Transfer Students

Welcome to BCET!

Congratulations on transferring to Old Dominion University, and welcome to the Batten College of Engineering & Technology! On this page, you will find information about your unique transition into BCET as a transfer student at ODU.

For general information about the Batten College of Engineering & Technology and its curriculum, feel free to navigate to the Future Students tab located at the top of this page.

Transfer Advising Information

As a new transfer student in the Batten College of Engineering & Technology, you will be advised by the Transfer Academic Success Advisor. The Transfer Advisor is here to ensure your transition to ODU and BCET goes as smoothly as possible.

You will work with the Transfer Academic Success Advisor for 1-2 semesters before being transitioned to a major advisor within your department.

Transfer Acad Success Advisor Center for Advising Administration and Academic Partnerships

Transfer Student Checklist

This checklist will help outline what you need to do as a newly admitted transfer student in the College of Engineering.

Wondering how your credits will transfer from your previous institution to ODU? Learn more about your specific Transfer Pathway.

To ensure you receive as much transfer credit possible, make sure you've submitted all your documents to ODU.

Official Transcripts
  • If you choose an electronic transcript service, transcripts should be emailed to admissions@odu.edu.
  • If you received an Associate Degree, make sure to submit your final transcript with the degree conferral noted.
Advanced Placement & Dual Enrollment Credit

Learn more about how to send your test scores and ODU course equivalencies.

Engineering students take different placement tests than most ODU students. The Batten College of Engineering & Technology uses three, separate placement tests to determine which courses students should register for in the following subject areas: English, Math, and Science.

  • The ALEKS-PPL is a math preparation and placement assessment system used to determine which math a student should take during their first semester.
  • The Writing Sample Placement Tool measures a students' writing and reading abilities and considers their previous learning experiences to determine which English composition course sequence is the best fit for them.
  • The Chemistry Placement Exam is a tool used to determine if a student is prepared to take and be successful in CHEM121N, BCET's Foundations of Chemistry I Lecture.

As a transfer student, you may not be required to complete all 3 of these placement tests. Please scroll down to the BCET Placement Tests section of this webpage to determine which, if any, placement tests you are required to complete in order to register for classes.

  • Mini Monarch Orientation is a separate orientation experience offered to transfer students transferring 24 or more credits to ODU. During this optional afternoon program, participants will have the opportunity to complete pre-enrollment tasks, academic advising, and course registration.
  • Make sure you complete all your required placement tests prior to your Mini Monarch Orientation Day!
  • Please note, first time in college students (freshmen) and students transferring 23 or fewer credits are not eligible to participate in Mini Monarch Orientation and must participate in Monarch Orientation.
  • Register for Monarch Orientation

PLEASE NOTE ** Apple computers (MacBook, iMac, etc.) are NOT compatible with engineering software

Recommended Specs for Engineering Programs

 

 

Operating System

Latest version of Windows 11

Processor

Latest Generation Intel Core Processors (i7 quad-core or higher)

RAM

16GB DDR4

Video Card

Discrete Video Adapter such as the NVIDIA GeForce

Hard Drive

512GB SSD or higher

Wireless Internet

Any Wi-Fi card capable of supporting 802.11ac

Transfer Student Mentor Program

Transfer Mentors act as a connecting link between mentees and academic/career opportunities both on and off campus. They also act as a learning coach and friend.

If you'd like to participate in this program, please visit the Transfer Mentors webpage and select "Request a Mentor"

Tau Sigma Honor Society

Tau Sigma is a national honor society exclusively for transfer students.

ODU Student Clubs & Organizations

ODU has over 300 student organizations both within and outside the fields of engineering & technology. See what interests you!


If you want to learn more about other unique resources being offered to transfer students, click here.

BCET Placement Tests

Engineering students take different placement tests than most ODU students. The Batten College of Engineering & Technology uses three, separate placement tests to determine which courses students should register for in the following subject areas: English, Math, and Science.

  • The ALEKS-PPL is a math preparation and placement assessment system used to determine which math a student should take during their first semester.
  • The Writing Sample Placement Tool measures a students' writing and reading abilities and considers their previous learning experiences to determine which English composition course sequence is the best fit for them.
  • The Chemistry Placement Exam is a tool used to determine if a student is prepared to take and be successful in CHEM121N, BCET's Foundations of Chemistry I Lecture.

As a transfer student, you may not be required to complete all 3 of these placement tests. Please reference the information below to determine which placement tests, if any, you are required to complete in order to register for classes.

Please note: If you completed an Associate Degree and receive a Lower Division Gen Ed Waiver, this does not automatically waive your placement test requirements.

  • If you are transferring Calculus I credits from another 4-year university, or if you are transferring Calculus I and above courses in the math sequence, you do not need to take a math placement test. Please be sure those credits are transferred and inform your academic advisor.
  • If you are transferring Calculus I through Advance Placement/Dual Enrollment credits, you will need to take the proctored exam. If you score 87 or over (without a calculator), you do not need to do 20 hours of module work. If you score 86 or lower, you will need to complete the 20 hours of module work and take the proctored test.
  • If you are transferring Algebra or Pre-Calc I credits from another 4-year institution or through Advance Placement/Dual Enrollment, you are not required but HIGHLY ENCOURAGED to complete 20 hours of the ALEKS PPL as it will prepare you for the rigor of the Math courses sequence and as a result you have the chance to place in higher courses in the Math sequence, saving time and money.
  • If you are transferring math credit through CLEP, please read more about CLEP & DSST credit to determine which math courses you may fulfill.
  • If you are not transferring in math credit, you are required to complete ALEKS. It is divided into three parts: 1) an unproctored pre-test, 2) learning modules, and 3) a proctored placement test.
    ◦ The pre-test score only determines the practice modules you need: it does not determine your class placement. Take the pre-test as an honest measure of your ability. Do NOT use a calculator. ALEKS will give you appropriate learning modules based on how you do to help you improve.
    ◦ Complete at least 20 hours of learning module work before you can take your proctored placement test.
    ◦ For more information regarding ALEKS placement testing information, click here.

  • If you are transferring in credit from another college/university that satisfies your ENGL110C (English Composition) requirement, you do not need to take the Writing Sample Placement Tool.
    ◦ To determine if a course will transfer in as ENGL110C, use this Course by Course Equivalency site and reference your Degree Works page.
  • If you received credit for ENGL 211C, 221C, or 231C but not ENGL 110C, contact Mary Beth Pennington, Director of Writing Support at writingplacement@odu.edu, as you may be eligible for a WSPT waiver.
  • If you are transferring in AP Dual Enrollment credit that satisfies your ENGL110C (English Composition) requirement, you do not need to take the Writing Sample Placement Tool.
    ◦ ODU accepts AP scores of 3, 4, or 5
    ◦ If you scored lower than a 3, your credit will not transfer, and you will need to complete the WSPT
  • If you are transferring in CLEP credit that satisfied your ENGL110C (English Composition) requirement, you do not need to take the Writing Sample Placement Tool.
    ◦ To determine if your CLEP credit will transfer, please read more about CLEP & DSST Credit here.
  • If you are not transferring in any credit that fulfills ENGL110C, you will need to complete the WSPT. More information about the WSPT can be found here.

  • If you already received credit for CHEM 121N through transfer or AP credit, you do not need to complete the Chemistry Placement Exam
  • You will need to complete the Chemistry Placement Exam if you have not met the following criteria:
    ◦ Transfer of credit for Math 102M or 103M (College Algebra) with a grade of C or better AND transfer of credit for CHEM 105/106N with a grade of C or better
  • You must receive a score of 3 or better on the Chemistry Placement Exam to register for CHEM 121N
    ◦ If you take the Chemistry Placement Exam and receive a score of 1 or 2, you may complete the Chemistry Review Modules Final Exam. If you receive a score of 80% or better, you will be eligible to register for CHEM121N.

Additional Transfer Resources

Engineering Systems Building

To find additional transfer student resources and information, including Transfer Guides and the Course by Course Equivalency tool, click the link below.

 

Find additional resources