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Transfer & Articulation

Webinars

Online Courses

References

Books

AACRAO Transfer & Articulation publications available for online purchase

Reports

AACRAO Transfer & Articulation research reports

Transfer Credit Practices (TCP)

AACRAO's Transfer Credit Practices of Designated Educational Institutions (TCP) publication is available for purchase in our bookstore. AACRAO established this voluntary medium of information exchange in order to provide crucial information to colleges and universities to determine their own transfer credit practices. TCP provides a state-by-state listing of all institutions’ institutional and programmatic accreditations along with transfer credit practice. We are overhauling our online TCP resource. Please check back here for updates.

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Zachary Pardos and Daniel Knox sitting on the stage at the 110th AACRAO Annual Meeting

Reimagining Transfer with an AI-Powered Pilot
Apr 28, 2025

Hear from Daniel Knox of NASH and Zachary Pardos of UC Berkeley about progress with a new AI-powered pilot that is helping institutions map credit mobility at scale and center the 92% of students who don’t follow a linear path.

Individual working on spreadsheets.

Revolutionizing Articulation for the New Age of Transfer
Jun 10, 2024

Leveraging the latest technology to streamline and promote efficiency in Transfer.

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Articulation Agreements in Action!
Apr 3, 2021

How CSM is transforming Articulation Agreements into Customizable Electronic Student Plans.

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Interstate Passport: Streamlining Transfer to Increase College Completion
Mar 22, 2021

A discussion on the background, development, and outcomes of Interstate Passports and its benefits for students and institutions.

Smiling female student standing outside on a college campus.

Revamping Your Transfer Visit Program
Mar 22, 2021

Tactics institutions can take to revamp or revitalize Transfer programs.

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The Efficiency of the Transfer Function
Mar 22, 2021

Dr. Casey Bullock discusses ways to measure and improve the efficiency of the transfer function.

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Academic advising plays important role in student transfer experience
Jan 11, 2021

Recommendations for transfer student advising.

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Call for Work Group members: Identifying Institutional Best Practices for Transfer Student Success
Nov 30, 2020

Application deadline: December 11, 2020.

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Report & webinar: Best practices for closing and merging schools
Nov 12, 2020

Over the past five years more than 1,200 higher education institutions have closed, displacing nearly half a million students.

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Students' perception of credit transfer experience
Jul 25, 2020

Study shows credit loss usually doesn't bother students. Webinar Sept. 9.

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Join WICHE's Interstate Passport Network
Jul 23, 2020

The project enables the block transfer of lower-division general education learning across state borders.

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Which transfer student support services are you missing?
Jul 7, 2020

7 ways institutions can court and support this population.

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Two perspectives on prior learning assessment
May 1, 2020

Student and institutional feedback on policy barriers and scalable strategies.

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AACRAO Coffee Break: Admissions & Transfer Crisis Practices
Apr 6, 2020

Resources and guidance for strained professionals.

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Talking transfer: Equity, access, and mobility
Mar 5, 2020

An interview on the complexities around transfer practices and politics.

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​​​​​​​​​​​​ACE launches national task force to improve transfer credit practices
Feb 10, 2020

AACRAO is supporting the work of the Task Force

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Get familiar with the British "A" and "AS" levels
Oct 20, 2019

Like AP and IB exams, they award advanced credit -- and are becoming popular with domestic students, too.

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Transfer articulation: Re-envisioning a common registrar tool
Aug 26, 2019

Creating a more transparent process for transfer articulation and establishing clearer tables.

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Transfer students make decisions differently
Aug 26, 2019

Factors affecting their decisions and recommendations for institutions.

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"Will this count?"
Aug 12, 2019

How Purdue helps students make sense of the transfer process.

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Creating a transfer-friendly institution
Jul 15, 2019

3 changes that helped one institution boost transfer student success.

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Appalachian State's Transfer Symposiums dispel myths and build relationships
Jul 15, 2019

The 4th campus-wide Symposium focused on STEM curriculum alignment with 13 community college partners.

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Bringing a minimalist ethos to the transfer office
Jul 8, 2019

How one mid-sized institution improved credit evaluation efficiency.

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Statewide support for transfer students and institutions
Jul 8, 2019

Coordination and collaboration have elevated the game in Illinois. 

