Community college is just the beginning of the college journey for many students. Often, they\u2019ve always planned to transfer to a four-year university. This is true at Austin Community College too, and with some planning and advice from transfer and academic advisors, the ACC credit transfer process can be a straightforward one.<\/p>\n
Community colleges serve as a resource for students who want a college education, career training and advancement, or a combination of both. Students take advantage of small class sizes, affordable tuition, and supportive faculty. <\/p>\n
As part of that promise, transferring from a community college to a university is one pathway that students can take. <\/p>\n
Knowledge is power when it comes to transferring to a four-year college or university. Students can take steps to ensure that their hard work in class will pay off when they transfer. All it takes is some research \u2013 and talking with advisors.<\/p>\n
Articulation agreements are partnerships<\/a> between community colleges and universities. They help make ACC credit transfer process fairly clear. Students will always know exactly what credits transfer to the target school.<\/p>\n It\u2019s important to know, however, that not every credit transfers to every university that a community college has an agreement with. Additionally, students can always transfer to a school that doesn\u2019t have an articulation agreement with their community college. Talk with transfer specialists at both schools to know exactly where you stand.<\/p>\n Many community college students get their associate degree before transferring. That way, they\u2019ve satisfied the requirements of the first two years of their bachelor degree. <\/p>\n However, not all associate degrees transfer in the same way. And for some majors such as science, engineering, and math, it may not be best for a student to complete their associate degree (or even their core) before transferring.<\/p>\n Talk with your advisors at both schools to make sure there are no surprises.<\/p>\n Statistics show that ACC students do well at four-year universities such as The University <\/a>of<\/a> Texas at Austin (UT)<\/a>, Texas State University<\/a>, and St. Edwards\u2019 University<\/a>. Student GPAs and persistence rates, both key statistics in getting a bachelor degree, are comparable and even higher than non-transfer students.<\/p>\n Even with articulation agreements, universities will have their own requirements, such as for core classes and electives, grades, and graduation requirements. Students should stay on top of application deadlines, tuition payments, registration dates, and more. If a student is transferring to a school in another city or state, they will have to consider on-campus or off-campus housing, which will have their own deadlines or deposits.<\/p>\n Perhaps the most important thing to get ahead of is financial aid. Students will have to re-apply for loans<\/a> and grants, as your current financial aid package will not transfer with you. <\/p>\n Scholarships are also a great way<\/a> to curb the cost of higher education. Universities and external organizations will have their own scholarships you can apply for. Be aware of deadlines and apply early. <\/p>\n Make sure you talk to your financial aid advisor at your current and new schools so you understand your financial aid situation.<\/p>\n Maybe you\u2019re starting college right out of high school. Maybe you\u2019ve been in the workforce for a while and want to get a degree to get ahead. Whatever your reason, a community college can feel like the right place at the right time. <\/p>\n Community colleges are less expensive than public universities or private colleges. Average tuition for a four-year college<\/a> ranges between $21,000 for a public institution to more than $32,700 for a private college. For a community college, tuition is about $3,800 per year.<\/a> <\/p>\n Students who start at a community college and whose credits transfer can save thousands of dollars in the cost of their education. <\/p>\n Community colleges traditionally have smaller class sizes than four-year colleges. As a result, students have more individualized attention from their professors. Faculty often teach at both four-year and community colleges, so students are getting the same quality education. <\/p>\n Community colleges serve a diverse population of students. Many students may be the first in their family to go to college. They may be lower income and may be food insecure or have unreliable transportation.<\/p>\n As a result, students often have to work while taking classes, which can increase the risk of stopping out. For that reason, community colleges have a wide array of resources<\/a>, from food pantries to mental health services to child care, that increase students’ chances of success. <\/p>\n Traditionally community colleges have always offered two-year degrees and certificates. In some states, community colleges offer a limited number of bachelor degrees that lead to in-demand careers such as nursing<\/a> and IT.<\/p>\n For students in those fields, it makes sense to continue their studies at a community college. For other students, transfer is their best option. <\/p>\n Coming out of the Navy, I always planned to attend a four-year university after service but I didn\u2019t know too much about college life and how it all worked, so community college was a great way for me to transition into student life.<\/p>\n Valerie C.<\/cite><\/p><\/blockquote>\n<\/figure>\n At ACC, 37% of full-time students who started in Fall 2020 transferred to a college or university within three years of starting their studies.*<\/p>\n When it comes to helping students successfully transfer to another university, ACC has got you covered. We have advisors who can help you identify the best courses to take that will transfer to your desired four-year program. They can help navigate issues such as transfer applications, financial aid, which schools accept which credits, and more. <\/p>\n Transfer specialists know the ins and outs of the ACC credit transfer system, and they are happy to help students through the process.<\/p>\n ACC\u2019s transfer website<\/a> includes lists of schools with articulation agreements, course equivalencies, planning resources, transfer events, and workshops.<\/p>\n To be honest, it\u2019s not always easy. There can be roadblocks on the path to transferring to a university. For example: <\/p>\n Even when credits transfer, there can be other barriers. Deadlines, transfer application requirements, grades, and other factors have an impact on a successful transfer.<\/p>\n That\u2019s why it\u2019s important to have a plan and to work closely with an academic advisor and transfer specialist at both your community college and university. They can help you navigate these requirements.