Reverse credit transfer policies and programs are proliferating, and this chapter examines their potential and considers ways to measure and collect data on reverse credit transfer.

In the past several years, reverse credit transfer programs expanded dramatically at the state and regional levels. Policymakers and institutional leaders recognize the potential of reverse credit transfer to contribute to college completion goals and increase the proportion of adults with a postsecondary credential. More importantly, reverse…

Reducing socioeconomic differences in college transfer requires understanding how and why parental education, occupational class, and family income are associated with changing colleges. Building on prior studies of traditional community college transfer, the authors explore relationships between those factors and two types of transfer among…

This article considers national Australian data on reverse transfer--the transfer of students from bachelor programs or higher to sub baccalaureate programs, institutions and sectors. It finds that previous studies have overstated the prevalence and perhaps also the significance of reverse transfer. The data are not good, but the best conclusion…

In this article, the authors discuss the alternate degree paths for both non-traditional and traditional students and offer ways for institutions to accommodate nontraditional students. Students attend multiple institutions of higher education for myriad reasons. Increasingly common, a student may start a four-year institution and then do a…

This exploratory study uses document analysis to ascertain how the enrollment of reverse transfer students in community colleges has been interpreted over time to fit with the community college mission. Indicates that reverse transfer student enrollment has been justified under a variety of rationales, including providing a second chance for these…

Explores eight operational and public-policy challenges associated with increased numbers of reverse transfer students for higher-education institutional operations, college and university administration, state and federal government, and for students themselves. Strives to promote dialog and encourage the development of a thoughtful…

Reviews documents submitted to the ERIC database over the past decade demonstrating the complexity of issues arising from diversification of the transfer-student population. Enumerates some primary concerns regarding reverse transfer students: defining the population, understanding its demographics, tracking student progress, responding to unique…

Examines postbaccalaureate reverse transfer students (PRTSs) in Missouri to determine the nature and extent of mobility among recent public four-year college graduates who subsequently enrolled in community-college courses and programs. Presents state enrollment data and surveys chief academic officers of Missouri community colleges about their…

Describes (1) why both nondegree and degree-seeking postbaccalaureate reverse transfer students (PRTSs) attend two-year colleges and what they think of it, (2) what institutional changes or modifications these students would prefer, (3) what institutional problems their presence may create, and (4) how their presence can benefit two-year schools.…