How do transfer credits from community college to CSU work?

I'm considering attending a community college first and then transferring to a CSU. Can someone explain how the credit transfer process works? What should I keep in mind to make sure my credits transfer smoothly?

Certainly! Transferring from a community college to a CSU (California State University) is a fairly common and smooth process thanks to a program called the Associate Degree for Transfer (ADT). If you earn an Associate in Arts for Transfer (AA-T) or an Associate in Science for Transfer (AS-T) degree at a California community college, you're guaranteed admission with junior standing somewhere in the CSU system.

Now, the credits you earn as part of an AA-T or AS-T should be fully transferable to a CSU school. Also, to maximize your chances of transferring your credits, follow a "breadth" general education curriculum like the CSU General Education Breadth or Intersegmental General Education Transfer Curriculum (IGETC). This way, when you transfer, you'll have already met CSU's lower-division General Education requirements.

Given that not all classes/courses transfer, it's important to refer to the course articulation agreement between your community college and the CSU campus. It lists which community college courses can be used to meet CSU requirements.

Use ASSIST.org, California’s online student-transfer information system, to find out which specific community college courses satisfy the requirements for your desired CSU major.

Additionally, consider connecting with both your community college and future CSU advisors throughout this process. They can provide personalized guidance and help ensure you're taking the right classes for successful transfer.

Keep in mind CSU schools have a minimum GPA requirement of 2.0 for transfers but competitive programs can have higher standards. Lastly, be sure to meet application deadlines for the CSU system to ensure a smooth transition.