Instructions—Articulation Agreement & Table
These instructions provide details for completing program-to-program articulation agreements (see sample agreement in Appendix A).
SECTION A - Minnesota Transfer Curriculum-General Education:
List the Minnesota Transfer Curriculum/General Education courses (course prefixes, numbers, names, credit values and MnTC goal areas) for the sending institution (left side) and receiving institution (right side). MnTC goal areas transfer to the receiving institution according to the goal areas designated by the sending institution. Do not indicate a goal area for general education courses that are not part of the MnTC.
Equivalent and Non-Equivalent Substitute Courses: Under the Equiv/Sub column, enter “Equiv” when courses are equivalent. Enter “Sub” when non-equivalent courses are substituted for purposes of the agreement. Use the notes section to clarify any DARS encoding instructions regarding course substitutions (e.g. if a substitution is only allowed for transfer students using this agreement).
Waivers: The receiving institution may waive a course requirement. Enter “Wav” in the “Equiv/Sub” column and made a note in the “Special Notes” for that section.
SECTION B - Major, Emphasis, Restricted, Unrestricted Electives or Other Courses:
List the major, emphasis, restricted and unrestricted electives or other courses (course prefixes, numbers, names and credit values) for the sending institution (left side) and the receiving institution (right side). List any remaining sending institution courses and receiving institution courses that are equivalent or for which a substitution is permitted.
SECTION C - Remaining Receiving Institution Requirements:
List remaining receiving institution courses needed to complete the program.
SECTION D - Course Credit Totals:
Summarize the course credits by entering and adding the totals from Sections A & B (left side) and Sections A, B, & C (right side).
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
1) Why is it necessary for articulation agreements to have course equivalency details?
Students need to know details of program-to-program articulation agreements to facilitate transfer. It allows students to understand how the sending program applies toward the receiving program.
2) Under what circumstances is an articulation agreement required or optional?
Articulation agreements are required for the following degrees: Associate in Science (AS), Associate in Fine Arts (AFA) and Associate in Arts (AA) with emphases. Once an articulation agreement is established, it must be posted to the MnSCU Transfer Web site.
Articulation agreements are not required for Associate of Applied Science (AAS), diploma and certificate programs, although they are permitted and may be helpful for students. When an articulation agreement is established for an AAS, diploma or certificate, it must be posted to the MnSCU Transfer Web site.
3) How are different credit amounts for equivalent courses handled?
If a course from the sending institution is worth more credits than the equivalent course at the receiving institution, the extra credit(s) may be counted toward unrestricted electives, restricted electives, the MnTC or elsewhere, as specified in the articulation agreement. As result of credit value variations, the total number of credits taken by transfer students may exceed the receiving institution’s established degree program credit length.
If a course from the sending institution is worth fewer credits than the equivalent course at the receiving institution, the credit deficiency must be accounted for as specified in the articulation agreement. The receiving institution may resolve this by requiring additional credits to meet the established degree program credit length.
4) Can several college courses be combined to count towards one university course?
As illustrated below, one or more college courses can be combined to meet the requirements of a university course.
College (sending) / University (receiving)course prefix, number and name / Credits / course prefix, number and name / Credits Applied / Equiv Sub Wav
Major, Emphasis, Restricted and Unrestricted Electives or Other Courses
CSCI 2200 Visual Basic (2 credits)
AND
CSCI 2240 Fundamentals of Programming C++(2 credits) / 4 / COMP 166 Data Structures / 4 / Sub
5) How are college courses that transfer to the university as a “block” shown in the table?
Courses may transfer on a course-by-course basis, or as a block, according to the articulation agreement. When courses transfer as block, indicate the total number of credits being applied toward the receiving program. The credits applied by the receiving institution may be less than the value of the credits offered by the sending institution.
College (sending) / University (receiving)course prefix, number and name / Credits / course prefix, number and name / Credits Applied / Equiv Sub
Wav
Major, Emphasis, Restricted and Unrestricted Electives or Other Courses
ABOD 2000 Specialty Refinishing (5 cr)
ABOD 2010 Computer Estimating (3 cr)
ABOD 2020 Unibody & Frame Damage (5 cr)
ABOD 2030 Major Collision Lab (3 cr)
ABOD 2040 Auto Body Management (5 cr)
ABOD 2050 Refinishing Lab (3 cr)
ABOD 2060 General Auto Body Lab (3 cr)
ABOD 2070 Mechanical Suspension & Wheel Alignment Lab (3 cr) / 30 / Technical credits accepted in transfer as a block / 28 / Sub
6) Can lower-division college courses be designated as equivalent to upper-division courses at a university?
