Whether you are decided or undecided about a major, if you know that you will eventually transfer to a university, it’s best to begin with the Arizona General Education Curriculum (AGEC). AGEC is a 35-semester-credit general education program of study that fulfills lower-division general education requirements. Once you complete the AGEC, you are more than half way to completing an associate's degree. Meet with an academic advisor to determine the appropriate AGEC for your degree or program.
Choose a Major and Associate's Degree
Most students planning university transfer are best served by completing an associate's degree. There are many types of associate‘s degrees and the requirements may vary by catalog year. Your specific goals will determine which degree will work best for you. Since degree requirements can change, it is important to work closely with an academic advisor. Your academic advisor will help you gather information, such as associate's degree check sheets, university transfer guides and/or check sheets, and university and program admission information. You will need to learn about:
Requirements for your associate’s degree
Requirements for your university major/degree
Process and requirements for admission to the university major/program
Be sure to keep all of your advisement materials together and bring your check sheet with you whenever you visit your advisor.
Select a University
Many factors go into selecting a college or university. Counseling and Career Centers can help you explore careers, gather information about careers and majors, and consider your options. The Maricopa Community Colleges have partnerships with the Arizona public universities (Arizona State University, Northern Arizona University, and the University of Arizona), and more than forty other institutions - nationally and internationally. These transfer partnerships assist students in making a smooth transition from one institution to the next by maximizing your Maricopa credits. In addition, many university partners offer Maricopa graduates dedicated advisement as well as financial incentives such as tuition and transfer scholarships, waiver of application fees, textbook waivers, and special tuition incentives for military personnel.
Begin Your Transition
It is recommended that you transfer after completing an associate's degree or when you and your advisor determine that you are fully prepared to transfer to the university. Once you are ready to make the transition follow these steps:
Meet with an academic advisor to ensure that associate's degree requirements are met.
Check the university admission requirements. Each university has its own criteria and requirements for admissions.
Complete your Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) to avoid any disruptions during your transition. You do not have to be admitted to your transfer college/university before completing FAFSA. Financial aid does not "transfer" from one institution to another. Each institution must evaluate students' eligibility independently of other institutions. Also, be aware of priority deadlines. Scholarships often require personal statements or essays and letters of recommendation.
Complete your university application and pay any necessary application fees.
Submit official transcripts to the university. You will need to request an official transcript to be sent from EVERY college/university you have attended prior to transferring to the university. If you have attended more than one Maricopa Community College you can request all official transcripts online using My.Maricopa.edu.
Verify measles immunization. Without a measles immunization verification on record, you may not register for classes. See the requirements for each university.
Graduate
Congratulations! You made it. Now that you have worked so hard to complete your AGEC (Arizona General Education Curriculum) and associate's degree requirements, it is important to have your AGEC and degree recorded on your transcript. An academic advisor will help you complete a check sheet and AGEC/associate's degree application. This application should be submitted one semester prior to completing the AGEC or degree. Ideally, the AGEC should be completed a semester before degree completion so it will already be recorded on your transcript when you apply to your university of choice.