Articulation

Articulation

For California students, college transfer offers profound opportunities for advancement into a wide array of majors and career paths. Transferring from a California community college to a four-year university requires current information and thoughtful planning. Become familiar with both articulation agreements and transferability lists to ensure a smooth transition with the use of the ASSIST tool. 

  • Articulation agreements  show how courses at a CCC may satisfy specific department or major requirements at a CSU, UC, or private campus.
  • Transferability lists display CCC courses that are transferable to CSU or UC, as well as which courses may be used to satisfy elective or general education requirements upon transfer.
  • ASSIST ( assist.org) is the official statewide database and online resource that shows prospective California transfer students how courses they complete at a community college may be used to satisfy elective, general education and major requirements at a CSU, UC campus or participating Independent University.

Getting Started with ASSIST


Four-year institutions will accept passing scores on a variety of exams and award credit toward major preparation, general education, or elective units.

Plan carefully by reviewing the specific policies.

Advanced Placement Exams (AP)

International Baccalaureate Exams (IB)

College Level Examination Program (CLEP)

  • Scores cannot be used for CAL-GETC
  • UC Policy - will not accept this type of credit
  • CSU Policy

CPL is college credit awarded for college-level skills and knowledge gained outside a college classroom. Your knowledge and skills might be gained through experiences such as

  • Industry training
  • State/federal government training
  • Apprenticeships, internships, work-based learning, or other industry-based experiential learning
  • Validated volunteer and civic activities (e.g. Peace Corps)

*CPL does   not  include knowledge and skills already assessed and awarded credit through regionally accredited colleges.

Students interested in Credit for Prior Learning using Joint Service Transcripts shall receive credit as recommended by the American Council on Education (ACE) Directory and approved by the appropriate discipline faculty of the college under the following circumstances:
  • Official transcripts must be on file in the Records Office. These may include Joint Services Transcript (JST), Sailor/Marine American Council on Education Registry Transcript (SMART), Army and American Council on Education Registry Transcript Service (AARTS), Community College of the Air Force (CCAF), Coast Guard Institute (CGI), DANTES/USAFI, Defense Language Institute Foreign Language Transcripts (DLIFLC), Defense Manpower Data Center (DMDC), DLPT Examinee Results, DA Form 330 Language Proficiency Questionnaire, or verified copies of DD214 or DD295 military records. 
  • Credit course equivalency shall be determined by the faculty of the appropriate discipline

CPL is college credit awarded for college-level skills and knowledge gained outside a college classroom. Your knowledge and skills might be gained through experiences such as

  • Industry training
  • State/federal government training
  • Apprenticeships, internships, work-based learning, or other industry-based experiential learning
  • Validated volunteer and civic activities (e.g. Peace Corps)

*CPL does   not  include knowledge and skills already assessed and awarded credit through regionally accredited colleges.

California Intersegmental General Education Transfer Curriculum (Cal-GETC) is the singular transfer general education pattern for transfer-bound students starting Fall 25.

Review this chart to determine if you must complete Cal-GETC: Catalog Rights Chart

California Common Course Numbering System (CCN)

In compliance with Assembly Bill (AB) 1111, which mandates the adoption of Common Course Numbering (CCN) across all California community colleges, several transferable courses have been updated with revised CCN course numbers and titles. The goal is to streamline the transfer process from California Community Colleges to four-year postsecondary educational institutions and reduce excess credit accumulation.

This new system, called the Common Course Numbering (CCN) system, will use the following structure: 

  • Subject: Four letter abbreviation (e.g., ENGL for English). 
  • Course Type Identifier: C= Common Course Number; local courses would not have a C before the course number (local course example: AH 3); and 
  • Course Number: Standardized 4-digit course identification. 

The chart below provides a list of courses that will be offered at Gavilan College with a comparison of the current course prefix and number and the new course prefix and number based on the CCN system  beginning fall 2025. At the start of every fall term, additional courses are expected to be modified to reflect a CCN. If you have any questions, please contact your college counselor.

 Current Course
Current Course Title
Fall 25
CCN Course 
Fall 25
CCN Course Title 
CMUN 1A
Introduction to Public Speaking
COMM C1000
Introduction to Public Speaking
MATH 5
Introduction to Statistics
STAT C1000
Introduction to Statistics
POLS 1
Introduction to American Government
POLS C1000
American Government & Politics
PSYC 10
Introduction to Psychology
PSYC C1000
Introduction to Psychology
ENGL 1A
Composition and Reading
ENGL C1000
Academic Reading and Writing
ENGL 1C
Critical Reasoning and Writing
ENGL C1001
Critical Thinking and Writing

Additional courses will transition Fall 26 and Fall 27. The courses will follow the same numbering structure.

Apply to PRIVATE Universities

Application deadlines vary by campus.

Private & Out-of-State Institutions - Transfer Guides/Agreements
Some private and out-of-state universities have completed course agreements with Gavilan College to facilitate student transfer. The following universities have provided students with a course transfer pattern that would maximize the credits earned at Gavilan:

Association of Independent California Colleges and Universities ( AICU) 



  • Accrediting Agencies U.S. Department of Education database of accrediting agencies for schools
  • Regional Accreditation   is required if course work completed at other colleges will be applied for degree or certificates
  • Articulation vs. Transferable - terms used often in college. Know the difference!
  • Gavilan College Career Services - The staff can assist you with:
    • Information on university majors and graduation requirements
    • Assistance with filling out college applications
    • Schedule meetings with university representatives
    • Referrals to a counselor who will assist with educational planning
    • CSU application fee waivers
    • A library of current college catalogs
    • A reference library of updated books on careers, internships, scholarships and occupational outlook
    • Use the computerized career information program,  EUREKA , which is designed to assist you in selecting a major or career.