Transfer Programs

Transfer Success Pathway (1st time freshmen only)

• CSU Transfer Success Pathway (Submission cycle Aug 1- Sep 30)

  The CSU Transfer Success Pathway is now open for enrollment! Students who graduated high school in 2024 and will be a first-time freshman entering California Community College this Fall 2024 may enroll in an agreement with a CSU campus through the Transfer Success Pathway. Submission cycle Aug 1- Sep 30 only. 

   learn more

   

California State University (CSU)

• Associate Degree for Transfer Program

  What is the Associate Degree for Transfer (ADT)?

  The ADT (also called AA-T or AS-T) is a special type of associate's degree offered at OCC that's designed for students who want to transfer to a California State University (CSU). Completing an ADT comes with certain benefits like:

  • Guaranteed admission into the CSU system (NOT a guarantee to a specific school or major)
  • Some CSUs offer priority admission or a small GPA bump for admissions consideration
  • Completing your bachelor's degree in 60 units after transfer unless the major is designated as a "high-unit" major 
    • However, it's important to make sure you major is considered "similar" to the ADT at each school you plan to apply to (Use A Degree with a Guarantee to check). 

  Important Notes:

  • This degree may not be the best option for students intending to transfer to a particular CSU campus or to a university or college that is not part of the CSU system.
  • Students should consult with a counselor when planning to complete the degree for more information on university admission and transfer requirements.

   

• Overview of the ADT

  For an introduction and overview of the ADT, please watch the following videos: 

   

   

   
• How do I qualify for an ADT?

  The following is required for all ADT degrees: 

  1. Minimum of 60 CSU-transferable semester units, with a minimum of 12 units completed at OCC.

  2. Minimum grade point average (GPA) of at least 2.0 in all CSU-transferable coursework. While a minimum of 2.0 is required for admission, some majors may require a higher GPA. Please consult with a counselor for more information.

  3. Completion of a minimum of 18-semester units in an “ADT” major as detailed below. All courses in the major must be completed with a grade of "C" or better or a “P” if the course is taken on a “pass-no pass” basis.

  4. Certified completion of the California State University General Education-Breadth pattern (CSU General Education Breadth - Option 2); OR the Intersegmental General Education Transfer Curriculum (IGETC- Option 3)

  5. No additional OCC graduation requirements are required, i.e., cultural diversity, PE unit, etc.  Please consult with a counselor for more information.

• What ADT degrees does OCC currently offer?
  At this time, a student may earn an ADT in the following majors. Click on the major title to be directed to more information in the OCC Catalog:

  List of ADTs Offered at OCC

  ASSOCIATE OF ARTS - TRANSFER	ASSOCIATE OF SCIENCE - TRANSFER
  ​Anthropology	​Biology*
  ​Art History	​Business Administration
  ​Communication Studies	Early Childhood Education
  ​Economics	​Film, Television and Electronic Media
  ​Elementary Teacher Education	Geology
  ​​English	​Mathematics
  ​Geography	​Nutrition and Dietetics
  ​Global Studies*	​Physics
  ​History	​Public Health
  ​Journalism	​
  ​Kinesiology	​
  ​Music	​
  ​Philosophy   Political Science	​
  ​Psychology	​
  ​Sociology	​
  ​Spanish	​
  ​Studio Arts	​
  ​Theatre Arts	​

  *Global Studies AAT and Biology AST will not be a selection option on the fall 2018 CSU application, however you can still earn the AAT/AST from OCC.

  **Computer Science AST is no longer offered

  Additional ADT majors are being developed. Please see a counselor for more information.

