How many lower division units can transfer from Los Angeles colleges?

I'm researching options for starting at a Los Angeles college and transferring later. Do Los Angeles colleges have a standard number of lower division units that can transfer to a 4-year university? How important is it to keep track of these requirements?

Transferring credits from a 2-year or community college to a 4-year institution varies depending on the specific institutions involved, but generally you'll find that many colleges will accept up to 60 semester units (approximately 90 quarter units) of lower division coursework. This represents the bulk of the general education and prerequisite coursework typically completed in the first two years of a 4-year degree program, effectively allowing a student to enter a 4-year university as a junior.

However, not all 2-year courses will necessarily transfer to all 4-year institutions or towards specific degree programs. It's essential to keep track of transfer requirements and work closely with your academic advisors at both your current institution and potential transfer institutions. Familiarize yourself with ASSIST.org, which is an online student-transfer information system that shows how course credits earned at one public California college or university can be applied when transferred to another.

For instance, if you were studying at a community college in the Los Angeles Community College District and are intending to transfer to a school like UCLA or USC, you would want to use resources like ASSIST.org or your counselor to identify the transferable courses and credits, and prepare your academic plan accordingly.

Moreover, many colleges and universities in California, and specifically in the Los Angeles region, participate in the Intersegmental General Education Transfer Curriculum (IGETC), which is a series of courses prospective transfer students can complete to satisfy the lower division general education requirements at both the CSU and the UC system.

It's going to be, indeed, very important to follow closely this process in order to successfully move from a 2-year to a 4-year university. It is paramount that you align the courses you take at a 2-year college with the prerequisites for your intended major at your target 4-year institutions. Course planning and proactive advisor consultation are beneficial strategies to ensure a smooth transfer process and not to lose any credit along the way.