Four University Transfer Myths and Tips

Interested in transferring your community college credits to finish a degree? Students sometimes have misconceptions about what it takes to transfer credits to a university. We’re here to help. Take some time to research the options and you’ll discover:

Myth #1: It’s not easy to transfer from a community college to a four-year university.

Fact #1: Credits from our ten community colleges transfer to most four-year universities, allowing students to complete required courses at a fraction of the cost. Plus, our in-state and out-of-state partnerships make university transfer easy. In fact, transfer-specific financial aid is often available to help you succeed. 

Tip #1: MCCCD offers several specific transfer programs with public Arizona universities including Arizona State University, Northern Arizona University, and the University of Arizona; plus, transfer partnerships with many out-of-state, private, and online colleges and universities.

• NAU’s 90/30 Program – You can complete your bachelor’s degree through NAU in the Phoenix area by transferring 90 lower-division credits and then completing upper-division credits online through NAU. There are currently 18 programs with the 90/30 option, including nursing, humanities, justice studies, and more.
• MAPP MyPath2ASU – With over 400 immersive and online pathways, this program helps you plan and complete prescribed coursework designed for a smooth transition to ASU. The MyPath2ASU allows students to create their very own personalized transfer map to help you maximize your transfer credits.
• Arizona Bridge – If you are interested in becoming a University of Arizona Wildcat, the Arizona Bridge program makes transferring from a community college easy! The 2+2 program is designed to allow students to complete their first two years at an Arizona community college and finish the remaining two years at UA.
• An Extensive Network of Transfer Partners: Visit our Transfer Partners webpage – to learn how to seamlessly transfer to the college of your choice. Here you’ll find dozens of public, private, in-state, out-of-state, and online transfer partners and a transfer checklist to prepare you for a seamless transition to university.

Myth #2: There’s no place online to check if my specific course number transfers to the university of my choice.

Fact #2: AZTransfer’s Course Equivalency Guide (CEG) allows you to search for specific course transferability.

Tip #2: AZTransfer, a committee that ensures Arizona’s students have access to efficient, seamless, and simple ways to transfer from a community college to a university in Arizona, offers a guide that shows how Arizona community college courses transfer to ASU, NAU, and UA.

You can search by entering your course number and the college you wish to transfer to. Or browse by college and view all the courses offered at your community college and their university equivalents. More search options, such as the Reverse CEG, are also available.

Myth #3: There’s no one at the community college who can help me transfer credits.

Fact #3: All of our colleges have transfer specialists and academic advisors who can assist you.

Tip #3: Schedule an in-person appointment, walk-in for an advising session, or connect with an advisor by phone, email, or online chat. Additionally, many of our colleges are home to university satellite campuses, for example, Mesa Community College and Scottsdale Community College are both home to NAU satellite campuses. These satellite locations deliver the same high-quality education, mentorship, and student-centered experience found on the NAU main campus in Flagstaff. NAU advisors are also available to assist students with their transfer pathways!

Myth #4: I’ll never survive a four-year university after attending a community college.

Fact #4: According to research, students who begin at community colleges and then transfer to traditional colleges earn better or similar grades as students who begin at these institutions right after high school.

Tip #4: Maricopa Community Colleges offer a variety of support services for students, including learning and tutoring assistance, disability resources and services, career services, veteran services, and career and development counseling. Take advantage of these services and you’ll be well prepared for a university.

With over 600 certificate and degree programs, we know you’ll find an area of study that’s right for you. Save time and money by beginning your higher education journey at one of our ten colleges today.