   
• How do I apply for an ADT?
  To apply for an ADT follow the steps below:

  1. Meet with a counselor to ensure you are satisfying all the ADT requirements, including the General Education and major requirements (only the majors listed above are currently available as ADT's for the CSU).
  2. Apply to the CSU campus during the appropriate application filing period (click here for filing periods and open status reports for each CSU campus).
  3. Be sure to indicate on your CSU application you will be receiving an ADT in your chosen major.
  4. Petition with OCC Graduation office for your ADT degree (click here for OCC graduation petition deadlines).
  5. Submit your Verification of ADT to the CSUs you applied to as an ADT by the deadline set by each CSU (deadlines will vary).
  6. Follow any other instructions you receive from the campuses to which you applied. 
• Additional ADT Information

  Associate Degree for Transfer (ADT) Checklist

  Associate Degrees for Transfer (ADT) to CSU

  Official California Community College ADT Website

  Spring Applicants - ADT Next Steps

  Fall Applicants - ADT Next Steps

UNIVERSITY OF CALIFORNIA (UC)

• UC TRANSFER ADMISSION GUARANTEE (TAG) PROGRAM (Submission cycle Sep 1-30)

  What is TAG?

  The Transfer Admission Guarantee program allows students to secure a spot at one University of California (UC) campus by agreeing to meet specific criteria. Students who meet the campus-specific TAG requirements, and submit the TAG and UC applications, will be guaranteed admission into their TAG campus.

   

  Important : Not every UC nor every major participates in TAG, and each campus/major may have different requirements. For specific information regarding TAG requirements, please click the individual campus links.

  TAG BY UC CAMPUS
  UC Davis	UC Riverside
  UC Irvine	UC Santa Barbara
  UC Merced	UC Santa Cruz

• HOW DO I APPLY FOR TAG?

  TAG has a separate application that is due BEFORE the regular UC transfer application. Both the TAG application AND the UC application must be submitted for a student to be considered. 

  Here are the steps to apply: 

  1. Research the school you wish to apply to TAG for and make sure that you will meet the eligibility requirements. You only get to do a TAG application for one school, so make it count!
     • See a Transfer Counselor during drop-in hours to discuss the TAG requirements 
  2. Apply for TAG through the UC Transfer Admission Planner by September 30th for Fall admissions. There is no fee to submit a TAG application. 
  3. Fill out the UC application and submit it Nov. 1–30 at the application for admission to UC. Make sure you apply to the same major on your TAG application and UC application. 
     • You must put the same major down that you listed on your TAG application 
  4. Fulfill all remaining coursework and GPA requirements in your TAG agreement.
     • This means, if a school requires that a certain GPA be met and maintained, you MUST do so in order to stay TAG eligible. 
• ADDITIONAL TAG RESOURCES

  About the Transfer Admissions Guarantee (TAG) Program

  Transfer Admission Planner (TAP)

  Watch this Introduction recording to TAG and then click on the links below to watch our Transfer Center Online Video Series on UC TAG to obtain more information for the respective campus you want to TAG into:

  • UC Davis
  • UC Irvine​​
  • UC Merced
  • UC Riverside​​
  • UC Santa Barbara​
  • UC Santa Cruz​​

  Disclaimer: Please be aware that this information is subject to change without notice, and it is the student’s responsibility to visit the OCC Transfer Center and the UC TAG website for the most recent information.

  Questions?  Speak with a Transfer Counselor during virtual drop-in hours.

PRIVATE & OUT-OF-STATE

• Navigating Private & Out-of-State Transfer

  Researching Private & Out-of-State Schools   

  Across the United States, there are thousands of public and private colleges. For students hoping to transfer to a private school or an out-of-state school (private or public), the process of understanding transfer requirements and the application process can be confusing. The OCC Transfer Center is here to help. 

  For ALL students considering private and/or out-of-state schools, we recommend beginning your research with two resources: 

  • Transfer Exploration Guide: Choosing a College 
    • This document helps you think about what factors you're looking for in a college and gives you a way to keep track of the information you find 
  • Transfer Exploration Guide: Out-of-State & Private Colleges 
    • This worksheet has critical questions to ask as you research the transfer requirements for both private and out-of-state colleges 

  Begin your research by locating the "Transfer Admissions" or "Transfer Requirements" website(s) for the private and/or out-of-state college you're interested in. If you can't find the information you're looking for, reach out the college's admissions office. They may have admissions counselors or representatives who can provide extensive information. 

  For additional help, connect with an OCC Transfer Counselor during drop-in counseling! 
• Western Undergraduate Exchange (Out-of-State Tuition Program)

  What is WUE?

