309  Reverse Transfer

Approved by President
Effective Date: June 5, 2017
Responsible Division: Academic Affairs
Responsible Office:  Registrar
Responsible Officer: Asst. Vice Provost of Registration and Student Records and University Registrar

I. Purpose

This policy serves as a framework for reverse transfer between Middle Tennessee State University (MTSU or University) and other institutions of higher education within Tennessee.

II. Definitions

A.  Potential Reverse Transfer Degree Candidates. Students who:

1.  are currently enrolled at MTSU and were previously enrolled as degree seeking students at a Tennessee community college or other Tennessee associate degree-granting institution;

2.  have earned a minimum of fifteen (15) college credits towards an associate degree at the associate degree-granting institution; and

3.  have earned a combined minimum of sixty (60) total college-level credits.

B.  Screening Degree Audit. The screening degree audit will be run on those students who are currently enrolled at MTSU and were previously enrolled at a Tennessee community college or other Tennessee associate degree-granting institution as degree seeking students, have earned a combined minimum of sixty (60) total college-level credits and have successfully transferred a minimum of twelve (12) college credits towards an associate degree at the associate degree-granting institution.

C.  Reverse Transfer. A credit review of degree seeking students who transfer from a community college to a four (4)-year institution prior to receipt of the associate’s degree to determine if and when the students complete the associate’s degree requirements and, if so, to award them an associate’s degree.

III. Governance and Compliance

A.  It is understood that the UT-TBR-TICUA Articulation and Transfer Council will have oversight of the reverse transfer process and policies and will review the policy and its impact annually. Oversight responsibilities include, but are not limited to, assessment and evaluation of the process, reporting to the legislature, and modifications in the process/policies as needed.

B.  It is understood that the University of Tennessee Center for Business and Economic Research (CBER) will house and maintain the server and will have primary responsibility for the stored data (demographic and academic) as well as the data extracted for evaluation and reporting purposes. CBER will maintain the confidentiality and integrity of the data and will have primary responsibility for research and reporting related to reverse transfer. Data collected for the reverse transfer process at MTSU will not be integrated into or become part of the Tennessee Longitudinal Data System (TLDS) unless approved by the President. In addition, the President may designate an individual to have access to individual records for MTSU students to conduct additional research and/or to validate the number of students receiving an associate degree and their credit hours reported to THEC.

C.  Policies/procedures must be in compliance with the standards of accreditation set forth by the Southern Associa