Transferring College
Credit for Efficient
Degree Completion
Today’s Goal
Assist individuals who advise students to better
understand the transfer pathways available toward
degree completion.
Components of Transfer Articulation in CO:
 gtPathways Curriculum
 Statewide Transfer Articulation Agreements
 Inter-institutional & Regional Agreements
 Transfer Guides
 Statewide Transfer Policy (currently being revised
& clarified)
 Competency Testing & Prior Learning Assessment
2
gtPathways Curriculum – 31 Credits
Cr.
Categories
6
Written Communication
GT-CO1: Introductory Writing course (minimum 3 credits)
GT-CO2: Intermediate Composition (minimum 3 credits)
GT-CO3: Advanced Writing Course (minimum 3 credits)
3
Mathematics GT-MA1
15
Arts & Humanities – at least 2 courses
GT-AH1: Arts and Expression
GT-AH2: Literature Humanities
GT-AH3: Ways of Thinking
GT-AH4: World Languages (must be Intermediate/200 level or
above)
History GT-HI1 – at least 1 course
Social & Behavioral Sciences – at least 1 course
GT-SS1: Economic or Political Systems
GT-SS2: Geography
GT-SS3: Human Behavior, Culture, or Social Frameworks
7
Natural and Physical Sciences
GT-SC1: course with required laboratory (1 required)
GT-SC2: lecture course without laboratory
3
gtPathways Curriculum:
Not in Every Degree
 All
AA & AS degrees contain the
entire 31-credit gtPathways
curriculum.
BUT
 Not
all BA & BS degrees contain the
entire 31-credit gtPathways
curriculum.
4
gtPathways Curriculum:
Not in Every Degree
1. gtPathways “maps” best to Liberal Arts &
Science degrees.
 All LAS degree programs are required to have
the gtPathways curriculum available to their
students. [CCHE Performance Contracts, Addendum B.]
2. Other degree programs (with additional
requirements) might have a different Gen Ed
core.
3. Not all courses in an institution’s Gen Ed core
are gtPathways-approved. [gtPathways courses
should be noted as such in the catalog.]
5
Difference between gtPathways and an Institution’s
Gen Ed Core
MSU Denver Core
Written Communication (6)
gtPathways
GT-CO# & # (6)
CU Boulder LAS Core
Written Communication
Lower div.(3) + Upper div.(3)
Oral Communication (3)
Quantitative Literacy (3)
Arts and Humanities (6)
Historical (3)
Natural and Physical
Sciences (6)
Social and Behavioral
Sciences I (3)
Social and Behavioral
Sciences II (3)
GT-MA1 (3)
GT-AH# & # (6)
GT-HI1 (3)
Historical Context (3)
GT-SC1 & # (7)
Natural Science (13)
United States Context (3)
GT-SS# (3)
+ one more AH, HI or SS (3) Contemporary Societies (3)
Global Diversity (0-3)
(33-36)
Quantitative Reasoning &
Math (3)
Literature & the Arts (6)
Ideals & Values (3)
(31)
Human Diversity (0-3) *Can
be met with a GT-SS course.
(40)
6
http://www.msudenver.edu/advising/facultystaff/generalstudiesrequirements/
http://www.colorado.edu/ArtsSciences/students/undergraduates/core_curriculum.html
Difference between gtPathways and an
Institution’s Non-Liberal Arts &
Sciences “Gen Ed Core”
gtPathways
B.S. Electrical
Engineering at UCB
GT-CO# & # (6)
*no upper division at CCCS
Approved upper-division writing
(6)
GT-MA1 (3)
GT-AH# & # (6)
GT-SS# (3)
GT-HI1 (3)
+ 3 more credits
NOT
EQUIVALENTS
Lower-division
humanities/social science (9)
*no upper division at CCCS
Upper-division
humanities/social science (6)
GT-SC1 & # (7)
General science elective (3)
7
31
24
http://www.colorado.edu/catalog/2013-14/content/electrical-computing-and-energy-engineering
BACHELOR DEGREES THAT DO NOT CONTAIN
GTPATHWAYS
Institution
Degree
Adams State University
Nursing, BSN
Colorado Mesa University
N/A
Colorado School of Mines
All degrees.
Colorado State University
N/A
CSU - Pueblo
N/A
Rationale
Curriculum needs to follow standards
mandated by CO State Board of
Nursing and Commission on
Collegiate Nursing Education
(CCNE).
CSM’s engineering degrees have core
course requirements that are very
different than the traditional Liberal
Arts & Sciences core of courses, after
which gtPathways is modeled. CSM’s
core is tightly tied to the technical
STEM degrees it offers and does not
“map” well to the structure of the
gtPathways curriculum.
8
BACHELOR DEGREES THAT DO NOT
CONTAIN GTPATHWAYS, CONTINUED
Fort Lewis College
Engineering, BS
MSU Denver
N/A
University of
Colorado Boulder
Bachelor of Music, BM
Bachelor of Music Education, BME
Accreditation Board for
Engineering and Technology
(ABET) compels the major
to have more requirements.
Professional degrees and
required coursework
conforms to National
Association of Schools of
Music.
Business Administration, BS
Coursework conforms to
standards set by AACSB.
Environmental Design, B.Envd.
Specialized curriculum to
meet national accreditation
standards.
Journalism, BS
Specialized accreditation
requirements.
9
BACHELOR DEGREES THAT DO NOT
CONTAIN GTPATHWAYS, CONTINUED
University of Colorado
Boulder, continued
Bachelor of Music, BM
Bachelor of Music Education,
BME
These are professional degrees
and the required coursework
conforms to national
accreditation standards
established by the National
Association of Schools of
Music, rather than the Arts &
Sciences core curriculum.
Business Administration, BS
Coursework must conform to
international accreditation
standards set by AACSB.
Environmental Design,
B.Envd.
Specialized curriculum to meet
national accreditation standards
for fields of architecture,
landscape architecture, and
urban planning.
10
Journalism, BS
Specialized accreditation
requirements.
BACHELOR DEGREES THAT DO NOT
CONTAIN GTPATHWAYS, CONTINUED
University of Colorado
Colorado Springs
Business, BS
Computer Engineering, BS
Faculty response to
specialized accreditation
requirements.
Computer Science (CS),
BI™
Computer Science, BS
Computer Science: Security
(CS S), BI™
Electrical Engineering, BI™
Electrical Engineering, BS
Game Design and
Development (GDD), BI™
Health Sciences, BS
Mechanical Engineering, BS
Nursing, BSN
RN-to-BSN
11
BACHELOR DEGREES THAT DO NOT
CONTAIN GTPATHWAYS, CONTINUED
University of Colorado
Denver
Nursing, BSN
University of Northern
Colorado
N/A
Western State Colorado
University
N/A
Faculty response to
specialized accreditation
requirements.
12
Statewide Transfer
Articulation Agreements
Creates AA and AS degrees in the subject of the
Statewide Transfer Articulation Agreement:
AA in Economics. (aka: “Degrees with Designation”).
 Enables completers to enroll, with junior status,
at a receiving 4-year institution.
 Allows student to complete the bachelor’s degree
in no more than 60 additional credits (except
ECE, ELED & Engineering).
 Does not guarantee admission to the school or the
bachelor’s degree program.
 Receiving institution decides how to apply
“additional required coursework.”

