Updates to the Undergraduate Transfer Credit Academic Policies
In the fall of 2024, the Office of the Registrar and the Office of Transfer Credit & Articulation began a complete overview and editing of the existing policies governing transfer credits for undergraduate students. This review resulted in consolidating the existing policies into a single policy that describes all options for transferring college coursework from all institutional sources. The new policy is now titled the Undergraduate Transfer Credit policy.
The updated policy was approved by the Undergraduate Council, Undergraduate College Academic Administrators Council, the Faculty Senate, and the Provost during the fall of 2024.
Amendments to the policy include:
Consolidating existing transfer credit policies
Having one unified policy provides better transparency for students and advisors navigating the transfer process. The updated policy, Undergraduate Transfer Credit replaces: Acceptability of Undergraduate Transfer Credit; Arizona Community College Transfer Guides; Credits from Community Colleges; Non-Regionally Accredited Course Work Transfer; General Education Transfer Credit; and Averaging of Grade for Final Non-University Credit Course.
Eliminating the 64-unit limit on transfer credit from community colleges
Students bringing more than 64 units from a community college will now be able to use all applicable transfer units toward their University of Arizona degree requirements. Coursework from community colleges will be transferable in the same way as from other regionally accredited institutions. Students must still satisfy the University Credit and upper-division requirements. Removing this restriction supports transfer students in their progress toward degree completion.
Simplifying pathways for bulk completion of General Education requirements
All General Education requirements will be satisfied for students who have already earned a bachelor's degree, and for students who transfer a completed Arizona or California general education curriculum program (AGEC, IGETC, or CSU GE). Automatic satisfaction of all General Education requirements, including Foundations requirements, clarifies the transfer process and recognizes previous learning for students with earned bachelor's degrees.
Eliminating the "Averaging of Grade for Final Non-University Credit Course" policy
Previous policy surrounding a final course in absentia was seldom utilized and is no longer necessary given previous updates to the units in residence policy and increased online course options for students who need to complete a final course. Ending this practice enhances consistency in the institutional treatment of transfer credit and GPA calculation.
The amended policy will be implemented in the following phases:
Effective for students in the fall 2024 catalog year, the 64-unit limit on community college transfer coursework will be lifted. Active students in previous catalog years have the option to update their catalog year and receive the adjusted transfer credit following the Choice of Catalog policy. Students are encouraged to consult with their academic advisor to determine if this option is right for them.
Effective for students starting at the University of Arizona in spring 2025, all General Education requirements will be satisfied for students with an earned bachelor's degree and students with a completed AGEC/IGETC/CSU GE curriculum.
The "Averaging of Grade for Final Non-University Credit Course" policy will be effective through the spring 2025 term; beginning in summer 2025 this option will no longer be available.
The amended Undergraduate Transfer Credit policy can be read in full at the university's Catalog website. (any personal bookmarks or direct links to the policy page should be updated to this new policy URL.)
Questions about the updates to this policy should be addressed to the Office of the Registrar at catalog@arizona.edu.