In short, no. But whether they apply toward a degree depends on your institution.
How Long Are College Credits Good For?
The college credits you earn remain valid and stay on your transcript forever.
However, university policies may limit whether an institution accepts them.
Generally speaking, the credits earned from general education courses, such as the following, hold their transferability the longest:
Most institutions do not accept credit earned through science and technology courses after five to 10 years.
Colleges want to ensure your knowledge is up to date due to the rapidly evolving nature of those industries.
How to Know if Your College Credits Are Good
In addition to the course subject, the criteria institutions use to determine whether to accept older college credit include:
- Accreditation status: Does it come from a legitimate university?
- Course equivalency: Does the content initially learned match the college’s current curriculum?
- Minimum grade requirement: Does the original grade meet the institution’s transfer threshold?
You should also always ask your preferred college if your credits will apply toward a degree based on their standards.
What to Do If Your Credit Doesn’t Transfer
You can earn college credit quickly and affordably though options such as:
- Portage Learning: An accredited online institution that offers self-directed courses allowing students to study anytime from anywhere.
- CLEP exams: Subject-specific tests that grant credit for what you already know.
