TRANSFER GUIDE
WHAT MAKES UP A DEGREE?
To understand the distinct types of articulation agreements, we must first understand what a degree is.
Most associate degree level programs are comprised of between 60 to 64 credits in total, about 25 credits of which are considered general education. The remaining classes are considered major specific or core courses.
A bachelor’s degree program is comprised of 120 credits in total, about 45 of which are considered general education. The remaining classes are major specific as well as general open electives.
General education courses are foundational to your academic and professional journey, providing essential skills and knowledge across various disciplines. These classes develop well-rounded individuals, enhancing communication, critical thinking, and problem-solving abilities. By fostering global understanding and promoting teamwork, general education courses prepare students to thrive as versatile professionals in an interconnected world.
TRANSFERRING INTO PENN HIGHLANDS
Penn Highlands will accept previously completed college credits and apply them toward a program of study when the following stipulations are met:
▶ The student has applied to and has been accepted by Penn Highlands with a declared major.
▶ An official transcript from each previously attended college or university is provided to the Registrar’s Office.
▶ Transfer classes were issued a grade of C or higher.
▶ Credit hours, course topics, course outcomes align with courses outlined in the Penn Highlands course catalog. Sometimes we may ask for a course syllabus to evaluate course equivalency.
▶ The previous college or university is accredited.
THINGS TO CONSIDER
▶ All eligible courses will be transferred even if they do not directly apply to a Penn Highlands major. Some exceptions apply.
▶ Students must complete more than half of their program of study with Penn Highlands Community College. This is called the ‘local credit requirement’. For example, if the program of study is 60 credits total, students must complete 31 of those credits with Penn Highlands.
▶ Penn Highlands has transfer agreements with many area Career and Technical Schools (CTCs). Students can transfer their competencies directly from a completed program of study at their CTC. More information can be found on our website.
TRANSFERRING OUT OF PENN HIGHLANDS
Many students start their education journey at Penn Highlands while pursuing a bachelor’s degree. To support this, we partner with bachelor’s degree-granting colleges and universities to allow seamless transfers into various programs. These partnerships, called articulation agreements, let students transfer credits directly without losing credit or time, ensuring that credits earned at Penn Highlands transfer as expected and provide students with the advanced standing they deserve.
WHAT’S AN ARTICULATION AGREEMENT?
An articulation agreement is a contract between two colleges that helps outline how students can transfer their classes to a new program of study. In most cases, articulation agreements or transfer agreements support students who have completed an associate degree and wish to move on to a bachelor’s degree program at another institution. Articulation agreements benefit the student by confirming how their classes will transfer and apply to their new program of study and frequently will provide benefits such as application fee waiver, junior status upon transfer, completion of all general education requirements, etc.
Articulation agreements can help support transfer into or out of an institution.
TYPES OF ARTICULATION AGREEMENTS
Penn Highlands offers different types of articulation agreements.
PROGRAM-TO-PROGRAM (P2P) AGREEMENTS
These agreements specify that one completed program will transfer directly into another. Most commonly it will specify that an associate degree in a particular program will transfer directly into a bachelor’s degree in the same or very related major. For example, the Associate of Arts in Psychology will transfer directly into a bachelor’s degree in Psychology at a state system of higher education university.
Sometimes these agreements are referred to as 2+2 or two years + two years, although sometimes it can take longer than four years to complete some bachelor’s degrees.
3+1 AGREEMENTS
This type of agreement allows students to complete an associate degree and then complete additional classes toward a bachelor’s degree during an additional year at the community college. Then the student transfers to the next college to complete the bachelor’s degree in one year. Agreements such as these provide a terrific opportunity for students to earn a bachelor’s degree at a great institution but pay a more affordable tuition rate for most of the degree. An example of this kind of agreement is the Business Administration, AS program that can transfer directly into the Organizational Leadership bachelor’s degree program at Saint Francis University’s (SFU). Students complete their Associate of Science degree then take another year of classes while dually enrolled at both Penn Highlands and SFU. Then students move on to taking their final classes their last year at SFU.
GEN ED CORE TRANSFER AGREEMENTS
This style of agreement allows students to transfer their entire Associate of Arts (AA) or Associate of Science (AS) degree into a bachelor’s degree program and have all the general education requirements met. When the student transfers the AA or AS degree, they gain junior status and only must take major related courses to complete their bachelor’s degree.
WHAT AGREEMENT IS BEST FOR ME?
