Classes from SMC that count towards my college degree?

I'm taking classes at SMC and I want to know which courses will count towards my future degree when I transfer. Are there certain types of classes that typically transfer well to other colleges?

The courses that will count towards your future degree largely depend on your intended major and the specific requirements of the college you plan on transferring to. Nonetheless, it's generally true that universities tend to accept a certain variety of courses for transfer credits.

As a rule of thumb, foundation or core curriculum classes (such as English, math, natural sciences, social sciences, and humanities) tend to be the most transferable, particularly if these courses are similar to the basic requirements at the college you plan to attend. Also, classes that are part of an accredited program or are at the 100 level or above usually have a good chance of transferring.

However, it's important to note that there are courses that are less likely to transfer. For example, if a course is considered remedial (like a high school level course), is part of a highly specialized or vocational program, or is a physical education class, it may not be accepted for credit at your destination school.

To ensure your credits will transfer, it's highly advisable to work with both the Santa Monica College (SMC) transfer/advising office and the advising center at the college you want to transfer to. They can provide you with transfer guides or articulation agreements, and detailed documents that lay out which classes at SMC have been preapproved by that college to count towards specific requirements.

While these guides are often available online, both offices should be able to assist you in understanding them and planning your course schedule accordingly. Keep in mind that it's better to verify whether a course will transfer before you take it, to ensure that your time and resources are being utilized most effectively.

One more tip: always keep copies of your course syllabi. They can be useful if there's a question about whether or not a course's content fits the requirements at your new school.