Taking courses at another college - Prior Approval

Matriculated students may take course work at another institution with approval from Academic Advisement. A Prior Approval Form must be filled out before taking any courses.

Grades from another institution will not transfer to Oneonta; only credit transfers. Students must earn C (2.00) or higher grades for Prior Approval course work to transfer. General Education categories fulfilled at one SUNY institution will be considered to fulfill the same General Education categories at the College at Oneonta regardless of whether transfer credit is granted.

Where can I take courses?

Students may take courses at any regionally accredited institution provided they have received Prior Approval.

Which courses may I take at another institution?

Students may take any courses required for their degree provided students receive prior approval and taking courses elsewhere will not jeopardize students' meeting all Oneonta residency requirements. The residency requirements are that a minimum of each of the following must be completed at Oneonta: 45 total credits, half the major(s), half the minor(s) if applicable, 30 of the last 60 credits, and a 2.00 GPA overall and in the major(s)/minor(s).

Students may not take on-line courses if the courses are in the following division/department: Economics and Business; Communications; Mathematics, Statistics and Computer Science. Elementary Education majors are limited to two on-line courses during their academic career at Oneonta.

How do I find out what is being offered at another college?

Students need to be in contact with the school they wish to attend to find out which courses are being offered. Most colleges' course listings are available on-line.

How do I know if the course will transfer or fill my requirement?

You can stop by Academic Advisement or use the course equivalency database as a guide to the transferability of a course. The course equivalency table shows the course number(s) at the transfer institution and the Oneonta equivalency. It also shows general education attributes in case you are looking for a specific general education requirement.

Note: If you are looking for a general education course, you do not need to have equivalent courses; the course just needs to carry the correct general education attribute.

If the course you want does not appear in the equivalency table then you must attach a course description from the college to the prior approval form.

Who needs to sign the form?

In all cases you must bring your advisement document and your prior approval form to the Academic Advisement Center for review and possible approval.

Academic Advisement will review the course and determine if immediate approval may be given. In cases where courses need to be evaluated by Department Chairpersons, students will be directed to the appropriate personnel. All Elementary Education majors will need approval of the Chair of Elementary Education as well as the approval of Academic Advisement.

What do I do after I have completed the course(s)?

Have an official transcript sent from the transfer institution to Oneonta's Registrar's Office:

131 Netzer Administration Building
SUNY College at Oneonta
Oneonta, NY 13820

How will I know if the credit is transferred?

Once your transcript arrives in the Registrar's Office it is matched with your prior approval form. After the credit is added to your record, the Registrar will send you notification.

What if I decide to take a course after I am already home?

If you decide to take a course once you are home, we can assist you in obtaining prior approval. Please follow the steps above and fax the information to Academic Advisement at (607) 436-3392.