Graduation and Transfer

Requirements for Certificates, Degrees and University Transfer

There are three academic objectives you can complete at Victor Valley College. These include:

• Occupational certificates
• Graduation with an associate’s degree
• Preparation for transfer to a four-year university where you can complete a bachelor's degree

Many students elect to complete two or even all three of these goals at the same time - which you can do with careful planning.

This section of the catalog will tell you how to accomplish these three objectives.

Course Numbering System

Each college course has a number assigned to it, which tells you whether it applies to the associate’s degree, transfers to a university, or doesn’t apply to a degree.

• "0" Courses that begin with a zero are non-credit.
• 1 - 49 numbered courses are non-degree applicable (NDA), and are not intended to transfer to universities.
• 50 - 99 numbered courses apply to the associate’s degree, but do not transfer to universities.
• 100 - 299 numbered courses apply to the associate’s degree and transfer to most universities. Level 200 courses usually have prerequisites.
• 300 - 399 numbered courses are upper division level and apply to the bachelor's degree, and may transfer to universities.

At the end of each course description, courses that transfer to campuses of the California State University or the University of California systems are indicated by “CSU” and/or “UC.”

Common Course Numbering (CCN) - Starting Fall 2025!

The Common Course Numbering (CCN) system is a state-mandated initiative (AB 1111) aimed at simplifying student transfer and ensuring uniformity in course numbers across California Community Colleges.

Starting fall 2025 VVC will begin the switch to a new course numbering system. Visit the VVC Common Course Numbering website for updates. This new system, called the Common Course Numbering (CCN) system, will use the following structure:

• Subject: Four letter abbreviation (e.g., ENGL for English)
• Course Type Identifier: C = Common Course Number (local courses would not have a C)
• Course Number: Standardized 4-digit course identification

C1000 - C1999 = 100 level (freshman) course
C2000 - C2999 = 200 level (sophomore) course

Courses identified as CCN will feature a "C" in their number (e.g., ENGL 101 will become ENGL C1000). Some subject prefixes will also change to align with the statewide standards (e.g., CMST will become COMM). Revisions, including new course numbers and subject prefixes, will be clearly indicated in the upcoming catalog and class schedules. 

Catalog Rights for Associate’s Degrees and Certificates

Each academic year, the Victor Valley College Catalog lists the requirements, rules, and regulations that define what students must satisfy to qualify for an associate degree or certificate. Degree and certificate requirements may change from one catalog year to the next. When students first enroll at Victor Valley College, they will follow the catalog requirements during that academic year (Fall, Winter, Spring, or Summer). Students have the right to complete requirements under the terms of any published catalogs while in continuous enrollment.  (Reference: VVC District AP 4027 - Catalog Rights)

Catalog Rights

The term "catalog rights" refers to the particular requirements, rules, and regulations that a student must complete based on the academic year in which he/she/they entered the college or have had continuous enrollment. Catalog rights apply for a maximum of six years prior to graduation for students in continuous enrollment.

Continuous Enrollment

Continuous enrollment is defined as enrollment in at least one transcripted course in at least one semester (Fall, Winter, Spring, or Summer) during an academic year. Students who do not meet the continuous enrollment condition specified above, and who re-enroll in the College, will fall under the catalog requirements for the academic year when re-enrolling at VVC. Consequences of not being continuously enrolled may include:

• Loss of priority registration
• Changes in requirements for certificates
• Changes in requirements for degree majors
• Changes in general education requirements
• Discontinuation of programs

Course Substitution

The student may submit a petition to substitute a course in a certificate. The substitution form can be obtained from the department chair.

Course substitutions may be allowed when:

• The required course has been discontinued
• The required course has not been offered at VVC in more than a year and a half
• The required course was canceled due to low enrollment

Course substitution applies to certificates only and does not apply to degrees. 

Application for Graduation

Graduation ceremonies are held once a year in June. The graduating student is responsible for submitting an application for graduation by the established deadline to Admissions & Records. This includes submitting all official transcripts from other colleges and all other documents verifying completion of any requirements. Students applying for an Associate's Degree or Certificate do not have to be currently enrolled. Students must apply within three years from the date all requirements are satisfied. Exceptions, for example, medical reasons or military service, should be submitted in writing including supporting documentation, to the Director of Admissions & Records.

Second and Subsequent Degrees

To earn more than one Associate's Degree, AA/AS, the following apply:

1. Students must complete an additional 18 units minimum from another major, for each additional degree.
2. No courses used in the major for one degree may be used in the major for a subsequent degree.
3. The general education requirements used for the first degree remain as the general education requirements for subsequent degrees.
4. The three aforementioned points do not apply when earning an AA-T/AS-T degree. See the Graduation Requirements for the Associate's Degree for Transfer (AA-T or AS-T) section for details.

