How do community college credits transfer in Arizona?

I'm currently attending a community college in Arizona and am planning to transfer to a four-year university. How do transfer credits work in Arizona? Are there any tips or guidelines to maximize the credits I can carry over?

Transferring credits in Arizona is a fairly straightforward process. The state has a common course numbering system in place, known as the Arizona Course Equivalency Tracking (AZTransfer) system, which eases the credit transfer between Arizona community colleges and universities. This system helps to ensure that students have a clear pathway from community colleges to four-year institutions.

Generally, most credits from academic, non-occupational programs (e.g., arts, sciences, business, etc.) can be transferred relatively easily. Some general tips to maximize the credits you can carry over include:

1. Focus on general education credits: Arizona has a General Education Curricular (AGEC) program, which consists of 35-37 semester credits of lower division general education courses. If you complete AGEC, you will also have fulfilled your lower-division general education requirements at any Arizona public university.

2. Check if your program of study has an established pathway: Some specific academic programs have established transfer pathways with certain universities which can help you transition from your current community college to a four-year program.

3. Plan ahead and communicate: Speak with an academic counselor or transfer advisor early in your educational journey to help ensure that the courses you take are transferable and align with your academic goals. They may be able to help you create a plan that maximizes the value of your community college coursework.

4. Use AZTransfer tools: The AZTransfer website has several tools to assist you, like a course equivalency guide and an exam equivalency guide that can inform you about how your credits will transfer. Other tools include the Major Guides, which can help you determine the appropriate courses to take for your intended program.

Remember that transfer policies can slightly differ from institution to institution, so it's essential to reach out to your prospective university's admissions department to get more definitive answers based on your specific situation and ambitions. Depending on the institution and the program, some credits might not transfer, or might transfer as elective credits rather than as part of your major.