Transfer Terminology

Accreditation - Recognition by an organization or agency that a college meets certain established standards of educational quality (may be national and/or regional). 

American College Test (ACT) - One of two major college entrance exams used to determine freshman admission eligibility. Some private colleges may require this for admission of transfer students. 

Advanced Placement - Designated high school honors courses that provide college credit for students scoring at a certain level on the final examination. 

Articulation Agreement - A formal agreement between colleges that identifies courses on a “sending” campus that are comparable to, or acceptable in lieu of, specific course requirements at a “receiving" campus. 

ASSIST - The official Internet site that contains all articulation agreements between California community colleges, the University of California and the California State University. 
Associate Degree - A degree usually awarded by a community college upon completion of a program of study traditionally done in two years (full-time). 

Bachelor's (Baccalaureate Degree) - A Bachelor of Arts, Bachelor of Science or related degree, awarded upon completion of a program of study usually done in four years (full-time). 

California Articulation Number System (CAN) - A system that identifies many transferable, lower division, major preparation courses commonly taught on California college and university campuses. 

Certification - The process which verifies the completion of general education for California State Colleges and Universities (either the CSU General Education Breadth requirements or the Intersegmental General Education Transfer Curriculum) or for the University of California (the Intersegmental General Education Transfer Curriculum). Students must request certification in the Records Office prior to transfer. 

Credential Program - Prescribed professional education requirements that must be met in order to teach at the K-12 levels. These are usually fulfilled after completion of a Bachelor's Degree, but may also be completed while pursuing the degree. 
Credit/No Credit - A form of grading whereby a student receives a grade of CR or NC instead of an A, B, C, D, or F. A grade of CR is assigned for class work the equivalent of a grade of C or above. 

CSU General Education Breadth - Completion of the CSU General Education Breadth requirements will permit a student to transfer from a community college to any campus in the California State University system without the need, after transfer, to take additional lower division general education courses to satisfy campus general education requirements. 

Doctorate Degree - Usually a Ph.D. awarded upon the completion of a prescribed program beyond the master's degree level. Requires 2-3 years of full-time study beyond the master’s degree. 

Elective - Courses which are not required for the major or general education but which are acceptable for credit. An elective course may be in the student's major area of study or any department of a college.

Filing Periods - The period of time during which campuses will accept applications for students wishing to enroll in a particular semester or quarter. 

General Education Requirements - A group of courses in varied areas of the humanities, social sciences and natural sciences which are designated by a college as one of the requirements for a degree. 

Grade Point Average (GPA) - The indication of the overall level of academic achievement. It is an important measure used in making decisions about probation and disqualification, eligibility for graduation, and transfer to four-year institutions. The grade point average is derived from the following unit system: A = 4 grade points per unit, B = 3 grade points per unit, C = 2 grade points per unit, D = 1 grade point per unit F = 0 grade points per unit. The GPA is calculated by dividing the total number of grade points received by the number of units attempted. 

Intersegmental General Education Transfer Curriculum (IGETC) - Completion of the IGETC will permit a student to transfer from a community college to a campus in either the California State University or University of California system without the need, after transfer, to take additional lower division general education courses to satisfy campus general education requirements. 

Impacted Major/Campus - When the number of applications received is expected to be larger than the number of spaces available, additional criteria are considered in making admissions decisions. 

Independent College/University - Accredited colleges and universities which are not state supported. 

Liberal Arts - Programs/courses in the humanities, natural sciences, and social sciences. 

Lower Division - The freshman and sophomore years of study. 

Major - A subject of academic study chosen as a field of specialization. 

Masters Degree - Awarded upon completion of one or two years of study beyond the bachelor's degree. 

Minor - A secondary field of study outside of the major, often requiring substantially less course work. 

Prerequisite - A course that must be completed BEFORE enrolling in another course. 

Quarter System - Approximately 10 weeks of instruction offered three times a year, during the fall, winter and spring. Some institutions also offer a summer quarter.

Residence Requirements - States that a certain number of units must be taken on the campus from which the student expects to receive a degree. 

Resident/Non-Resident Status - Student status based on place of legal residence. Non-residents (out-of-state) often have to pay higher fees and meet higher admission requirements at state financed colleges and universities. 

Rolling Admissions - An admission decision given by the college as soon as possible after an application is completed. No notification deadline is specified. 

Scholastic Aptitude Test (SAT) - A multiple-choice test, administered by the College Board, designed to measure proficiency in mathematical and verbal ability. It is often used as a freshman entrance exam by many colleges. Some private colleges may require it for transfer students. 

Semester System - Approximately 15-18 weeks of instruction offered two times a year, during the fall and spring. 

Transcript - A list of all courses taken at a college or university showing the final grade received for each course. Official transcripts bear a seal of the college and signature of a designated college official and are sent directly from one institution to another. 

Undergraduate - A student enrolled in the years of college study prior to receiving a bachelor's degree. 

Units - The measure of college credit given a course, usually on the basis of one unit for each lecture hour per week or for every two to three laboratory hours per week. 

Upper Division - The junior and senior years of study. 

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Monterey Peninsula College
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