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Transfer Credit Appeals Process
Each institution has defined its own transfer appeals process in the below table.
Community Colleges
State Universities
University of Massachusetts
| Institution | Appeals Process
|
|---|---|
| Community Colleges | |
| Berkshire Community College | If the student objects to the decision to award credits, an academic administrator will convene a meeting that will include the student and Transfer Counselor (as student advocate), the faculty who teaches a course similar to the experience in dispute, and the student's program advisor. The recommendation of this committee will be forwarded to the Dean of Academic Affairs who will decide the issue. If a student is not satisfied with the result, the student will be advised to appeal the decision statewide. Ombudsperson: Transfer Counselor |
| Bristol Community College | Bristol Community College students appealing a transfer credit decision contact the Admissions Office or Registrar's Office. Student appeals are dealt with on a case-by-case basis. Ombudsperson: Director of Transfer Affairs and Articulation |
| Bunker Hill Community College | |
| Cape Cod Community College | Transfer In
The following process will be utilized if a student has a complaint about how the benefits of MassTransfer have been applied in the transfer process to another state institution. Initially, the student appeals to the Transfer contact person at the state university or UMass campus and follows that institution's appeal process. If the appeal is not resolved to the student's satisfaction, the student may present the transcript evaluation and the reason for appeal to the transfer advisor at CCCC. The CCCC transfer advisor will contact the university and try to resolve the appeal. The CCCC transfer advisor will respond to the student in a reasonable period of time, not to exceed twenty (20) working days. Ombudsperson: Transfer Advisor |
| Greenfield Community College | Transfer In Students who disagree with the transfer credit decisions at GCC may appeal those decisions as follows. Students should provide evidence, such as course descriptions and syllabi, that the courses in question are either the equivalent of or comparable to courses offered by GCC.
Students who disagree with the transfer credit decisions of other colleges may appeal those decisions as follows.
|
| Holyoke Community College | A student who feels he or she has been treated unjustly in the transfer process may speak to faculty, Deans or staff members and then will be referred back to the Transfer Office for any assistance that can be provided. Ombudsperson: Coordinator of Transfer Affairs |
| Massachusetts Bay Community College | Transfer In A student wishing to challenge course credits accepted by MassBay from another institution must complete a Transfer Credit Appeal Form located in the Advising Center. The transcript will be reevaluated by a separate Academic Advisor who will consult with pertinent Faculty, Department Chairs, and/or Academic Deans. Students should provide additional documentation including course descriptions and/or course syllabi with their appeal form. The student will be notified via letter to the address on file with the College of the results of the appeal. Transfer Out Final decisions regarding the awarding of transfer credit from MassBay are made by the receiving institution. Students are encouraged to bring their concerns regarding the awarding of credit to the receiving institution. However, if a student disagrees with the receiving institution's decision on transfer credit, he/she may consult with the MassBay Transfer Advisor and should complete a Transfer Credit Appeal Form located in Academic Advising. MassBay's Transfer Advisor will assist the student by reviewing the appeal and meeting with the student. The Transfer Counselor may contact the receiving institution on the student's behalf for further clarification. |
| Massasoit Community College | Students wishing to appeal decisions regarding their transfer of courses into Massasoit can take those appeals to the Appeals committee, which, like the Curriculum Committee, is a standing committee of the Academic Senate. Ombudsperson: Dean of Academic Advising & Assessment |
| Middlesex Community College | Transfer In If there is disagreement between a student and the Academic Counselor awarding the transfer credit, the following steps shall be taken:
The Associate Dean of K-16 Partnerships serves as the contact person for Middlesex Community College students transferring to other colleges who disagree with the transfer institution's award of transfer credit. In such cases, students present their evaluation of the situation to the Associate Dean. If the appeal is found supportable, students are encouraged to try and resolve the issues themselves with the transfer institution. If any differences remain unresolved, the Associate Dean will initiate discussion with the transfer institution to resolve the differences. Ombudsperson: Associate Dean of K-16 Partnerships |