Requirements for Occupational Certificates

We’ll start by telling you how to complete a certificate. This is the simplest goal, because there’s not a lot to figure out. Just turn to the section entitled “Programs of Study” for a brief overview of all the degrees and certificates offered. You will also see a "Programs" tab for each academic department which specify exactly which courses are required in order to complete the various programs.  In the Academic Departments section, you’ll find listed the most common areas of study that people are interested in - whether VVC offers a program in that field or not. If we don’t have a particular program, at least you’ll find some information about some of the institutions that do.

Under each area of study, VVC may offer the following types of certificates.

Certificate of Achievement is a sequence of courses of 8 semester units or more and is awarded to students who successfully complete all the requirements for a defined program of study approved by the Victor Valley Community College Board of Trustees as well as by the Chancellor’s Office for California Community Colleges. These are also called State Approved Certificates.  Certificates of Achievement are recorded on students’ official transcripts.

Certificate of Career Preparation is awarded to students who successfully complete all the requirements for a defined program of study approved by the Victor Valley Community College Board of Trustees. These are also called Locally Approved Certificates.  Students who earn a Certificate of Career Preparation are presented with a paper award, but the college does not record the award on students’ transcripts.

Certificate of Competency is a prescribed pathway of non-credit coursework that prepares students to take non-degree applicable coursework, including basic skills and English as a second language, or to take degree-applicable credit coursework leading to a credit certificate, associate degree, or transfer to a university.  

Certificate of Completion is a prescribed pathway of non-credit coursework that leads to improved employability or job opportunities. It also prepares students to progress in a career path or to take degree-applicable credit courses. 

Students receiving occupational certificates must have completed all required courses with a grade point average of “C” or better.  For certificates that require 18 units or more, students must complete a minimum of 12 of those units in residence at VVC.  For certificates that require fewer than 18 units, students must complete at least 50% of the total required units in residence at VVC.

Only Certificates of Achievement (or State Approve Certificates) that require 16 units or more are eligible for Federal Financial Aid.  Certificates of less than 16 units are not eligible for federal or state aid, with the exception of the California College Promise Grant.  

As a practical matter, if your academic skills - English, reading and math - need some refreshing, you should take courses in those areas before, or along with, your other courses. Refer to your Placement Survey for an idea of which courses to choose. Employers of all kinds and at all levels want employees who can think well, speak well, write well, and get along with others. You can take courses in all those areas at VVC.

What many people do is complete a certificate program, then sometime later (yes, even years later!) come back to school and use those courses again as the major and often the electives for an associate’s degree or even as preparation for transfer. Other people work on certificates and the requirements for a degree at the same time.

It’s all up to you. Just remember once a completed course is on your transcript, we can often use it to satisfy requirements for a second or even a third objective.

Graduation Requirements for Associate's Degrees (AA or AS)

Graduation generally requires the equivalent of two to three years of full-time study which leads to an Associate in Arts (AA) or Associate in Science (AS) degree or an Associate Degree for Transfer (ADT).  The college’s graduation requirements allow students to earn an associate degree and, with careful planning, simultaneously meet requirements for an occupational certificate, the requirements for transfer to a four-year college or university, or both.  Students who wish to transfer should check with their intended institution regarding which courses meet that school’s requirements.

Below are the requirements for earning AA and AS degrees only.  This information is also available as a worksheet in Counseling - ask for the “green sheet."  The AA-T and AS-T degree (also known as the Associate Degree for Transfer) requirements are shown in the Associate Degree for Transfer (ADT) tab.  

General Requirements

• A minimum of 60 degree-applicable (courses numbered 50 and above) units are required to earn an AA or AS degree.  Per California Code of Regulation Title 5, 55061, a minimum of 12 degree-applicable units must be completed in residence at VVC.  A maximum of 4 units of physical activity may be used, except in the Fine Arts major.
• Earn a cumulative GPA of 2.0 or higher in all degree-applicable units including all units from other colleges attended, if applicable.
• A course may be used to satisfy both a general education requirement and a major requirement. Per California Code of Regulation Title 5, 55062. Additionally, the course may also satisfy these other graduation competencies: American Institutions and Kinesiology.
• A course may not fulfill more than one GE area even though it may be listed in more than one area.
• Courses counted in one AA or AS major may not be counted in a second AA or AS major.

Note: If you’re planning to transfer to a university, the key idea to keep in mind when you plan your courses for your VVC major and general education requirements is that you want to fit your transfer university’s course requirements into VVC’s graduation requirements.  That is, use the university's required courses to meet VVC’s degree requirements. Students may use the same courses that were applied to the AA/AS major and/or general education requirements to simultaneously satisfy the California State University or the University of California general education patterns.  You will find more on that in the University Transfer tab.

