TESS Software Guide - Open each step to learn more as needed.
To use TESS, you simply need to know which college/university and the subject/course numbers. It's easy to use and available 24/7. Best if viewed in Internet Explorer, Google Chrome, or Safari.
Sign in - Password
Be sure to remember your password. This website does not have a reset password option. If you don't remember your password, you will need to start the process over.
Where can I get more information on the different degrees and majors?
Check out the Academic Program Requirements. Each area has an overview that tells more about each major.
Why do I have to choose a degree and major?
After you enter your transfer classes and view the transfer equivalents (steps 2 and 3), the next screen (step 4) will show how each transferred class counts toward your selected major. If you are undecided, there is no harm in choosing a random major. This information is not shared with your admissions application. The goal is to let you explore options before officially applying or taking a course.
Why does elementary education and music have the option to add a track?
Those degrees have additional options. It used in the degree audit report shown in step 4 in TESS.
The term I plan to enroll isn't on drop down option list?
This means you are planning to start more than one year from now. Just choose the latest option possible. This information is not used in the application process.
Basic Instructions:
- Find your school
- Open the course subject folder
- Double click on your course and follow the prompts
Finding your school
The list of popular schools automatically displays. If not on that list, the bottom left has an "All Schools" option. Use the "Type here to filter schools list" to narrow down the choice faster. When you found your school,
Using the Course Folders
Each folder represents a course subject, example "ACC" for Accounting. Use your unofficial transcript to see the course subject code and course number. Click on the arrow subject, then double click on the course you took.
What if my school or course doesn't show on the list?
This service shows the list of classes that have transferred to CMU already. We are excited that you have taken additional classes beyond those we have seen already. Please contact the Registrar's Office by emailing us [email protected]. Tell us where you took the class, subject, course number, class title
Entering your grade in the course
Use the drop down to select the grade you earned or anticipate getting. Entering an anticipated grade doesn't affect any other system. Your official transcript with your final courses and grades will be used when finalizing your official transfer evaluation.
Entering the evaluation term
Use the drop down to select the current evaluation term, then click the "Check box to save value". Your classes will be compared against the current course mapping table.
Entering multiple schools
Once you enter a school, a "Back to School List" button appears in the left box. Use this to navigate between multiple schools.
Entering IB/AP/CLEP Scores
After clicking on "Enter IB/AP/CLEP Scores", you will need to enter your score and when the test was taken. To learn more about transferring test scores, check out the CMU Testing Center website.
General Rules
- The school must be regionally accredited to qualify for transfer.
- A "C-" or better must be earned to transfer
- Preparatory or developmental courses (considered pre-college level) will transfer as zero credits.
- See the "General Transfer Information" section at the bottom of this page for more details.
Reading the Report
The course equivalency is listed.
The course has a potential transfer issue. Learn further details by hovering your mouse over the red arrow icon.
Transfer Issues
- "Grade/Score Not Acceptable"
A "C-" or better must be earned in the course
- "Multiple Classes with the Same Equivalency"
Generally, if the duplicate courses have the same course content, only one course will transfer. If different content, often all instances of the course should transfer.
- "No Mapping Found "
Email the Transfer Evaluator to learn more. This is a system error. It is not an issue with your course.
- "Taken for Too Few Credits"
Check to see if you entered too few credits. If your entry was correct, please email the Transfer Evaluator. We will re-evaluate the course to see if the class can come in as an equivalent or an elective.
If other errors shows, email the Transfer Evaluator with your questions.
Course Equivalencies
If an exact equivalency, the report shows the CMU Department Prefix is first followed by the course number. If CMU doesn't offer the course, it will show as a general code such as GE-S 1XX, MANG 2XX, or ELEC 3XX, see the "Equivalency Guide" at the bottom of this page for more details.
Important note
This report is helpful, however, a better report is available in Step 5 that outlines all the steps you took in this evaluation process. Feel free to skip this report and go directly to Step 5 "View/Print your Summary Report". The degree audit in both is the same.
Reading the Transfer Degree Audit
Courses that had a green arrow on Step 3 will show on this report. The degree requirements are listed by category. Scroll down the degree audit. Your transferable classes will be listed in the places that the classes fit. A green check box indicates the transfer class satisfies a specific degree requirement. Some classes may count as options in a longer list. All non-specified classes will be in the Electives Category at the bottom of the report. Keep in mind that this is an unofficial evaluation. When you transfer, all transfer work will be formally evaluated and your official degree audit will be adjusted.
Who do I talk to for help reading the audit?
Students who have not attended Colorado Mesa University are encouraged to work with the Admission's Transfer Counselor. Students returning to CMU should work with the Registrar's Office. Currently enrolled CMU students should work with their advisor.
