Transfer Articulation Configuration

​

Overview

​

Understanding Equivalency Thresholds

​

Default Threshold Settings

• Full Equivalent: 85% skills match
• Partial Equivalent: 60% skills match
• No Equivalent: Below 60% skills match

​

How Thresholds Work

Skills Match Score = 92% → Full Equivalent (above 85%)
Skills Match Score = 73% → Partial Equivalent (between 60-85%)
Skills Match Score = 45% → No Equivalent (below 60%)

​

Adjusting Matching Configuration

​

Accessing Configuration Settings

1. Open any Transfer Package from your packages list
2. Click “Matching Configuration” in the package header
3. Review current threshold settings in the modal dialog

​

Modifying Thresholds

​

Full Equivalent Threshold

• Purpose: Determines when courses are considered complete equivalents
• Typical Range: 80-95%
• Considerations:
  • Higher thresholds ensure stronger skill alignment
  • Lower thresholds increase equivalent course options
  • Program-specific requirements may warrant different levels

​

Partial Equivalent Threshold

• Purpose: Sets the minimum for considering partial credit
• Typical Range: 50-70%
• Considerations:
  • Should align with your partial credit policies
  • Consider whether partial credits require additional coursework
  • May vary by subject area complexity

​

Saving Configuration Changes

1. Adjust threshold percentages using the input fields
2. Click “Save Configuration” to apply changes
3. Review updated recommendations as the system recalculates all matches

​

Understanding the Matching Algorithm

​

Skills-Based Comparison Process

​

1. Skill Identification and Alignment

• Extracts skills from both transfer and institutional course syllabi
• Normalizes skill terminology using standardized taxonomy
• Maps skills to common proficiency frameworks

​

2. Proficiency-Aware Matching

• Compares skill levels between courses (e.g., Beginner vs Advanced)
• Accounts for proficiency gaps in match scoring
• Identifies skill progression patterns

​

3. Coverage Analysis

• Measures skill coverage depth in each course
• Evaluates instructional emphasis for shared skills
• Considers learning outcome alignment

​

Match Score Calculation

• Number of overlapping skills vs total unique skills
• Proficiency level alignment for shared skills
• Relative emphasis on each skill within the course

• Penalty for significant proficiency mismatches
• Bonus for exact skill and proficiency alignment
• Weighting for core vs supplementary skills

​

Match Type Classifications

​

Exact Equivalent

• Same skill, same proficiency level
• Strong indicator of course equivalency
• Weighted heavily in overall score

​

Transfer Higher Level

• Same skill, transfer course teaches at higher proficiency
• Student may be over-prepared for institutional course
• Often acceptable for full credit

​

Institution Higher Level

• Same skill, institutional course requires higher proficiency
• May indicate need for prerequisite work
• Consider for partial credit with additional requirements

​

Not Found

• Skills present in one course but not the other
• Indicates unique learning opportunities or gaps
• Informs decisions about additional coursework needs

​

Institutional Configuration Strategies

​

Program-Specific Thresholds

​

STEM Programs

• Higher thresholds (85-95% for full equivalent)
• Emphasis on prerequisite skill alignment
• Strict proficiency level matching

​

Liberal Arts Programs

• Moderate thresholds (75-85% for full equivalent)
• Flexibility for transferable skills
• Focus on learning outcome alignment

​

Professional Programs (Nursing, Engineering)

• Very high thresholds (90-95% for full equivalent)
• Accreditation requirement consideration
• Emphasis on specific competency coverage

​

General Education vs Major Courses

​

General Education Equivalencies

• Lower thresholds acceptable for broad learning goals
• Focus on fundamental skill categories
• Emphasis on credit hour completion

​

Major Course Equivalencies

• Higher thresholds required for program integrity
• Detailed prerequisite skill analysis
• Consider sequencing and course progression

​

Best Practices for Configuration

​

Initial Setup

1. Start with defaults for your first few evaluations
2. Review outcomes against your current transfer policies
3. Identify patterns in decisions that differ from recommendations
4. Adjust thresholds based on practical experience

​

Ongoing Optimization

• Track equivalency decisions and their relationship to recommendations
• Monitor academic success in subsequent courses after transfer credit
• Gather feedback from faculty on transfer credit recipient preparedness
• Refine thresholds based on outcome data

​

Documentation and Consistency

• Document your standard thresholds for different program types
• Train staff on configuration rationale and procedures
• Maintain consistency across similar transfer scenarios
• Review settings periodically as programs evolve

​

Quality Assurance

​

Validating Configuration Effectiveness

​

Review Sample Evaluations

• Compare system recommendations with traditional evaluation methods
• Identify systematic discrepancies that suggest threshold adjustments
• Test edge cases where decisions are less clear-cut

​

Monitor Student Outcomes

• Track performance of those who received transfer credit
• Identify patterns suggesting threshold adjustments needed
• Adjust based on long-term success data

​

Common Configuration Issues

​

Thresholds Too High

• Symptoms: Very few equivalent courses found, most courses rated “No Equivalent”
• Impact: Reduced transfer credit awards, longer degree completion
• Solution: Gradually lower thresholds while monitoring outcomes

​

Thresholds Too Low

• Symptoms: Many courses rated “Full Equivalent” despite significant differences
• Impact: Under-prepared recipients, performance issues in subsequent courses
• Solution: Raise thresholds and emphasize detailed skills review

​

Related Information

• Understanding Skills Processing: Learn how the AI extracts and categorizes skills
• Using Transfer Articulation: Complete workflow guide for transfer evaluations
• Standard Occupational Classification: Reference for skill taxonomy used in matching