General Transfer and Course Equivalency

Transferring College Credits in West Virginia: What You Need to Know

If you plan to attend college in West Virginia, there’s great news—many of the general education courses you take at one college can transfer to another! This means you won’t have to retake the same classes if you switch schools. Here’s what you need to know:

General Studies Transfer Agreement

West Virginia colleges and universities allow students to transfer up to 35 credit hours of general education courses. While these courses won’t always transfer as exact matches, they will count toward your general education requirements at your new school.

If the college allows, you may even be able to transfer more than 35 credits.

Here’s a breakdown of the general studies classes that can transfer:

✅ English Composition – 6 hours
(Example: College writing, research-based writing)

✅ Communication – 3 hours
(Example: Speech, public speaking)

✅ Humanities & Literature – 3 hours
(Example: Literature, philosophy, foreign language, logic)

✅ Fine Arts Appreciation – 3 hours
(Example: Art, music, theater appreciation)

✅ Mathematics – 4 hours
(Example: Algebra, trigonometry, calculus)

✅ Natural Science – 8 hours
(Example: Biology, chemistry, physics – must include a lab)

✅ Social Science – 9 hours
(Example: History, political science, psychology, sociology, economics – max 6 hours per subject)

These courses are listed in the “Transfer for General Studies” section on the state’s online dashboard.

A General Studies Transfer Committee meets every year to review these courses and make sure the agreement stays up to date.

Course Equivalency Transfer Agreement

West Virginia law says that if a course is at least 70% the same at two different colleges, it must transfer as an equivalent course. That means if you pass the class at one college, it should count the same way at another college.

A team of faculty members from across the state ensures that these courses meet the 70% similarity rule. They check and update the list every five years.

You can find these courses in the “Course Equivalencies” section of the online dashboard.

What This Means for You

✅ Colleges must honor the transfer agreements – If you take an approved general studies or equivalent course at one West Virginia college, another in-state college must accept it.

✅ Some programs have extra requirements – If you’re majoring in engineering, nursing, or other professional programs, you may need to take specific general education courses. Always check with your new college to make sure you’re on track.

✅ You are responsible for knowing what transfers – If you plan to transfer, make sure you know what courses will count at your new school. Use the online dashboard to check which courses transfer.

✅ Schools must clearly mark transferable courses – Your college’s course catalog and transcripts will use symbols to show which courses transfer:

• General studies courses will have a tilde (~)
• Equivalent courses will have a caret (^)

Every college reviews its transfer courses each July to make sure the information is correct.

Where to Find More Information

???? Check the full list of transferable courses here: WV Course Equivalency Dashboard

Planning ahead can save you time and money! Be sure to talk to your school counselor or college advisor to make sure you’re taking the right classes for your future.