Choose options and save your work. If you have any questions with the functionality of this website, please contact the Registrar's Office. If you have any questions about transferring to CMU, please contact the Admission's Transfer Counselor.
Be sure to "View/Print your Summary Report"
This report shows what you entered, the transfer equivalencies, and the full degree audit. The print button is
Reading the Transfer Degree Audit
Courses that had a green arrow on Step 3 will show on this report. The degree requirements are listed by category. Scroll down the degree audit. Your transferable classes will be listed in the places that the classes fit. A green check box indicates the transfer class satisfies a specific degree requirement. Some classes may count as options in a longer list. All non-specified classes will be in the Electives Category at the bottom of the report. Keep in mind that this is an unofficial evaluation. When you transfer, any transfer issues from Step 3 will be formally evaluated and your official degree audit will be adjusted.
General Transfer Information
- Developmental classes taken in preparation for college level English Composition or College Mathematics will transfer as zero credits. These courses will still fulfill prerequisites necessary to enroll for college level classes. Other "pre-college" classes do not transfer.
- i.e. MATH 0XX, ENGL 0XX, READ 0XX
- To meet Essential Learning requirement at CMU, the course must have fulfilled a Essential Learning course at the previous institution or the equivalent is already a Essential Learning course at CMU.
- Lower division courses (i.e. 100 and 200 level) cannot be accepted as upper division credit (i.e. 300 and 400 level).
- Overtly Religious classes are generally not accepted, they are evaluated on a course-by-course basis.
- No more than eight physical activity courses (i.e. KINA 1XX) are accepted for a baccalaureate degree; no more than four for an associate's.
- Technical trades classes generally do not transfer unless they are applicable to your Colorado Mesa University/CMU Tech program.
- Colorado Mesa University reserves the right to evaluate classes over 15 years old on a course-by-course basis.
- Some Colorado Mesa University majors have "age" restrictions on the use of certain courses in those majors. The final approval of how classes are used toward major area requirements is done by the department chair.
- Applicable Departments: Nursing, Accounting, Computer Information Systems and Computer Science.
Grades
A grade of "C-" or higher must be earned in each transferable course. Courses with a "Pass", "Satisfactory" or other non-letter grade will only be considered if the transcript key confirms that it is equivalent to a "C-" or higher on the grade scale. If a grade of “Pass” or “Satisfactory” is received and is equivalent to a “C-” or higher, but there are no credit hours attached, Colorado Mesa University will not accept the course. Transfer GPA is not calculated into CMU GPA.
Equivalency Guide
Exact Equivalent
- CMU Department Prefix with the course number
- i.e. MANG 201-Principles of Management
- i.e. SOCO 300-Political Sociology
Departmental Elective - This indicates that CMU teaches the subject, but does not offer the exact same course. Generally will apply to unrestricted electives. Check with your advisor to see if the class will count in any major-related categories.
- i.e. CISB 1XX 100-level lower division course in Computer Information Systems (freshman level)
- i.e. PSYC 2XX 200-level lower division course in Psychology (sophomore level)
- i.e. KINE 3XX 300-level upper division course in Kinesiology (junior level)
- i.e. MANG 4XX 400-level upper division division course in Management (senior level)
General Elective - This indicates CMU does not teach the subject. Generally, these classes will apply to unrestricted electives.
- ELEC 1XX 100-level lower division elective (freshman level)
- ELEC 2XX 200-level lower division elective (sophomore level)
- ELEC 3XX 300-level upper division elective (junior level)
- ELEC 4XX 400-level upper division elective (senior level)
Essential Learning - If you completed an Essential Learning (General Education) option at your prior school, but it is not on the list of CMU Essential Learning courses. The course will shows the subject code (ENGL, BIOL, HIST, etc.) followed by a description of the Essential Learning requirement which the course fulfills. The subject code ELTR (Essential Learning Transfer) is for course subjects that are not taught at CMU but will fulfill an Essential Learning requirement.
- ELEN Essl Lrng English 111
- ELEN Essl Lrng English 112
- ELFA Essl Lrng Fine Arts
- ELHI Essl Lrng History
- ELHU Essl Lrng Humanities
- ELM10+ Essl Lrng Math 110 or higher
- ELM13+ Essl Lrng Math 113 or higher
- ELNL Essl Lrng Natural Science w/lab (Natural Science with Lab)
- ELNS Essl Lrng Natural Science
- ELSB Essl Lrng Social Behavioral (Social Behavioral Sciences)
- ELTR Essential Learning Transfer course- see the course description to see which requirement the course fulfills.