One of the best places to begin a bachelor’s degree is at a community college. UCC offers many of the freshman and sophomore courses students will find at universities, allowing them to stay close to home and complete courses at a fraction of the cost. UCC offers a number of options for building programs that allow a student to transfer to another college or university, including the Oregon Transfer Compass/Core Transfer Map, Oregon Transfer Module (OTM), Associate of Arts-Oregon Transfer (AA/OT), Associate of Science (AS), or Associate of General Studies (AGS). Agreements are in place for all Oregon public colleges and universities, some Oregon private colleges and universities, and even some out-of-state schools.

Students will want to work closely with their academic and faculty advisors to develop a program of study that takes full advantage of UCC’s offerings and transfers smoothly to the four-year institution of their choice. Advisors will help students refine their goals and identify courses that meet their interests and transfer appropriately. Students should begin by reviewing the existing transfer degree programs to see if any meet their needs. If a student is undecided, work with an advisor to build a custom program beginning with the general education core.

Note that completing any of these programs does not guarantee acceptance to a target institution. Students will still be required to meet all admissions requirements, such as SAT/ACT testing and completion of an acceptable second language.

Core Transfer Module

Core Transfer Maps are broad descriptions of course requirements for students at any Oregon community college or public university. Students who have not yet declared a major and plan to transfer may take classes that fit these categories at any Oregon community college and expect all classes to transfer and meet at least 30 credits of general education requirements for a bachelor’s degree at any Oregon public university. Note that many majors have specific course requirements for categories within the Core Transfer Maps. The Core Transfer Maps are intended as starting points for students who plan to transfer to a university but are unsure of their intended major or transfer destination. Students who are certain of their major, but not their transfer destination, should determine if there is a developed Major Transfer Map for their chosen discipline, and follow that as a guide. Students who are certain of both their major and their intended transfer destination should consult an advisor for information on an existing specific articulation agreement, Major Transfer Map, or degree map that will prescribe their course requirements.

Oregon Transfer Module

The Oregon Transfer Module (OTM) is an approved 45-unit subset of general education courses (foundational skills and introduction to discipline courses) that are common among Oregon’s colleges and universities. Courses are selected from an approved list of 100- and 200 level general education requirements as determined by each Oregon community college, public university, or participating Oregon independent college or university. It is designed to improve student access to a college degree by enhancing opportunities for the transfer of credits earned at one institution to another. Any student holding an Oregon Transfer Module that conforms to the guidelines will have met the requirements for the Transfer Module at any Oregon community college or public university. Upon transfer, the receiving institution may specify additional course work that is required for a major or for degree requirements or to make up the difference between the Transfer Module and the institution’s total General Education requirements.

Associate of Arts – Oregon Transfer

An Associate of Arts-Oregon Transfer (AAOT) degree that conforms to the established guidelines will transfer as a block to any institution in the Oregon University System and will meet the lower division general education requirements for that institution’s baccalaureate degree programs. Students transferring under this agreement will have junior standing for registration purposes, however course, class standing, or GPA requirements for specific majors, department, or schools may not necessarily be satisfied by an Associate of Arts Oregon Transfer degree. Upon transfer, the receiving institution may specify additional course work that is required for a particular major or degree. Students are strongly encouraged to consult their UCC academic and/or faculty advisor and the intended transfer institution to determine appropriate course choices.

Associate of Science

The Associate of Science (AS) degree is designed for students planning to transfer credits to a baccalaureate degree program. The degree requirements allow students more flexibility in course selection, allowing them to focus on their major requirements. Unless directly articulated with another college/university the degree does not guarantee that students will be accepted as having completed all lower division comprehensive and General Education requirements for a baccalaureate degree (i.e., this is not a block transfer degree as is the AA/OT). There are no majors within this degree.

Students are strongly encouraged to consult their UCC academic and/or faculty advisor, the specific transfer curriculum pages in this catalog, and the intended transfer institution to determine appropriate course choices.

Associate of General Studies

This flexible degree option enables a student to complete an Associate degree that is tailored to the general education requirements of the transfer school. Students must exercise caution in using the AGS option, as the degree does not guarantee transferability of courses completed. Educational planning for the AGS should be done with the help of a UCC advisor.

Student Learning Outcomes for AAOT Degrees

The AA/OT/ASOT transfer degrees are designed to prepare students to succeed after transferring to public universities and to attain GPAs comparable to students who begin their education at those institutions. Students who attain these degrees will possess a wide range of knowledge and skills, as described in the categories below. As a result of completing the AA/OT/ASOT, students should be able to:

Arts and Letters

• Interpret and engage in the Arts & Letters, making use of the creative process to enrich the quality of life; and
• Critically analyze values and ethics within a range of human experience and expression to engage more fully in local and global issues.

Mathematics

• Use appropriate mathematics to solve problems; and
• Recognize which mathematical concepts are applicable to a scenario, apply appropriate mathematics and technology in its analysis, and then accurately interpret, validate, and communicate the results.

Science or Computer Sciences

• Gather, comprehend, and communicate scientific and technical information in order to explore ideas, models, and solutions and generate further questions; and
• Apply scientific and technical modes of inquiry, individually, and collaboratively, to critically evaluate existing or alternative explanations, solve problems, and make evidence-based decisions in an ethical manner; and
• Assess the strengths and weaknesses of scientific studies and critically examine the influence of scientific and technical knowledge on human society.

Social Sciences

• Apply analytical skills to social phenomena in order to understand human behavior; and
• Apply knowledge and experience to foster personal growth and better appreciate the diverse social world in which we live.

Speech/Oral Communication

• Engage in ethical communication processes that accomplish goals; and
• Respond to the needs of diverse audiences and contexts; and
• Build and manage relationships.

Writing

• Read actively, think critically, and write purposefully and capably for academic and, in some cases, professional audiences; and
• Locate, evaluate, and ethically utilize information to communicate effectively; and
• Demonstrate appropriate reasoning in response to complex issues.

Cultural Literacy

• Identify and analyze complex practices, values, and beliefs and the culturally and historically defined meanings of difference.