Penn Highlands has 175 transfer agreements with 34 colleges and universities.
POPULAR PROGRAM-TO-PROGRAM AGREEMENTS:
Penn Highlands Program College or University
Accounting, AAS
Business Administration, AAS
Computer Science, AS
Mount Aloysius College, University of Pittsburgh at Johnstown
Robert Morris University, Juniata College, University of Pittsburgh at Johnstown, Indiana University of PA
University of Pittsburgh at Johnstown
Computer Technology: Cyber Mount Aloysius College
Early Childhood Education, AA
Slippery Rock University, Indiana University of PA, Penn West California
Education, AA University of Pittsburgh at Johnstown, Mount Aloysius College
Liberal Arts and Sciences – History University of Pittsburgh at Johnstown
Pre Healthcare Professions: Nursing Certificate Mount Aloysius College - Nursing, University of Pittsburgh at Johnstown
Psychology, AA
Social Work, AA
Slippery Rock University, Juniata College, Penn West California, University of Pittsburgh at Johnstown, Various Programs at West Virginia University
Penn-West California, Penn West Edinboro, Shippensburg Univ of PA
POPULAR 3+1 AGREEMENTS:
Penn Highlands Program College or University
Accounting, AAS
Behavioral Sciences
Seton Hill University: Accounting, Accounting (CPA Track)
Seton Hill University: Behavioral Health Saint Francis University: Behavioral Science
Business Administration, AS Indiana University of PA: Accounting, Human Resource Management, Marketing, Management, and Supply Chain Management
Business Management, AAS
Computer Technology – Any Track
Saint Francis University: Organizational Leadership
Seton Hill University: Business Administration
Saint Francis University: Computer Science
Liberal Arts and Sciences – Any Track
Psychology, AA
Social Work, AA
Seton Hill University: various programs of study
Saint Francis University: Behavioral Science
Seton Hill University: Behavioral Health
West Virginia University: various programs of study
Saint Francis University: Behavioral Science
Seton Hill University: Behavioral Health
GEN ED CORE TRANSFER AGREEMENTS:
Any associate of arts or associate of science degree at Penn Highlands will transfer to any PA State System of Higher Education (PASSHE) university to meet the general education component of the bachelor’s degree. Remember, this means that students only must complete the major specific course requirements to earn the bachelor’s degree.
Penn Highlands Degree
Liberal Arts & Sciences (Any Concentration)
PA State System of Higher Education Universities
Carlow University
Cheyney University
Commonwealth U (Bloomsburg, Mansfield, Lock Haven)
East Stroudsburg
Indiana University of Pennsylvania
Kutztown University
Lackawanna College
Lincoln University
Millersville University
PennWest (California, Clarion, Edinboro)
Shippensburg University
Slippery Rock University
West Chester University
PREPARING FOR TRANSFER
There are several steps students can take to prepare for their transfer to another college or university:
Speak with the Transfer Specialist in the Transfer and Career Pathways Office to learn about the transfer pathways in place that can benefit you in your transfer.
Research colleges and programs to determine the best fit. The Penn Highlands Transfer Specialist can help you identify key questions like:
Is there an articulation agreement to support your transfer?
Does the college offer a discount to graduates who have completed an associate degree?
Can you work directly with an advisor or transfer counselor to ensure your credits are transferring as you anticipate?
Will the transfer counselor provide a degree audit or program worksheet that details how your classes will transfer and what classes remain in your program of study?
Does the college offer classes in a format that works for you?
Can you benefit from earning junior status or satisfaction of all general education requirements for your new major?
Once you identify your preferred transfer institution, stay in contact by sharing your official transcript each time you complete courses.
The semester prior to your transfer, update your FAFSA to include your next institution.
Apply to graduate from Penn Highlands the semester before you take your final classes.
If you cannot graduate with your associate degree, is there a reverse transfer opportunity where you can transfer a class back to Penn Highlands from your new college or university?
170+
TRANSFER AGREEMENTS
#1
GRADUATION RATE AMONG PENNSYLVANIA
COMMUNITY COLLEGES
ON AVERAGE, STUDENTS SAVE ABOUT $5,500 ANNUALLY IN TUITION AND FEES BY ATTENDING PENN HIGHLANDS COMPARED TO A FOUR-YEAR STATE UNIVERSITY IN PENNSYLVANIA.
CELEBRATING 30 YEARS