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The art of data-driven articulation agreements
Jun 10, 2019

How one school is changing the game to better serve transfer students.

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Guide to Best Practices: Articulation Agreements
Apr 2, 2019

Read it here, and join your fellow Transfer Articulation colleagues Wednesday, April 3, at the 2019 AACRAO Annual Meeting to learn more about the guide.

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5 keys to productive transfer partnerships
Feb 4, 2019

Why some partnerships fail and others thrive.

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Field Notes: Evaluation of military and veteran student credit
Feb 4, 2019

Preferred documents, evaluation lifecycle, SIS input, specialized laws, and resources for credit evaluators.

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Tips for evaluating incomplete international credit
Jan 21, 2019

Addressing the training gap.

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Field Notes: Pairing dual enrollment, transfer credit evaluation & transfer admissions
Nov 27, 2018

Opportunities to cross train staff, improve student outreach, and build important relationships with other institutions.

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What transcript evaluators need to be successful
Oct 15, 2018

How to support this essential role at your institution.

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A moral imperative: Why and how universities can support vulnerable and displaced student populations
Oct 1, 2018

Academically defensible strategies for admitting students without normal documentation.

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Academic factors students consider when transferring
Sep 18, 2018

Highlight your school’s strengths in recruitment and marketing materials aimed at transfer students.

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5 institutional factors students consider when transferring
Aug 20, 2018

Highlight your school’s strengths when developing recruitment and marketing materials for transfer students.

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Field Notes: 5 strategies for supporting adult students to reach Wyoming’s higher educational attainment goals
Aug 3, 2018

Working adult students represent one of the largest opportunities to change the economic landscape and workforce in America. Learn about the strategies Wyoming is using to meet the needs of adult students and meet its attainment goal.

Student and transfer-institution Bill of Rights released

Jul 9, 2018

The new “Transfer-Institution Bill of Rights and Responsibilities” provide Institutions with 11 responsibilities and rights when dealing with transfer.

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Opening the gate to transfer
Jul 9, 2018

Many students who complete their transfer requirements do not make it ‘through the gate’ to a university. Why?

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Build your transfer tool kit @ Tech and Transfer
Jun 18, 2018

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The rapidly changing nature of community college
May 21, 2018

Moving from smorgasboard to success.

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Field Notes: Are your staff professionally competent?
Apr 19, 2018

A guide to assessing and building proficiency through mentorship, training, and promotion.

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Swirlers, dualists, reversers and traditionals
Mar 12, 2018

No single lens addresses the needs of all transfer student populations.

The Indiana state flag with the addition of the word "transfer" to the right of the torch and stars logo.

Field Notes: The Indiana Transfer Council: A grassroots initiative
Feb 27, 2018

A place where transfer professionals can find support, network, cultivate relationships, keep abreast of trends and learn of professional development opportunities.

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What is the student's role in the transfer process?
Jan 31, 2018

How to work with students to assume responsibility.

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4 principles behind transfer best practices
Nov 13, 2017

The rights of students, the obligations of institutions, and the responsibilities of all.

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Field Notes: The value of a transfer student communication plan
Nov 10, 2017

Create intentional, targeted messages that address issues important to transfer students.

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Credit for prior learning: A huge motivator for students
Sep 5, 2017

How some schools are filling the gaps in adult student services.

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Transfer: Communicating with faculty to ease military credit approval
Jul 24, 2017

7 steps to ease military credit transfer and tips for raising faculty awareness of the transfer process.

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Building a path for veterans to BSN
Jun 13, 2017

7 steps to success

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Interpersonal relationships are key to transfer success
May 30, 2017

How collaboration can impact transfer outcomes.

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York College makes transfer students feel welcome
May 30, 2017

Overcoming campus silos to create a unified, smooth, and positive experience.

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6 evidence-based factors to support student success
May 16, 2017

Findings from the Student Support (Re)defined project, with a particular focus on African-American and Latino learners.

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Transfer Guidelines: The Joint Statement of Transfer and a Transfer Student Bill of Rights
Apr 18, 2017

The Transfer Student Bill of Rights will be similar to the Military Bill of Rights.

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Application of workforce development practices to transfer student recruitment
Feb 21, 2017

What is next for Admissions - Transfer Student Services?