Courses for Your Major

To earn an associate's degree, you must have a major.  Required courses for each major are listed in the "Requirements" tab for each program of study. All majors require at least 18 units.  Some majors require specific courses and/or more than 18 units.  Each course in the major must be completed with a “C” grade or higher. Courses may be used only towards one AA or AS major. Work Experience 138 classes cannot be used in the major.

General Education Requirements

At least 21 semester units are required for your General Education (GE). The VVC General Education page shows which courses can be used to satisfy each of the GE area requirements. It’s a good idea to make your selections with an eye to your university transfer requirements, if applicable.

There are also two other options to fulfill general education for AA and AS degrees. 

1. The CalGETC pattern. If using this pattern, VVC competencies are not required. 
2. Students who have been awarded a bachelor's degree from an institutionally accredited institution shall be deemed to have fulfilled the general education and competency requirements, per Title 5, 55062.

The General Education pattern at Victor Valley College is a comprehensive and integrated introduction to broadly applicable principles, concepts, and methods of:

Area 1: LANGUAGE & RATIONALITY (MINIMUM 6 SEMESTER/8 QUARTER UNITS)

Area 1A: ENGLISH COMPOSITION

• Compose a variety of essays and revise these compositions for clarity, organization, and mechanical and grammatical correctness.
• Summarize, synthesize, and paraphrase various types of source materials.
• Define, access, and evaluate research information from a variety of sources and using a variety of tools.
• Prepare documented research papers using a variety of resource material and MLA citation/documentation.

Area 1B: COMMUNICATION & ANALYTICAL THINKING

• Create and deliver oral presentations that are suitable to the topic, purpose, and audience.
• Communicate orally with civility and attention to diversity using a wide range of media and in a variety of settings.
• Actively listen with literal and critical comprehension of ideas and information transmitted in oral language.

Area 2: MATHEMATICS (MINIMUM 3 SEMESTER/4 QUARTER UNITS)

• Communicate mathematical concepts formally, using appropriate notation and terminology, and informally by using everyday language.
• Effectively organize, present, interpret, and summarize quantitative information using symbolic, numerical and graphical methods.
• Solve problems by evaluating the available information and type of problem, choosing an appropriate technique, applying the technique, and verifying whether or not the solution is reasonable.
• Use mathematical concepts and methods to understand, analyze, and express applications in quantitative terms.

Area 3: HUMANITIES (MINIMUM 3 SEMESTER/4 QUARTER UNITS)

• Identify, discuss, and evaluate works of major philosophical, historical, literary, artistic, and/or cultural importance.
• Critically analyze conceptions of human meaning and forms of self-expression and self-understanding that represent the perspectives of different periods of time, cultures, social and ethnic groups.
• Reason effectively about values, including the application of ethical principles and ethical analysis of proposed solutions to social problems.

Area 4: SOCIAL AND BEHAVIORAL SCIENCES (MINIMUM 3 SEMESTER/4 QUARTER UNITS)

• Discuss and apply the central theoretical concepts and methods of contemporary social or behavioral science.
• Critically analyze individual or social behavior in a variety of contexts, including contemporary, historical, Western, non-Western, and minority.
• Identify and apply the principles of effective citizenship, including civility, respect for diversity, and exercise of social responsibilities.
• Explore, identify, and evaluate the factors that have shaped our global community to gain an understanding of the individual’s roles in relationship to other individuals and systems on a global level.

Area 5: NATURAL SCIENCES (MINIMUM 3 SEMESTER/4 QUARTER UNITS)

• Define and discuss the basic principles, concepts, and theories of the natural sciences.
• Explain and apply the methods scientists use to explore natural phenomena, including observation, hypothesis, measurement, experimentation, evaluation of evidence, and quantitative analysis. Critically evaluate the limitations, sustainability and social impact of scientific study.

Area 6: ETHNIC STUDIES (MINIMUM 3 SEMESTER/4 QUARTER UNITS)

• Courses fulfilling this requirement may include baccalaureate courses in the four autonomous disciplines within Ethnic Studies: Black Studies; African American Studies; Africana Studies; Native American Studies; Chicano/a/x; Latino/a/x Studies/La Raza Studies; and Asian American Studies.

Competencies

American Institutions

The American Institutions competency equips students with a foundational understanding of United States history, the principles and structure of the U.S. Constitution, and the organization and functions of federal, state, and local governments. This competency is aligned with the academic requirements of the California State University (CSU) system, facilitating seamless transfer while fostering informed citizenship and civic literacy.

