Can I transfer credits from Edmonds Community College to a university?

I'm planning to attend Edmonds Community College but want to make sure I can transfer those credits later to a 4-year college. How seamless is the process of transferring credits?

Transferring credits from Edmonds Community College to a four-year university tends to be a pretty smooth process, especially if the university you are interested in has a transfer agreement with Edmonds. Most community colleges have Articulation Agreements with a variety of universities, which means that your credits from specific courses at Edmonds Community College will be automatically recognized and accepted by the university.

Even if a university doesn't have such an agreement with Edmonds, many of your general education courses will likely transfer as they meet universally standard curriculum requirements. However, it will be important to confirm this with the specific universities you are interested in.

Keep in mind that the transferring of credits often applies to the general education requirements of a four-year degree, and it might not cover some major-specific prerequisites.

Reach out to the counseling or transfer center at Edmonds Community College with the names of your prospective universities in mind. They should be able to assist you in mapping out your course plan in a way that maximizes the applicability of your credits. It would also be wise to get in touch with the admissions office at any four-year universities you are considering to discuss your plans and verify which of your community college credits they would accept.

Example: If you plan to earn a Bachelor's in Computer Science, you would want to take the same math and science courses in community college that first and second-year students at your planned university are required to take. Therefore, it's strategic to have a rough idea of your ultimate degree path while still attending community college.

Remember to maintain a good academic standing (typically a GPA of 2.5 or above), as some universities might not accept credits achieved with low grades. Overall, it’s about due diligence and effective communication with both your community college and your potential four-year institution.