Transfer Credit

Transfer Credit

As a new transfer student, you likely have many questions regarding the application of your previously completed coursework to your UC Merced degree requirements. To assist with this, a preliminary review of your academic record is done during your first semester at UC Merced to identify courses you completed at your previous institution that require faculty review.

Syllabi for these courses will be requested from you by your academic advisor. The syllabus for each course will be submitted to the faculty for review and a decision will be made as to whether or not each course is approved to satisfy lower division coursework for your major specific requirements.

Articulation is the process of determining how courses taken at one institution (such as a community college or university) apply toward degree requirements at another institution, like UC Merced. It ensures that your transfer coursework is evaluated correctly and can be used to satisfy major, general education, or elective requirements.

In simple terms, articulation tells you which of your previous courses “count” toward your UC Merced degree.

In some cases, courses do not automatically articulate to a UC Merced equivalent. When this happens, faculty review may be needed to determine if the course is equivalent. Your academic advisor may reach out to request additional materials, such as a course syllabus or outline, to submit to faculty for review via a Course Approval Form.

Example:
 You took PSY101: General Psychology at another institution, but it is not currently listed as equivalent to PSY001: Introduction to Psychology at UC Merced. Your academic advisor may request your PSY101 syllabus and send it to Psychology faculty for review. Based on that review, the course may be approved for equivalency and applied to your academic record.

A common question is: What if I can’t find my syllabus?

⇒ Tip: Keeping copies of your syllabi can help speed up the articulation review process.