater. (Please note: Students who intend to transfer for further education after Ridgewater may be asked to repeat older courses in highly technical or scientific areas at the next institution.) General studies and technical coursework up to five years old is considered for equivalent credit for technical program requirements. General studies courses more than five years old may be considered for equivalent credit if they are non-technical in nature.

Minnesota Transfer Curriculum courses completed at other MnSCU institutions transfer in the goal area(s) designated by that institution. Students can find equivalency tables for how courses transfer to Ridgewater from selected Minnesota colleges and universities through the Course Applicability System (CAS). For equivalency information on other institutions, students may contact the Transcript Evaluator at
1-800-722-1151, ext. 8070.

Students will receive notification when their transcript evaluation has been completed. Information will be provided on the number of credits transferred, the equivalency status of each course and the applicability of transfer work to the student's program of study.

Students are encouraged to contact the Transcript Evaluator if they have questions about their evaluation and/or wish to understand the rationale for evaluation decisions. In the event of disagreement with the outcome of the transcript evaluation, a student may appeal by completing a Student Petition form available in the Registration Office and attaching supporting documentation such as a course syllabus. The petition will be reviewed by the Vice President of Academic Affairs and Student Services, who will notify the student of the appeal decision in writing. If the appeal is denied, the student may submit an appeal at the MnSCU system level.