Are you navigating the college application process? If so, you’ve probably seen that applying for college involves sending transcripts of your previous educational experience.
Learn how transcript requirements work and what they look like when applying for a degree program at Mount Vernon Nazarene University (MVNU) Online.
Why Do Colleges Ask for Transcripts?
One of the main reasons colleges ask for transcripts is to get a snapshot of your academic history and qualifications. There are a few reasons this information is relevant for colleges:
- Admission decisions: Some colleges use transcripts to determine whether to admit you as a student. Admissions staff may also consult transcripts to ensure you qualify for the program to which you are applying.
- Placement decisions: Transcripts can help colleges determine how to place you and plan your coursework. For example, if you took Advanced Placement (AP) courses, you may be able to skip college courses that would otherwise be required.
- Scholarship decisions: Your academic performance in the past may qualify you for merit-based scholarships at some colleges. Transcripts will show colleges your grade point average (GPA) for individual courses and your overall studies.
- Federal requirements: Previous college transcripts are required in compliance with federal regulations. The federal government requires colleges to look at your previous transcripts to ensure you only receive the federal student aid you are eligible for and prevent additional aid from being granted if you’ve neglected to pay back previous loans.
In addition to transcripts, colleges often require test scores. Learn more in our blog post, Testing, 1, 2, 3: Understanding College Admission Requirements.
How Do I Send Transcripts to a College Where I’m Applying?
Every college you apply for should clarify the required transcripts and how you should share them with the institution. Be sure to submit all required transcripts to complete the application process.
You may see transcripts referred to as official or unofficial. This is an important distinction to understand:
- Unofficial transcripts are ones you can access on your own from your institution. You may be able to log into your student account and view the courses you’ve taken and the grades you’ve received.
- Official transcripts are sent directly from the school where you studied to the institution where you’re applying. These transcripts contain markers to show they are official, such as watermarks and embossed seals. In some cases, an unofficial transcript is adequate, but typically, colleges require official transcripts.
Contact the registrar’s office at your previous institution to find out how to send college transcripts to other colleges. You can often request them electronically or over the phone. You can also request transcripts from your high school by contacting the school directly. If you have a GED, you can request your transcript from the Department of Education.
What Transcripts Does MVNU Online Require?
Let’s look at transcript requirements for applying to one of MVNU’s online degree programs. These requirements depend on the type of program you are applying for:
Applicants to Undergraduate Programs
To enroll in an undergraduate program, MVNU Online requires an official high school transcript or GED certificate. If you’ve attended college previously, then in place of the high school transcript, you should submit transcripts from all previous undergraduate colleges or universities you’ve attended.
All transcripts should be official and sent directly from the institution, except for homeschooled students, who can send their high school transcript directly to MVNU Online.
Applicants to Graduate Programs
To enroll in a graduate program, you must have a bachelor’s degree. You need to send MVNU the transcript from the college or university where your bachelor's degree was conferred.
If you’re applying to the Master of Arts in Education - Professional Educator’s License program and have other college experience beyond your bachelor's degree, you should submit transcripts including those courses because they may count toward license area credits.
Guest Students
Not all MVNU students need to be on track to complete a degree at MVNU. Some students may be enrolled in a degree program at another institution and want to attend MVNU Online courses as a guest to expand their learning. If this is the case for you, you must submit a letter of authorization from your primary institution's academic dean or registrar.
If the course you want to participate in at MVNU Online has prerequisites, send in an official transcript from your other institution showing that you’ve completed that prerequisite or its equivalent.
International Students
International students must submit transcripts from their high school (or equivalent) and any previous colleges they have attended. Any transcripts from schools outside of North America must be evaluated by a member agency of the National Association of Credential Evaluation Services or the Association of International Credential Evaluators.
If applicable, international students should also submit official transcripts from schools attended in North America.
Does MVNU Online Consider Learning Credits Beyond Transcripts?
Yes! MVNU Online recognizes there are many pathways to gain educational experience, and our admissions office is happy to consider forms of non-traditional education as possibly counting toward learning requirements, including:
- Seminars
- Military training
- On-the-job technical and professional training
- Standardized exams, including the DANTES Subject Standardized Tests (DSST) and College-Level Examination Program (CLEP) tests (up to 30 credits)
- Professional licensure
- Corporate or professional training, including courses sponsored by businesses, industries, the armed forces, professional schools, and other credible government associations and agencies
- Specific government and industry training programs
- Other activities with credible associations and agencies
If you have a transcript for this non-traditional education, you can submit it. However, because these forms of education often don’t come with transcripts, you can submit another type of documentation, such as:
- Licenses
- Certificates
- Course syllabi
- Letters from supervisors
- Company training histories
Students can apply a maximum of 60 undergraduate credit hours from prior learning credits toward their degree. It takes 30 hours of alternative learning to equal one college credit hour.
Learn More About Online Degree Programs and Submit Your Application Today!
MVNU Online seeks to make the admissions process straightforward for all students who want to apply to a degree program. Be sure to submit any required transcripts or supporting documentation for your non-traditional educational experience to get full credit for your hard work and qualify for the next chapter in your educational journey.
If you’re navigating admissions processes and comparing degree programs, check out our e-book, The Best Online Degree Programs for Working Adults, to learn more!
