Transfer Information/ Post-Secondary Articulation and Transfer Agreements

Baccalaureate/Transfer programs provide an opportunity for students to complete their first two years of study leading to a baccalaureate degree. The third and fourth years of study will be completed at a four-year college or university to which students transfer after completion of the Associate in Arts (A.A.) or Associate in Science (A.S.) at Kishwaukee College.

The A.A. or A.S. degree includes the Illinois Articulation Initiative (IAI) General Education requirements that transfer to a participating four-year college or university in Illinois and satisfy the general education requirements of the four-year institution. Transferring with an A.A. or A.S. degree and their general education requirements completed allows students to concentrate on their “major” coursework at the four-year institution.

Kishwaukee College students pursuing their A.A. or A.S. degrees do not typically take their “major” courses until after transferring to a four-year institution. However, students enrolled at Kishwaukee College should meet with an academic advisor for assistance in selecting the appropriate coursework at Kishwaukee College for their intended major.

Transferring

Each of the keys to success in transferring to a four-year college or university rests on the ability of students to decide early in their college career on the institution they plan to attend after Kishwaukee College. Students may contact potential institutions for additional information on their intended program of study. The academic advisors/counselor are available by appointment to assist students in planning programs and selecting courses, as well as helping to overcome potential obstacles with the transfer process. The academic advisors/counselor will assist in the formulation of an educational plan incorporating Kishwaukee College degree requirements as well as the transfer requirements of the school a student plans to attend.

Transfer guides to Illinois state schools are located on the Academic Advising webpage under the transfer planning link. The website www.itransfer.org can also assist in transfer planning.

Earning an A.A. or A.S. degree from Kishwaukee under the requirements of the ICCB’s “Model A.A. or A.S. Degrees” or as part of the “Compact Agreement” between Illinois Public Community Colleges and those above listed Illinois universities, will usually guarantee a student junior standing and as having met all lower level general education requirements for the bachelor’s degree. Students who do not complete a transfer degree from Kishwaukee College may lose credit in transfer.

Students planning to transfer, but who do not intend to pursue an A.A. or A.S. degree through Kishwaukee College, should plan their coursework by checking the specific requirements of the college to which they intend to transfer.

It is recommended that students intending to transfer complete the A.A. or A.S. degree which includes the Illinois Articulation Initiative’s (IAI) General Education Core Curriculum requirements. Students who complete the IAI General Education Core Curriculum requirements with or without completion of the A.A. or A.S. degree may receive credit for completion of the receiving institution’s general education requirement at Illinois colleges and universities participating in the IAI General Education Core Curriculum.

Students taking courses to meet their major requirements under the approved IAI Majors courses should check with their transferring institution for how these credits will be evaluated and, if in Illinois, whether their receiving institution is participating in their particular IAI Major.

A great variety of differences exists in the baccalaureate degree requirements among four-year colleges and universities. In addition, the requirements for satisfaction of major requirements vary significantly among the four-year institutions. For these reasons, the importance of planning course selection with an academic advisor cannot be overemphasized.

Transfer of Credit to Other Institutions

Earning an Associate in Arts (A.A.) or an Associate in Science (A.S.) degree from Kishwaukee College under the requirements of the Illinois Community College Board, between Illinois Public Community Colleges and most Illinois state universities, will guarantee a transfer student as having met all lower level general education requirements for the bachelor’s degree at these Illinois universities. Acceptance of college level coursework in transfer without completion of an A.A. or A.S. degree depends upon the transfer credit policy of the institution to which a student transfers.

Students who complete the Illinois Articulation Initiative’s (IAI) approved General Education Core Curriculum requirements with or without completion of the A.A. or A.S. degrees will receive credit for completion of the receiving institution’s general education requirement at Illinois colleges and universities participating in the IAI General Education Core Curriculum. Students taking courses to meet their major requirements under the approved IAI Majors courses should check with their receiving institution for how these credits will be evaluated and, if in Illinois, whether their receiving institution is participating in their particular IAI Major.

Completion of the Associate in Fine Arts degree does not guarantee admission to the baccalaureate program nor fulfill the requirements of the IAI General Education Core Curriculum. Therefore, students will need to fulfill the general education requirements of the institution to which they transfer.

Completion of the Associate in Engineering Science does not fulfill the requirements of the IAI General Education Core Curriculum. Students will need to complete the general education requirements of the institution to which they transfer. Since engineering course selections vary by specialty and school, students should select their courses in consultation with an engineering advisor at Kishwaukee College.

The career program degrees (A.A.S.) at Kishwaukee College are not intended as transferable degrees and are not a part of any “Compact Agreement” or “Model Degrees.” However, credits earned in these degree programs are accepted in whole or in part at some senior institutions.

Students concerned about the transferability of their credits to any institution should schedule an appointment to see an academic advisor in Student Services.

Students are strongly encouraged to contact the school of their choice, especially when transferring to an Illinois private institution or any out-of-state institution.

Additional details are available at https://kish.edu/student-services/advising/transfer-planning/index.php