This is a formal agreement between educational institutions, typically colleges and universities. It guarantees that courses completed at one institution will be accepted for credit at another, streamlining the transfer process for students. For example, a student completing an associate’s degree at a community college with such an agreement may seamlessly transfer those credits towards a bachelor’s degree at a partner university.
Such agreements offer significant advantages to students by reducing the risk of credit loss upon transfer. This can save students time and money while ensuring a more efficient progression towards their educational goals. Historically, these agreements arose to address inconsistencies in course equivalencies and to facilitate greater access to higher education opportunities for a wider range of students.