Embedded Files
What is coursemapping?
Course mapping is the process of planning and organizing the courses you need to take to successfully transfer to a university—such as the UC system—while fulfilling all requirements for your major and general education.
Part 1 : Choosing Your Major & IGETC
Intersegmental General Education Transfer Curriculum Introduction
Community college allows for you to complete the same Intersegmental General Education Transfer Curriculum (IGETC) with the intention to transfer to a 4 year institution.
IGETC requires you to take both General Education Development curriculum with lower division courses in preparation for your transfer.
These lower division courses will include a set of requirements such as English and Math. It allows you to take classes with transferrable units to UCs and encourages you to explore classes in relation to your major or prerequisites for your major classes. This would be classes needed to be consider for in course sequencing.
* Note that UCs transferable units differ for each institution.
Here are some interactive ways to explore which major is right for you!
Click the image to play!
A career assigning test designated by your Myers-Brigg Test. Depending on what career you get, you can explore which major is right for that career path!
A fun way to decide your major/career path dependent on your decision making choices on hypothetical situations. It is reminiscent of the Harry Potter House assigning test!
Part 2 : Course Planning for Major
Coursepaths to Consider Before Planning Out Coursework!
Click the image to visit the websites!
Transfer Admission Preparation (TAP)
Transfer Admission Preparation (TAP) programs at California Community Colleges help students strengthen their UC transfer applications through rigorous coursework, research opportunities, and faculty mentorship.
Programs like UCLA’s Transfer Alliance Program (TAP) offer priority admission consideration for students applying to the College of Letters and Science. Benefits include smaller class sizes, leadership development, and increased competitiveness for selective majors. TAP students must complete a set number of honors courses and maintain a strong GPA. Requirements vary, so you should check with their community college’s honors program and UC transfer resources.
Transfer Admission Guarantee (TAG)
Transfer Admission Guarantee (TAG) is a program that offers eligible California Community College students guaranteed admission to one of six participating University of California (UC) campuses: Davis, Irvine, Merced, Riverside, Santa Barbara, and Santa Cruz. To qualify, you must meet specific GPA, course, and unit requirements, which vary by campus and major.
TAG allows you to secure their UC admission early, provided they complete the required coursework and maintain eligibility. Students can only apply for one TAG but may still apply to other UCs through the regular transfer process. The TAG application is submitted through the UC Transfer Admission Planner (UC TAP) between September 1–30, a year before transfer. Interested students should check campus-specific requirements and meet with a counselor to ensure they remain on track.
Helpful Websites for Course Planning
Assist.org
Assist.org
ASSIST.org is the official transfer database for California’s public colleges and universities. The site shows course equivalencies for major preparation, general education (GE), and elective requirements. It also lists transferable courses to help you meet the 60-semester (90-quarter) unit minimum for transfer. You can use ASSIST by selecting their community college, choosing a university, picking a major, and viewing course agreements. This tool helps ensure a smooth transfer, prevents wasted coursework, and supports planning for Transfer Admission Guarantee (TAG) programs. Since transfer requirements can change, students should check ASSIST regularly and consult with a counselor.
Tip : If you have a target school, use Assist.org and frequently cross-check with the desired school's major website.
Cal State Apply (CSU GE Guide)
Cal State Apply (CSU GE Guide)
Cal State Apply is the official transfer application portal for CSU campuses. It provides information on admission requirements, application deadlines, and campus-specific transfer criteria. The CSU GE Breadth Guide outlines the general education (GE) requirements that students must complete to transfer to a CSU. Many community colleges offer CSU GE advising checklists to help students ensure they meet the necessary coursework before applying.
California Virtual Campus (CVC)
California Virtual Campus (CVC)
CVC.edu is an online course-finding tool that helps California Community College students locate online courses that fulfill transfer requirements. If a required class is unavailable at a student’s home college, they can use CVC to find an equivalent course at another CCC. This is especially useful for students facing impacted course availability or scheduling conflicts. Some courses even allow students to enroll without applying to the hosting college.
Transferology
Transferology
Transferology is a nationwide transfer credit database that allows students to see how their courses will transfer between colleges and universities, including some private institutions. By entering completed or planned courses, students can check equivalencies and see how credits apply to different schools. This tool is helpful for students considering transferring to out-of-state or private universities that are not covered by ASSIST.
Part 3 : Meet Counselors Regularly
Meeting with counselors frequently is the most reassuring way to guarantee you are on the right path towards transferring or even graduating with an Associates prior to transferring!
Below are some reasons why you should frequently meet or email your counselors.
Your counselors are professionally trained to guide you in taking the proper IGETC, major preparation, and elective classes needed to graduate or transfer.
Consider visiting the Transfer Center or Counseling offices!
Note : Some community colleges have separate counselors for TAP/TAG assistance.
Halfway through the transfer process and decided you no longer want to pursue the major you chose?
Speak with a counselor to decide what proper course sequencing to take towards a new major!
Note: A PASS intern did this and didn't go to a counselor! Find out what happens next here!
Course sequencing allows you to figure out what prerequisite classes to take before lower division classes!
Coordinate with your counselor the most efficient course sequence for your major! This is important to avoid taking any unnecessary courses and wasting time.
Want to graduate with an Associates for your major?
Meeting up with a counselor allows you to express specific goals to them, to which they have the resources to help you in the best of their capability.
Make use of the resources given to you - especially those eventually available at a 4-year institution.
Want to learn more about PIQs while doing your application?
Want to learn more about PIQs while doing your application?
Visit the PIQ Advice Page!
Want to know some insider information about course mapping?
Want to know some insider information about course mapping?
Learn from the PASS T-REC Team!
Looking for ways to strengthen your UC Application?
Visit Apps Strengthening!
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