Overview

COS accepts transfer credit from multiple external sources to fulfill program, GE, and/or elective requirements, including:

• Coursework from regionally accredited institutions (other CCCs, CSUs, UCs, in-state privates, and out-of-state)
• Credit for Prior Learning (CPL): AP / IB / CLEP, military service/training, industry certifications
• Foreign coursework (see important limitations below)

How to Submit External Transcripts to COS and Petition for your Credits to be Evaluated (2-Step Process)​

Step 1 — Send Official Records to COS Admissions & Records in one of the following ways:

• ​Email your official transcripts to admissions@cos.edu. The transcript must come either from the college itself or through the secure third-party service the college uses, or
  
• Mail an official and sealed transcript to the Visalia Campus Admissions Records Office 915 S. Mooney Blvd., Visalia, CA 93277, or
  
• Bring an official and sealed transcript in person to the Admissions & Records Office at any of our three campuses:
  Visalia: 915 S. Mooney Blvd., Visalia, CA 93277, room location: Sequoia Building Room 107
  Hanford: 925 13th Ave., Hanford, CA 93230, room location: The Hub
  Tulare: 4999 E. Bardsley Ave., Tulare, CA 93274​, room location: Building A
  

Step 2 — Meet with a COS Counselor

Once COS receives and verifies your official transcripts, you will get a confirmation email sent to your COS account with instructions to schedule a counseling appointment. During this appointment, a counselor will review your coursework to see how it applies to your program. If appropriate, the counselor will also submit an External Credit Petition on your behalf toward your educational goal at COS. Information on degrees available and general education requirements can be found in the COS Catalog. ​

Regionally Accredited Coursework

• External courses from regionally accredited institutions with satisfactory grades are evaluated for use at COS.
• COS does not accept coursework from third-party content providers that are not degree-granting, regionally accredited institutions (e.g., StraighterLine, Sophia Learning). These entities are considered content providers and do not hold institutional accreditation that qualifies them to award college credit. While such providers may have courses recommended by organizations such as ACE or NCCRS, acceptance of those recommendations is at the discretion of accredited colleges and universities. To ensure academic integrity and transferability, only coursework completed at institutions holding regionally accreditation per ICAS recommendation will be considered for evaluation. To prevent potential setbacks, we strongly encourage you to consult with a COS Counselor before enrolling in courses outside of COS.​​​
  
• If your external transcript shows in-progress classes, credit will not be awarded until final grades are posted and an updated official transcript is received.

AP, IB, & CLEP Exams

External examinations may satisfy COS requirements depending on your academic goal. How COS applies exam credit may differ from how CSU/UC/private universities use it.

• See the COS Catalog for current AP/IB/CLEP charts
• Send AP scores via College Board (School Code: 4071)
• If it’s been 4+ years since your last AP exam, request Archived Scores from the College Board

Upper-Division Units (from 4-Year Institutions)

• If comparable and approved, up to 12 units of upper-division coursework (from a regionally accredited institution) may be allowed toward your COS educational goal.
  
• Some upper-division credit may be used to satisfy CSU GE, IGETC, and Cal-GETC requirements; applicability can differ for graduation at CSU/UC/private institutions.
  
• Students are highly advised to consult with a COS Counselor to determine how upper-division credits will be used to meet the student's educational goal and/or transfer institution. Applying upper-division credits to satisfy COS graduation requirements may differ from how the CSU/UC/Private Institutions/Out-of-State will award the credits, and in some instances, you are required to take more courses.​
  

Credit for Military Service, Education, & Training (CPL)

Credit may be awarded per ACE recommendations and approval by COS discipline faculty. Official military transcripts (e.g., JST) and/or DD-214 (member 2 or 4) must be on file.

• Meet with a COS Counselor to initiate the External Credit Petition for military credit
• Applicable credits are determined by faculty in the appropriate discipline

General Education (GE) Certification

Completing CSU GE, IGETC, or Cal-GETC at COS satisfies lower-division GE for CSU/UC. You may request certification when:

• You’ve been accepted/enrolled at the transfer university, or you are in your final COS term
• All official transcripts and AP/IB/CLEP are on file, and you’ve met with a Counselor (including any pass-along evaluation)
• If using high school coursework to clear IGETC Area 6 (LOTE), your official HS transcript must be on file before requesting

Foreign Coursework

If you completed college work outside the U.S., first obtain a course-by-course evaluation from an agency that is a member of AICE or NACES. COS will then review alongside your goals.

Key Limitations

• Foreign coursework cannot be applied to CSU GE or IGETC Certification (rare exception: if the foreign institution holds U.S. regional accreditation and equivalency can be determined)
• COS does not determine transferability to other colleges/universities; your transfer institution will make its own evaluation
• For COS associate degrees/certificates, additional documentation (e.g., syllabi in English) may be required; major substitutions are reviewed by the division

Privacy Note (FERPA)

Need Help?

Have questions about what to send or how your credits may apply? Meet with a COS Counselor: