Articulation
Articulation is the process of developing a formal, written agreement that identifies courses (or sequences of courses) on a “sending” campus that are comparable to, or acceptable in lieu of, specific course requirements at a “receiving” campus. Successful completion of an articulated course assures the student and the faculty that the student has taken the appropriate course, received the necessary instruction and preparation, and that similar outcomes can be assured.
Riverside City College has articulation agreements with the California State University (CSU), University of California (UC), and many private universities. Completing an articulated course for a specific major or for general education enables students to fulfill a university requirement for admission and/or graduation while at Riverside City College prior to transfer.
Articulation agreements between Riverside City College and the CSU and UC campuses can be found at www.assist.org
What is ASSIST?
ASSIST (Articulation System Stimulating Interinstitutional Student Transfer) is the official repository of articulation for California's public colleges and universities that displays reports of how course credits earned at a community college can be applied when transferred to a California State University or University of California campus.
Transfer Planning
California Community Colleges are offering associate degrees for transfer to the CSU. These may include Associate in Arts (AA-T) or Associate in Science (AS-T) degrees. These degrees are designed to provide a clear pathway to a CSU major and baccalaureate degree.
California Community College students who are awarded an AA-T or AS-T degree are guaranteed admission with junior standing somewhere in the CSU system and given priority admission consideration (usually through a slight GPA bump) to their local CSU campus or to a program that is deemed similar to their community college major. This priority does not guarantee admission to a specific major or campus.
Students who have been awarded an AA-T or AS-T are able to complete their remaining requirements for the 120-unit baccalaureate degree within 60 semester or 90 quarter units. Not all CSU campuses accept all of the AA-T/AS-T degrees. To view the most current list of Riverside City College Associate Degrees for Transfer and to find out which CSU campuses accept each degree you should meet with a Riverside City College counselor and also visit the websites listed below.
Transfer Counseling
It is important to understand that the AA-T/AS-T degree is designed specifically for transfer and is different than other types of associate degrees offered at Riverside City College. If we do not offer an AA-T/AS-T degree for your major you can still transfer to a CSU. Riverside City College students are encouraged to meet with a counselor to review their options for transfer and to develop an educational plan that best meets their goals and needs. Proper planning early is essential to make sure you meet all of the transfer requirements. Once you have met with a counselor and determined that the ADT is in your best interest, you must complete the following steps:
- Complete courses on Student Ed Plan.
- Submit CSU application, declaring ADT on admission application.
- Apply for respective ADT degree through WebAdvisor. Ensure correct selection of the appropriate term and program code.
- After ADT degree is posted, request official transcripts to be sent to university. It is your responsibility to meet all deadlines!
AA-T/AS-T Websites
- http://icangotocollege.com
- http://www.calstate.edu/transfer/adt-search/search.shtml
- https://www.c-id.net/courses (To search approved C-ID courses commonly found in the ADTs)
- Transfer Model Curriculum (TMC) Templates (For Faculty Reference)
- CSU San Bernardino ADT Website
- Cal Poly Pomona ADT Website
AICCU ADT Commitment
Students can now transfer with an ADT to dozens of private, nonprofit colleges and universities. The ADT Commitment is the Independent California College and University sector’s adaptation of the ADT pathway. While similar to the CSU ADT, there are also some differences due to the independent nature of the state’s nonprofit institutions. You can find more information including a list of participating institutions on the AICCU Transfer Website.
Administration of Justice
Anthropology
Art History
Biology
Business Adminstration 2.0
Chemistry AS-T
Child and Adolescent Development
Communication Studies 2.0
Computer Science
Early Childhood Education
Economics
Elementary Teacher Education
English
Environmental Science AS-T
Film, Television, and Electronic Media AS-T
Geography
Geology AA-T
History
Journalism
Kinesiology
Law, Public Policy, and Society
Mathematics
Music
Nutrition and Dietetics
Philosophy
Physics
Political Science
Psychology
Social Justice Studies: African American Studies
Social Justice Studies: Asian American Studies
Social Justice Studies: Chicano Studies
Social Justice Studies: Ethnic Studies
Social Justice Studies: Gender Studies
Social Justice Studies: General
Social Justice Studies: LGBTQ Studies
Social Justice Studies: Native American and Indigenous Studies
Sociology
Spanish
Studio Arts
Theatre
Common Course Numbering (AB 1111)
In compliance with Assembly Bill (AB) 1111, California Community Colleges are in Phase I of adopting a common course numbering (CCN) system for many general education and transfer pathway courses. The purpose of the CCN system is to ensure that comparable courses across all community colleges have the same course number. The goal is to streamline the transfer process from California Community Colleges to four-year postsecondary educational institutions and reduce excess credit accumulation.