  The Western Undergraduate Exchange (WUE) is a regional tuition-reciprocity agreement that enables students from Western Interstate Commission for Higher Education (WICHE) states to enroll in more than 150 participating two- and four-year public institutions at 150 percent of the enrolling institution’s resident tuition. WUE is the largest program of its kind in the nation, and has been in operation since 1987! WUE is not a short-term exchange—it is meant to be used for a full degree. 

   

  States & Territories included in WUE: 

  • Alaska 
  • Arizona 
  • California 
  • Colorado 
  • The CNMI
  • Guam 
  • Hawaii 
  • Idaho 
  • Montana 
  • Nevada 
  • New Mexico
  • North Dakota 
  • Oregon
  • South Dakota 
  • Utah
  • Washington 

   

  Eligibility

  1. You must be a resident of a WICHE-region state or territory and applying to a participating public school in another Western state.
  2. See if your transfer college AND major participate in WUE: Search the WUE Savings Finder to see which majors are eligible for the WUE rate by school. 
  3. For the specific college(s) you're interested in, check to see if you meet the eligibility. Some may require a minimum GPA, exclude selected majors, or have early application deadlines. 

   

  Application 

  In addition to completing the transfer application for the out-of-state college you're interested in, there may be a separate/additional WUE application. Be sure to check early so you don't miss deadlines! 

• Association of Independent California Colleges and Universities (AICCU)

  Did you know that some California Private Colleges honor the Associate Degree for Transfer (ADT/AA-T/AS-T)?

  The ADT Commitment is the Independent California College and University sector’s adaptation of the ADT pathway. While similar to the CSU ADT, there are also some differences due to the independent nature of the state’s nonprofit institutions:

  • Unlike CSU, AICCU institutions are not part of a system and each campus has its own admission and graduation requirements.
  • If an ADT transfer student meets all the requirements of admission to a participating institution, admission is guaranteed to that college as opposed to a system.
  • The ADT Commitment is:
    • Guaranteed admission for the ADT students meeting admission requirements;
    • Guarantees a minimum of 60 semester/90 quarter units will transfer;
    • Guarantees the student starts with junior standing.

  Association of Independent California Colleges and Universities (AICCU) website 

  For a full list of AICCU ADT Participating Institutions and majors accepted: AICCU-ADT Programs

• Transferring to Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCU)

  Historically Black College and Universities (HBCUs)

  HBCUs are any historically black college or university that was established prior to 1964, whose principal mission was, and is, the education of black Americans, and that is accredited by a nationally recognized accrediting agency or association. HBCUs offer all students, regardless of race, an opportunity to develop their skills and talents. These institutions train young people who go on to serve domestically and internationally in the professions as entrepreneurs and in the public and private sectors.

   

  CA Community College to HBCU Transfer Program 

  Thanks to an agreement signed March 17, 2015, between the California Community Colleges and 37 partners HBCUs, California community college students are now guaranteed transfer these campuses should they complete the academic requirements, which are similar to those required by the University of California or California State University for transfer.

   

  The 37 participating institutions include: 

  List of HBCUs

  Alabama State University	Lincoln University of MO
  Alcorn State University	Lincoln University of PA
  Arkansas Baptist College	Mississippi Valley State University
  Benedict College	North Carolina Central University
  Bennett College	Philander Smith College
  Bethune-Cookman University	Shaw University
  Bowie State University	Southern University at New Orleans
  Central State University	Southern University and A&M College
  Claflin University	Stillman College
  Clark Atlanta University	Talladega College
  Dillard University	Tennessee State University
  Edward Waters College	Texas Southern University
  Fisk University	Tougaloo College
  Fort Valley State University	Tuskegee University
  Grambling State University	Virginia State University
  Hampton University	West Virginia State University
  Harris-Stowe State University	Wiley College
  Huston-Tillotson University	Xavier University of Louisiana
  Kentucky State University
  Lane College

   

OCC HONORS TRANSFER PROGRAMS

• OCC HONORS TRANSFER PROGRAMS

  OCC Honors Transfer Programs:

  Priority Transfer Admission for OCC Honors Students 

  ​The Honors Transfer Council of California has negotiated transfer agreements on behalf of the OCC Honors Program for priority consideration for admission (and other pre-transfer benefits, in some cases) to a number of colleges and universities. Students MUST be part of the OCC Honors Program to access these transfer benefits/programs. 

