I'm attending a community college in New Jersey, and I've heard something about a 60-credit transfer guarantee to universities. Can anyone confirm if that's true, and if so, how it works?
Yes, it's true. New Jersey has something called the "Lampitt Law," or the New Jersey Comprehensive State-Wide Transfer Agreement. This agreement guarantees that students who earn an Associate in Arts (A.A.) or an Associate in Science (A.S.) degree at a New Jersey community college can transfer with junior status to New Jersey public four-year colleges and universities to earn a bachelor's degree.
The transferred 60 credits will count towards the general education requirements and the first two years of a Bachelor’s degree. Be aware that an Associate in Applied Science (A.A.S.) degree typically does not qualify for the same kind of seamless transfer, because those programs are typically designed to prepare students for immediate employment after completing them.
Another important note is that the agreement guarantees junior status but does not guarantee admission into some competitive programs or majors, particularly in STEM fields. For these, you may need to meet higher GPA requirements or have certain prerequisite courses.
Therefore, as a best practice, I would suggest consulting with your academic advisor early to map out an education plan. This way, they can help you select community college courses that align best with your intended major at the four-year institution.
CollegeVine’s Q&A seeks to offer informed perspectives on commonly asked admissions questions. Every answer is refined and validated by our team of admissions experts to ensure it resonates with trusted knowledge in the field.