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Technology and Transfer: What's happening on your campus?
Jan 10, 2017

Have you found or developed a technology solution to better serve your campus and students? Do you have a unique and effective way to recruit and retain transfer students?

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Free community college
Sep 20, 2016

An update on initiatives

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AACRAO's Transfer focus for the next year
Jul 26, 2016

This year, AACRAO will be focusing on two major initiatives relating to transfer - updating the Joint Statement on the Transfer and Award of Credit and the design of a Transfer Student Bill of Rights.

Reverse transfer from the two-year college perspective
Jul 26, 2016

Lone Star College explores best practices for reverse transfer students.

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The AACC Pathways Project
Jul 12, 2016

Making the case for guided pathways at Irvine Community College.

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2 keys to creating robust prior learning assessment
Jun 14, 2016

How traditional schools can leverage the prior learning trend

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Transfer nation
May 31, 2016

The economic, technological and demographic shifts that are making transfer the norm.

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4 research-based practices that can transform transfer
May 17, 2016

What both 2- and 4-year institutions can do to improve outcomes.

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A transfer umbrella
May 3, 2016

Keeping track of articulation agreements

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Institutional goals drive transfer policy
Apr 5, 2016

Financial aid and accreditation considerations add some wrinkles.

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National Student Clearinghouse: New college graduates decline; more students "stacking" degrees
Oct 20, 2015

Second NSC study reveals student mobility trends, and upcoming AACRAO webinar with Doug Shapiro focuses on these transfer patterns.

Headshot of Wendolyn Davis.

Do transfer students really need hand-holding?
Sep 8, 2015

An admissions professional considers staff and faculty responsibilities toward transfer students.

Photo of a keyboard with the enter key replaced by a red key that says "transfer."

Best practice on evaluating credit from non-accredited institutions.
Sep 2, 2015

Survey: Many institutions don't have documented process for unaccredited transfer credits.

60 Second Survey: Transfer articulation practices
Apr 28, 2015

The results of the 60 Second Survey on Transfer Articulation Practices are in.

Taking the transfer pathway towards student success
Aug 12, 2014

Understand the political and policy debate that led to the UC's Transfer Action report and learn how the plan will be applicable to higher education institutions throughout the nation.

How can colleges serve the postmodern student?
Jul 15, 2014

Dr. Sandy Shugart talks about the challenges and gifts of today's college student.

"Jump Start" your transfer program
Jul 15, 2014

Appalachian State's model transfer student support system.

The consequences of credit lost
Jul 1, 2014

Study explores why some transfer students don't complete 4-year degrees

Navigating new pathways towards student success
May 6, 2014

Forming institutional partnerships and serving students authentically.

Transfer and Technology: More than a two-way street
May 6, 2014

Enrollment professionals must be informed consumers of transfer student research.

Who are you calling a swirler? 4 transfer populations to know
Dec 13, 2013

Identifying transfer populations with swirling patterns can help institutions customize student services.

Transfer/Tech Spotlight: Facilitating community college transfer; A forum for experienced registrars
Aug 24, 2013

Three transfer trends that you should know (and care) more about
Aug 23, 2013

Developing solutions to common problems in transfer
Aug 23, 2013

Looking for our online TCP resource?

A new version is coming. Please check back for updates.

Guidance & Recommendations

2021 Updated Joint Statement on the Transfer and Award of Credit

This updated Joint Statement on the Transfer and Award of Credit outlines sound, equity-minded institutional policies and practices for the award of credit.

Recognition of Excellence in Supporting Transfer Student Success

Released in 2021, this guide covers institutional best practices for fostering transfer student success. AACRAO developed this set of transfer evaluation criteria based on a review of existing research and practice to measure, and subsequently formally recognize, institutions as transfer student success centric.

 

Guide to Best Practices: Articulation Agreement

Released in 2019, this guide provides a broad range of resources that may be used by academic, enrollment, admissions, transfer, and records personnel at both originating and destination institutions

A Guide to Best Practices: Awarding Transfer and Prior Learning Credit

Released in 2017, this guide describes expectations and best practices for post-secondary institutions’ work with transfer credits.

Joint Statement on the Transfer and Award of Credit

Released in 2017, institutions are encouraged to use this statement as a basis for discussions in developing and reviewing institutional policies with regards to the transfer and award of credit

Institution Bill of Rights and Responsibilities

Transfer Student Bill of Rights

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