Frequently Asked Questions about Transfer

1. What does transfer mean?
2. What is articulation?
3. What is the difference between the California State University (CSU) and the University of California (UC)? 
4. What is the difference between a semester and quarter system?
5. Which De Anza courses transfer to a four-year university?  
6. How many units do I need to transfer?
7. I completed course work at another four-year institution and did not pass a few classes. Do I still need to report the courses when applying to the UC/CSU?
8.  I completed one year of course work at a university outside of the U.S. (where the language of instruction was not English) and did not pass a few classes. Do I still need to report the courses when applying to the UC/CSU?
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1. What does transfer mean?


The term "transfer" describes a students academic advancement from a community college to a university. Transfer means that you begin your bachelor's degree at a community college and complete it at a university.

2. What is articulation?


Articulation is the process of evaluating courses to determine whether coursework completed at one institution (e.g. De Anza College) will meet the requirements at another institution (e.g. Four-year college or university) for the purposes of admission, transferable units, general education or major preparation.

It is this process that ensures that the classes you take at De Anza will be credited toward your bachelor's degree requirements when you enter a university. Articulation agreements are formal documents that describe which coursework is accepted. Some articulation agreements are "course-to-course agreements", meaning that they show a specific course from one institution and the comparable specific course from another. Other articulation agreements are "major agreements", meaning that they show a set of courses that are acceptable to fulfill an entire requirement for major preparation. All segments of the public higher education system in California---the California Community Colleges, the California State University, and the University of California--have agreed to have a single repository for articulation agreements between the community colleges and the universities. That repository is the ASSIST web site.

3. What is the difference between the California State University and the University of California?


The California State University (CSU) system grants the most bachelor degrees among the higher education segments in California. There are currently  23 campuses in the CSU system. The focus of study at the CSU is considered the more practical, career-oriented of the two systems. The CSU grants bachelor and master degrees and doctorate degrees in conjunction with the UC.

Compared to the CSU the focus of study at a University of California (UC) campus is more theoretical and research-oriented. There are currently 10 campuses in the UC system (though one, UC San Francisco, is a professional school only). The UC grants professional and doctorate degrees as well as bachelor and master degrees. 

4. What is the difference between a semester and a quarter system?


Each academic institution operates according to an academic calendar, with terms marking the beginning and end of each session of classes. A semester is a calendar that divides the academic year into 15 - 17 week terms. There are generally two semesters per academic year: Fall (beginning in August or September) and Spring (beginning in January). Some semester-based schools also offer a Summer session that is shorter than a regular semester and is not a part of the regular academic year. A quarter is the other most common type of academic term. Each quarter is 10 weeks in length and there are usually three quarters in an academic year: Fall (beginning in September), Winter (beginning in January), and Spring (beginning in March). A few quarter-based schools offer a forth Summer Quarter, but it is not considered an official term in the academic year. De Anza College follows a quarter system.

5. Which De Anza courses transfer to a university?


Generally, the UC will accept most De Anza courses numbered 1-49. The CSU generally accepts De Anza courses numbered 1-99. However, transfer credit for some De Anza courses may be limited by the UC or CSU or both. Students should refer to the ASSIST Web site and click on the De Anza College/UC - Transferable Course Agreement link or the De Anza College/CSU - Transferable Courses link to view De Anza courses that are transferable to the UC and CSU and any limitations. At the UC, physical Education courses are transferable up to a maximum limit of 6 quarter units of "PE activity" and 6 quarter units of theory.  

Generally, independent and out-of-state universities will award transfer credit for UC-transferable course work. However, if you are interested in transferring outside the California public university system, you should contact with the transfer institution of your choice as early as possible.

6. How many units do I need to transfer?


The UC and CSU grant highest priority for transfer admission is given to junior-level California community college applicants with 90 quarter (60 semester) units. Keep in mind that given cuts to enrollment budgets many CSU and UC campuses limit enrollment or or do not admit lower division transfer students.

to facilitate timely graduation after transfer from a community college

If you want to transfer as a lower division student, the university will consider your high school record in determining whether to admit you. The University of California requires 60 UC-transferable semester units for upper division transfer. Some UC campuses infrequently accept students as lower division transfers. The California State University currently grants junior standing at 60 semester units (but not for financial aid or scholarship purposes). Some CSU campuses are open to lower division transfers, but grant them lower priority for admission. Independent and out-of-state universities often accept students with fewer than 60 semester units and will require out-of-state tuition. Please check the printed or online catalog for the specific university to which you want to transfer for their requirements. 

7. I completed one year of course work at a university outside of the U.S. (where the language of instruction was not English) and did not pass a few classes. Do I still need to report the courses when applying to the UC/CSU?