Reverse Transfer

Students entering Western Washington University (WWU) from a Washington State two-year college who do not have an academic transfer degree may be eligible for a reverse transfer. Students are informed of the process and policy during their first quarter at WWU and are encouraged to speak with an advisor in the Academic Advising & Student Achievement Center (AASAC) to determine if completing a reverse transfer is a good fit for them based on their academic goals. 

Depending on your academic goals, completing a reverse transfer may save you time and money. For example, completing a Direct Transfer Agreement (DTA) fulfills General University Requirements (GURs).  Details of transfer credit policies may be found on the WWU Admissions website and the WWU Catalog

Steps For a Reverse Transfer

Step 1:
Meet with AASAC advisor to review Reverse Transfer Option and identify next steps.
Step 2:
Student works with advisor from previous institution to determine requirements needed to complete transfer degree.
Step 3:
Student completes direct course equivalents at WWU.
Step 4:
Official WWU transcript sent to previous institution.
Step 5:
Transfer degree posts at previous institution.
Step 6:
Official transcript with transfer degree from previous institution sent to WWU.
Step 7:
Transfer degree posts to student record at WWU- transfer equivalency report updated to reflect completion of degree.

Reverse Transfer Frequently Asked Questions

Allows students who are close to completing their academic transfer degree to be able to finish up the requirements at WWU and still earn their associate degree from their prior institution. Details of Transfer Credit policies may be found on the WWU Admissions website and the WWU Catalog.

Depending on your academic goals, completing a reverse transfer may save you time and money. For example, you may have fewer Direct Transfer Agreement (DTA) requirements than General University Requirements (GURs) to complete. Completion of an associate degree can also be added to your resume.

Students with 60 or more transfer credits, with at least 20 credits from a single institution, may be eligible for reverse transfer and are encouraged to inquire with academic advisors in the Academic Advising & Student Achievement Center.

The student will complete the direct course equivalents of the remaining requirements for the academic transfer degree from the previous institution, at WWU. Upon completion of the direct course equivalents, the student requests their WWU official transcript to be sent to the previous institution. Once the degree is posted at the previous institution, the student requests an official transcript to be sent back to WWU. Once the associate degree is added to the student’s WWU record, any remaining General University Requirements will be reflected in Degree Works.
More information can be found in the Steps for a Reverse Transfer graphic above.

The reverse transfer must be earned by the time the student has either completed 45 credits at Western, or one calendar year has passed from initial enrollment, whichever comes later.

A student seeking an exception to the 45-credit limit, or one calendar year timeline, must petition the Registrar’s Office for approval.