3357:12-13-15-1-Reverse Transfer Procedures

Eligibility Verification

Step 1: Identify Eligible Students

• The Registrar’s Office at Zane State College will periodically review the records of students who transferred to a four-year institution without completing their associate degree. These students must have completed at least 30 credit hours at Zane State College.
• In collaboration with participating four-year institutions, Zane State College will identify students who have accumulated additional credit hours that could contribute to meeting the associate degree requirements.

Step 2: Notify Eligible Students

• Eligible students will be contacted via email or other formal communication channels to inform them of their eligibility for reverse transfer. Information about the process and the necessary forms will be provided.

Student Submission of Reverse Transfer Request

Step 3: Submit Reverse Transfer Request Form

• Students interested in pursuing reverse transfer must submit a Reverse Transfer Request Form to Zane State College’s Registrar’s Office.
• The form authorizes Zane State College to obtain official transcripts from the student’s current or former four-year institution.
• The request form can be submitted via email, mail, or through the College’s online portal, if applicable.

Transcript Request and Evaluation

Step 4: Request Transcripts from Four-Year Institution

• Upon receipt of the Reverse Transfer Request Form, the Registrar’s Office will contact the four-year institution and request the student’s official transcript.
• The student may also request their transcript directly from the four-year institution if required by that institution’s policies.

Step 5: Evaluate Transferred Credits

• Once the transcript is received, Zane State College’s Registrar’s Office will evaluate the coursework completed at the four-year institution to determine if the credits meet the remaining associate degree requirements.
• The evaluation will focus on fulfilling the general education requirements, major-specific courses, and overall credit requirements for the associate degree.
• The Registrar will also confirm that the total credits earned at both institutions meet the minimum of 60 semester hours (or equivalent) required for graduation.

Degree Audit and Approval

Step 6: Conduct Degree Audit

• The Registrar’s Office will conduct a comprehensive degree audit, confirming that the combination of Zane State College credits and the four-year institution’s credits satisfies all requirements for the associate degree.
• If additional credits or coursework are required, the student will be notified and advised on how to complete the remaining requirements, if feasible.

Step 7: Obtain Approvals

• The degree audit results will be forwarded to the appropriate academic department for review and approval. In cases where specific departmental approval is needed for courses, the Registrar will collaborate with the relevant academic department.
• Upon department approval, the Registrar will finalize the process for awarding the degree.

 

Awarding the Degree

Step 8: Process Degree Award

• Once all requirements are met, Zane State College will award the associate degree. The student will be notified of their degree conferral and provided with instructions for obtaining their diploma.
• The degree will be recorded on the student’s transcript, and the student will receive official notification of their graduation status.

Step 9: Graduation Ceremony Participation

• Students who complete the reverse transfer process are eligible to participate in the next scheduled graduation ceremony, provided they meet the College’s deadlines for graduation application.

Recordkeeping and Reporting

Step 10: Maintain Documentation

• The Registrar’s Office will maintain a record of all reverse transfer requests and awarded degrees. This documentation will include copies of the Reverse Transfer Request Form, official transcripts, degree audits, and communications related to the process.
• These records will be retained in compliance with institutional and state policies.

Step 11: Report to Ohio Department of Higher Education

• Zane State College will periodically report the number of associate degrees awarded through reverse transfer to the Ohio Department of Higher Education, as part of the Credit When It’s Due initiative.
• Data will be used to track the success of the program and contribute to statewide efforts to increase degree completion rates.