Transfer Steps

Emphasizes undergraduate education (leading to a Bachelor’s degree) but also offers Master degrees. Professors spend more time in the classroom and less time on research than those in the University of California system. Emphasizes preparation for specific careers. Relatively inexpensive for California residents. San Diego State University (SDSU) and CSU San Marcos are two local universities in the 23-campus California State University system. See www.calstate.edu for details.bore sustainable VHS.

CSU Minimum Admission Requirements

Transfer students will be eligible for admission if they
meet the following requirements:

1. Complete a minimum of 60 CSU-transferable semester units or 90 transferable quarter units.
2. Obtain a minimum 2.0 GPA (2.4 for California non-residents). Impacted majors may have higher GPA Requirements.
3. Complete “The Golden Four“ (Oral Communications, Written Communication, Critical Thinking, and Mathematics/Quantitative Reasoning) with a grade of “C” or better. Pass/No-Pass grades are not recommended in these areas.

Students are urged to complete a General Education pattern such as CSUGE-Breadth or IGETC (see appropriate section of this guide for details).

Students are strongly recommended to meet with a counselor to discuss additional requirements for competitive admissions based on major and campus choice.

Associate Degrees for Transfer are another option to transfer to the CSU system. See your counselor or Transfer/Career Center for details.

Combines undergraduate education (leading to a Bachelor’s degree) with emphasis on graduate program (Master and Doctorate degrees) and research. Relatively inexpensive for California residents. UC San Diego (UCSD) is one of the 10 universities in the University of California system. See www.universityofcalifornia.edu for details.

UC Minimum Admission Requirements

Transfer students will be eligible for admission if they meet the following requirements:

1. Complete a minimum of 60 UC-transferable semester units or 90 transferable quarter units.
2. Obtain a minimum 2.4 GPA (2.8 for California non-residents). The GPA for admission can be significantly higher due to the applicant pool.
3. Complete two UC-transferable college courses in English composition (3 semester or 4–5 quarter units each) and one transferable college course in mathematical concepts and quantitative reasoning (3 semester or 4–5 quarter units).
4. Complete four UC-transferable college courses chosen from at least two of the following subject areas: arts and humanities, social and behavioral sciences, physical and biological sciences.

The UC gives high priority to students who complete major preparation coursework early in their academic career.

Students who complete the Intersegmental General Education Transfer Curriculum (IGETC) pattern prior to transferring to the UC system will meet the transfer eligibility coursework requirement listed above (for details on IGETC, see appropriate section of this guide for details). Students are strongly recommended to meet with a counselor to discuss additional requirements for competitive admissions based on major and campus choice.

UC Transfer and Physical Education Activity Courses

The University of California grants a maximum of four semester units of credit for appropriate Physical Education activity courses. Courses that are subject to this limit are listed as such on the college’s UC Transfer Course Agreement, available on web ASSIST at www.assist.org under the UC Transferable Courses link. Physical Education Theory courses or courses that do not fit either the Theory or Activity category are not included in the four semester credit limit.

UC Transfer and Variable Topics Courses

These courses are also called “Independent Studies“, “Special Studies“, “Special Topics“, “Internships“, “Field Work“, etc. Credit for variable topics courses is given only after a review of the scope and content of the course by the enrolling UC campus. This usually occurs after transfer and may require recommendations from faculty. UC does not grant credit for variable topics courses in Journalism, Photography, Health, Business Administration, Architecture, Administration of Justice (Criminology) or Library Departments because of credit restrictions in these areas.

Colleges and universities that are not funded by public taxes, sometimes also called “independent.“ Each university is unique with its own programs, majors, and degrees. Some offer academic programs grounded in a specific religion or philosophy. Others offer programs in only one discipline, such as the arts or technical degrees. Others specialize in providing continuing education to working adults. Usually smaller and more focused in academic emphasis than public universities. Useful websites: www.aiccu.edu, www.sandiegocolleges.info 

Usually have a majority African American student body, although students of all races attend them. May be private or out-of-state public schools. Most are located in the southern United States. See https://www.californiacommunitycollegehbcutransfer.com/ for details.

