Interstate Passport is the only nationwide network of two-year and four-year non-profit colleges and universities dedicated to the block transfer of lower-division general education attainment based on multi-state faculty-developed learning outcomes and proficiency criteria.
This national program is based at the Western Interstate Commission for Higher Education, a 501c3 nonprofit organization, headquartered in Boulder, Colorado. Students of member institutions experience a seamless, efficient and economical transfer process.
Interstate Passport:
“Despite the critical importance of higher education to our economy, the data that tell us how many students are progressing through and completing college are alarmingly poor. Common, comparable data are necessary to increase graduates, decrease attainment gaps and improve performance using existing resources.”
National Governors Association and Complete College America
The demographics and behaviors of students across America are changing. According to the National Student Clearinghouse:
With these mobile student populations, it is evident that colleges and universities need to collaborate to increase completions and remain globally competitive.
To join the Interstate Passport Network, an institution or system should first declare its intent to become a Passport-granting institution by completing the Interstate Passport Application, which requires a copy of the institution’s or institutions’ proposed Passport Block(s). Once approved, applicants sign the Memorandum of Agreement, agreeing to all membership conditions for a five-year renewable term for institutions in good standing.
Each Interstate Passport member institution acknowledges that its student learning outcomes are congruent with the Passport Learning Outcomes and constructs its Passport Block – a menu of courses and learning experiences by which its students achieve these learning outcomes. Students who complete the Passport Block will be awarded a Passport. If a student who has earned a Passport transfers to another member institution, this learning will be recognized, and the student will not have to repeat or take additional coursework to meet lower-division general education requirements.
Participants receive numerous membership benefits including: