DNP-Possible to transfer credits???

Moogie · Aug 7, 2011

Transferring graduate credits can be daunting. Most programs allow for no more than 9-12 credits in transfer so you could be taking courses that you'd just have to repeat later. You will need to provide course syllabi so that a committee (or the individual instructor, depending on the school) can evaluate the courses you've taken and compare them to the courses offered at the school at which you want to finish your degree. Some instructors are pickier than others. I had particular trouble transferring a 3-credit health care policy and finance class because one instructor said that it lacked an ethics component (which was covered in a different course) and another at a different school said that it didn't include some nuances on policy that she had in her course. I ended up retaking the course at the school at which I finished my master's.

You can also run into problems with credits per course. For example, some programs require 3 credits of pathophysiology. Some require 4. The program I took required 6. I know of a program that only requires 2. If you take 3 credits and the school you eventually attend requires 4 or 6, you will need to retake it.

Most schools only allow transfer of credits that have been taken during the past 7 years, so if your credits are older than that, you will need to retake the courses.

Frankly, if I was in your situation, I would probably wait for a couple of years until you have relocated or do an online program. Transferring in graduate credits is a hassle. It's much easier to take everything at one school and not worry about transferring credits.

Good luck in whatever you decide to do!

heynow1313 · Aug 7, 2011

Thanks so much for that advice. I was afraid of that being the case but it makes my decision a little easier as I certainly do not want to have to risk losing credits or repeating classes. I am a BSN, so I would be entering a BSN-DNP program. I have done a little research today and am not sure of any on-line programs that will fit my needs.

I will keep truckin' along though and really appreciate the feedback!

Moogie · Aug 8, 2011

You're welcome. I learned this the hard way. I started at one MSN program that was not right for me, left the program, and finished elsewhere. Definitely made the right decision but the transfer process was brutal.