LCCC's articulation agreements help students further education
As the semester winds into a close, a lot of students may question what exactly they can do with their credits when looking to transfer into a university.
Students may not realize that LCCC maintains specialized agreements with universities in place that protects a student’s progress and ensures their credits transfer with them. Known as an articulation agreement, this ensures that a student transferring to a university within this agreement can do so with “full junior status”. This cements the student’s coursework, and anything with a C grade or higher is considered fully transferable.
Among the schools within the agreement are Arcadia University, Muhlenberg, Kutztown, West Chester, Penn State, and more. However, sitting down and discussing with an advisor on where to transfer better aids students in choosing a school that best fits their needs.
LCCC alumni Keneley Bautista understands this all too well.
“It was very important for me to find the right place to transfer to by understanding which institutions offered the best transfer options,” Bautista said.
To Bautista, finding an institution that would accept the majority of her credits was crucial.
“I researched for compatible credits to transfer,” she said. “After my research, I consulted with an academic advisor for psychology. I came prepared with questions [like] ‘what does this program offer in comparison to other institutions?’ Then I started to plan out my path for my bachelor’s degree.”
Ultimately, Bautista committed to City University of New York School for Professional Studies, successfully transferring 60 of 69 credits to the school.
Transfer students alike should follow in Bautista’s footsteps when researching universities to continue their studies at. Although, LCCC transfer advisor Fauzia N. Graham recommends students begin their research process as soon as possible.
“Students should start to plan on what college they want to transfer to sooner than later,” Graham said. “...It’s important to have a direction in mind, and preferably a sense of what your major will be. Along the way, it’s essential to continue meeting with your advisor and discussing your transfer plans.”
Graham also believes another important factor to consider when transferring is what type of credits students plan to transfer: dual enrollment or program-to-program credits. Dual enrollment credits apply to high school students enrolled in both high school and college. Whereas, program-to-program credits specifically apply to courses required by major.
She advises that students should “be very organized” like Bautista throughout the transfer process. Graham also notes that students should not overlook their available resources during this planning.
“I think students should know how much support they have here at LCCC,” Graham said. “We want to hear from you and we want to know how things are going. If things are going great, we want to know. If things are not going as expected, let's talk and we can help you find solutions.”