<\/p>\n My first encounter with the Transfer Services team was at a transfer boot camp where a lot of great information was put out to students, including deadlines, finding your degree plan, scholarship\/benefits, and advice on how to tailor your application and essays to the schools you are interested in. This seminar was extremely helpful in making sure I was on the right track early in the game.<\/p>\n Valerie C.<\/cite><\/p><\/blockquote>\n<\/figure>\n Here\u2019s how to make sure that your ACC credit transfer goes as seamlessly as possible to a four-year program.<\/p>\n The best time to start thinking about the ACC credit transfer journey is when you register for classes. Follow these steps from your first semester at ACC to graduation. <\/p>\n Where ACC credit transfer can get tricky is in making sure that ACC classes match a university\u2019s classes. These course equivalencies vary from school to school. A transfer pathway for Texas State may not work for The University of Texas. <\/p>\n ACC\u2019s course equivalency guide<\/a> will help students make sure that the classes they take in community college transfer to their four-year program.<\/p>\n Work with your advisor to make sure you\u2019re taking the right classes to maximize credit transfer.<\/p>\n The ACC credit transfer site<\/a> is your starting point for your transfer journey. While it may seem overwhelming, it\u2019s set up to help you achieve your college goals. Start at the top, make an appointment with a transfer specialist, attend transfer events, and take it step by step. <\/p>\n \u201c[They] sat me down, actually cared about my plans\/aspirations, and fully supported me. The transfer panels were also very helpful as they answered many questions immediately [that I] and my fellow students had regarding the transfer process.\u201d After all, that\u2019s what a community college is for \u2013 to get you on your way. <\/p>\n ACC has several co-enrollment and transfer programs with university partners in Texas and beyond. These go beyond shared curriculum and articulation agreements because they are specifically designed to unite ACC and the university\u2019s degree programs.<\/p>\n ACC students co-enroll at Texas A&M<\/a> College of Engineering in the Texas A&M Engineering Academy sponsored by Samsung Austin Semiconductor. In this program, Texas A&M faculty teach the engineering courses at the ACC campus. ACC students also benefit from small class sizes and connections with faculty and classmates. After one or two years, students transfer to A&M for their bachelor degree in engineering.\u00a0<\/p>\n ACC is part of Western Governors University OWL program<\/a>. Students who choose the OWL program complete their associate degree at ACC. Their credits transfer directly to their bachelor degree program at WGU. The university provides additional support with advising and other resources. Students who meet requirements are guaranteed admission in a variety of bachelor degree programs, including business, finance, supply chain, cybersecurity, IT, and more. <\/p>\n Students who have achieved their associate degree in ACC\u2019s teaching program can get their bachelor degree and teaching certificate in one year with TechTeach (or two years, if students choose the traditional path). TechTeach is a collaboration<\/a> with Texas Tech University. It lets prospective teachers gain certification and teaching experience in the local Austin Independent School District. <\/p>\n Dental hygienists are in high demand. Students starting their college education and career training at ACC can choose Texas Woman\u2019s University to complete their bachelor of science degree. Texas Woman\u2019s will accept up to 90 credit hours in the dental hygiene dual-enrollment program<\/a>. ACC students arrive at TWU with their health sciences and core prerequisites, and then complete the last 30 hours of their dental hygiene bachelor degree. <\/p>\n Both UT and Texas State run co-enrollment programs for eligible students. These programs have specific requirements.<\/p>\n The Path to Admission through Co-Enrollment (PACE)<\/a> program lets students take the bulk of their classes through ACC but are dual enrolled at UT. Students take one class per semester at UT. At the end of that first year, students enroll full time at UT. Students who are interested in communications, liberal arts, or social work may be a good fit for the PACE program.<\/p>\n In Bats to Cats<\/a>, Bats to Cats allows ACC students in certain program pathways to start their degree at Austin Community College, then transfer seamlessly to Texas State University. Students declare their intent to transfer to Texas State in their first semester, They work with an advisor to develop a program plan and select specific courses that transfer completely to Texas State<\/a>. Students can stay at ACC and earn their associate degree or transfer earlier, depending on their plans. Texas State also offers additional scholarship funds for students in the Bats to Cats program.<\/p>\n No matter what your transfer goals are, the ACC credit transfer process is designed to be straightforward and as efficient as possible. Whether you plan to transfer to UT, Texas State, or out of state, the ACC transfer portal is a great place to start. Find out how ACC classes<\/a> can be a great foundation for your bachelor degree.<\/p>\n *Source: *Data from ACC Office of Institutional Research & Analytics, National Student Clearinghouse Data, ODS Data as of January 31st, 2023; 12th Class Day Data.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" Community college students who plan to transfer to a four-year university can find a straightforward path at Austin Community College. Our transfer specialists help students along the ACC credit transfer process so they can meet their goals. Continue reading Associate Degree or No Associate Degree?<\/h4>\n
Academic Readiness<\/h4>\n
Destination School Applications, Admissions, Housing, and More<\/h4>\n
Financial Aid and Scholarships<\/h4>\n
Benefits of Starting at a Community College<\/h3>\n
Tuition Costs<\/h4>\n
Smaller Classes<\/h4>\n
Student Resources<\/h4>\n
Why Transfer to a Four-Year School<\/h3>\n
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ACC Credit Transfer Guide<\/h2>\n
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Make a Transfer Plan<\/h3>\n
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Understand Course Equivalencies<\/h3>\n
Take Advantage of Transfer Resources<\/h3>\n
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\u2013Jack M.<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n<\/figure>\nACC Transfer Programs<\/h2>\n
Texas A&M Engineering Academy<\/h3>\n
OWL Transfer<\/h3>\n
TechTeach<\/h3>\n
Texas Woman\u2019s University Dental Hygiene Program<\/h3>\n
UT PACE and Texas State Bats to Cats<\/h3>\n
PACE<\/h4>\n
Bats to Cats<\/h4>\n
Your Bachelor Degree Starts at ACC<\/h2>\n