Overview

COS accepts and evaluates credit from multiple external sources for applicable program, general education (GE), major, and/or elective requirements, including:

• Coursework from institutionally accredited colleges and universities
• Credit for Prior Learning (CPL): AP / IB / CLEP, military education and training, industry-recognized credentials, and portfolio assessment
• 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 at 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 — Sequoia Building Room 107
  Hanford: 925 13th Ave., Hanford, CA 93230 — The Hub
  Tulare: 4999 E. Bardsley Ave., Tulare, CA 93274 — Building A

Step 2 — Meet with a COS Counselor

Once COS receives and verifies your official transcripts, you will receive a confirmation email in 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.

Coursework from Institutionally Accredited Colleges and Universities

COS may evaluate coursework completed at colleges and universities accredited by an institutional accrediting agency recognized by the U.S. Department of Education. Approved coursework may be applied toward COS degree, certificate, general education, major, and/or elective requirements, as applicable.

• Coursework must be completed at a college or university accredited by an institutional accrediting agency recognized by the U.S. Department of Education.
• Acceptance and application of coursework at COS does not guarantee that another college or university will accept or apply the coursework in the same manner. Students planning to transfer should consult with a COS Counselor and their intended transfer institution.
• COS does not treat coursework completed directly through third-party content providers that are not accredited, degree-granting colleges or universities as institutional college coursework. Examples may include providers such as StraighterLine and Sophia Learning.
• While third-party providers may offer courses with recommendations from organizations such as ACE or NCCRS, those recommendations do not make the provider an institutionally accredited college or university. Students should consult with a COS Counselor before enrolling in coursework through a third-party provider.
• If your external transcript shows in-progress coursework, credit will not be awarded until final grades are posted and an updated official transcript is received.

Credit for Prior Learning (CPL)

Credit for Prior Learning (CPL) allows students to earn college credit for college-level knowledge and skills acquired outside of a traditional college classroom. Credit may be awarded through external examinations, military education and training, industry-recognized credentials, portfolio assessment, and other approved methods.

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, or out-of-state institutions 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.

Military Education & Training (JST)

Credit may be awarded for military education and training based on ACE recommendations and approval by COS discipline faculty. Official military transcripts, such as the Joint Services Transcript (JST), and/or DD-214 (Member 2 or 4) must be on file when applicable.

• Meet with a COS Counselor to initiate the appropriate credit evaluation process.
• Applicable course credit is determined through evaluation by the appropriate COS discipline faculty.

Industry-Recognized Credentials

Students may receive COS credit for approved industry-recognized certifications and credentials when an established equivalency exists.

Portfolio Assessment

Students may demonstrate college-level knowledge and skills acquired through work, training, or other experiences through an approved portfolio assessment process.

General Education (GE) Certification

Completing CSU GE, IGETC, or Cal-GETC at COS satisfies applicable lower-division GE requirements 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 high school transcript must be on file before requesting certification.

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 the evaluation alongside your educational goals.

Key Limitations

• Foreign coursework cannot be applied to CSU GE or IGETC Certification (rare exception: if the foreign institution holds recognized U.S. institutional accreditation and equivalency can be determined).
• COS does not determine transferability to other colleges or 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: