When you request a course evaluation from the Natural Sciences Department, we first have to confirm that an official transcript is present in our system. We cannot use unofficial transcripts for this process.
Next, the department chair will check the transfer institution to ensure it is accredited with the Higher Learning Commission. Once confirmed, the course will be evaluated for content to determine if the material aligns with ours, and the course is the same number of contact hours as ours. We do not accept courses on the quarter hour system.
The course will also be evaluated for age as science courses expire after 5 years.
If the course being evaluated does not pass evaluation, the equivalency will be rejected, and we will contact you.
If the courses match, the equivalency request will be forwarded to the Admissions and Records Department where they document that the Department has approved consideration for credit.
From there, it will be forwarded to CSI (the Center for Student Information) were transcripts are “officially” evaluated. CSI will forward the course to department chairs at all five Alamo Colleges.
Each chair will repeat the evaluation process and either accept or reject the equivalency. This is purposely redundant to ensure mistakes are not made. If all five chairs accept the course as equivalent, the student’s transcript will be credited with the course.
If any college rejects the course, official credit will not be granted. Although this department strives for a 48 hour turn around in the initial five steps, the process may take 2-3 weeks in total for an equivalent course to be transcripted.