Santa Monica College guaranteed transfer agreements: What are they?

I've heard about guaranteed transfer agreements at Santa Monica College. How do they work, and what universities participate in these agreements?

Guaranteed transfer agreements, also known as articulation agreements, are formal agreements between community colleges and four-year institutions that outline the pathway for students to transfer. In the context of Santa Monica College (SMC), these agreements allow students to take specified course credits which are then directly transferable towards a degree at the four-year institution.

These types of agreements work by students usually completing a two-year associate degree (or certain prerequisites) at SMC, and then transferring to the four-year institution to complete the rest of their four-year degree. The courses specified in the agreements match up between the two schools, ensuring credits are eligible for transfer and applying to the four-year degree.

It's important to meet with an academic advisor at SMC to plan out the necessary coursework, as requirements can vary significantly between schools and programs. In addition, staying in regular contact with the academic advisors at both SMC and the four-year institution can ensure you're meeting all of the requirements to transfer.

The list of participating four-year institutions could vary year by year, but SMC typically maintains transfer agreements with many universities, including several University of California (UC) and California State University (CSU) campuses. You'll need to check the latest list at SMC's transfer center or website to get the most accurate and updated information.

In addition, SMC has a unique transfer agreement with the University of Southern California (USC), known as the Trojan Transfer Plan (TTP). This program provides a clear pathway to transfer to USC, but admission is still competitive.

Remember that every college or program may stipulate different requirements for guaranteed admission, so it's critical to research your specific pathway and to maintain certain GPA requirements as well.