California is heralded as one of the most powerful and influential states in the U.S.. At the heart of this is California’ willingness to innovate, reflect, and evolve to serve its citizens.
In recent years, California has reflected on the concept of social mobility and the critical role of education to improving an individual’s social mobility – their ability to change significantly improve one’s socioeconomic status.
However, research shows that not access to education is always equal. Capable students may not be able to access education due to financial, geographical, admissions capacity, and/or personal circumstances. Additionally, because of their socioeconomic station, some students may not recognize their latent capabilities, fail to regard themselves as “college material” and avoid seeking admission to college.
Many such individuals eventually find themselves enrolled at a community college. In that space, these students incrementally begin to discover interests, talents and an enthusiasm for learning as a result of taking courses in the college setting. Suddenly, the baccalaureate degree or beyond seems possible. Perhaps a 4-year degree is an option after all.
Each year in California, approximately 80,0000 college students go through a process commonly referred to as “transfer.” This process is multi-faceted and far from straightforward or simple.
Because of the complexity, transfer students often work with counselors to guide them through educational options and pathways. But a significant number of students self-advise and make planning decisions that can unexpectedly delay them in reaching their educational goal, require them to complete coursework, or cause issues later in their educational planning. Because part of the transfer process requires that students use coursework from more than one institution to satisfy baccalaureate degree requirements.
Transfer students are also not homogenous and are as varied as the different degrees they pursue. In addition to students who transfer from a community college to a university, transfer students can include those who are
In this transfer process, how do students in such situations ensure that their coursework moves from one institution to another in a meaningful way? Are there guarantees that a course completed at one college will satisfy requirements at another in the manner intended?
California Intersegmental Articulation Council
© All Rights Reserved.