The Hispanic Association of Colleges and Universities (HACU) is a national educational association that represents colleges and universities committed to Hispanic Higher education success in the United States (including Puerto Rico), Latin America, and Spain. HACU has 193 member Hispanic-Serving Institutions (HSIs) located in 11 U.S. states and Puerto Rico. To be considered a Hispanic Serving Institution, the Hispanic enrollment at a college or university must be at least 25 percent of the total student enrollment. California is home to 54 Hispanic-Serving Institutions. See www.hacu.net for details.

There are 35 federally recognized Tribal Colleges and Universities in the United States. Located mainly in the Midwest and Southwest, Tribal Colleges and Universities service approximately 30,000 full- and part-time students. They offer two-year associate degrees in over 200 disciplines with some providing a bachelor’s and master’s degree. They also offer 200 vocational certificate programs. See www.aihec.org for details.

Colleges and universities that are not in California. May be public or private. Useful websites:
• www.wiche.edu 
• www.regionaladmissions.com 
• www.collegesource.org 

Some majors require specific lower-division courses to be admitted to a major upon transfer. For public universities in California, visit www.assist.org for this articulation information. Articulation is the process whereby a course (or set of courses) offered at one institution is accepted as equivalent to or in lieu of a comparable course (or set of courses) at another institution. For current City College articulation agreements with private/independent universities, visit the Transfer Center website at www.sdcity.edu/transfer 

General Education requirements are courses required of everyone regardless of major. Each university has different general education patterns. City students can choose from the following:

a. Complete specific general education requirements for an individual university, or 

b. Complete the approved Intersegmental General Education Transfer Curriculum (IGETC) pattern of courses acceptable at all campuses of the CSU, most campuses of the UC, and some private institutions, or

c. Complete the approved CSUGE-Breadth pattern of lower-division courses acceptable at all campuses of the CSU system.

It is strongly advised that you work closely with a counselor before making a decision. 

General Education Certification is a legal agreement between the UC or CSU systems and the California Community Colleges that permits a student to transfer from a community college to a UC or CSU campus without the need to complete additional lower division general education courses to satisfy university GE requirements after transfer. City College will provide an IGETC or CSUGEBreadth certification to one university campus when specifically requested by the student. This certification may include courses taken from other colleges, or credit earned through other means, such as Advanced Placement (AP) test credit. Students do not have “catalog rights” to a certification pattern. Additional information on certification rules that are specific to the IGETC and CSUGE-Breadth patterns are discussed later in those sections.

Students who transfer without certification may have to meet additional GE requirements at the university. This often means taking additional courses after transfer.

Completion of the IGETC or CSUGE-Breadth pattern also fulfills the requirements for a Certificate of Achievement in General Education. Students who complete one of these patterns and additional transfer coursework may also qualify to complete the City College associate degree in Liberal Arts & Sciences. The following Areas of Emphasis or Specialization are available: 

• Language Arts and Humanities

• Scientific Studies Biological Science

• Scientific Studies Mathematics and PreEngineering

• Scientific Studies Physical and Earth Sciences Specialization

• Social and Behavioral Sciences

• Visual and Performing Arts 

Electives are additional courses taken to meet the number of required units or to meet additional lower-division graduation requirements. Make sure the courses you select are transferable courses by referring to the course descriptions in this catalog.

Some transfer students are best served by following a general education pattern other than the IGETC or CSUGE-Breadth patterns. These typically include students who fall into one of the following three categories:

1. Students entering high unit majors such as an engineering or science discipline. Major preparation for the engineering and science fields typically consists of a high number of units. Most universities prefer (and some require) that these preparation for major courses be completed prior to transfer. Therefore, it may be more beneficial for students entering these majors to complete relatively fewer GE courses and more major preparation courses at the community college, while still meeting the minimum admission requirements of the university. Students should review the catalog or other published advising materials of the university and major to which they intend to transfer and then consult a City counselor for assistance in selecting appropriate courses.

