Transfer Resources
Receive credit and recognition for the work you’ve completed at your community college while moving on to a four-year institution through our collaborative administrative efforts.
The community college may be your final goal, or a stepping stone to a four-year degree. Each year, more than 12,000 students transfer from the community college system.
Typically, students earn an Associate of Arts (AA), Associate of Science (AS), Associate of Engineering (AE), Associate of Fine Arts (AFA) or a Teaching degree (AATP or ASTP) to transfer. These are the most structured, guaranteed-to-transfer pathways; but there are opportunities to transfer with an Associate of Applied Science (AAS) degree. Consult your academic advisor to learn more.
This page serves as a resource for you to learn more about transferring, our partnerships, the tools and resources we have to ease your transition, and more.
Tools and Resources to Ensure an Easy Transfer
Guaranteed Transfer and Program Pathways
Community colleges offer several transfer agreements and program pathways that help students plan their course of study to most four-year public and private institutions in North Carolina. No hassles, no lost credits—just a clear path forward.
UNC Course Equivalency Tool
This tool allows you to view how courses taken at your institution will be accepted across the UNC System. You can browse all courses or enter an area of study and/or specific course number/name.
Transfer Guides
The UNC System has created pathways that recognize and accept the work you have already completed. Transfer Guides aren’t in place for all majors at every institution, but they make the process more efficient and help you satisfy prerequisites in common majors.
Reverse Transfer
If you transfer to a university within the University of North Carolina System (UNC System) before completing your associate’s degree, you may be able to transfer the credits you earn at your university back to finish your associate’s degree while working toward your bachelor’s.
Transfer Fairs
The UNC System and the NC AACRAO organization both host transfer fairs; their sites are linked as part of their name above. Also visit your campus transfer office/center to see about individual visits. Pages subject to updating by the individual organizations.
Coming Soon: The NCICU Transfer Portal
The Independent and Private institutions in NC are working to build their own transfer equivalency tool. Stay tuned for its launch in 2026!
Military/Affiliated Students
Active Duty and retired service members, and their families, have unique transfer challenges. UNC offers a dedicated webpage and Military Credit portal to help with your transfer planning.
Adult and Online Learners
Adult Learners may find help by exploring our forthcoming program that helps you transfer into online, flexible, degree programs. Stay tuned for more information! Also visit Project Kitty Hawk page to learn about adult-focused transfer programs at select UNC institutions and visit the NCICU Adult and Online Learner page to learn about private institution transfer and adult-friendly programs.
Transfer Glossary
An online transfer glossary to help you understand what those advisors are talking about.
Testimonial
"The support I have received from Gaston College has shaped me into a confident student who is prepared to transfer to the University of North Carolina at Charlotte, continue my education in Clinical Neuropsychology, and give back to the community by helping Veteran’s."
Samantha Jo Christopher
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Resources for Transfer Professionals
College Transfer Program Association
The CTPA is a non-profit education association focused building opportunities for transfer-professionals to network, learn and help improve transfer. This is a professional association and not intended for student participation.
ACA 122: Transfer and Career Success Resources
The ACA 122: Transfer & Career Success is our transfer preparation course. This online group is available for professionals to access tools and resources to teach the class or help students learn about transfer.
Associate of Applied Science Transfer Resources
Students are increasingly transferring with an Associate of Applied Science (AAS) degree. These resources are designed to help you work with and prepare these students for transfer.
COMING SOON.
Transfer Student Data
The UNC System shares data about students transferring from the community colleges to their 16 member institutions.
Explore Transfer Research
Both UNC Charlotte and the Belk Center have valuable, NC-specific transfer reports and recommendations.