Nevada System of Higher Education Transfer Rights and Responsibilities for Students and Institution

Transfer credit for courses taken at other NSHE Institution is governed by policies established in the Board of Regents Handbook, Title 4, Chapter 14, Sections 15, 16, and 17. When transferring course work from other NSHE institutions:

1. The completion of the associate of arts, associate of science, and associate of business degree at a community college automatically fulfills the lower-division general education requirements at any other NSHE institution (Title 4, Ch. 14, Section 15.1.a).

2. Baccalaureate level courses included as part of the associate of arts, associate of science, or associate of business degree will transfer to any other NSHE institution at a minimum as general elective credit (Title 4, Ch. 14, Section 15.1.d).

3. Completion of the associate of arts, associate of science, or the associate of business degree does not guarantee satisfaction of all State College or university lower-division requirements except for the lower-division general education requirements (Title 4, Ch. 14, Section 15.1.e).

4. All undergraduate courses in the NSHE must be common-course numbered with equivalent courses offered throughout the System. An NSHE transfer guide or common course numbering master file shall be maintained by the Office of the Chancellor and published on the Web (Title 4, Ch. 14, Section 16.1 and 16.2).

5. Each institution shall determine the acceptability of general elective transfer courses, and departmental, college, or other requirements or equivalents shall be forwarded to the appropriate department or college for course evaluation. If general elective credit from a non-NSHE institution is granted by one NSHE institution, then all NSHE institutions shall accept the credit unless the facts on which the original decision was based have changed. Appropriate consultation with the faculty is encouraged throughout the evaluation process (Title 4, Ch. 14, Section 17.3).

In Title 4, Chapter 14, Section 15.12, the Board of Regents mandated that there be a NSHE website outlining the transfer process and protections given to baccalaureate degree-seeking students. The following presents the policies and procedures that govern student transfers between NSHE institutions. It is intended to inform students of their rights and responsibilities and affirm institutional responsibilities. Students and institutional representatives should follow these policies when making transfer-related decisions.

Student Rights

Students have the right to:

1. Receive automatic fulfillment of lower-division general education requirements at the universities, state college, and community colleges that offer select baccalaureate degrees upon completion of an Associate of Arts, Associate of Science, or an Associate of Business degree from a NSHE community college.

2. Access information from the community colleges, state college, and universities about their transfer admission requirements, including documents required for admission, housing, and information about the institution’s costs, financial aid, and student services.

3. Access information about the transfer of specific courses, credit hours, grades, and degree requirements. This includes information about transferring courses with grades below a “C,” courses students may have repeated, and credit previously granted by examination.

4. Access and receive admission and transfer-related decisions in writing (electronic or paper) specifically:

   1. Acceptance by the community colleges (limited access programs only), state college, and the universities.

   2. Evaluation of courses and credits accepted for transfer credit and their courses equivalencies, if applicable.

   3. Outline of transfer courses and requirements which the transferred courses or credits will satisfy for the degree or program sought.

   4. Analysis of the number of semester credits required to complete a degree in the chosen major program of study.

   5. The NSHE institution's appeals process for transfer-related decisions.

5. Appeal any NSHE institution’s transfer-related decision. The appeal process will be developed and maintained by each NSHE institution and published on the institutions’ website.

6. Elect to graduate under the course catalog graduation requirements under any of the following options, provided that the course catalog at the time of graduation is not more than ten years old:

   1. The course catalog of the year of enrollment in a baccalaureate level course/program at a NSHE community college (valid transfer contract may be required.)

   2. The course catalog of the year of transfer into a baccalaureate level program at the universities, state college, or community colleges that offer select baccalaureate degrees.

   3. The course catalog of the year of graduation from a NSHE institution.

Warning: Changing majors may change the course catalog and graduation requirements, which may increase the time to degree completion.

Notice: Students have all the above rights and any others as summarized in the Summary of Board of Regents Transfer Policies. The summary can be accessed at the NSHE website at http://system.nevada.edu. Paper copies of this document are available upon request of the institution's admission office.

Student Responsibilities

Students have the responsibility to:

1. Understand the transfer policies and procedures of the institution they are considering for transfer. Students should seek information from the institution they are transferring to regarding: core curriculum, prerequisites, major program requirements, degree requirements, admissions, financial aid, scholarships, housing, deadlines, restrictions, and other transfer-related criteria.

2. Complete all materials required for application and submit the application on or before the published deadlines.

3. Research how courses are applicable to degree and major requirements.

4. Understand that if they change their major, not all courses taken will necessarily apply to their new major.

5. Plan ahead and realize that appointments with advisors are necessary.

6. Understand that after a break in their enrollment, status as an admitted student may be affected.

NSHE Institution Responsibilities

NSHE institutions will:

1. Make transfer-related policies and procedures available on their websites.

2. Make answers to frequently asked questions about transfer issues accessible for students and provide opportunities for appropriate follow-up appointments to students.

3. Provide information on the approximate costs of attending the institution, including tuition, books and supplies, housing, and other related fees.

4. Relay admission and transfer-related decisions to students in writing (electronic or paper); including information about the student’s appeal rights.

5. Establish and make available upon request internal appeals processes to review transfer-related issues and decisions.

6. Engage in continuous, authentic dialogue among NSHE institutions about transfer-related issues with the purpose of solving the challenges before they negatively impact students.