To meet the American Institutions competency at Victor Valley College, students must demonstrate the ability to:

• Interpret major events, movements, and developments in U.S. history, with attention to the contributions, struggles, and perspectives of ethnic, social, political, economic, and cultural groups.
• Explain the origins, core principles, and structure of the U.S. Constitution, including the philosophical foundations of the American political system (e.g., natural rights, the social contract), the structure of government, separation of powers, and federalism.
• Evaluate the rights, responsibilities, and protections afforded to individuals under the Constitution, including civil liberties, civil rights, and due process, and understand how these rights have been contested and expanded over time.
• Demonstrate civic literacy by identifying effective methods of political participation and engagement, such as voting, advocacy, public service, and community organizing, and assessing the accessibility and responsiveness of democratic institutions.
• Critically examine the relationship between individuals and government, including the role of consent, accountability, and legitimacy in democratic governance, and reflect on how the social contract informs public expectations of justice, representation, and the rule of law.

Note: Courses used to fulfill the American Institutions competency may also be applied toward general education or major requirements, when applicable.

Kinesiology (Physical Education)

A minimum of one course (credit or noncredit) is required to earn the AA or AS degree. Any APE, HLTH, KIN, KIND course; or TA courses that are cross-listed with KIND; or FIRE 140A Firefighter Physical Agility Entrance Exam Techniques will satisfy this requirement. A maximum of 4 units of APE/KIN/KIND/TA activity courses will count toward the degree (except for KIND/TA units in the Fine Arts major, which have no limitation).

Completion of military basic training also fulfills this requirement. A copy of the student’s form DD214 or JST must be on file with the Admissions & Records Office.

Courses with the athletics prefix (ATHL) do not satisfy this requirement, unless they are cross-listed with HLTH courses.

Electives

The remaining units for the degree - approximately 21 - are called electives, because after satisfying your major and GE requirements, you may elect to take whatever you like, with some restrictions and recommendations. For example, you might want to complete courses towards an occupational certificate or towards possible transfer objectives.

Applying for Graduation

Finally, it is important to note that you will not automatically earn your degree upon completion of the requirements.  You must apply for graduation with the Admissions & Records Office at the appropriate time. Typically, this is one semester prior to your final semester at VVC. 

Graduation Requirements for Associate's Degree for Transfer (AA-T or AS-T)

The Student Transfer Achievement Reform Act (Senate Bill 1440, codified in California Education Code sections 66746-66749) guarantees admission to a California State University (CSU) campus for any community college student who completes an Associate Degree for Transfer (ADT). The Associate in Arts for Transfer (AA-T) and the Associate in Science for Transfer (AS-T) are intended for students who plan to complete a bachelor’s degree in a similar major at a CSU campus. Students completing ADTs are guaranteed admission to the CSU system, though not to a particular campus or major. Students transferring to a CSU campus that accepts the AA-T or AS-T will be required to complete no more than 60 semester units after transfer to earn a bachelor’s degree, unless the major is a designated “high-unit” major. This degree may not be the best option for students intending to transfer to a particular CSU campus or to a university or college that is not part of the CSU system. Students should consult with a counselor when planning to complete the degree for more information on university admission and transfer requirements.

Below are the requirements for earning AA-T and AS-T degrees only.  The AA and AS degree requirements are shown in AA & AS tab.

General Requirements

• Completion of a minimum of 60 CSU-transferable semester units. Per California Code of Regulation Title 5, 55062, a minimum of 12 degree-applicable units must be completed in residence at VVC. 
• Completion of a minimum of 18 semester units with a “C” or better (or a “P” if the course is taken on a Pass or No-Pass basis) in all courses required for the AA-T or AS-T major as identified in the college catalog.
• Completion of the CalGETC pattern, including the Basic/Golden 4 CSU admission requirement.
• Minimum GPA of at least 2.0 in all CSU-transferable coursework. While a minimum of 2.0 is required for admission, some majors may require a higher GPA. Please consult with a counselor for more information.
• Courses may be double-counted for major and GE areas. However, a single course may not fulfill more than one GE area even though it may be listed in more than one area.
• Courses counted for one ADT major may be used again in another ADT major for a separate degree.
• The local VVC graduation requirements of Kinesiology, Global Citizenship, and Information Competency do not apply to AA-T and AS-T degrees.
• Course work transferred in from the other California Community Colleges will be applied toward the ADT major and CSUGE/IGETC/CalGETC areas to fulfill the same requirements as they would have at the previous institution.

