Community College Partnership Programs
Start your Iowa State journey before you transfer. Iowa State's Community College Partnership Programs connect community college students with academic advising, transfer planning resources, career exploration opportunities, and campus experiences that support a successful transition to the university. Whether through the Admissions Partnership Program (APP) or DMACC–ISU Connect, students can build connections, prepare for their intended major, and become part of the Cyclone community while completing their community college coursework.
Sending Transfer Credits to Iowa State
If you have taken courses at another college or university, those credits can be evaluated for Iowa State once an official transcript is sent directly from your previous institution. Students cannot submit transcripts themselves—requests must go through the issuing school. After Iowa State receives the official transcript, the Office of the Registrar reviews your coursework and determines how it applies to your degree. Approved credits will appear on your Iowa State record and in your Transfer Credit Evaluation.
How Transferred Courses Are Used
Whether you are planning to transfer to Iowa State from another institution or are a current Iowa State student considering coursework elsewhere, there are several resources available to help you understand how transfer credit may apply to your degree. From transfer planning guides to course equivalency tools, these resources can help you make informed decisions, maximize transferable credits, and stay on track toward completing your Global Resource Systems degree. We encourage students to consult with an academic advisor before enrolling in courses at another institution.
Transfer Plans
Transfer Plans provide major-specific guidance for students preparing to transfer into Global Resource Systems from a community college. These plans identify coursework that can help students build a strong academic foundation and make progress toward degree requirements before arriving at Iowa State. Current Iowa State students considering coursework at another institution may also find these plans helpful when identifying courses that align with program requirements.
Course Equivalency Guides
Course Equivalency Guides allow students to see how courses completed at other institutions may transfer to Iowa State. Whether you are evaluating previous coursework, planning a future transfer, or considering courses at another institution while enrolled at Iowa State, these guides can help you determine how credits may apply toward degree requirements. Students should consult an academic advisor to confirm course applicability before enrolling.
TRANSIT
TRANSIT (Transfer Information System) is Iowa State's online resource for exploring transfer pathways and course equivalencies. Students can search for courses from colleges and universities across the country and review how those courses transfer to Iowa State. Whether you are preparing to transfer into the Global Resource Systems program or seeking to complete coursework elsewhere and transfer it back to Iowa State, TRANSIT can help you identify courses that support your academic goals and degree progress.
How it works
- Login as a guest or using your ISU credentials
Use the + Add School button to enter the information about the school you plan to transfer your credits from
Use the + Add Course button to search for courses you have taken. If you are trying to find courses that may fulfill an Iowa State requirement, use the Course dropdown menu to look for classes with similar names or topics. Add all courses that seem like potential matches so they can be evaluated further. If you haven't taken the class, add hypothetical semester and grades.
- Once the course is added, you should immediately see how the course transfers.
Credit by Exam
Students may be able to earn Iowa State credit through a variety of examination programs, including Advanced Placement (AP), International Baccalaureate (IB), College-Level Examination Program (CLEP), and departmental exams. Credit by exam can help students fulfill degree requirements, gain advanced standing in introductory courses, and create greater flexibility in their academic plans. Students considering credit by exam should review Iowa State's credit policies and consult with their academic advisor to determine how exam credit may apply to their Global Resource Systems degree requirements.