Do College Credits Expire?

Finishing your degree doesn't have to mean starting over. Even if online schools weren't around when you were last in college, your existing credits may be more useful than you think.

So, how long do college credits last — and do they expire? In most cases, there's no real expiration date, according to Alyssa Panny, a director of transfer credit evaluation at Southern New Hampshire University (SNHU) with 15 years of experience in higher education. But she said there may be limits regarding where older credits can be applied.

"College credits generally do not expire, meaning previously earned credits can typically still be reviewed for transfer eligibility," she said. "However, some programs may have specific requirements or time limits based on the nature of the coursework."

Which Types of College Credits Can Expire? 

While college credits usually don't completely expire, older credits in certain subject areas might not count toward your major anymore, according to Panny.

"For example, in fields like information technology, where skills and industry standards change quickly, older coursework may not qualify for direct course equivalency," she said.

In some cases, Panny noted that you might be able to apply older credits to your elective requirements if they no longer fulfill your major requirements.

She also noted that if you're earning a graduate degree, there's an eight-year time limit to finish your program at SNHU. "Courses that fall outside of that timeframe may no longer apply toward degree completion," she said.

What Happens to Your Credits If Your College Closes?

If the college or university you attended closed after you graduated, you still might be able to access your educational records and have your credits evaluated, according to Panny.

"The ability to transfer those credits depends on whether the student's coursework can be verified through official records, such as transcripts or approved documentation from the institution or the appropriate records custodian," she said.

If you find out that a school you attended has closed, the U.S. Department of Education recommends contacting the state licensing agency where your college was located to get a copy of your transcripts.

How Can You Check Your Old College Credits?

You can begin your credit transfer journey at SNHU and discover how many credits you need to graduate by following these three easy steps:

1. Complete the free 5-minute online application. There’s no obligation after filling it out.
2. Get your transcripts requested — for free. Chat with an admission counselor to have your transcripts requested on your behalf.
3. Receive your free evaluation. Soon after all your transcripts are in, you'll get your official evaluation. It will show you what was transferred in — and what classes you need to complete.

"Once the evaluation is complete, students receive a clear breakdown of accepted credits and how they fulfill general education, elective or major-specific requirements, helping them understand their remaining path to graduation," Panny said.

No matter how long it's been, there's a path for you to finish your degree.

Mars Girolimon '21 '23G is a staff writer at Southern New Hampshire University where they earned their bachelor’s and master’s, both in English and creative writing. In addition to their work in higher education, Girolimon’s short fiction is published in the North American Review, So It Goes by The Kurt Vonnegut Museum & Library, X-R-A-Y and more. Connect with them on LinkedIn.