  Although Honors students apply to many different colleges and universities, most are seeking the priority admissions agreements that are housed within this program. These agreements/contracts usually do not guarantee that students will receive an offer of admission. However, students who qualify to apply under these contracts greatly enhance their chances of being admitted to these particular schools.

   

  Visit the Honors Transfer Council of California (HTCC) for a viewing of all transfer partner college/universities.

• UCLA Transfer Alliance Program

  UCLA - Transfer Alliance Program (TAP)

  • Offered ONLY for majors in the College of Letters and Science at UCLA 
  • Students must be part of the OCC Honors Program 

  The UCLA College of Letters & Science (L&S) offers students who have been CERTIFIED by their participating college Honors Programs priority consideration for admission.

  • OCC honors program certification is required
  • This is not a guarantee (UCLA does not offer any guarantees of admission), but does significantly improve the likelihood of admission to the most selective majors in L&S. 
    • Communications is the only exception.  

   

  Additional Benefit: Alternate Major 

  Students applying as TAP-certified transfer candidates are also permitted to name a qualifying alternate major (non-selective in L&S).This means that, if the applicant is denied admission to their first-choice major offered any UCLA College or School, their application will be reviewed a second time for admission to the L&S alternate major.

  While the UCLA/TAP agreement does not extend to majors offered by the other schools and colleges at UCLA, including The School of the Arts and Architecture, The Henry Samueli School of Engineering and Applied Science, The School of Nursing, and The School of Theater, Film and Television, it does allow applicants whose primary goal is attending UCLA a second possibility for TAP Certification based on their qualifying alternate major without having to wait a year to apply again. 

  • Alternate majors MAY NOT be chosen from among the highly selective majors (these are shown with an asterisk (*) on the UCLA Profile of Admitted Transfer Students).
  • But non-selective majors WILL be considered as alternatives for selective College of Letters and Science majors as well as majors in the other pre-professional UCLA Colleges and Schools.
  • Adequate preparation for the alternate L&S major is strongly recommended.

   

  The TAP Certification Cycle and Deadline

  Certification begins in January each year as soon as fall grades have been added to the transcripts.

  • TAP and UCI Transfer Certification forms will be sent out to all Honors Program students and are available on request via email or at the Garrison Honors Center. 
  • The deadline to meet with an Honors Counselor for Certification review is usually mid-February.
  • Pay attention to MyCoast announcements and messages that will be sent to your STUDENT email address. 
• UCI Transfer Honors Program (TH)

  UC Irvine Transfer Honors Program (TH)

  This program gives priority admission, individual advising, library card, housing guarantee, cultural events invites, and a fall outreach program.

   

  The Transfer Honors Enrollment Guarantee Program
  Transfer students applying through the Transfer Honors Enrollment Guarantee program are considered for admission to the Campus-wide Honors Program as part of the UC Irvine admissions process.

  • This is admission into the honors program, not guaranteed admission into UCI (Please see the information on the TAG for transfer admission guarantee)

  Visit the Honors Transfer Council of California (HTCC) and locate UCI under the "Transfer Partner" tab  for more information.

  When will you hear back?

  UC Irvine’s Office of Admissions will post admissions decisions for transfer students to MyAdmissionsApplication@UCI  message boards (MYAA) no later than April 30.

  If you are invited to join the CHP, this will be indicated in the left-hand column in your MYAA message board. You will also receive an invitation letter from the CHP office in the mail in March. Your invitation to join the CHP is conditional upon admission to UC Irvine.

• Other HTCC Partner College/Universities

  Orange Coast College is a member of the Honors Transfer Council of California. Please visit the HTCC website for a complete listing of all of the honors agreements available to students. It's a great opportunity to explore and obtain information regarding the partnerships between OCC and the partner colleges/universities. 

   

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