Transfer Programs & Pathways

California has two main public systems you can transfer into from a community college: the University of California (UC) and the California State University (CSU). Both systems have structured programs that can:

• Guarantee you admission to at least one campus (if you meet requirements).
• Tell you exactly which courses to take for your major.
• Help you avoid taking unnecessary classes and wasting time or money.

Use this page to understand which programs fit your goals, then pair it with ASSIST.org and your counselor to build a concrete plan.

1. TAG — Transfer Admission Guarantee

TAG lets you secure guaranteed admission to one participating UC campus, as long as you meet the GPA, course, and unit requirements for your major.

• Participating UCs: UC Davis, UC Irvine, UC Merced, UC Riverside, UC Santa Barbara, UC Santa Cruz.
• Typical requirements: ~3.4 GPA (varies by campus/major), major prep classes completed, and at least 60 UC-transferable semester units.
• How to file: You submit TAG through UC TAP by the TAG deadline, then still submit the regular UC application by November 30.

Official info: UC TAG Overview · TAG Matrix

2. UC TAP — Transfer Admission Planner

UC TAP is an online planner where you log your courses, grades, and majors you are considering.

• Required if you plan to submit a TAG.
• Lets UC campuses send you messages and reminders.
• Can save time when filling out the UC application later.

3. UC Transfer Pathways

UC Transfer Pathways give a common set of major prep courses for popular majors (like Biology, Computer Science, Psychology) that will work for most UC campuses.

• Best if you are open to multiple UC campuses but know your intended major.
• Use together with ASSIST.org to match pathway courses to your CC classes.

Explore UC Transfer Pathways

1. Associate Degree for Transfer (ADT)

The Associate Degree for Transfer (ADT) (also called A Degree with a Guarantee) is a special AA-T or AS-T degree from a California community college that gives you a guaranteed spot at a CSU campus in a similar major.

• Guarantees admission to the CSU system (not a specific campus), with priority consideration.
• Typically requires 60 CSU-transferable units and a major GPA requirement.
• Simplifies which classes you need to take at the CC level.

Learn about ADT / A Degree with a Guarantee

2. CSU Transfer Planner

The CSU Transfer Planner is an online tool that helps CCC students track GE, GPA, and major prep across CSU campuses.

• Lets you explore any of the CSU campuses and degree programs.
• Track how your community college coursework applies to CSU GE and major prep.
• Get tips on how to efficiently meet CSU transfer requirements.

Open CSU Transfer Planner (via CSU Apply)

3. Impacted Majors & Campuses

Some CSU campuses and majors are impacted, meaning they receive more qualified applicants than available spots.

• Impacted campuses/majors can require a higher GPA or extra criteria.
• Always check impaction status early; it can change which campuses are realistic targets.

Check CSU Impacted Majors