A student may use major courses in both a traditional associate’s degree and in an Associate’s Degree for Transfer (ADT). For example, a student who completed an AA in Liberal Arts degree with an emphasis in Social/Behavioral Science may use the relevant SOC and PSYC courses to meet the requirements for the AA-T in Sociology. Likewise, if a student completed the AA-T in Sociology, the relevant major courses could be used for the AA in Liberal Arts with an emphasis in Social/Behavioral Science degree. A student may earn more than one ADT. It is up to the student to decide which to use when applying to the CSU system for transfer. A student could use one ADT major for applying to one CSU campus and a different ADT major for applying to a different CSU campus.

VVC offers several Associate Degrees for transfer. To learn about the ADT degrees the CSU accepts from VVC, please use the ADT Search Tool. To learn about which California private universities accept ADT degrees, visit the AICCU.

Courses for Your Major

To earn an Associate Degree for Transfer you must have a major.  There are specific courses required for each major and they are listed in the "Degrees" tab for each academic department.  All majors require a minimum of 18 units, while some may require more. Each major course must be completed with a "C" grade or higher.  

General Education Requirements

Beginning Fall 2025 ADTs require that you complete CalGETC.  For students with previous catalog rights, you can follow either the California State University General Education Breadth (CSU GE-Breadth) or Intersegmental General Education Transfer Curriculum (IGETC) pattern.  You must follow one pattern exclusively (i.e. you cannot mix-and-match). 

Course Identification Numbering System (C-ID)

The Course Identification Numbering System (C-ID) is a statewide numbering system independent from the course numbers assigned by local California community colleges. A C-ID number next to a course signals that participating California colleges and universities have determined that courses offered by other California community colleges are comparable in content and scope to courses offered on their own campuses, regardless of their unique titles or local course number. Thus, if a schedule of classes or catalog lists a course bearing a C-ID number, for example COMM 110, students at that college can be assured that it will be accepted in lieu of a course bearing the C-ID COMM 110 designation at another community college. In other words, the C-ID designation can be used to identify comparable courses at different community colleges. However, students should always go to the ASSIST website to confirm how each college’s course will be accepted at a particular four-year college or university for transfer credit.

The C-ID numbering system is useful for students attending more than one community college and is applied to many of the transferable courses students need as preparation for transfer. Because these course requirements may change and because courses may be modified and qualified for or deleted from the C-ID database, students should always check with a counselor to determine how C-ID designated courses fit into their educational plans for transfer.

Students may consult the ASSIST website for specific information on C-ID course designations. Counselors can help students interpret this information.

The California Community Colleges Transfer Tool website has a search tool that shows which California State University (CSU) campuses accept which AA-T and AS-T degrees. Students completing an AA-T or AS-T degree are guaranteed admission to a CSU campus, as long as they complete 60 transferable units, including the pre-major requirements and the CSU General Education (GE) or IGETC General Education pattern, and maintain a transferable cumulative GPA of at least a 2.0.  However, students are not guaranteed admission to particular campuses.  You may also meet with a counselor for more information. 

Case-by-Case Exceptions to Victor Valley College’s Catalog Rights policy based upon California State University’s Implementation Guidance for CSU General Education Policy and Transfer

• Conferring VVC ADTs for instances whereby students may claim pre-2021 catalog rights for the CSU system, but their selected major was established after that date.
• Pertains to Victor Valley College students who enrolled at VVC prior to the CSU’s implementation of the three-unit lower division Ethnic Studies general education requirement and maintained continuous enrollment at VVC to the present time.
• Please see CSU Memo regarding GE policy for guidance and details. 

2021-2022

Students who initially enrolled at VVC or reenrolled at VVC after a break in catalog rights during the 2021-2022 catalog year and maintained continuous enrollment as outlined in the VVC catalog.  During this year, the CSU system implemented the Ethnic Studies requirement. However, during this year VVC did not have approval for the ETH courses to count towards Area F of the CSU GE Breadth pattern.  They were later approved during summer 2022 and backdated to state Fall 2021 on assist.org. Therefore, all ADTs utilized the traditional A-E CSU GE Breadth pattern for graduation and advising.  Students graduating from VVC under the requirements for this catalog year may graduate without an Ethnic Studies course. However, they will be required to take Ethnic Studies for graduation at the CSU if they do not complete it prior to transfer.  Victor Valley College will allow these students to graduate with an ADT in a new major that was established at VVC after the implementation of the Ethnic Studies requirement and use the older CSU GE pattern. This will be done on a case-by-case basis. 

2020-2021 and Prior

Students who initially enrolled at VVC or reenrolled at VVC after a break in catalog rights during the 2020-2021 catalog year and maintained continuous enrollment as outlined in the VVC catalog.

Victor Valley College will allow these students to graduate with an ADT in a new major that was established at VVC after the implementation of the Ethnic Studies requirement and use the older CSU GE pattern. This will be done on a case-by-case basis.  Students in this set of circumstances are not required to complete the Ethnic Studies requirement at CSU as long as they maintain CSU catalog rights established by the CSU system. 

