Transfer Credit Appeals Experiences

Hi All!

If you've read my recent blurb about WNMU, you'll see they are not allowing me to transfer 6 credits of political science from American Public University stating that APU does not meet WNMU's accreditation standards.

Another member here suggested it could be because APU was formerly only nationally accredited and that WNMU's records could be out of date. He suggested I appeal, and I am considering it. However, I was wondering if anyone could share their experiences with appealing a transfer credit decision. I'm wondering if it could possibly be because APU is not a B&M school like WNMU is. Which would be silly, considering I'm doing a DL program through WNMU.

If you've appealed a decision such as this, what steps did you take? What was the result? I'm looking for successes and failures here. Although I certainly don't mind taking another course or two, if I were able to transfer the 6 credits in, that would save me a little bit of time and money.

Any experience and advice would be highly appreciated!

Thanks in advance,
Matt Brent

 

I would informally ask why - and then point out that APU is RA. I believe that would do the trick.

If not, I say go for it - 6 grad credits is worth a few e-mails...

Shawn

 

According to the website, the director of admissions is Dan Tressler. Should I email him, or do you think he has an underling I should look for? I'm used to the "follow the chain of command" idea. I'd hate to jump to the top if there were someone else who would know specifically what the issue is.

-Matt

 

Hi Matt - I think you confirm that they have the correct accreditation (and I assume your credits were earned post APUS RA Accreditation since that is the issue). If so, I would then take the appeal to the Dean of the department to which you are applying. In the first instance it is entirely possible the Admissions department is using the AACRAO publication for transfer credit practices but may have an older edition. In the second instance my experience in working with students who are appealing decisions is that the Dean or chair of the department can and often will override an admissions decision.

Good luck, 6 credits is worth a lot of time and money!

Mary Adams
President, American Sentinel University
Commissioner, DETC

 

Thank you Ms. Adams. I contacted the director of admissions and asked about the situation. He responded and asked which faculty member gave me the information. I replied and now I'm just waiting for a response. Given the weekend I'm sure it'll be Monday before I hear anything.

If they do end up approving my credits, that would really speed up the degree program. I'm hoping they do, but I won't be heart broken if they don't.

-Matt

 

In a somewhat similar situation, I contacted the Academic Dean in my M.Div. program and discussed it with him. Based on the quality of the instructor at the other school whom he knew, he advocated for the Registrar's Office to reconsider their credit transfer decision, which they did.

Hope it works out for you.