Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

1. What courses should I take before I transfer?
2. How do I find out about transfer and major requirements for my school?
3. What is the maximum number of units that are transferable?
4. What if I take more units than that?
5. How long will it take to finish once I transfer?
6. What is the difference between a UC and CSU?
7. What is the difference between the Quarter and Semester System?
8. What is GE?
9. What is IGETC?
10. What is certification and why is it important for transferring students?
11. Do Credit/No Credit grades transfer?
12. Do "D" grades transfer?
13. What is articulation?
14. What is ASSIST?
15. Can I transfer to a school that does not have an agreement with Yuba?
16. How do I apply?
17. What is meant by priority filing dates for the CSU and UC?
18. What is the California Articulation Number (CAN)?
19. Can I change my major after I transfer?
20. I got bad grades at another college. Do I need inform my transfer college?
21. How do "W's" affect transferability?
22. I already have one degree. Can I transfer and get another one?
23. What schools can I transfer to where I can continue to work full-time?
24. How can I meet with a college representative?

What courses should I take before I transfer? - (top)
For most students who intend to transfer as juniors, it is important to take basic general education courses. However, in some cases it is more important to complete courses for the major. You should consult with a counselor to determine which lower division major courses might be advisable to take.

How do I find out about transfer and major requirements for my school? - (top)
It is recommended that you meet with a counselor to find out about transfer requirements and to check in with a counselor each semester to make sure you are on track for meeting those requirements. Preparation for a major is an important step. Information as to which classes are required for a specific major can be obtained from articulation agreements which are available online at www.assist.org, in the Transfer Center and in the Counseling Department.

What is the maximum number of units that are transferable? - (top)
Seventy is the maximum number of units that can be applied to the Bachelor's degree at the California State University and the University of California. As a general rule, universities will apply a maximum of 70 units toward your Bachelor's degree. The transferability of courses can be found in the Yuba College schedule of classes and catalog or on the web at www.assist.org.

What if I take more units than that? - (top)
If you have taken more than 70 transferable units, the content of the courses may be used to satisfy subject area requirements.

How long will it take to finish once I transfer? - (top)
The amount of time to finish will be a result determined by the number of requirements you complete prior to transfer, the number of requirements remaining to be completed, and the number of units you complete each term. If a student completes all of the GE and lower division major requirements, and a total of 60 transferable semester units, and continues at the transfer institution full-time, the student should be able to graduate in two years.

What is the difference between a UC and CSU? - (top)
California has two public university systems. The University of California (UC) is the research system of public higher education in California. The UC system emphasizes a theory-based approach to learning and offers doctorate programs in most disciplines along with graduate opportunities in medicine, dentistry, business, law, pharmacy, and veterinary medicine. The California State University (CSU) is the system of higher education in California that grants the highest number of Bachelor's degrees. The CSU offers traditional and career specific majors, with graduate opportunities at the Master's level. The CSU has a more practical, career-oriented approach to education in contrast to the more theoretical approach offered by the UC.

What is the difference between the Quarter and Semester System? - (top)
The quarter system is the division of the academic year into four equal parts. Each quarter is 10 weeks in length, and there are usually three quarters (fall, winter and spring) per academic year. All UC campuses, except Berkeley, are on a quarter system. In the UC system, three quarters constitute an academic year, with summer school considered an optional "quarter." A semester is the other type of term within an academic year. Each semester is 18 weeks in length, and there are two semesters (fall and spring) in an academic year. Berkeley is the only U.C. campus on semester system. In addition, some colleges offer a fourth term during the summer. Cal Poly, San Luis Obispo has a summer quarter. However, most colleges offer summer classes with summer not considered an official term of the academic year.

What is GE? - (top)
GE or General Education is a program of courses that provides a broad educational experience. Courses are usually introductory in nature and provide students with fundamental skills and knowledge in English, arts, humanities, mathematics, social sciences, physical and biological sciences.

What is IGETC? - (top)
IGETC or the Intersegmental General Education Transfer Curriculum is a general education program that community college students can use to satisfy lower division general education requirements at any CSU or UC campus. Students who are planning to transfer to a CSU may want to complete the CSU GE pattern.

Completion of IGETC is one option for students to use when preparing for transfer. It is not the only option and for some majors, such as engineering and science, may not be recommended. Completing IGETC is not a requirement for transfer to either the CSU or the UC.

What is certification and why is it important for transferring students? - (top)
Certification of CSU GE or IGETC is important in the transfer process. All California State Universities accept a common pattern of general education. The certification of GE is the official notice verifying that a transfer student has completed courses satisfying lower division general education requirements.

The request for certification of CSU GE or IGETC is done at the time you request transcripts be sent to the university. All areas of IGETC must be completed and all courses must be completed with a grade of C or better (CR from Yuba is acceptable).

Do Credit/No Credit grades transfer? - (top)
From Yuba, they do transfer. However, some four-year institutions may have a limit. Required courses for the major should not be taken CR/NC. Credit is defined as satisfactory completion of the minimum course requirements (a "C" grade or better). Rather than receiving a grade on your transcript, you will earn a credit if you met the minimum course requirements. Credit/no credit grading does not affect your grade point average.

Do "D" grades transfer? - (top)
Yes but classes with "D" grades cannot be used for IGETC, not for some or all areas of General Education depending on the university, and not for the major. You will probably want to repeat "D" grades to improve your GPA.

What is articulation? - (top)
Articulation is the process of evaluating courses to determine whether coursework completed at one college will meet the requirements for admission, transfer credit, general education, or major preparation at another college.

What is ASSIST? - (top)
ASSIST is a Web site that has articulation information between the community colleges and specific campuses of the University of California and some of the California State Universities. www.assist.org

Can I transfer to a school that does not have an agreement with Yuba? - (top)
The articulation agreement simply makes the transfer of credit proceed quicker. Work with your counselor and your transfer school to ensure you will be taking the appropriate classes.

How do I apply? - (top)
Contact the school you wish to apply to for a complete application packet. Additionally, many schools now have Web sites, which allow for on-line or downloadable hard copy applications. Applications to the UC and CSU systems are available in the Transfer Center.

What is meant by priority filing dates for the CSU and UC? - (top)
There is a one-two month period of time when applications are first accepted for a specific term at the CSU and UC. Generally, the filing period for fall admission is during October and November of the previous year for the CSU and during November for the UC. Please refer to the application information.

What is the California Articulation Number (CAN)? - (top)
CAN is a common numbering system used to identify courses since equivalent courses are taught at many colleges with each specific campus using its own unique number for the course.

Can I change my major after I transfer? - (top)
The ability to change a major completely depends on the rules governing major changes at the college or university that a student will be attending.

I got bad grades at another college. Do I need inform my transfer college? - (top)
Yes. You are required to report all previous institutions that you have attended, and you don't want to provide false information since that could potentially revoke your admission or degree.

How do "W's" affect transferability? - (top)
In most cases, W's are not a focus of admission decisions unless there is an excessive number of W's over a longer course of time.

I already have one degree. Can I transfer and get another one? - (top)
Yes to the California State University, but rarely to the University of California. You must contact each campus to determine their policy on receiving a second Bachelor's.

What schools can I transfer to where I can continue to work full-time? - (top)
The CSU system is very accommodating to students that work full time.

How can I meet with a college representative? - (top)
Representatives from many colleges visit the Transfer Center in Building 100B. To make an appointment to meet with them, call the Transfer Center at (530) 741-6804.