Note that CSU campuses will expect to see CSU and IGETC general education certifications that include Area F Ethnic Studies following the timelines below.

Beginning Fall 2023 – a student transcript indicating CSUGE Fully Certified must include Ethnic Studies

Beginning Fall 2024 – a student transcript indicating Full IGETC Certification must include Ethnic Studies

Applying for Graduation

Finally, it is important to note that you will not automatically earn your degree upon completion of the requirements.  You must apply for graduation with the Admissions & Records (online or in-person) by the given deadline. Typically, you apply for graduation one semester prior to your final semester at VVC. 

Graduation Requirements for Bachelor of Science Degrees (BS)

California Community Colleges are permitted to offer the Bachelor Degree Program (BDP) under the requirements set forth in California Education Code, 78042.  Victor Valley College is proud to announce that we now offer a Bachelor of Science (BS) degree in Respiratory Therapy.  This program has specific admission criteria and a separate application for admission.  To earn the Respiratory Therapy, BS degree at Victor Valley College, students must meet all of the following requirements.  

1. A minimum of 120 baccalaureate level, semester units.  Including a minimum of 60 semester units at the associate degree level.
2. At least 36 semester units of general education (either VVC's local GE pattern or CalGETC).
   1. At least 9 semester units of general education must be upper division.
3. A minimum of 18 semester units of lower division coursework in the major. 
4. A minimum of 40 semester units of upper division coursework, which can be a combination of major and general education courses.

Please visit the Respiratory Therapy department page for further information. 

Transferring to a Four-Year College or University

Victor Valley College supports students with transferring to four-year colleges and universities. VVC provides the freshman and sophomore years of a four-year college or university program. VVC students can complete most or all of their lower-division major and general education requirements before transferring. Students intending to transfer to a four-year institution are strongly encouraged to meet with a VVC counselor to develop a Student Educational Plan that is best suited for their intended transfer institution and major.

There are four systems of higher education in California:

1. The University of California (UC) system
2. The California State University (CSU) system
3. Independent colleges and universities
4. California Community Colleges

Please Note: Information about the university transfer process and requirements listed on this section of the catalog is subject to change. For updated transfer information, please meet with a VVC counselor and visit the Transfer Center. 

Transfer Center

The Transfer Center, which is located in Building 23, Room 05, provides services, resources, and activities to support students through the process of transferring to a university. By utilizing the Transfer Center, students can explore their transfer university options, learn about transfer admission requirements, connect with counselors and university representatives to create a transfer plan, and receive assistance with the application process.

Contact Us
Phone: (760) 245-4271 ext. 2138
Email: transfer@vvc.edu
Website: www.vvc.edu/transfer-center

University of California (UC)

The University of California is comprised of ten campuses statewide, nine of which offer undergraduate programs: UC Berkeley, UC Davis, UC Irvine, UC Los Angeles, UC Merced, UC Riverside, UC San Diego, UC Santa Barbara, and UC Santa Cruz. UC San Francisco focuses on health education and it only offers graduate degrees. 

Students can transfer a maximum of 70 semester UC transferrable units of lower-division coursework to a UC campus. Courses which are transferable to the University of California are designated on the Transferable Course Agreement (TCA) and are also indicated in the catalog listed after the course description. Some of the courses that are transferable to the University of California have credit limitations. Check the University of California Transfer Course Agreement (TCA) or ASSIST to determine these limitations. 

UC Application

The UC fall application is available August 1st at the UC Admissions application page. Only one application is required to apply to all nine UC undergraduate campuses. It is recommended that students planning for transfer to the University of California meet with a counselor every semester, as changes frequently occur in requirements.

Fall Application Filing Period: October 1 - November 30

Winter/Spring Application Filing Period: July 1 - July 31

UC's minimum transfer admission requirements represent the minimum academic standards students must attain to be considered for admission. Most campuses consider transfer students at the junior level, although a few campuses may consider sophomore or even senior transfers.

Lower Division Transfer
 While all UC campuses welcome a large pool of junior level transfers, most admit only a limited number of lower-division students. However, it can happen. Here's how:

• If a student met the minimum requirements for admission to UC when they graduated from high school, they are eligible for transfer if they have a 2.0 GPA (2.8 for nonresidents) in UC transferable college coursework.
• If a student met the minimum required GPA in high school but did not satisfy the 15 Course Subject Requirement, the student must take transferable college courses in the missing subjects, earn a C or better in each required course, and maintain an overall 2.0 GPA (2 .8 for nonresidents) in all transferable coursework to be eligible to transfer.

