Find answers about the University Transfer program below.
General University Transfer FAQs
Associate in Arts & Associate in Science FAQs
Teacher Preparation Transfer Programs FAQs
Associate in Fine Arts in Music (AFA) FAQs
General University Transfer
In an effort to provide a smooth transfer from the two-year school to the four-year school, an articulation agreement is a written statewide agreement that governs the transfer of credit between a community college and a four-year college or university. Currently, the North Carolina Community College System has an articulation agreement with the public universities (Comprehensive Articulation Agreement (CAA)) New CCA (effective spring 2026) and over 30 private colleges and universities in North Carolina (Independent Comprehensive Articulation Agreement (ICAA)).
A Transfer Guide maps a student’s pathway from associate college transfer degree completion, to admission into a major at a UNC System university, and finally to baccalaureate (bachelor’s) degree completion. The Transfer Guide lists the preferred math, science, and elective courses a student needs to take in order to successfully transfer from the community college to the 4-year institution. Click here to see the Transfer Guides for schools within the UNC System. For more information on the pathway from the associate degree to an independent or private college, please visit this site and check out the schools based on your current transfer degree track.
Students who complete UGETC courses with at least a “C” or better will receive credit applied toward the university’s lower-division general education course requirements, subject to the following distribution limit: maximum 6 hours in English Composition, 9 hours in Humanities/Fine Arts/Communications, 9 hours in Social/Behavioral Sciences, 8 hours in Mathematics, and 8 hours in the Natural Sciences.
- A North Carolina community college student who does not complete the Associate in Arts or Associate in Science degrees, but satisfactorily completes Universal General Education Transfer Component (UGETC) courses with a “C” or better will receive equivalency credit applied toward the senior institution’s lower-division general education course requirements, subject to the following distribution limit: maximum 6 hours in English Composition, 9 hours in Humanities/Fine Arts/Communications, 9 hours in Social/Behavioral Sciences, 8 hours in Mathematics, and 8 hours in the Natural Sciences.
- A North Carolina community college student who does not complete the Associate in Arts or Associate in Science degrees, but satisfactorily completes a non-UGETC transfer course will receive transfer credit; however, the receiving institution will determine whether the course will count as general education, pre-major, or elective credit.
All courses listed on your Transfer Degree Plan are a part of the Comprehensive Articulation Agreement (CAA) with the UNC Schools and the Independent Comprehensive Articulation Agreement (ICAA) with the private four-year schools in North Carolina. You can also visit: UNC Transfer Courses and ICAA Transfer Courses.
Yes. If a student from a NC Community College System college believes the terms of the CAA have not been honored by a UNC institution to which the student has been admitted, the student may invoke the CAA Transfer Credit Appeal Procedure, CAA Transfer Credit Appeal Procedure (effective spring 2026).
Yes. If a transfer student perceives that the terms of the ICAA have not been honored, he or she may follow the ICAA Student Appeal Procedure.
Associate in Arts & Associate in Science
The Associate in Arts (AA) degree is designed for students who wish to earn a two-year college transfer degree, transfer to a four-year college or university with junior status, and major in a liberal arts field. An AA degree prepares graduates for the following four-year degree programs: psychology, sociology, social work, music, history, and other disciplines that are focused in liberal or creative arts.
The Associate in Science (AS) degree is designed for students who wish to earn a two-year college transfer degree, transfer to a four-year college or university with junior status, and major in a degree program that is focused in science or math. An AS degree prepares graduates for the following four-year degree programs: engineering, mathematics, biology, finance, and other programs that are focused in math or science.
The Associate in Arts-Fast Track and Associate in Science-Fast Track programs are designed for students who wish to earn their two-year AA or AS degree in just one year. This accelerated format is intended for self-motivated learners who have the discipline to take courses every eight weeks to complete their AA or AS degree in just three semesters (fall, spring, and summer), and transfer to a four-year college or university with junior status. The time to complete the fast-track program may be extended for students who are enrolled in transition English or transition math courses.
Yes, it is acceptable, but please note that you may be required to take more math and science classes for the AS degree than your four-year degree program requires.
Yes, it is acceptable, but because the Associate in Arts degree program is not heavily focused in the math and science field, you may be required to take additional math and science courses at your four-year institution.
Community college graduates must obtain a grade of “C” or better in each course and an overall GPA of at least 2.0 on a 4.0 scale in order to transfer to the four-year institution with junior status. Courses may also transfer through bilateral agreements between institutions.
- If a student is denied admission to a UNC institution, then he or she will be notified in writing by the institution. In this notification, the student will be directed to the College Foundation of North Carolina website (cfnc.org) where the student will be given information regarding space availability and contacts in the respective UNC Admissions Offices. It is the student’s responsibility to contact each institution’s admissions office to get specific information about admissions and available majors.
- If the previous steps do not result in admission to a UNC institution, then the student should contact the CFNC Resource Center at 1-866-866-CFNC.
Teacher Preparation Transfer Programs
Our Associate in Arts in Teacher Preparation (AATP) and Associate in Science in Teacher Preparation (ASTP) programs are designed for students who wish to earn a bachelor’s degree in education and become K-12 teachers. Upon successful completion of the teacher preparation degree at the community college, students will transfer to a four-year college or university with junior status, dedicating the remaining two years to obtaining a bachelor’s degree in education.
If you want to become a K-12 teacher in areas such as Art, Language Arts/English, History, Music, Physical Education, Social Studies, or World Languages, our Associate in Arts in Teacher Preparation program will help you advance your goals.
If you want to become a K-12 teacher in the Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM) fields, our Associate in Science in Teacher Preparation program will help you advance your goals.
Students can choose to complete the program completely online, face-to-face, or a combination of both modalities. Most general education courses like English and math, are offered in face-to-face, hybrid, blended, and online settings.
Community college graduates must obtain a grade of “C” or better in each course and an overall GPA of at least 2.7 on a 4.0 scale in order to transfer to the four-year institution with junior status. Courses may also transfer through bilateral agreements between institutions.
Associate in Fine Arts in Music (AFA)
The AFA in Music degree is designed for students who wish to complete the first two years of their bachelor’s degree in music at the community college then transfer to a four-year school to complete the last two years of a bachelor’s degree.
While an AFA is not typically a terminal degree, it can qualify you for entry-level positions in the music industry, such as music teaching, performance, or studio work. However, most professional musicians pursue further education or training.
Success in an AFA in Music program often requires a significant amount of practice. It varies depending on your instrument or voice, but several hours of daily practice may be necessary to excel in performance and theory courses.
Yes, you can choose your area of specialization within the AFA in Music program.
Yes, the AFA in Music program offers performance opportunities, including participation in ensembles, recitals, and concerts. These experiences are crucial for building your skills and portfolio.
An AFA is a two-year program designed to provide a foundational education in music, while a Bachelor of Music (BM) is typically a four-year program that offers more in-depth study, specialization, and advanced training in music. A BM degree is often required for more advanced careers in music.