13
Courses that Fulfill General Education Requirements
31
Credit Community College
Course Title or Category
Hours
Course No.
Arts &
6
Two gtPathways Arts & Humanities courses
Humanities
(GT-AH1, GT-AH2, GT-AH4)
ENG 121 and ENG
122
or
ENG 122 and a
gtPathwaysapproved CO3
course
English Composition I (GT-CO1) and English
Composition II (GT-CO2)
OR
English Composition II (GT-CO2) and a
gtPathways-approved CO3 course (GT-CO3)
Communication
6
History
Mathematics
3
3
One gtPathways History course (GT-HI1)
One gtPathways Mathematics course (GT-MA1),
but not MAT 155 or 156
Natural &
Physical
Sciences
7
Two gtPathways Natural & Physical Science
courses (GT-SC1, GT-SC2). One of these
courses must have the required laboratory (GTSC1).
Two gtPathways Social & Behavioral Science
courses (GT-SS1, GT-SS2, GT-SS3)
Social &
6
Behavioral
Sciences
Additional Required Courses
15
Please note: if these credits are not required for the major at a receiving 4-year institution, they
will be applied to the Bachelor’s degree as elective credit towards graduation. Please check with
the receiving institution to determine in which way these courses will be applied
Credit Community College
Course Title
Hours
Course No.
3
PHI 111
Introduction to Philosophy (GT-AH3)
3
PHI 112
Ethics (GT-AH3)
3
PHI 113
Logic (GT-AH3)
PHI 214
PHI 218
PHI 220
Choose two (2) courses from the following:
Philosophy of Religion (GT-AH3)
Environmental Ethics (GT-AH3)
Death and Dying (GT-AH3)
6
Electives
Total
14
60
14
The Funny Thing about Common
Degree Programs
STATEWIDE TRANSFER ARTICULATION AGREEMENT
for a Bachelor of Arts Degree in
POLITICAL SCIENCE
Adams State University (BA History/Government: Government
emphasis)
Colorado Mesa University (BA Political Science)
Colorado State University-Ft Collins (BA Political Science)
Colorado State University-Pueblo (BA or BS Political Science)
Fort Lewis College (BA Political Science)
Metropolitan State University of Denver (BA Political Science)
University of Colorado Boulder (BA Political Science)
University of Colorado Colorado Springs
University of Colorado Denver (BA Political Science)
University of Northern Colorado (BA Political Science)
Western State Colorado University (BA Politics and Government)
15
Statewide Transfer Articulation
Agreements: Current

Statewide Transfer Articulation Agreements (with
“common degree programs”):
1. Agriculture Business
2. Animal Science
3. Anthropology
4. Business
5. Criminal Justice
6. Economics
7. French
8. History
9. Mathematics
10. Political Science
11. Psychology – BA
12. Psychology – BS
13. Sociology
14. Soil & Crop
Sciences
15. Spanish
16
Statewide Transfer Articulation
Agreements: Current

