Hot Topics in Higher Education: State Policies to Improve Student Transfer

Many students attend more than one institution of higher education before earning a degree. Legislators can strengthen the pathway between community and four-year colleges by developing effective state transfer and articulation policies. Such policies can create a coherent, statewide procedure for transferring; establish a common course numbering system throughout the state higher education system; identify a general education core that is accepted by all institutions; and facilitate direct transfer of a two-year degree to a four-year university. This report examines these state policy options and discusses the benefits of such policies to colleges, students and the states.