Transferability of Credits

1. What is the Statewide Transfer General Education Core (STGEC)?

The STGEC was developed by the public institutions of higher education in Indiana in response to Senate Enrolled Act 182 (2012). It enables a student who satisfactorily completes an approved program of general education in any one of those institutions to transfer that coursework to any other state educational institution as a block of 30 credit hours towards the general education core requirements. (See also questions #10, 11, and 12)

2. Does the STGEC apply to me?

The STGEC applies to all students matriculating at a public institution of higher education in Indiana in the fall of 2013 and after. Degree requirements change over time, and so the date at which you first enter a school determines the requirements that apply to you (this is sometimes known as catalog year, or degree requirement term). Depending on the policies of the individual institution, you may be able to change your degree requirement term to be eligible for the STGEC. (See also question #6)

3. What is meant by satisfactory completion of the STGEC?

Requirements for completion of the STGEC vary by campus and institution. A student must fulfill the STGEC requirements of the school at which a student is enrolled, with a minimum of 30 credit hours, and with an STGEC GPA no lower than 2.0. Each state educational institution has specified how their program meets the competencies described within the STGEC framework.

4. I have satisfactorily completed the STGEC. Can I transfer to any state educational institution?

You must apply for admission as a transfer student in the usual way. Once admitted into your new institution, it will transfer the 30 credit hours of general education coursework you have completed in accordance with appropriate transfer policies.

5. What are the STGEC competencies?

Competencies are the skills and knowledge associated with the coursework considered foundational for further study in higher education, and which introduce students to a range of skills and disciplines. Within the STGEC framework, the competencies are categorized as either Foundational Skills and or Ways of Knowing. The competencies were agreed upon by faculty across state educational institutions and can be viewed here

6. Do dual credit coursework and Advanced Placement (AP) examinations count towards the STGEC requirements?

Yes. Dual credit and AP examinations count towards general education coursework in state educational institutions and will be recognized as a part of the STGEC. (See also question #7)

7. Can I count other kinds of coursework?

Only coursework resulting in A P credit, dual credit, and credit from regionally accredited institutions may apply to the STGEC requirements. Institutions may accept other forms of credit according to their own existing policies, but these hours will not count towards the requirements of the STGEC. For further information about the transfer of credit to Indiana
public institutions, you can consult TransferIN

8. What if I want to transfer before I have completed the STGEC?

Your coursework will be articulated on a course-by-course basis by the institution to which you transfer. All courses in the Indiana Core Transfer Library (CTL) will be articulated in accordance with Indiana Core Transfer Library policies.

9. How do I know that I have completed the STGEC?

Your current state educational institution will certify that you have met the STGEC requirements. If you are admitted as a transfer student to another state educational institution, that institution will recognize the STGEC, apply 30 credit hours of general education to your academic record, and it will be recorded on your academic transcript as: Indiana STGEC Completed.

10. Does the STGEC satisfy all general education requirements at the receiving institution?

Almost all public institutions will require additional general education coursework (i.e., different competencies, and more than 30 hours), and some degree programs require that specific coursework be completed for admission to a particular program, or completion of degree objectives. You must work closely with an academic advisor to ensure that you will meet as many program-specific requirements as possible while completing your general education coursework, and the STGEC.

11. As I choose courses to complete the STGEC, why is working with an advisor so important?

You need to choose courses that are required and as program-specific as possible. If not, you may need to take more credit hours than are normally required for the degree program that you are working towards. Your advisor will help you make the best choices possible for your degree program.

12. Does the STGEC affect other degree requirements?

The STGEC does not change any requirements for a major or other degree objective. If any course within the STGEC is a requirement for a major or other degree objective at the receiving institution, and if you do not meet the grade requirement for that objective, then the receiving institution may require you to repeat the course. It is absolutely critical that you work closely with your academic advisor to determine what relationship, if any, exists between requirements for general education and requirements for a specific major and/or other degree objective. You may exceed 60 credit hours (for an associate degree) or 120 credit hours (for a baccalaureate degree) required for your degree.

13. I am studying at an independent (private) college or university in Indiana. Does the STGEC apply to me?

Independent or private institutions in Indiana are not subject to SEA 182 (2012) and are not, therefore, required to participate in the STGEC. Transfer credits are evaluated on a course- by-course basis.

14. Is there a list of courses that are included in the STGEC?

Some institutions may provide a list of courses, but the institutions are not required to do so.

15. What is the relationship between the Core Transfer Library (CTL) and the STGEC?

The courses in the CTL represent commonly taken and transferred courses, and many of them are courses that satisfy general education requirements. The most important thing to remember about the STGEC, though, is that it is met by following a program of general education at the state educational institution at which you are enrolled, and courses in the CTL represent just a fraction of those available to you at public institutions in Indiana.