Whether you're heading to the University of Minnesota (UMN) or another college or university, it's important to understand how the UMN credits you’ve earned through College in the Schools (CIS) will apply to your future degree program and the steps you need to take. The following will help you make a smooth transition, and stay organized and informed as you plan your next academic move.
Step 1: Save Your Syllabus
A syllabus or detailed course outline is often required to submit a course for transfer credit evaluation at most institutions, so be sure to save a copy from any college courses you take in high school.
Step 2: Do Your Research
At the UMN, credits earned through CIS will count as general electives, and many will also fulfill liberal education, collegiate, or major requirements. These same credits will often, but not always, transfer to other colleges and universities.
Use Transferology and the UConn Early College Credit Transfer Database to learn how earned college credits may transfer to specific institutions.
Remember, the acceptance of transfer credits is always a decision made by the individual institution. If you have questions, check with the colleges and universities to which you plan to apply to learn about their transfer-credit policies.
Step 3: Learn About Liberal Education Requirements
The American Association of Colleges and Universities defines a liberal education as one that “usually includes a general education curriculum that provides broad learning in multiple disciplines and ways of knowing, along with more in-depth study in a major.”
At the UMN Twin Cities, these foundational courses are referred to as “liberal education requirements” or “Lib Eds,” and they are required of all degree-seeking students in order to graduate.
Courses taken at other colleges and universities may also be used to fulfill Lib Eds requirements, and may be referred to as “Lib Eds,” Gen Eds,” or “Generals.”
Check the following resources to see how your UMN courses (or other courses you’ve taken for college credit!) could meet various requirements at the University of Minnesota Twin Cities.
- Review the UMN Transfer Credit webpage for information about:
- Transfer credit process
- AP, IB, CLEP, A-Level, and Credit by Exam
- MN Transfer Curriculum (MnTC)
- Liberal Education Requirements (don't miss the helpful Transfer Liberal Education Worksheet!)
- Visit the Courses by Subject Area section of the CIS website to see which Lib Ed requirements are met by each course.
- Check Explore Majors & Minors at the University of Minnesota Twin Cities to see which courses meet requirements for your possible/planned major.
- Review Sample Plans to see examples of semester-by-semester plans that include the courses needed to complete future degree requirements.
Step 4: Apply to Your School(s) of Choice
Perhaps the most important step is to apply to your school (or schools!) of choice. If you have questions or are unsure about the application or transfer-credit process, be sure to reach out to the colleges and universities to which you plan to apply.
Applying to the UMN Twin Cities? Contact your appointed Freshman Counselor from the UMN Office of Admissions (search by high school or college of interest) with your admissions-related questions.
Step 5: Send Your Transcript
The courses you’ve taken through CIS are already part of your UMN record and transcript, so there’s no need to send your transcript if you’re applying to the University of Minnesota.
If you’re applying and have been admitted to another college or university, you can send your official UMN transcript to that institution by ordering it through One Stop after all of your grades have been posted.