Students will need to check the website of the UC campus they're considering to learn if they will accept applications from lower-division transfers.

Upper Division Transfer
The majority of transfer students come to the University at the junior level from California Community Colleges. To be eligible for admission as a junior transfer student, a student must fulfill the following criteria:​

1. Complete at least 60 semester (90 quarter) units of UC-transferable credit.
   • ​​​No more than 14 semester (21 quarter) units of the 60 semester (90 quarter) units may be taken pass/fail or credit/no credit.
2. Earn at least a 2.4 GPA in UC-transferable courses (2.8 if a student is a nonresident) 
   • ​Some campuses and majors may require a higher GPA for admission selection.
3. Complete the required/recommended courses needed for your intended major with the minimum grades. 
   • ​​Visit ASSIST to learn about major preparation coursework required by each UC campus. 
4. Complete the 7-course pattern by the end of the spring term prior to fall enrollment at UC:
   • Two transferable courses in English composition;
   • One transferable course in mathematical concepts and quantitative reasoning;
   • Four transferable college courses chosen from at least two of the following subject areas:
     • arts and humanities
     • social and behavioral sciences
     • physical and biological sciences​

Senior Level Transfer
Some campuses may consider a small number of transfer students who already have senior standing. These students are expected to fulfill the same minimum requirements as junior level transfers.

Note: students who have completed only lower-division (freshman/sophomore level) coursework at a non-UC institution are not considered seniors and should apply as junior level transfers regardless of how many units they have accumulated.

General Education

UC’s general education requirements are designed to help UC undergraduates gain a broad background in all key academic disciplines, including natural sciences, physical sciences, social sciences, humanities, and the arts. To meet the UC's lower-division general education requirements, students have the option to complete either the California General Education Transfer Curriculum (CalGETC), Intersegmental General Education Transfer Curriculum (IGETC), or individual campus general education requirements.

CalGETC
The California General Education Transfer Curriculum (CalGETC) is the singular transfer general education pathway for California Community College (CCC) students to fulfill lower-division general education requirements for transfer and admission to the California State University (CSU) and University of California (UC) systems. 

Starting fall 2025, the CalGETC will serve as the singular GE pattern for completion of an AA-T, AS-T, or AA degree program and/or for GE certification to the UC or CSU. This will apply to new incoming students and previously enrolled students who have lost catalog rights.

IGETC
The Intersegmental General Education Transfer Curriculum (IGETC) is a general education program which community college transfer students can use to fulfill lower-division general education requirements at either the CSU or UC system without the need, after transfer, to take additional lower-division general education courses. 

Resources for Students and Counselors

UC Transfer Pathways
The UC Transfer Pathways is a single set of first- and second-year (lower-division) courses students should take to prepare for common majors at any of the nine undergraduate campuses. 

UC Transfer Pathways Guide
The UC Transfer Pathways Guide provides a listing of California Community College courses that meet the course expectations for each of the pathways. It is strongly recommended to use this guide in conjunction with ASSIST for the most up-to-date information.

UC Transfer Admission Planner (UC TAP)
The Transfer Admission Planner (UC TAP) helps students plan their coursework and map their progress. Students always know how close they are to meeting UC’s minimum requirements, and what’s left to do.

UC Transfer Admission Guarantee (UC TAG)
Six University of California (UC) campuses offer guaranteed admission to students from all California Community Colleges (CCC). Interested students must meet both the shared TAG criteria as well as campus-specific requirements to qualify for a TAG. By participating in a TAG program, students can ensure their admission to a specific UC campus.

UC Dual Admission
The UC Dual Admission program supports students who want to transfer to a UC by granting a conditional admission to a participating campus.  The program will now have two waves of invitations. The first wave of program invitations will go out each summer and the second wave of invitations will go out each fall, with the aim of capturing first-year applicants who enrolled at a California community college (CCC) after graduating high school. Upon completion of program requirements, students will be guaranteed admission to their selected campus or major from their California Community College.

California State University (CSU)

The twenty-three campuses of the California State University system offer a wide variety of innovative and exciting bachelor’s, graduate-level programs, and doctoral programs to prepare students to be effective in their career of choice. Campuses that make up the CSU system include: Bakersfield, Channel Islands, Chico, Dominguez Hills, East Bay, Fresno, Fullerton, Humboldt (Cal Poly), Long Beach, Los Angeles, Monterey Bay, Northridge, Pomona (Cal Poly), Sacramento, San Bernardino, San Diego, San Francisco, San Jose, San Luis Obispo (Cal Poly), San Marcos, Sonoma, Stanislaus, and California Maritime.

Students can transfer a maximum of 70 semester CSU transferrable units of lower-division coursework to a CSU campus. All VVC courses numbered 100 or above will transfer to the California State University. These are also indicated in the catalog by a “CSU” at the end of the course description.