| Mount Wachusett Community College | Students seeking to transfer credits to MWCC should submit an official transcript from each institution for which he/she is seeking the transfer of credits. Upon receipt of the transcript(s), the college will verify the accreditation of the institution(s) and if comparable regional accreditation exists, the Associate Dean of Enrollment Services will review the courses to determine comparability with MWCC courses. Where an equivalent course exists, credit will be granted for that course with a non-weighted GPA grade being awarded (e.g. TA, TB, TC, etc…). Where no equivalent course exists, but it is determined that the course is eligible for transfer based on college-level work and the applicability towards the student's declared degree or certificate program, the course will be awarded transfer credit in the field of study most closely aligned to the course. Ombudsperson: Vice President of Academic Affairs |
| North Shore Community College | Transfer In If you are questioning credit transferred into NSCC, first review the information on the NSCC Registrar's website  . To appeal your transfer credit award, follow this process: Level One Appeal
The Transfer Coordinator serves as the contact person for North Shore Community College students transferring to the other college(s) who disagree with the transfer institution's award of transfer credit. In such cases, students present their evaluation of the transfer credit to the Transfer Coordinator at NSCC. If the appeal is supportable, students are encouraged to try and resolve the issues themselves with the receiving institution. If any differences remain unresolved, the Transfer Coordinator will initiate discussion with the transfer institution and attempt to resolve the difference(s). Ombudsperson: Vice President for Academic Affairs |
| Northern Essex Community College | Transfer In Students wishing to transfer in credits from other institutions should first present official transcripts for review by the College Registrar or their designated Academic Counselor. If a student disagrees with the awarding of transfer credits by the Registrar or Academic Counselor the steps below should be taken:
Students who are transferring out to other colleges and disagree with the awarding of transfer credits, should contact the Dean of Academic Advising, Transfer and Articulation. Students in such situations should present their argument to the Dean. If the appeal is reasonable and supportable, students will be encouraged to advocate for themselves. In the event that students cannot resolve the issue, the Dean will advocate on behalf of the student. Ombudsperson: Dean of Academic Advising, Transfer and Articulation |
| Quinsigamond Community College | Transfer In At present, the internal transfer of coursework is evaluated by the Registrar's Office. As part of the admissions process, incoming students are requested to submit college transcripts. Students who believe the standard transfer policy is not appropriate in their case have the right to appeal through the student petition process. Transfer Out Students are encouraged to bring their concerns regarding the awarding of credit to the Transfer institution. However, if clarification or discussion is warranted, students may consult with the QCC Coordinator of Transfer & Articulation, who will initiate a discussion with the receiving institution on the student's behalf. If the issue cannot be resolved at this level, the Coordinator of Transfer & Articulation may seek the intervention of the designated QCC transfer ombudsperson. Ombudsperson: Assistant Dean of Career and Academic Advisement |
| Roxbury Community College | Transfer In Students who wish to transfer credits from another institution are asked to submit official transcripts to the Office of the Registrar. If the Registrar does not award the submitted credits, the steps outlined below should be taken on appeal:
Students who transfer credits to another institution and are dissatisfied with the receiving college's decision are encouraged first to resolve the issue with the receiving institution. If the student's efforts have failed, the student should contact the Roxbury Community College Transfer Counselor. If the student appeal has merit, the Transfer Counselor will act as an advocate for the student at the receiving institution. Ombudsperson: Transfer Counselor |
| Springfield Technical Community College | A student appeals sub-committee would address unresolved student appeals filed with the Dean of Students and/or a student's Academic Dean. At STCC, this committee is known as the Judicial Board, and the College's Transfer Director is currently a member and will be working with the board with regards to any MassTransfer issue brought fourth through the student appeals process. Ombudsperson: Director of Cooperative Education/Career Services and Transfer Affairs |
| State Universities | |
| Bridgewater State University | Transfer In Transfer students at Bridgewater may appeal a decision if they feel that transfer credit has not been granted in accordance with college policy. Before appealing a course, here are a few reasons why a course may not transfer.
