How do transfer credits work for Alabama colleges?

I'm looking into transferring to a college in Alabama and want to understand how transfer credits work. Are there specific rules or systems in place for transferring credits from community colleges in Alabama?

In Alabama and other states, the transfer of credit from community colleges to four-year institutions is regulated by articulation agreements, which are formal agreements between two institutions. In Alabama, the state-wide articulation agreement is the STARS (Statewide Transfer and Articulation Reporting System) agreement.

STARS provides a guided pathway for students who wish to transfer from Alabama community colleges to public universities in the state. If you follow the STARS guide and get an Associate Degree, all of your general education courses will transfer and count towards your desired major at the four-year college.

You can also take advantage of articulation agreements between individual community colleges and specific four-year institutions in Alabama, many of which go beyond STARS to specify how major-specific and elective courses will transfer.

Finally, remember that the transferability of credits also depends on your grades in the respective courses, the program or major you decide to pursue, and the exact policies of your target institution. It's a good idea to connect with the admissions office or advising team at your current community college and the institution you'd like to transfer to. These professionals can offer guidance and confirm whether specific credits will transfer for your program of interest.

Best of luck with your transfer process!