Can you transfer credits to four-year colleges and universities?

As a current community college student, I'm planning to transfer to a four-year university. I'm wondering if there are any common rules or policies about accepting transfer credits at four-year institutions.

Yes, many four-year colleges and universities will accept transfer credits from community colleges, but the precise rules and policies vary substantially from one institution to another.

Generally, getting credit for your courses depends on three factors: the course content, your grade in the course, and the policies of the four-year institution you're transferring to. Many schools require a minimum grade (often a C or better) in order for the course to be eligible for transfer credit.

The course content also matters. If the course you took at the community college is equivalent to a course offered at the four-year institution, you're more likely to receive credit. That said, "general education" courses (English, math, sciences, social sciences, humanities) are typically more likely to transfer than more specialized or technical ones.

Lastly, each four-year institution has its own policies regarding transfer credits. Some schools have a limit on the number of credits they will accept from a community college. Some universities may not accept certain types of credits such as vocational or remedial credits.

Here's an example: The University of California system generally accepts transfer credit from any accredited institution, but they require a grade of C or better, and they give preference to students who have completed a specific pattern of courses in their major.

It would be helpful to meet with an academic advisor at your community college and the admissions office at the university you aim to transfer to, to understand the policies and plan your coursework properly. Also, some colleges have transfer agreements, called articulation agreements, with local community colleges, which can make the transition smoother.

Remember that transferring credit is usually more about credits earned in academic classes than in career or technical courses. Pull together your transcripts and course descriptions as they will help when discussing your goals with advisors.