CSU Application

Applications for admission to the CSU system are available online at the CSU Admissions application page. Only one application is required to apply to all twenty-three CSU undergraduate campuses. Fall and Spring admissions are offered by the CSU system. All CSU campuses accept applications for Fall admission. To learn which CSU campuses accept applications for Spring admission, please contact the specific campus or visit the Transfer Center. 

Fall Application Filing Period: October 1 - December 2 

Spring Application Filing Period: August 1 - August 31

CSU's minimum transfer admission requirements represent the minimum academic standards students must attain to be considered for admission. Most campuses consider upper division transfer students, although a few campuses may consider lower division transfer students.

Upper-Division Transfer (UDT) 
To be admitted to the California State University as an upper-division transfer (UDT) student, a student must:

• have completed a minimum of 60 semester or 90 quarter units of transferable coursework;
• have a minimum of 2.0 GPA in all CSU-transferable courses. In high-demand majors and campuses a GPA of 2.00 may not be sufficient to be admitted;
• be in good standing at the last college or university attended;
• have completed 10 general education courses (30 semester units or 45 quarter units) of basic skills courses, with a grade of C- or better, and specifically, four courses completed in the following areas:
  • CSU GE Areas A1, A2, A3, and B4; or
  • CalGETC or IGETC Areas 1A, 1B, 1C, and 2

Lower-Division Transfer (LDT) Student
To be admitted to the California State University as a lower-division transfer (LDT) student, a student must:

• have completed “a-g” course requirements in high school;
• have graduated from high school (received a high school diploma or General Educational Development, or GED certificate);
• complete the minimum CSU admission eligibility requirements of a first-time freshman;​
• have a minimum of 2.0 GPA in all CSU-transferable courses;
• be in good standing at the last college or university the student attended;
• have completed, with a grade of C- or better, a course in GE Section A2 in written communication and a course in GE section B4 in mathematics or quantitative reasoning

To learn which CSU campuses offer admission to lower-division transfer (LDT) students, visit each campus admission website and meet with a VVC Counselor. 

CSU General Education

Students may follow either the California General Education Transfer Curriculum (CalGETC), Intersegmental General Education Transfer Curriculum (IGETC), or the CSU General Education Breadth. Students can also meet the general education requirements of a specific CSU campus.

CSU General Education Breadth
The CSU General Education-Breadth (CSU GE Breadth) program allows California Community College transfer students to fulfill lower-division general education requirements for any CSU campus prior to transfer. 

Resources for Students and Counselors

Associate Degrees for Transfer (ADT) 
The Student Transfer Achievement Reform Act (SB1440) established an Associate in Arts for Transfer (AA-T) or Associate in Science for Transfer (AS-T). The AA-T or AS-T degrees are designed to provide a clear pathway to the California State University (CSU) degree major. Students who are awarded an Associate Degree for Transfer and meet the CSU minimum admission requirements are guaranteed admission with junior standing and are given priority admission consideration when applying to a program that has been deemed similar to the degree earned at Victor Valley College.

More information on ADT's can be found at the California Community Colleges I Can Go To College website.

Transfer Success Pathway (CSU TSP)
The Transfer Success Pathway program is a dual admission program for students enrolling at a California community college who want to transfer to a CSU. The program offers guaranteed admission (if all requirements are met) to eligible first-time freshmen who enter into an agreement with one university of their choice. The agreement indicates the student's intention to transfer from a community college to that CSU within three years. 

Independent and Out-of-State Colleges and Universities

In addition to campuses within the California State University (CSU) and University of California (UC) system, there are over 100 independent colleges and universities in California. Each institution has its own unique requirements for admission. Due to the unique nature of these universities, students are encouraged to visit the website of their university of interest (i.e. transfer admission website) and consult directly with a transfer admission advisor/specialist at that particular university to learn about the requirements necessary to be a competitive applicant to their major and institution. Students should also meet with a VVC counselor for more information.

Founded in 1955, the Association of Independent California Colleges and Universities (AICCU) is comprised of over 85 independent, nonprofit colleges and universities in California. The AICCU Transfer Commitment is part of the sector's commitment to serve all types of California students, including transfer. Transfer pathways include campus articulation agreements and the Associate Degree for Transfer (ADT) program.

Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs)
California community college transfer students with a GPA of 2.0 or higher (NOTE: certain partner HBCUs will require a higher GPA) are guaranteed admission to HBCU partner schools using either of the following two options:

1. Complete a minimum of 30 UC or CSU units, or
2. Complete an Associate Degree for Transfer (ADT) using the CalGETC, IGETC or the CSU-GE pattern.​