A post-secondary transcript is an authenticated academic history provided by a college, university, trade school, or any other institution attended after high school. This document serves as the certified record of a student’s entire tenure, including all courses attempted and completed. It is required for applications to graduate school, transferring credits, or professional licensing, verifying the authenticity and completeness of the academic record to a third party.
Academic Information Included
The contents of a post-secondary transcript detail a student’s academic journey. The document begins with identifying information for both the student and the institution, including names and dates of attendance. The body of the transcript features a chronological, term-by-term listing of all coursework undertaken.
For every course listed, the transcript specifies the course title, its unique department number, and the number of credit hours assigned. It displays the grade received for that course, which provides the basis for academic calculations. The transcript also tracks the total credits attempted versus the credits successfully earned, which determines academic standing and eligibility.
At the end of the document, institutions report the cumulative academic standing, often presented as a Grade Point Average (GPA) or an equivalent academic index. If a degree or certificate was awarded, the transcript will state the specific degree earned, the major or field of study, and the official date of conferral. This comprehensive collection of data ensures the transcript is a complete, verifiable history.
Official Versus Unofficial Transcripts
The distinction between an official and an unofficial transcript is based on the document’s validation and delivery method. An official transcript is a certified record sent directly from the issuing institution to the receiving party. This version is secured with features such as a registrar’s signature, the school’s seal, and delivery in a tamper-evident, sealed envelope or through a secure electronic exchange system.
The secure nature of the official transcript guarantees the data’s integrity and prevents alteration by the student. If the seal on a paper copy is broken or the electronic file shows evidence of tampering, the document is considered void. Formal procedures like transferring credits or applying for advanced degree programs require this verified, official document.
In contrast, an unofficial transcript is a student copy of the academic record, often printed or downloaded directly from a student portal. While it contains the same detailed course and grade information, it lacks the security features and direct-send requirement of the official version. Unofficial transcripts are suitable for personal record-keeping or internal advising. Institutions require the official version for formal review because its certified delivery method assures the academic history is authentic and unchanged.
Procedures for Requesting
Obtaining a post-secondary transcript involves the institution’s Registrar’s office or Records department. Most modern institutions provide an online ordering system, often accessible through a student or alumni portal, which is the most efficient method. Requestors need to provide identifying information such as their student ID number, dates of attendance, and the specific address where the transcript needs to be sent.
Processing times for a transcript request can vary, but most institutions take anywhere from a few days to two weeks, with electronic delivery often being the quickest option. A small fee is usually assessed per transcript ordered to cover processing and delivery costs. Many institutions will not release academic records if the student has an outstanding financial obligation, often called a “hold.” Resolving these holds is a necessary prerequisite before the school will process and release the requested academic document.