The chart below provides a list of Phase I courses that will be offered with a comparison of the current course prefix, number, and title and the new course prefix, number, and title based on the CCN system that will be implemented beginning in Summer 2025 in RCCD:
CCN Crosswalk
| Old Course | New Course | Effective |
|---|---|---|
| COM-1 Public Speaking | COMM-C1000 Introduction to Public Speaking | Summer 2025 |
| COM-1H Honors Public Speaking | COMM-C1000H Introduction to Public Speaking - Honors | Summer 2025 |
| ENG-1A English Composition | ENGL-C1000 Academic Reading and Writing | Summer 2025 |
| ENG-1AH Honors English Composition | ENGL-C1000H Academic Reading and Writing - Honors | Summer 2025 |
| POL-1 American Politics | POLS-C1000 American Government and Politics | Summer 2025 |
| POL-1H Honors American Politics | POLS-C1000H American Government and Politics - Honors | Summer 2025 |
| PSY-1 General Psychology | PSYC-C1000 Introduction to Psychology | Summer 2025 |
| PSY-1H Honors General Psychology | PSYC-C1000H Introduction to Psychology - Honors | Summer 2025 |
| MAT-12 Statistics | STAT-C1000 Introduction to Statistics | Summer 2025 |
| MAT-12H Honors Statistics | STAT-C1000H Introduction to Statistics – Honors | Summer 2025 |
These changes will appear across the 2025–2026 college catalogs, class schedules, and other publications. If you have any questions, please contact your counselor.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Why are we moving to Common Course Numbering?
- Education Code Sections 66725–66725.5 (via Assembly Bill No. 1111 (Berman)) require implementation of a student-facing common course numbering (CCN) system across the California Community Colleges on or before July 1, 2027. The CCN system will assign the same course number to comparable courses across all California community colleges in order to “streamline transfer from two- to four-year postsecondary educational institutions and reduce excess credit accumulation.”
- The CCN system will support students in building cohesive academic plans, understanding transfer requirements, and selecting courses that support degree completion. This initiative involves collaboration among faculty, administrators, and system officials.
What if I took a CCN course through RCCD under the previous number and title?
- The old version and the CCN version are considered the same. Courses taken under either title will fulfill the same requirements and prerequisites. Successfully completed courses do not need to be retaken. The title and number at the time of completion will appear on your transcript.
Did some discipline prefixes change?
- Yes, some RCCD discipline prefixes will change effective Summer 2025 to align with CCN subject codes. Check the COMM, ENGL, POLS, PSYC, and STAT course listings in the 2025–2026 catalog for details.
Where can I find out more about the Common Course Numbering project?
- Visit the California Community College Chancellor’s Office website. For questions about specific courses, please contact your counselor.
Advanced Placement Examinations (AP)
- Minimum score of 3 required on an AP exam for RCCD Associate Degree, CSU GE or IGETC credit.
- Each university determines how an AP exam may count toward credit in a particular major and which scores they consider acceptable.
International Baccalaureate Examinations (IB)
- Only passing scores on Higher Level (HL) IB exams are accepted.
- Minimum score of 5 on an IB exam for RCCD GE and IGETC credit. CSU GE requires a minimum score of 4 on some exams and 5 on other exams (see chart).
- Each university determines how an IB exam may count toward credit in a particular major and which scores they consider acceptable.
College Level Exam Program (CLEP)
- Passing scores vary by exam subject (see chart).
- Credit may be used towards RCCD Associate Degree and CSU GE requirements. CLEP is not accepted towards IGETC or by the UC system at this time.
- Each university determines how a CLEP exam may count toward credit in a particular major and which scores they consider acceptable.
Defense Language Proficiency Test (DLPT)
- Per CSU policy, passing scores may be used toward CSU GE area C2 Humanities.
Riverside Community College District General Education (RCCD GE) Requirements (PLAN A)
For students pursuing an Associate of Arts or Associate of Science degree at Riverside City College who do not want to transfer to a university. Students completing an ADT need to follow CSU GE or IGETC.
Riverside City College General Education Requirements
California State University General Education (CSU GE) Requirements (PLAN B)
For students who would like to transfer to a campus in the California State University (CSU) system.
CSU General Education Requirements
Intersegmental General Education Transfer Curriculum (IGETC) Requirements (PLAN C)
For students who would like to transfer to a campus in either the California State University (CSU) or University of California (UC) system. Some of the UC campuses do not accept or recommend IGETC for certain majors. See a counselor for more details and view additional information on General Education and IGETC at IGETC Campus Guidance.
Certain private and out-of-state universities will accept the CSU GE or IGETC patterns. Others will not. The AICCU Transfer Guide is one resource you can use to check whether certain private universities in California accept CSU GE or IGETC. It is very important to see a counselor for assistance in selecting the right general education pattern based on your educational goals.
California's fully accredited independent colleges and universities provide a host of options at undergraduate, graduate and professional levels for students planning to continue their education beyond community colleges.
List of Articulation Agreements for Private and Out-Of-State Universities
Association of Independent California Colleges and Universities (AICCU)
Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs)
Loma Linda University -Nursing
Oregon State University (IGETC Information)
University of Massachusetts Global (formerly Brandman University)
University of Redlands School of Business
University of Southern California
Western University of Health Sciences
Western Governors University WGU
Western University of Health Sciences
Southern California College of Optometry
The Association of Independent California Colleges and Universities (AICCU) ADT Commitment
Students can now transfer with an ADT to dozens of private, nonprofit colleges and universities. The ADT Commitment is the Independent California College and University sector’s adaptation of the ADT pathway. While similar to the CSU ADT, there are also some differences due to the independent nature of the state’s nonprofit institutions. You can find more information including a list of participating institutions on the AICCU Transfer Website.
The Transfer Evaluation System site includes information for public view on transfer articulations including American Council on Education (ACE) for Military Articulation to Riverside City College (RCC). Although Riverside City College has made this available for public use, the database does not take the place of a counselor and proper student advising. Once you become a student at RCC, please make an appointment with a counselor to develop you Student Education Plan (SEP). Schedule Appointment to meet with a RCC Counselor.