“Transfer" refers to the process of leaving one college or university to attend another, whether in Oregon or out-of-state. The Oregon Transfer Compass is a set of tools to help student successfully navigate the transfer process.
Thousands of students transfer to and between Oregon colleges and universities each year, and the HECC works with all parties to make those transitions go as smoothly as possible.
View Questions and Answers (Q&A) on the Oregon Transfer Compass
Transfer Map Information
The Core Transfer Maps are groups of eight classes that add up to at least 30 credits. When the full set of eight courses are successfully completed at an Oregon community college, they are guaranteed to transfer as a block to any Oregon public university, and they will count toward that university's core bachelor's degree requirements. Core Transfer Maps are a streamlined subset of the Oregon Transfer Module and the Associates of Arts Transfer degree and can improve efficiency in credit transfer between postsecondary institutions through its organized general education framework.
Talk to an advisor at your institution to select the Core Transfer Map that is right for you, and you may also view the Core Transfer Map Information document for more information.
Major Transfer Maps
A Major Transfer Map is a course plan for a major that, when completed, will allow students to transfer credits from any Oregon community college to any Oregon public university, and count all those credits toward a bachelor's degree in a specific major. Currently Major Transfer Maps have been developed in English Literature, Biology, and Education majors, but these programs must be approved by the community college board before they are available to students at each institution. Students can check with their advisors about the availability of the Major Transfer Maps at their college. View the HECC's Transfer Implementation Resources Webpage to learn more these statewide agreements and implementation of House Bill 2998.
Oregon Transfer Module
The 45-credit Oregon Transfer Module (OTM) provides a subset of general education courses which all “count" as a transferable block toward university requirements. It serves as a portable and stackable credential for community college students pursuing an associate degree and can provide an early start on a college degree for high school students.
Interstate Passport
Several Oregon institutions have been instrumental in creation of the Interstate Passport: a Western Interstate Commission for Higher Education (WICHE)-led initiative to create a multi-state lower division general education transfer framework based on learning outcomes.
Reverse Transfer
Reverse Transfer is the practice of retro-awarding associate degrees to university students who complete the required credits for the AS or AAOT following transfer to a university. All public institutions are required by statute to participate in Reverse Transfer, but each institution implements the policy locally.
Statewide Associate Transfer Degrees
Statewide transfer degrees satisfy the lower division general education requirements of baccalaureate degrees at the public universities in Oregon. They assure a student who transfers to a university will hold junior status for registration purposes, but neither guarantee admittance to a university or to a program, nor assure junior level standing in a particular major. All statewide degrees must contain at least 90 credits, the broad guidelines of which are common across Oregon community colleges.
- Associate of Arts Oregon Transfer (AAOT)
The Associates Of Arts Oregon Transfer (AAOT) is a 90 credit hour statewide associate’s degree that is intended to prepare community college students for transfer into a variety of majors in the humanities or social sciences at Oregon’s public universities.
- Associate of Science Oregon Transfer in Business (ASOT-BUS)
The ASOT-Business is a more specialized degree than the AAOT. The ASOT degrees aligns with the same goals as the AAOT, as degrees both provide for comprehensively recognized lower division coursework. Both degrees also include requisite coursework designed to prepare students intending to major in specific fields at Oregon public universities.
Since both the lower-division and upper-division coursework requirement to complete a major in each field varies across universities, the established degrees include information on universities’ program requirements and recommendations. Under HB 2998 (2017), a Major Transfer Map was created for Business and Computer Science. These MTMs are streamlined transfer pathways that contain less general education than the ASOT degrees. View more specific information about ASOT-Business requirements at Oregon's public universities.
- Associate of Science Oregon Transfer in Computer Science (ASOT-CS)
The ASOT-Computer Science is a more specialized degree than the AAOT. The ASOT degree aligns with the same goals as the AAOT, as both degrees provide for comprehensively recognized lower division coursework. Both degrees also include requisite coursework designed to prepare students intending to major in specific fields at Oregon public universities. Since both the lower-division and upper-division coursework requirement to complete a major in each field varies across universities, the established degrees include information on universities’ program requirements and recommendations. Under HB 2998 (2017), a Major Transfer Map was created for Business and Computer Science. These MTMs are streamlined transfer pathways that contain less general education than the ASOT degrees. Talk to an advisor to see if an MTM is the right choice for you.
- Associate of General Studies (AGS)
The Associate of General Studies (AGS) degree is intended to meet individual student needs using a variety of collegiate level courses to meet degree requirements. "Associate of General Studies" appears on the student's degree transcript. Specific program designation or focus may also appear on the transcript of degree. Academic or career and technical education courses used to satisfy AGS degree requirements must be collegiate level. All colleges are pre-approved to offer this degree.
- Associate of Science (AS)
"Associate of Science" is a state-authorized associate degree that is intended to prepare students to transfer into a baccalaureate degree program in areas such as Business, Science, Mathematics or Engineering. The Associate of Science degree is often designed to meet the requirements of a specific receiving institution’s program. All colleges are pre-approved to offer this degree.
- Associate of Arts Transfer (AAT) and Associate of Science Transfer (AST)
The Associate of Arts Transfer and Associate of Science degrees were created to meet the requirements of HB 2998 to prepare students for transfer to a public university in Oregon, and to receive junior status in the major course of study at the public university in a specific Bachelor of Arts or Bachelor of Science degree program.
All course, class standing, or GPA requirements for specific majors, department, or schools are not necessarily satisfied by an Associate of Arts Transfer or Associate of Science Transfer degree.
- Associate of Applied Science (AAS) Degree and Option
Associate of Applied Science (AAS) is a state-approved associate degree that prepares graduates for direct entry into the workforce, career advancement, occupational licensure, or further study at the baccalaureate level. New and amended AAS programs are approved by the community college board and the Commission or its designee. All colleges are pre-approved to offer this degree.