Transfer-Out Information

More than half of the new students attending college indicate that their goal is to work towards the completion of their general education requirements and transfer to a four-year college or university. Whether your transfer objective is clear or undefined, you won't be alone as you navigate the transfer process. Academic advising is available to assist you with this important decision. You can also utilize the many important tools and resources located to the right under Find Out More to help you make informed decisions about transfer.

Will my credits transfer? Yes, [Your Campus Name] has formed partnerships with a number of other institutions of higher learning. A key part of such relationships is an "articulation agreement" which guarantees course transfer. Even if we don't have a specific articulation agreement with another college, our credits are commonly accepted. It's advisable that you work with academic advising early in your program to ensure smooth transfer. Your academic advising department works closely with many transfer institutions.

Advantage of an Associate in Arts (AA) degree? Most transfer students choose to pursue the Associate in Arts (AA) degree in preparation for transfer to a bachelor's degree. The AA degree is designed to help you reach the half-way point in completing a four-year curriculum known as a bachelor's degree. For example, most degrees at four-year institutions total 120 to 124 credits. The AA degree is 60 credits and it is designed to satisfy the university's general education requirements as well as help you prepare for more advanced major courses by completing pre-major requirements.

The Minnesota Transfer Curriculum (MnTC) is a general education core of classes designed for seamless transfer that is included in the AA degree. Completion of the Minnesota Transfer Curriculum at one institution enables a student to receive credit for all lower-division general education requirements upon admission to any other Minnesota public institution.

Several private and public Minnesota colleges and universities accept the AA degree or MnTC to satisfy their general education requirements. Both transfer and undecided students benefit from following the AA degree or completing the MnTC because the choices are broad and the courses satisfy the general education requirements for many programs and majors. Suggestions for successful transfer:

  • Meet with your campus advisor or counselor
  • Visit other colleges and universities
  • Meet with transfer representatives from other colleges and universities
  • Utilize Transfer Guides
  • Visit department websites at transfer schools
  • Apply to several schools, particularly if admission is competitive
  • Apply early!