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Transfer Credit Policies

  • Electronic transcript options are accepted through National Student Clearinghouse, Parchment, eScrip, and other third-party secure transcript processing institutions. Direct transcripts to NSCcredentials@seattlecolleges.edu to avoid delays. 
  • Official transcripts submitted to Credentials will be stored for up to 1 year until a student submits an Evaluation Request. 
  • If we receive an official transcript before a student has applied for admissions to North Seattle College, then their transcript may not be matched up with their record. 
  • Each official transcript that the student wishes to evaluate must be confirmed and on file with Credentials before the application to evaluate incoming credits form can be accepted. 
  • If a faculty member or advisor is working directly with a student and opens the sealed official transcripts during an advising session, the faculty/advisor must sign and date the face of the transcript. The faculty/advisor is then responsible for delivering the transcript to Credentials. It is recommended that faculty and advisors advise from unofficial transcripts or official transcripts that have been scanned into the internal document managing system. Credentials will not accept transcripts that have been opened and are not signed, or open transcripts (signed or not) that are delivered by a student. 
  •  South Seattle College, Seattle Central College, and Seattle Vocational Institute transcripts can be accessed internally and do not need to be sent to us. An Evaluation Request is still required.
  • If you have previously submitted official transcripts to South Seattle College or Seattle Central College, please request from the respective institution to have them sent to NSCCredentials@SeattleColleges.edu.
  • Quarter credits are calculated by multiplying Semester credits by 1.5
    • 3 semester credits = 4.5 quarter credits
    • 4 semester credits = 6 quarter credits

Because of changing degree and certificate requirements, returning student must have been enrolled at North Seattle College within 4 years. Students returning beyond 4 years need to enroll in at least one course at NSC. Returning students beyond 4 years should meet with an Academic Advisor or Faculty Coordinator for unofficial evaluations toward graduation and re-enrollment.

There is no expiration or limitation on the age of an incoming transcript from a regionally accredited institution. However, older transcripts may require the student to provide additional documentation, such as course descriptions.

  • Evaluators will review previous transcripts toward the selected degree or certificate and bring in relevant credit. If changing a program of study that additional courses taken previously may qualify for, submit a NEW Application for Evaluation of Incoming Credits.
  • Only completed and graded undergraduate college level (typically 100-200 level courses) will be evaluated. Any courses that appear “in progress” on an official transcript will not be considered.
  • Courses from other colleges and universities are reviewed for equivalencies at North Seattle College. We cannot grant repeat credit for equivalency courses already taken at North Seattle College.
  • Credits with less than a “D” or “1.0” grade are not considered. Only 15 credits of “D” or “1.0-1.4” grades will be considered.
  • Grades earned at other institutions are not calculated into your North Seattle College GPA. Only courses at NSC will count towards the overall GPA.
  • Academic Advising/Student Services conducts unofficial evaluations only. Credentials provides official evaluation results.
  • Only transcripts and official documents that are originally listed on the form that the Credentials Department has official transcripts on file for will be evaluated. If additional transcripts need to be evaluated, a NEW credit evaluation request needs to be submitted.
  • Only regionally accredited colleges and universities, recognized international colleges and universities, official Advanced Placement and International Baccalaureate exams, and United States military training are reviewed for transfer of credit. If you are pursuing a Career Training degree or certificate, please consult with your division’s faculty coordinator for alternative credit options.
  • Credentials does not bring in the following kinds of classes during evaluation: seminars, practicums, work experience, service learning, capstones, internships, portfolios, special topics, independent study, independent research, etc.
  • Only courses from the original institution will be evaluated. Transfer credit appearing from another college on a provided transcript will not be considered.
  • Credit evaluations are processed in the order that they are received. The evaluation may take up to 12 weeks to complete during busy times.
  • If a student needs an unofficial evaluation for a permission code, the student can submit unofficial transcripts to Advising or a faculty coordinator for review and permission code while their official evaluation is pending.
  • Students will be notified when their evaluation is complete. The notification will include a link to ctcLink, where the student can see how the transferred in credit applies to their degree or certificate. There will also be an Advising Note by the evaluator who completed the evaluation.
  • If the student has questions about how a transferred in course is distributed in their degree or certificate program and how it affects their registration for future classes or graduation, the student should contact their Academic Advisor or Faculty Coordinator to discuss their academic plan.
  • If the student has questions about what courses were or weren’t included in the evaluation, they can send an email to Credentials for clarification. Because evaluations are research-based, requests to review a previous evaluation may take 2-3 weeks.