How does transferring credits from Foothill-De Anza College work?

I'm considering starting at Foothill-De Anza College and then transferring to a four-year institution. How does the course credit transfer process work? Are there specific agreements with universities that I should be aware of?

Transferring credits from a community college like Foothill-De Anza to a four-year institution often hinges upon the particular agreements between the schools in question. Some four-year institutions have established articulation agreements with community colleges, outlining specific course equivalencies and transfer pathways.

Foothill-De Anza is part of California's community college system, which has a Transfer Admission Guarantee (TAG) with six University of California (UC) campuses - UC Davis, UC Irvine, UC Merced, UC Riverside, UC Santa Barbara, and UC Santa Cruz. With the TAG, you're assured admission in a specific major and college if you meet certain requirements, like maintaining a particular GPA.

Additionally, the Associate Degree for Transfer (ADT) program in California allows students from community colleges like Foothill-De Anza to secure guaranteed or priority admission to many schools in the California State University (CSU) system, once they meet certain coursework and GPA requirements.

If you're planning on transferring to a non-UC or non-CSU school or to a UC campus that doesn't participate in the TAG, the transfer process might be less straightforward. Each school sets its own policies regarding which credits they'll accept and how they'll count toward degree requirements. It is essential to communicate your intentions to transfer as early as possible, both with your counselors at Foothill-De Anza and with the admissions office at your prospective four-year school.

In general, when contemplating a transfer, it's most beneficial for students to plan their community college coursework around the requirements of the four-year institutions they're aiming to transfer to. This helps ensure most, if not all, credits will be accepted at the four-year institution.

Make sure to keep track of all syllabi, assignments, and coursework, as some universities may request these materials when evaluating transfer credits. Ultimately, transferring credits can be a complex process, but it can also pave the way for a smooth transition from a community college to a four-year institution when done correctly.