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Choosing a Transfer College or University

Each institution may have different transfer requirements, so choosing a transfer college or university early is important to ensure you complete the right courses. Universities in the US are organized into different systems and categories. Choosing a transfer institution is important because:
  • Each institution has its own program and major requirement.
  • Each institution has unique features, including factors like the student body, location, and extracurricular activities.
  • You are more likely to do well academically in an educational environment that you have researched and are prepared for.

The most common universities that Taft College students transfer to include:

California State University (CSU)
The CSU system emphasizes undergraduate education (leading to a bachelor’s degree) but also offers master’s degrees. Professors spend more time in the classroom and less time on research than those in the University of California system. CSUs emphasize preparation for specific careers and are relatively inexpensive for California residents.

CSU Minimum Admission Requirements *See CSU Impaction Guide for additional details
Transfer students will be eligible for admission if they meet the following requirements:
  • Complete a minimum of 60 CSU-transferable semester units or 90 CSU-transferable quarter units.
  • Obtain a minimum 2.0 GPA (2.4 for California non-residents).
  • Impacted majors, programs, and colleges may have higher GPA requirements.
  • Complete the “Golden Four” (Oral Communication, Written Communication, Critical Thinking, and Mathematics/ Quantitative Reasoning) with a grade of C or better. Pass/ No- Pass grades are not recommended in these areas.

Students are urged to complete a General Education Pattern in its entirety as CSU GE or IGETC.

Students are strongly recommended to meet with a counselor to discuss additional requirements for competitive admissions based on major and campus choice.

Associate Degrees for Transfer (AD-T)
California Community Colleges are now offering associate degrees for transfer to the CSU. These may include Associate in Arts (AA-T) or Associate in Science (AS-T) degrees. These degrees are designed to provide a clear pathway to a CSU major and baccalaureate degree. California Community College students who are awarded an AA-T or AS-T degree are guaranteed admission with junior standing somewhere in the CSU system and given priority admission consideration to their local CSU campus or to a program that is deemed similar to their community college major. This priority does not guarantee admission to specific majors or campuses. Students who have been awarded an AA-T or AS-T are able to complete their remaining requirements for the 120-unit baccalaureate degree within 60 semester or 90 quarter units.

To view the most current list of Taft College Associate Degrees for Transfer and to find out which California State University campuses accept each degree, click here.


University of California (UC)
The UC system combines undergraduate education (leading to a Bachelor’s degree) with emphasis on graduate programs (Master and Doctor Degrees) and research.

UC Minimum Requirements
Upper Division Transfer students will be eligible for admission if they meet the following requirements:
  • Complete a minimum of 60 UC-transferable semester units or 90 UC-transferable quarter units.
  • Obtain a minimum 2.4 GPA (2.8 for California non-residents). Note: Admission is competitive and the required GPA can be significantly higher.
  • Complete the following seven-course pattern:
  • Two transferable college courses in English composition and one transferable college course in mathematical concepts and quantitative reasoning.
  • Complete 4 transferable college courses chosen from at least two of the following subject areas: arts and humanities, social and behavioral sciences, physical and biological sciences.
  • For additional preparation guides click here.

The UC gives high priority to students who complete major coursework early in their academic career.

Students who complete the Intersegmental General Education Transfer Curriculum (IGETC) pattern prior to transferring to the UC system will meet the transfer eligibility coursework requirement listed above. Students are strongly recommended to meet with a counselor to discuss additional requirements for competitive admissions based on major and campus choice.

Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs)
Historically Black colleges and universities usually have a majority African-American student body, although students of all races attend them. They may be private or out-of-state public schools. Most are located in the southern United States.

There are 21 HBCUs that have partnered with Taft College to offer students a guaranteed admission. By completing the IGETC requirements or the CSU GE Breadth pattern and obtaining a transfer-level associate degree (60 units) with a 2.5 or higher GPA, students qualify with junior standing to participating HBCUs

For additional information click here.

Private/Independent Colleges and Universities

Private colleges and universities are not funded by public taxes and also are known as independent institutions. Each institution is unique with its own programs, majors, and degrees. Some offer academic programs grounded in a specific religion or philosophy.

Others offer programs in only one discipline, such as the arts or technical degrees. Others specialize in providing continuing education to working adults. They are also usually smaller and more focused in academic emphasis than public universities. For additional information click here.

Hispanic Serving Institutions
The Hispanic Association of Colleges and Universities (HACU) is a national educational association that represents colleges and universities committed to Hispanic Higher education success in the United States (including Puerto Rico), Latin America, and Spain. HACU has 193 member Hispanic-Serving Institutions (HSIs) located in 11 U.S. states and Puerto Rico. To be considered a Hispanic- Serving Institution, the Hispanic enrollment at a college or university must be at least 25 per cent of the total student enrollment.

California is home to 54 Hispanic Serving Institutions including Taft College. For additional information click here.

Tribal Colleges and Universities
Thirty-five (35) recognized Tribal Colleges and Universities exist in the United States. These are located mainly in the Midwest and Southwest. Tribal Colleges and Universities serve approximately 30,000 full and part-time students. They offer two-year associate degrees in over 200 disciplines, with some providing a bachelor’s and master’s degree. They also offer 200 vocational certificate programs. For additional information click here.

Out-of-State Colleges and Universities
These institutions include colleges and universities not in California. They may be public or private and are usually more expensive for out-of-state residents than those who live and pay taxes in the state. This group of colleges offers a huge variety of degrees and graduate programs. For additional information click here.

Western Undergraduate Exchange (WUE)
Public out-of-state universities charge higher tuitions to non-residents, however participating institutions of the Western Interstate Commission for Higher Education (WICHE) can offer reduced tuition to California residents. WICHE offers the Western Undergraduate Exchange Program (WUE, pronounced “woo- wee”). If accepted through WUE, California residents are eligible to request a reduced WUE tuition rate of 150% of the resident rate at any of the 145 participating schools, in 14 neighboring states. The WUE reduced tuition rate is not automatically awarded to all eligible candidates. Many institutions limit the number of new WUE awards each academic year, so apply early!

For more information about WUE click here.