Lower division courses can, and often do, satisfy upper division course requirements if accepted by the receiving university degree program. The university determines which credits for the baccalaureate degree shall be at the upper-division level to meet the 40 credit upper-division requirement. As shown below, if a 200 level course counts as equivalent to a 300 level course, the university may also count transfer courses toward the 40 credit upper-division requirement, as specified in the articulation agreement.
College (sending) / University (receiving)course prefix, number and name / Credits / course prefix, number and name / Credits Applied / Equiv Sub Wav
Major, Emphasis, Restricted and Unrestricted Electives or Other Courses
BUS 2204 Principles of Management / 3 / MGMT 360 Principles of Management / 3 / Equiv
BUS 2206 Principles of Marketing / 3 / MKGT 310 Principles of Marketing (4 cr) / 3 / Equiv
Special Notes, if any: BUS 2204 and BUS 2206 transfer as equivalent to courses required for the major but do not count toward the 40 upper division credits required for graduation.
7) Can non-equivalent courses transfer from a college to a university and apply toward program completion?
Course substitutions are permitted. Clearly identify substitutions in the Equiv/Sub column to ensure that DARS encoders understand that these substitutions are not to be encoded as equivalencies. Substitutions only apply to students following the articulation agreement.
8) Must the minimum number of general education credits required by academic program policy and procedure be courses identified as Minnesota Transfer Curriculum courses?
Yes, the minimum number of general education credits per degree program award type (BA/BS 40 credits; AA 40 credits; AS 30 credits; AFA Art 24 credits; AFA Music 30 credits; AFA Theater Arts 40 credits; AAS 15 credits) must be Minnesota Transfer Curriculum courses. Once the minimum requirement has been satisfied, additional general education courses may also be listed.
9) How are restricted and unrestricted electives displayed on the form?
As shown below, two types of electives can be entered into the articulation agreement table.
Restricted Electives: Restricted electives fulfill specific requirements within a major. Example A: “Choose two of the following three courses;” Example B: A Biology degree may require 40 science credits (20 credits of required courses + 20 credits of listed related courses, such as botany, genetics, sociobiology, etc. which students can select).
Unrestricted Electives. Unrestricted electives can be fulfilled by any course in the college or university. Example: A 120 credit baccalaureate degree = 40 credits MN Transfer Curriculum/General Education, 40 credits in the Major, and 20 credits in a Minor. The 20 remaining unrestricted credits, sometimes referred to as “general” or “free” electives, can be taken from any department.
SECTION B - Major, Emphasis, Restricted and Unrestricted Electives or OtherCollege (sending) / University (receiving)
course prefix, number and name / Credits / Credits / Equiv Sub Wav
Choose at least 4 credits from the following:
CST 1135 UNIX Operating System (3 cr)
CST 1180 Data Security Awareness (1 cr)
CST 1190 Introduction to Networking (3 cr) / 4 / Restricted Elective / 4
CST 2224 Windows Client/Server Administration / 4 / Restricted Elective / 4
Unrestricted elective credits (if none enter 0) / 3 / College’s unrestricted elective credits accepted in transfer (if none enter 0) / 3
10) What resources are available relating to the creation of articulation agreements?
RESOURCES:
Program Inventory: / www.programreview.project.mnscu.edu Program names and awards need to be consistent with the approved program inventory.System Articulation Procedure: / Procedure 3.36.1 - Academic Programs Articulation requirements for Associate in Arts with emphasis, Associate in Science, and Associate in Fine Arts degree programs.
Minnesota Office of Higher Education: / www.ohe.state.mn.us/
Links to non-system colleges/universities - program names and awards listed on articulation agreements must be verified for accuracy with the non-system institution.
Non Minnesota Institutions: / nces.ed.gov/collegenavigator/
Links to non Minnesota colleges/universities websites and/or admissions offices.
System Transfer Procedure: / Procedure 3.37.1 - Minnesota Transfer Curriculum and Procedure 3.21.1 - Undergraduate Course Credit Transfer
Articulation Agreement Form and Instructions: / www.academicaffairs.mnscu.edu/academicprograms/ www.mntransfer.org
APPENDIX A - Sample Agreement
MINNESOTA STATE COLLEGES AND UNIVERSITIES*ARTICULATION AGREEMENT
BETWEEN / Minnesota West Community and Technical College
AND
Southwest Minnesota State University
*The Board of Trustees of the Minnesota State Colleges and Universities is authorized by Minnesota Statutes, Chapter 136F to enter into Agreements and has delegated this authority to colleges and universities.