Other Transfer Agreements:
16. Early Childhood Education
17. Elementary Education
18. Engineering
http://highered.colorado.gov/Academics/Transfers/
17
Statewide Transfer Articulation
Agreements: In the Works
19.
20.
21.
22.
23.
24.
25.
26.
27.
28.
29.
30.
Philosophy (ETA Fall 2013)
English (ETA Fall 2013)
Communication (ETA Fall 2013)
Geography (ETA Fall 2013)
Geology (ETA Fall 2013)
Music (ETA Fall 2013)
Theatre (ETA Fall 2013)
Art History
Studio Art
Biology
Chemistry
Physics
18
General AA/AS Degrees
1. The gtPathways courses will transfer and may
be applied to the Gen Ed curriculum at the
receiving institution.
2. The elective credits will transfer but the
receiving institution will decide where and how
to apply them.
3. The student will start with junior standing and
should be able to receive a BA/BS in no more
than 60 additional credits.
4. An AA or AS degree should transfer and apply
to most arts & sciences bachelor’s degree.
http://highered.colorado.gov/Academics/Transfers/Guides/def
ault.html
19
Transfer Guides
1. “Institution-specific” advising tools – they list the
first 60 credits to take at a community college for
students who know what bachelor’s degree they
want to pursue.
2. They identify the courses a student needs to take to
get the desired bachelor’s degree in no more than 60
additional credits (*unless there’s a credit waiver).
3. If a student completes an AA/AS degree but takes
classes other than those listed in the Transfer
Guide, the courses may not apply to the degree
requirements.
4. If a student intends to transfer prior to completing
an AA or AS, the Transfer Guide should still be used
to identify the courses that can most effectively
prepare them for completing the desired bachelor’s
degree.
http://highered.colorado.gov/Academics/Transfers/Guides/default.html
20
Competency Testing
“…each public institution of higher education
shall grant full course credits to students for the
core courses they successfully test out of, free of
tuition for those courses.” [§23-1-125(4), C.R.S.]
 Institutions do not have to allow students to test
out of every core course but there must be a
means to test out of every gtPathways category
(e.g., GT-CO1, GT-MA1, and so on).
 Institutions choose the assessment instruments.
Portfolio review and assessment of prior learning
are allowable instruments.

21
Prior Learning Assessment



Beginning Fall 2013, “…each public institution of
higher education shall adopt and make public a policy
or program to determine academic credit for prior
learning.” [23-1-125(4.5), C.R.S.]
Students who wish to use credits awarded by exam,
such as AP or IB, to fulfill specific course
requirements (including Statewide Transfer
Articulation Agreements) are responsible for
consulting with the institution to which they are
considering transferring to determine whether the
credits they have been awarded by exam meet the
standards of the receiving institution.
4-year institutions are not required to accept 2-year
institutions’ credit for AP, IB, CLEP or other PLA
credit for AA/AS degree requirements.
22
gtPathways: Great for Concurrent
Enrollment Students!
Successfully completed (C- or better)
courses satisfy the gtPathways Gen Ed
requirements at all public Colorado
institutions.
 Credit for gtPathways courses shall not
expire for 10 years.
 Requirements for transfer students may
not differ from those for native students.

[§23-1-108(7)(b)(II) and 23-5-122, C.R.S.]
More Concurrent Enrollment info at:
http://www.cde.state.co.us/SecondaryInitiatives/CE_index.htm
23
Resolving Student Transfer
Complaints: In This Order
1. Students should follow the institution’s
complaint policy & procedures.
2. Once all opportunities for resolving the
complaint at the institution have been
exhausted, then the student may file a
complaint with DHE at
http://highered.colorado.gov/Academics/Complaints/
3. Other sources of information & guidance:
 CCHE Policy I, L: Statewide Transfer
 CCHE Policy I, T: Student Complaints
Both linked at http://highered.colorado.gov/Publications/Policies/
24
Take-Aways:
General Principles for Credit Transfer
1. Not all degree programs “contain” the entire gtPathways
curriculum.
2. gtPathways courses will always transfer and be applied in
their content area to Gen Ed requirements.
 If Gen Ed requirements are “full,” or the degree program does not
have the gtPathways curriculum, gtP courses will be applied per the
receiving institution’s discretion.
3. gtPathways courses do not expire for 10 years.
4. Requirements for transfer students must be the same as
for native students.
5. The same principles apply whether it’s 2 to 2, 2 to 4, 4 to
4, or 4 to 2 year transfer.
25
Resources



DHE Website:
http://highered.colorado.gov/Academics/Transfers/
GE Council rep on your campus:
http://highered.colorado.gov/Academics/Groups/con
tacts.asp?cid=250
DHE staff:
Dr. Ian Macgillivray, 303-866-3846
ian.macgillivray@dhe.state.co.us
 Maia Blom, 303-866-2724
maia.blom@dhe.state.co.us

26