{"id":6020,"date":"2026-01-14T10:33:24","date_gmt":"2026-01-14T18:33:24","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.pacific.edu\/blog\/?p=6020"},"modified":"2026-01-14T10:33:25","modified_gmt":"2026-01-14T18:33:25","slug":"transfer-college-credits","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.pacific.edu\/blog\/2026\/01\/14\/transfer-college-credits\/","title":{"rendered":"How to transfer college credits\u00a0"},"content":{"rendered":"\n
\"Student<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

If you plan to\u00a0transfer to a new university<\/a>, keep in mind that every college does things its own way. Professors design courses according to the standards of their own university, which may be different from\u00a0another\u00a0school\u2019s.\u00a0\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n

When you transfer, your new school looks at your transcripts (and your grades) and decides what coursework meets its standards. It then applies that course credit to your degree. The more credits you bring, the closer you are to your degree. That means you save time and money, too.  <\/p>\n\n\n\n

So, if you want to transfer\u2014whether\u00a0you\u2019re\u00a0a community college student, a returning student or a\u00a0four-year college student<\/a>\u2014then you should\u00a0plan\u00a0to make sure you can take as many\u00a0credits with you\u00a0as possible.\u00a0\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Here are some things you should know about the process, so you can make an informed and confident decision when you transfer.  <\/p>\n\n\n\n

How to start your transfer<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Wherever you are in your transfer process, here\u2019s one tip from University of the Pacific Director of Transfer Admission Channon Rosencrans: Talk to the school you\u2019re interested in.  <\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cAs soon as you\u2019ve identified the school, go meet with them,\u201d Rosencrans says. \u201cAs soon as they reach out to us, we help them with everything they need to know about the transfer process.\u201d <\/p>\n\n\n\n

It\u2019s never too early to speak with a transfer counselor. They can help you understand the process at that particular university and make sure you\u2019ve checked all your boxes. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

It\u2019s\u00a0also worthwhile to review a university\u2019s\u00a0transfer credit policy<\/a>, typically found on its website. These offer important guidance on grade minimums, credit transfer maximums, quarter-to-semester\u00a0conversions\u00a0and similar information.\u00a0\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Course articulation<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Course articulation is the process in which a university decides an external course is equivalent to one of its own courses.  <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Universities may develop articulation agreements with other institutions, typically community colleges, that guarantee certain courses will transfer. That\u2019s a huge boon for planning courseloads at your current school.  <\/p>\n\n\n\n

If the university you\u2019re interested in doesn\u2019t have an articulation agreement with your institution, speak with your transfer counselor. They may be able to offer guidance on course selection.  <\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cAt Pacific, the easiest way is to follow the transfer pattern for the UC system. We\u2019re a bit more lenient, so if you follow that transfer process, then you\u2019re meeting our requirements as well,\u201d Rosencrans says about California General Education Transfer Curriculum<\/a>, better known as Cal-GETC. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Even though universities differ, there are a few common factors they use to determine whether credits transfer:  <\/p>\n\n\n\n