How do credits transfer from Bucks County Community College?

I'm considering starting my degree at Bucks County Community College and then transferring to a four-year university. How do the credits transfer, and are there specific schools where this process is smoother?

The transfer process of credits from Bucks County Community College (BCCC) to a four-year institution can differ depending on the destination school.

Generally, credits transfer when:

1. The course taken at BCCC is equivalent to or higher than a similar course offered at the destination school.

2. The grade received for this course is a "C" or higher.

3. The destination school has a transfer agreement in place with BCCC.

Notably, BCCC has set up programs known as articulation agreements with certain four-year institutions. These agreements stipulate that certain BCCC courses are equivalent to classes at the four-year school, and thus would transfer over without issue. This makes the transfer process much smoother.

For example, if you were planning to transfer to an institution within the Pennsylvania State System of Higher Education, such as West Chester University or East Stroudsburg University, BCCC has agreements in place which guarantee the transferability of nothing more than 30 credits to these universities, provided certain conditions are met.

However, with other institutions, the transfer might not be as straightforward. In such cases, it would be most beneficial to reach out to both the BCCC transfer office and the admissions and registrar departments at potential destination four-year universities, to clarify which courses from BCCC will successfully transfer.

Also, remember to give thought to your specific major. While general education requirements might transfer relatively easy, major-specific courses might not particularly if the program at your target four-year institution is more competitive or specialized.

Lastly, it's wise to plan ahead — meet with your academic advisor at BCCC and share your plans about transferring, so that they can guide you in choosing the right courses, keeping in mind your ultimate educational goals and destination.