If a course was transferred to Bridgewater and applied to the Free Electives category, an equivalency was not determined by the Office of Admissions. There are two appeal processes in place depending on whether a student is seeking applicability for a core or a major requirement. It is the student's responsibility to provide the information needed. If a student is seeking applicability for a core requirement, a Core Substitution Form must be completed and submitted to the Office of the Dean of the School of Arts and Sciences, located in the Maxwell Library. Students should provide as much information as possible (i.e., course description, syllabus, course work, etc.) If a student is seeking applicability for a major course requirement, they must contact the chairperson of their major department, and all contact information can be found in the college directory. Transfer Out If you are transferring to another institution and need assistance, please contact Sandra Christoun, Transfer Coordinator. Ombudsperson: Sandra Christoun, Transfer Coordinator |
| Fitchburg State University | Transfer In Transcripts are evaluated by the Registrar's Office at the time of acceptance. A letter indicating the articulation of credit is mailed to the student within ten days. Students are provided a contact name within the letter. Questions that cannot be satisfactorily addressed by this contact person will be forwarded to the Registrar for review. Students seeking further reconsideration of transfer credit beyond the Registrar will be asked to complete a Student Petition form and attach course descriptions and syllabi. The petition will be reviewed by the academic advisor, the department chair and the Dean of Student & Academic Life. (Education majors will be reviewed by the Dean of Education. During the summer and winter recesses, the Transfer Advisor serves as the academic advisor.) Transfer Out Students who disagree with the evaluation of FSC courses conducted by the receiving institution are encouraged to pursue the MassTransfer appeals process at that institution. If the receiving institution is unable to satisfactorily provide guidance during this process, the student may contact the FSC Transfer Student Ombudsman for assistance. Ombudsperson: Dean of Student and Academic Life |
| Framingham State University | Transfer In* A student may request that the Director of Student Records (Registrar) reviews any transfer decision related to the acceptance of coursework and the application of credit from a sending institution (Level I). The Registrar will respond in writing with ten working days to inform the student of the results of the re-evaluation. Should the student wish to pursue the matter further, he/she should inform the Dean of Students of the intent to do so and should make this notification no later than four weeks following receipt of the Registrar’s response (Level II). The Dean will schedule a hearing with the student, the Registrar, and the Chairperson(s) of the academic department(s) most closely related to the content of the course(s) in dispute. Following the hearing, the Dean will inform the student in writing of the results of the hearing. Should the student wish to dispute the hearing result, he/she may appeal to the Vice President for Academic Affairs, whose decision on the matter is final (Level III). Transfer Out* A student with question regarding the failure of a Framingham State University course to transfer out should follow the appeal process at the college or university to which he/she wishes to transfer the course. The transfer credit coordinator at Framingham State University is available to provide supporting information to the student in such a circumstance. Ombudsperson: Vice President for Academic Affairs and the Vice President for Enrollment and Student Development *Pending Framingham State University governance approval. |
| Massachusetts College of Art and Design | |
| Massachusetts College of Liberal Arts | Transfer students may appeal issues related to their transfer credit directly to the Registrar. Appeals are reviewed with the appropriate academic department chair and the Dean of Academic Affairs. Ombudsperson: Director of Admissions and Student Records |
| Massachusetts Maritime Academy | |
| Salem State University | Currently, if our students have any issues with their transfer, they may appeal to the director of transfer admissions and articulation or to the associate registrar. If the appeal requires further discussion, the appropriate department chairperson, school dean or the Provost's office can be contacted. |
| Westfield State University | Transfer In Students who question the evaluation and awarding of transfer credits earned prior to their enrollment date at Westfield State University should submit an appeal in writing to the Admission Office. The Associate Director of Admission & Articulation Coordinator will review the appeal and consult, on an as-needed basis, with the appropriate academic department chair(s) and the Director of Admission. If resolution is not reached at this level, the matter will be brought to the Vice President of Enrollment Management and the Vice President of Academic Affairs, or his designee, for a final decision. Transfer Out Students who do not agree with how Westfield State University courses are evaluated by another institution should follow the MassTransfer appeals process as defined by that institution. If the student continues to feel that the matter has not been properly handled, or that the institution has not provided a clear enough rationale for the decision, then the student is encouraged to contact the Westfield Registrar for additional help. Ombudsperson: Associate Director of Admission & Articulation Coordinator |
| Worcester State University | In general, the appeals process would go through Admissions. Department Chairs and faculty, the Associate Vice President for Academic Affairs and finally the Vice President for Academic Affairs. |
| University of Massachusetts Campuses | |
| University of Massachusetts Amherst | Ombudsperson: Senior Associate Director of Undergraduate Admissions |
| University of Massachusetts Boston | Students may appeal a decision regarding the awarding of transfer credit to the Associate Vice Chancellor for Enrollment Management. Appeals will be reviewed with the appropriate academic department/college and/or admissions/registrar's office. Ombudsperson: Associate Vice Chancellor for Enrollment Management |
| University of Massachusetts Dartmouth | Transfer students' questions and appeals regarding transfer credit have, to date, been resolved through consultation and advocacy by the Director of New Student Transfer with the department chair of the academic area involved. On occasion such requests have been referred to the dean of the appropriate college, who is the final step in our internal appeals process. Ombudsperson: Director of New Student Transfer |
| University of Massachusetts Lowell | If a course from a regionally accredited institution is not already in the transfer dictionary, a decision to assign or deny credit is made by the transfer coordinator in the registrar's office in consultation with the relevant Department Chair. A student who is denied credit may file a petition with his/her Department Chair, requesting that the course be re-considered by the relevant departments. If, on reconsideration, the relevant academic department maintains its decision to deny credit, then the decision may be appealed to the Undergraduate Policy Committee of the faculty senate. |