Articulation & Transfer FAQs

FAQs

For questions and answers not listed on this page, students may drop by the Transfer Center to consult with a counselor or schedule an appointment.

Articulation

• What is an articulation agreement?

  Articulation agreements are formal agreements established between two educational institutions (e.g. between a California community college (CCC) and California State University (CSU) or University of California (UC) campus) to describe how a course will be accepted at the receiving institution. The De Anza College (DAC) Articulation and Transfer Services Office works to establish pathways for transfer students to view how identified DAC courses will count towards baccalaureate degree requirements at a transfer college or university. 

• Where can I find articulation agreements?

  The offiial repository of articulation agreements California public colleges and universities, and few select private institutions can be found on ASSIST.org.

  Articulation agreements between DAC and California private or out-of-state colleges and universities may be established by major or by general education requirements and may be found on the transfer institution's website or on the Articulation Agreements page.

• What does transfer mean?

  Generally, transfer is movement between any two educational institutions. Here, however, the term is specifically used to describe advancement from a community college to a university. Transfer means that you begin your bachelor's degree at a community college and complete it at a university.

• What is the difference between transferable vs. articulated courses?

  Although the two terms may be used interchangeably, there is an important difference between the terms "transferable" and "articulated".

  Transferable courses

  • A transferable course is a course taken at one college or university that can be used for unit credit at another institution. This does not indicate how the course can be used to fulfill a subject matter requirement at a university campus.
  • A course that is CSU-transferable (or baccalaureate level) is accepted for unit credit at any CSU campus. Transferability to CSU is determined by the community college that offers the course.
  • A course that is UC-transferable is accepted for credit at any UC campus. The UC Office of the President determines if a course is UC-transferable.

  Articulated Courses

  • An articulated course is a course taken at one college or university that can be used to satisfy subject matter requirements (major or GE) at another institution. Except for a handful of exceptions, all articulated courses must first be transferable. It is important to remember, however, that not all transferable courses are articulated for major or GE and may simply transfer as elective units.

• How do I find out which classes at De Anza College are transferable?

  Typically, courses numbered 00-49 are transferable to UC campuses, and courses numbered 00-99 are transferable to CSUs.  Currently, all of our Common Course Numbers (CCNs) are transferable to both UCs and CSUs.  Our CCNs can be identified with a leading "C" in from of a four-digit course number (e.g. ENGL C1000). However, it is important to be aware that transfer credit may be limited by the CSU or UC or both for certain DAC courses.

  To determine which DAC courses are transferable to the CSU and UC and whether or not any transfer credit limitations apply to specific courses, refer to ASSIST and view information by selecting 'De Anza College/UC - Transferable Course Agreement' or 'De Anza College/CSU - Transferable Courses'

  Many private and out-of-state universities award credit for UC-transferable coursework, however, students planning to transfer to a California private or out-of-state college or university should contact the admissions office of the transfer institution as early as possible to review their transfer credit policy and to determine how and which DAC courses will receive transfer credit.

  Official evaluation of transferable courses from DAC does not usually occur until after receipt of an admission application and all required documents are submitted to the transfer institution.

• How do I find what classes to take to prepare for my major?

  To look up major preparatory requirements for UC and CSU schools, visit ASSIST.org. For private and out of state colleges and universities, visit the school’s website and find the major department’s page. There should be information on what is needed to be accepted into that major. You can also reference the school’s catalog for major coursework preparation needed. A counselor can help you make use of any of these resources.

• What is an impacted or selective major?

  Impacted or selective majors are those for which the university receives many more applications for admission than the campus can accommodate. Impacted is also an official designation by the CSU system that allows the department that offers a major to require a higher GPA or specific major preparation as a way to reduce the pool of applicants to those who are best prepared to enter the major. Selective is a term used by the UC to describe majors for which the same conditions exist and for which the university imposes the same kind of selection criteria (GPA and major preparation) to screen for the most qualified applicants.

• How do I find out about the transfer requirements of any particular school?

  Information for transfer students is published in the catalog online or Admissions Website of any institution. The Transfer Center is a valuable resource when navigating transfer admissions requirements and major preparation. Transfer Center staff is available to assist you in locating and using these resources. In addition, a number of universities send representatives to the annual Transfer Day and other transfer events throughout the year. See the calendar for the latest schedule of visits.

• What are the advantages of starting at a community college?

  Community colleges are much less expensive, often have smaller class sizes than the four-year schools, and offer students an opportunity to explore major options. Many competitive and selective schools are easier to get into as a transfer student than as a recent high school graduate. Also, there are many programs set up to assist students in transferring to a university.

• What is the Cal-GETC?

  Cal-GETC stands for Calfiornia General Education Transfer Curriculum. It is a course pattern that community college students can use to satisfy lower division GE requirements for either the CSU or the UC. Completion of Cal-GETC is not typically a requirement for admission to the CSU or UC, but the completion of Cal-GETC will normally fulfill lower-division GE requirements at the UC or CSU, which may be beneficial for some majors. Certain campuses or colleges may have specific policies surrounding Cal-GETC, so it is always important to look at your school's admissions requirements, or work with our Transfer Center to ensure you proper transfer preparation. A few independent California universities also accept Cal-GETC as fulfillment of their lower division GE. For some high unit majors, such as engineering or biological science, the Cal-GETC may not be recommended. If you are in one of these majors, see your counselor about alternative GE requirements for admission that apply to you. Important: Students who choose to use the Cal-GETC must complete the entire pattern in order to receive certification from a community college that they have completed lower division GE requirements.

• What is a GE Certification and why is it important?

  GE certification is a document that is signed by a community college and states that you have completed lower division GE requirements. Becoming GE certified means that the university cannot require that you take any additional lower division GE. (You will probably be required to fulfill some upper division GE requirements for graduation from the university, and there may be additional graduation requirements depending on the campus). The certification is normally prepared at the same time that your final transcripts are sent to the university to which you have been accepted and where you plan to enroll. It may appear on the transcript itself or on a separate certification form. If you attend more than one community college, your GE certification must be provided by the last one you attended. That college will do so using all the GE courses you have completed at all higher education institutions you have attended. Cal-GETC policies require that the entire pattern be completed in order for you to receive any certification. GE Certification is requested through Admissions and Records.

• What is a Transfer Admission Agreement (TAG)?

  A TAG is a contract that guarantees your admission to one of the six UC campuses that participate: UC Davis, UC Irvine, UC Merced, UC Riverside, UC Santa Barbara, UC Santa Cruz. A student must meet all applicable criteria for the school and major in order to be eligible. The criteria varies by each campus and major. Be sure to meet with a counselor to determine your eligibility. More information on TAG can be found on De Anza's TAG Website, but we always encourage students to meet with a transfer counselor for the most up-to-date information.

• When do I apply to tranfer and what if I miss the deadline?

  Application deadlines vary depending on the institution you are applying to and the term (Fall, Winter, or Spring) for which you are applying. However, a student should begin researching early so as to be ready to apply when the time comes. Generally, a student applies one full academic year before enrolling, typically meaning they will not have their coursework completed at the time of applying. The Transfer Center holds CSU and UC application workshops in the Fall to help with the application process. Applications submitted past the filing deadline are accepted on a campus-by-campus basis. Universities determine a specific number of transfer admissions and when that number is reached, admission is closed. The more popular universities easily fill their admissions quota with applicants filing on time. Other universities continue to take applicants past the filing period/deadline.