Transfer

By state law, the Higher Education Coordinating Board (HECB) is responsible for establishing transfer and articulation policies that ensure efficient transfer of credits and courses across public two and four-year institutions of higher education. 

The intent of these policies is to create a statewide system of articulation and alignment:

• RCW - Re: Transfer and Articulation
• Policy on Intercollege Transfer and Articulation among Washington Public Colleges and Universities
• 1994 Transfer Agreement – Proportionality
• Transfer Policy in Washington State – a JAOG Report

Board Report - The Role of Transfer in the Bachelor’s Degree

The Role of Transfer study is an update to a previous study on the graduating class of 2001 completed by the State Board for Community and Technical Colleges.  The current study focuses on similar questions for 19,272 students who earned their first bachelor's degree as graduates of the Class of 2006, of which 7,278 were community and technical college transfer students.  The report focuses exclusively on Washington’s public baccalaureate universities.

The HECB Report and PowerPoint Presentation summarize the study. The complete study examines graduates by: campus type, transfer status, pre-college enrollments (how many graduates who came through the community and technical college system took pre-college math or English courses), and two year degrees (how many community or technical college transfer students earned associate degrees, and what kind of degree did they earn). 

The Role of Transfer in the Attainment of Bachelor’s
Degrees at Washington Public Baccalaureate Institutions, Class of 2006 (SCSRC Report)

Transfer and Articulation Report

Transfer and Articulation in Higher Education (Feb. 2009) - This report fulfills requirements that direct the HECB to submit a progress report on the development of transfer associate degrees to the legislature each odd-numbered year.

The report monitors progress on transfer indicators, describes development of additional transfer associate degrees, provides data on improvements in transfer efficiency, and presents useful information for those interested in the state of transfer and articulation in Washington.

Transfer Student Rights and Responsibilities

In 2008, Governor Gregoire and the Legislature asked the Higher Education Coordinating Board and the State Board for Community and Technical Colleges to work on transfer issues through the Joint Access Oversight Group (JAOG), including development of a list of student rights regarding transfer.

A work group consisting of students and cross-sector representatives worked through 2008 and developed a transfer student rights and responsibilities document outlining both student and institutional rights and responsibilities. It mirrors concepts delineated in the HECB’s 1986 Policy on Intercollege Transfer and Articulation among Washington Public Colleges and Universities (Umbrella Policy).

This document was approved by JAOG in December 2008, and by the educational leadership of the public and private baccalaureates and community and technical colleges in 2009. 

Transfer Rights and Responsibilities

Washington’s Transfer
and Articulation Agreements

Direct Transfer Agreement Associate Degree (DTA)

The DTA focuses on meeting the common lower division general education requirements and preparation for the major. Once the student successfully completes a DTA pathway, all courses required in that degree will transfer to every Washington public baccalaureate institution and to the many Washington independent institutions participating in the agreement. If admitted to the university, the university will consider the transfer student as having junior standing. View agreement»

Associate of Science – Transfer (AS-T)

Transfer students pursuing the AS-T complete 45 quarter credits of general education courses at a community college in addition to courses specific to their field of study. Remaining general education courses are completed as juniors and seniors at the receiving institution. This degree has two tracks and focuses on the rigorous math and science courses needed to prepare for:

• Track 1 (biology, chemistry, environment/resource sciences, earth science, geology majors)

• Track 2 (engineering, computer science, physics, and atmospheric science majors)

Major Related Programs (MRPs)

MRPs are major-specific agreements based on the DTA or AS-T.  They assure transfer students in certain majors (see above) carefully select their elective and general education courses to ensure they will be eligible to apply for the major in their junior year. Completion of an MRP does not guarantee admission to certain majors that are popular and have more qualified applicants than spots in the program.  View MRPs»

Other Information on Transfer and Articulation

Washington Public Baccalaureate Institutions Transfer and Course Equivalency Website Links

Transfer Credit Limits for Public Baccalaureate Institutions in Washington

Organizations and offices addressing transfer issues in Washington

Process for Changes to the Statewide Associate Degree Agreements: Direct Transfer Agreement and Associate in Science –Transfer Agreement 2008

Statewide Student Mobility Database
Information about student transfer and movement between Washington's two-year, four-year, public, and private colleges and universities, at-a-glance.

Online Student Advising Pilot Project (July 2006)

Board Reports and background information »

State Laws and Rules

- RCW 28B.76.240 (Statewide transfer and articulation policies.)
- RCW 28B.76.2401 (Statewide transfer of credit policy and
                                   agreement - Requirements.)
- RCW 28B 76.250 (Transfer associate degrees - Work groups -
                                 Implementation - Progress reports.)
- RCW 28B.76.260 (Statewide system of course equivalency)

For more information:

E-mail: Jim West
Phone: 360.753.7890