Missouri Reverse Transfer
Missouri Reverse Transfer is the process of allowing college students or former college students who have completed credits for an associate's degree to receive that degree even if they have transferred to a different college or university, or stopped out of higher education altogether.
Missouri has moved forward with a statewide policy to help more Missourians earn a degree. For more detailed information on Missouri Reverse Transfer take a look at the Missouri Department of Higher Education website.
What are the benefits?
- Earn an associate's degree while pursuing your bachelor's degree
- Possible career advancement with earned associate degrees
- Qualify for more jobs
- A degree can help you earn more money
- Possibly meet general education requirements at other four-year transfer institutions
Eligibility
Students must have earned a minimum of 15 credit hours at a community college to be eligible for a reverse transfer degree. Students are not eligible for the program if they currently possess an associate degree or higher.
How does CMU help you with Reverse Transfer?
Central Methodist will work with students to help send transcripts to our partner 2 year institutions in order to facilitate the reverse transfer process.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is reverse transfer?
Reverse transfer is the process of allowing college students or former college students who have completed credits for an associate's degree to receive that degree even if they have transferred to a different college or university, or stopped out of higher education altogether.
Who is eligible for reverse transfer?
A student must have earned a minimum of 15 credit hours at a single two-year institution to be eligible for a reverse transfer degree. Students are not eligible for the program if they currently possess an associate degree or higher.
What degrees can be obtained through reverse transfer?
An associate degree as identified by the degree-granting institution may be obtained through MRT.
Is an associate's degree obtained through reverse transfer different from any other associate's degree?
No
How do students participate in Missouri Reverse Transfer (MRT)?:
All students wishing to participate in MRT are required to "opt in" to the program. By doing so, the student agrees to the exchange of transcript information between the two institutions and is automatically declared for degree candidacy.
Return the completed MRT Opt-in Application to your four-year institution's Registrar
Can students opt out of Missouri Reverse Transfer (MRT)?
If a student graduates from the host institution, is no longer considered an active student at the host institution (policy varies by institution), or self-identifies to be removed from the program, they are "opting out" of the MRT.
Do students have an appeal process if they are not satisfied with Missouri Reverse Transfer (MRT)?
If MRT decisions are made that are not acceptable to the student, he or she is allowed to appeal by contacting the articulation and transfer officer at the degree-granting institution (refers to the two-year institution with the greatest number of transferable credits to the four-year institution).
Is there a time limit for students to complete their degree requirements in the Missouri Reverse Transfer (MRT) program?
There is no time limit on students completing the associate degree through MRT. Students will remain in the program as long as they are continuously enrolled at the host institution.
What is the "degree-granting institution" (DGI)?
The institution that will award the reverse transfer student their associate degree and will count the student in its yearly graduation report is the degree-granting institution. If two or more institutions have the same number of transferable credits to the four-year institution, the most recently attended institution shall be the DGI. If multiple options still exist at this point, the student will be asked for their DGI preference.
What is the "host institution"?
The host institution is the institution which transfers credits back to the degree granting institution. The host institution may be either a four-year or a two-year institution.
What is the responsibility of the host institution?
The host institution must identify the student eligible for Missouri Reverse Transfer (MRT) and inform the degree granting institution (DGI) of the student's desire to participate in the program. The host institution agrees to submit all necessary transcripts to the degree-granting institution without charge to the student. The host institution must also monitor and report on the students who opt out of MRT.
What is the responsibility of the degree-granting institution?
The degree-granting institution is responsible for reviewing the eligible Missouri Reverse Transfer (MRT) student's records and awarding the degree. They are required to submit a final transcript noting conferment to the four-year host institution at no charge to the student.
The degree-granting institution is responsible for closing the student out of the MRT program, and providing any notifications and/or updates to the MRT student.
What is the reverse transfer process?
All institutions will use an automated search to identify inactive students who have completed 15 hours with a single institution but never completed a degree. They will contact those students and introduce them to the Missouri Reverse Transfer program.
The transcripts of students who opt to participate in MRT will be sent electronically by the host institution to the degree-granting institution. Transcripts will be sent at established intervals after the initial submission (e.g., annually). The release of transcripts will be in accordance with the host institution's policies, and the acceptance of transfer credit will be determined by the degree-granting institution.
The degree-granting institution will determine the requirements for degree completion and inform the student. Degree-granting institutions are encouraged to substitute any institution-unique course requirements, especially those that require a student to be physically present on campus.
When the degree is awarded by the degree-granting institution, it will send an official transcript noting conferment to the four-year host institution.
