Thousands of students transfer to and between Oregon community colleges and public universities each year, and the State of Oregon works with the institutions to make those transitions as successful and seamless as possible. If you are a student planning to transfer, the information here can help you to learn what tools to look for at your campus.
The Higher Education Coordinating Commission (HECC) works with public college and university partners to develop transfer tools to help you navigate the transfer process successfully. For questions about transfer to a specific institution, please contact the advising office at that institution.
Navigate Your Transfer Route With the Oregon Transfer Compass
Oregon has several ways to help ensure that the courses you take at a community college will apply at a public university. The Oregon Transfer Compass is a growing set of tools and maps to help students in Oregon successfully navigate the transfer process. These resources focus primarily on transfer between public institutions in Oregon. If you plan to transfer between public colleges or universities, these tools and resources can help you to choose courses wisely and can save you time and money. The Oregon Transfer Compass includes the following tools and more.
- Core Transfer Maps
- Major Transfer Maps
- Transfer Degrees
- Other credit initiatives that are designed to help you succeed
Explore the Oregon Transfer Compass.
Transfer Tips: Before You Apply
Oregon colleges and universities have online resources, admissions officers, and transfer advisors who can assist you with questions. Contact the college or university that interests you to meet with an advisor prior to and after admission. In addition, institutions generally suggest that you meet with an advisor once every term to make sure you are on track toward reaching your goals.
Work with academic advisors at both the institution you are coming from (the "sending institution") and the institution you are going to (the "receiving institution") for advice about choosing courses that will transfer.
For students at Oregon community colleges and public universities, Oregon has several ways to help ensure that the courses you take will be transferable and apply toward a degree or certificate. To better understand your options, learn about the set of tools in the Oregon Transfer Compass, then talk with your advisor.
Explore the transfer section of your institution website to understand guidelines:
Reseearch the school that interests you, including the required number of transferable credits. Also research the program and degree requirements if you have decided on a program. You might see the term "course articulation." This refers to a university’s process of evaluating your academic transcripts to determine how course credits will be accepted toward a certificate or degree at a receiving institution.
Degree partnership programs, also referred to as "dual enrollment" or "co-admission," allow students to be simultaneously enrolled at more than one institution (for example, at both a community college and an Oregon public university).
Each college or university you attend keeps a record of your courses and grades. Your new college or university (receiving institution) will need to review your official transcripts to determine which courses can be transferred and applied toward your program or degree requirements. Credits that can not be applied toward a program or degree are often considered "elective credits."
Follow the institution guidelines for transfer admission. Application deadlines and requirements vary from institution to institution. Typically, institutions require transfer applicants to have completed a minimum number of college credits, earned a minimum GPA in college-level courses, and completed specific foundational courses.
Admission to a college or university and admission to a specific program are different. Admission to individual programs often require a different set of admission requirements (for example, some require a higher GPA). Some programs at colleges and universities only admit a limited number of applicants each year.
Transfer Tips: After You are Accepted
At the time of admission, an admissions or academic counselor will examine your academic transcript to determine how credits will be counted or applied toward a degree or other credential. This process is known as course articulation. Each of Oregon’s seven public universities has an online application to assist in determining how previous coursework may be applied.
Note: These systems provide information but not definitive decisions regarding credit transfer. Be sure to discuss previous, successfully completed coursework with the admissions or registrar’s office or an advisor at your new (receiving) institution. It is also a good idea to have transferred credits re-evaluated once you select a major. Transfer credits can change, depending on the major selected.
Check in with an advisor after admission. Additionally, check in with an advisor after selecting a major, as some transfer credits may be counted differently once a major is selected. If you do not agree with a credit decision, there is an appeal processes. These processes may be different from one institution to another. For more information, speak with an advisor at your new (receiving) institution.
Stay Engaged in Public Processes About Transfer Policies