A variety of transfer credit policies exist at Minnesota State University, Mankato, depending upon the type of institution previously attended or program in which applicants are enrolled.
All credits earned at any college that is a member of the North Central Association of Colleges or other comparable regional associations are applied toward the student's selected degree program as appropriate. The university reserves the right to determine whether previous course work provides a suitable base for advanced study at Minnesota State.
Students can also view Minnesota State University, Mankato's Course Equivalency Tables for most Minnesota community colleges and some Iowa community colleges online.
A maximum of 16 semester (24 quarter) credit hours will generally be accepted in transfer from vocational or technical colleges that have the appropriate regional accreditation. Credits approved for transfer will be treated as elective credits and will not count toward general education or the major. Students may petition a specific department/major for an evaluation of credits believed to be applicable to the major. General education courses taught by Minnesota community colleges or universities for the Minnesota technical college "Associate in Applied Sciences Degree" will transfer according to the previously stated regionally accredited colleges and universities policy. Students entering MSU from a vocational-technical college or school will be considered transfer students.
In order to have international or foreign university credits potentially apply toward a degree program at MSU, students are required to have prior international credits evaluated by an outside professional agency.
Licensed registered nurses who have completed three-year hospital training programs may receive 48 semester (72 quarter) credits of electives toward any undergraduate degree program except nursing. Thirty-two (32) semester credits will be applicable to the lower division; 16 semester credits to upper-division coursework. To qualify, registered nurses need only present proof of satisfactory completion of R.N. tests as applicable. For further information, contact the Nursing Department.
Veterans, upon admission, may be granted academic credit for formal military schools attended while on active duty. The American Council on Education's Guide to the Evaluation of Educational Experience in the Armed Forces will be used to evaluate military experience. A copy of the student's Report of Transfer or Discharge (Form DD-214) is required for the evaluation. Completion of military service obligation does not exempt a student from fulfilling Minnesota State's general education physical education requirement.
College Level Examination Program (CLEP), Advanced Placement (AP) and International Baccalaureate (IB) scores are evaluated for the potential awarding of college credit according to Minnesota State University, Mankato standards. Original score reports are required for each of these exam programs.
A student may apply a maximum of 10 semester credit hours of correspondence coursework from a regionally accredited institution toward a baccalaureate degree. Correspondence credits will transfer as elective credits, but may be reviewed upon request by your major department for possible application to the program.
Students transferring from junior or community colleges must earn a minimum of 64 semester (96 quarter) hours of credit from four-year institutions beyond their junior/community college credit to meet minimum graduation requirements.
Many students in high school earn college-level credit through the Minnesota Post-Secondary Enrollment Option (PSEO), concurrent enrollment (aka "College in the Schools), or other arrangements with colleges and universities. Though a student may come to Minnesota State University, Mankato with college credit earned, they will be considered a "First Year Student" for all admission and administrative purposes. This is because the college credits are earned before high school graduation.
PSEO and Concurrent Enrollment credits will be evaluated on an individual basis. Official transcripts from each post-secondary institution issuing college credit are required for credit evaluation. Students are responsible for contacting the registrar from their PSEO or Concurrent Enrollment institution and having their transcripts sent to:
Office of Admissions