This Agreement is entered into between Minnesota West Community and Technical College (hereinafter receiving institution), and Southwest Minnesota State University (hereinafter sending institution). This Agreement and any amendments and supplements, shall be interpreted pursuant to the laws of the State of Minnesota.
The sending institution has established an Associate of Science in Computer Science (hereinafter sending program), and the receiving institution has established a Bachelor of Science in Computer Science (hereinafter receiving program), and will facilitate credit transfer and provide a smooth transition from one related program to another. It is mutually agreed:
Admission and Graduation Requirements
A. The receiving institution’s admission and program admission requirements apply to both direct entry students and to students who transfer under this agreement.
B. Students must fulfill the graduation requirements at both institutions.
C. Students must complete the entire sending program and meet the receiving institution’s admission requirements for the agreement to apply.
Transfer of Credits
A. The receiving institution will accept 60 credits from the sending program. A total of 60 credits remain to complete the receiving program.
B. Courses will transfer as described in the attached Program Articulation Table. For system institutions, once the courses are encoded, they will transfer as described in the Transferology Audit.
Implementation and Review
A. The Chief Academic Officers or designees of the parties to this agreement will implement the terms of this agreement, including identifying and incorporating any changes into subsequent agreements, assuring compliance with system policy, procedure and guidelines, and conducting a periodic review of this agreement.
B. This Articulation Agreement is effective on 05/01/2010 and shall remain in effect until the end date of 05/01/2015 or for five years, whichever occurs first, unless terminated or amended by either party with 90 days prior written notice.
C. The college and university shall work with students to resolve the transfer of courses should changes to either program occur while the agreement is in effect.
D. This Articulation Agreement will be reviewed by both parties beginning 11/01/2014 (within six months of the end date).
E. When a student notifies the receiving institution of their intent to follow this agreement, the receiving institution will encode course waivers and substitutions.
PROGRAM ARTICULATION TABLECollege (sending) / University (receiving)
Institution /
Minnesota West Community & Technical College
/Southwest Minnesota State University
Program name /Computer Science
/Computer Science
Award Type (e.g., AS) /AS
/BS
Credit Length /60
/120
CIP code (6-digit) /11.0701
/11.0701
Describe program admission requirements / /Instructions
§ List all required courses in both academic programs.
§ MnTC goal areas transfer to the receiving institution according to the goal areas designated by the sending institution.
§ Do not indicate a goal area for general education courses that are not part of the MnTC.
§ For restricted and unrestricted electives, list number of credits.
§ Credits applied: the receiving institution course credit amount may be more or less than the sending institution credit amount. Enter the number of credits that the receiving institution will apply toward degree completion.
§ Show equivalent university-college courses on the same row to ensure accurate DARS encoding.
§ Equiv/Sub/Wav column: If a course is to be encoded as equivalent, enter Equiv. If a course is to be accepted by the university as a “substitution” only for the purposes of this agreement, enter Sub. If a course requirement is waived by the receiving institution, enter Wav. If a course is to be accepted by the university as a MnTC goal area, restricted elective or unrestricted elective, leave the cell blank.
SECTION A - Minnesota Transfer Curriculum-General Education
College (sending) / University (receiving)
course prefix, number and name / Goal(s) / Credits / course prefix, number and name / Goal(s)[1] / Credits Applied / Equiv Sub Wav
ENGL 1101 Composition I / 1 / 3 / ENG 100 Introduction to Academic Writing / 1 / 3 / Equiv
ENGL 2276 Technical Writing / 1 / 3 / ENG 151 Academic Writing (4 cr) / 1 / 3 / Sub
SPCH 1101 Intro to Speech / 1 / 3 / SPCH 110 Essentials of Speaking and Listening / 1 / 3 / Equiv
MATH 1105 Statistics / 4 / 4 / MATH 200 Statistics / 4 / 3 / Equiv
PHYS 1201 Fundamentals of Physics / 3 / 4 / PHYS 181 University Physics I (5 cr) / 3 / 4 / Equiv
PSYC 1101 Introduction to Psychology / 5 / 4 / PSYC 101 General Psychology (3 cr) / 5 / 4 / Equiv
ECON 2201 Principles of Microeconomics OR
ECON 2202 Principles of Macroeconomics / 5 / 3 / ECON 201 Principles of Microeconomics OR
ECON 202 Principles of Macroeconomics / 5 / 3 / Equiv Equiv
ART 2230 Computer Graphics / 6 / 3 / ART 102 Foundations of Art and Design 2-D / 6 / 3 / Sub