How important is CSU transfer certification from a community college?

I'm considering transferring from my community college to a CSU, and I've heard about something called transfer certification. How crucial is this in the transfer process? Does it really make a difference?

Transfer certification, particularly CSU General Education Breadth (GE) or Intersegmental General Education Transfer Curriculum (IGETC) certification, can be an important part of the community college to CSU transfer process. These certifications verify that you have completed all (or nearly all) of the lower-division general education requirements that are common across CSU campuses.

Without this certification, your courses would be evaluated individually against the general education requirements at the CSU you're transferring to, which can be more time-consuming and may result in some of your credits not transferring. With the certification, you are assured that your courses will be accepted to meet lower-division GE requirements.

However, keep in mind that even with transfer certification, particular programs may still require specific coursework that isn't covered by the GE or IGETC certification. Therefore, it is essential to ensure that you're also completing any specific prerequisite courses for your desired major.

In sum, while transfer certification is not mandatory, it can help streamline your transfer process, ensure that the maximum number of credits is transferred, and potentially save you from having to take additional GE courses once you transfer. Always check with a transfer advisor at your community college or the admissions office at the CSU you're interested in to understand how transfer certification might impact your individual situation.