2. Students transferring to a private/independent or out-of-state university. Some private/ independent and out-of-state universities accept IGETC or CSUGE-Breadth, but most do not. Instead, each university has its own unique GE pattern. City College has established articulation agreements with many of these institutions. These agreements specify the courses students can complete at City to fulfill the university’s GE requirements. For more information on transferring to a private/ independent or out-of-state university, visit the Transfer Center (A-301) or see a counselor.

3. Students who wish to complete the general education requirements of one specific university. Some students decide to complete the GE requirements for one specific university, rather than the more universally applicable IGETC or CSUGE-Breadth patterns, for several reasons:

• Some universities and/or majors do not accept IGETC and instead suggest following the university’s own GE pattern.

• Some students know that they will attend only one university (such as those with a guarantee of transfer admission) and so plan to complete the specific GE pattern for that institution only.

• Some university-specific GE patterns require
fewer total units than IGETC or CSUGEBreadth.

Each university’s unique GE pattern can be found in the university catalog. In addition, some UC and CSU campuses have posted their unique general education patterns to the ASSIST website at www.assist.org.

City College offers a number of Guaranteed Admission Programs. Come to the Transfer Center for program requirements. Plan early as some agreements must be signed at least a year in advance of the transfer semester/quarter. Interested students are strongly urged to meet with a Counselor for program details as requirements and eligibility often change. Please refer to Associate in Arts for Transfer (AA-T) or Associate in Science for Transfer (AS-T) for California State University (CSU) offered at San Diego City College.

Graduation from City College is not automatic. You must apply to graduate online at https://myportal.sdccd.edu to receive your degree or certificate. We recommend you apply to graduate even if you are only completing transfer coursework. Most transfer students are eligible to receive a General Education Certificate and/or an Associate degree in a transfer-related subject area. You should apply to graduate during your second to last semester at City College.

GE certification is a legal agreement between City College and a California public university (UC or CSU campus) that all of your lower division GE requirements have been completed. Certification can be awarded for completion or part of completion of the IGETC or CSUGE-Breadth patterns. Some California private/independent situations also accept IGETC or CSUGE-Breadth certification. IGETC or CSUGE-Breadth certification also fulfills the requirements for a General Education Certificate. You should file for GE certification when you are enrolled in your final GE courses and know which university you will be attending. Apply online here.

Some universities require a supplemental application or application update in January where you will report your grades from your fall semester as well as your planned classes for spring. Please check your email and/or your university admissions paperwork for deadlines and details.

You don’t have to attend City College graduation to transfer or to receive a degree, but it’s a great way to celebrate and be publicly recognized for your achievement. You earned it! Information about the graduation ceremony is available on the City College website at www.sdcity.edu/graduation.

Are you using public transportation to commute to your new university? It’s a good idea to figure out your best route to the university now, before you start attending.

After offering you admission, most universities require you to send a statement of intent to register (SIR), official transcripts, a deposit, and sometimes additional materials. Review your university admission paperwork for details. Information on ordering transcripts from the San Diego Community College District is available at : https://www.sdccd.edu/students/evaluations/transcripts-information.aspx 

Most universities offer a new student orientation day, where you learn about university services and requirements, get academic advising, tour the campus, etc. Review your university admission paperwork for details.

Some universities require transfer students to complete assessment tests either prior to enrollment or during their first year of attendance. Review your university admission paperwork for details

Are you going to live on campus? If so, you will need to apply for campus housing. See your university admission paperwork or the university website for more information. If you are living off campus you may need to start searching for housing in the local community. Most universities have housing assistance offices to help you.

You are usually required to send your university a final official transcript after the end of your last regular semester prior to transfer. Information on ordering transcripts from the San Diego Community College District is available at: https://www.sdccd.edu/students/evaluations/transcripts-information.aspx 

Most universities require you to provide documentation of immunizations against certain communicable diseases, like measles or rubella. Review your university admission paperwork for more information.