The University of California System (UC)
 

The University of California system has ten campuses located throughout California. The UC system offers bachelor’s, master’s, and doctoral degrees, as well as teaching credentials. It has a strong research focus and emphasize on preparation for post-baccalaureate work.

The UC system works closely with the California Community Colleges to develop articulation for lower division courses. The UC system gives first priority for admission in junior standing to undergraduate transfer students from the California Community College System.  

The following sections explain admission, major, general education/breadth, and other requirements for transfer to the UC system. Students should plan carefully to ensure they are prepared to transfer. A maximum of 70 U.C. transferable units are acceptable from California Community Colleges.

Minimum Admission Requirements
 

Students wishing to transfer in junior standing must meet the following minimum criteria for admission to a UC campus:

•     complete 60 UC transferable semester units;

•     have a minimum GPA of 2.4 in UC transferable courses;

•     complete the following pattern of courses;

1. two UC transferable courses in English composition (3 semester units each); this includes NVC’s ENGL 120 and one course from the following: ENGL 121, 123, or 125; and

2. one UC transferable course in mathematics (3 semester units); and

3. four U.C. transferable college courses (3 semester units each) from at least two of the following subject areas:  arts/humanities, social/behavioral sciences, and physical/biological sciences.

Special Notes:

•  Some universities have additional admission requirements. See a counselor for additional information.

•  Students who wish to transfer with freshman or sophomore standing must consult a counselor to determine entrance requirements.

•  Students are advised to file their applications for the UC system as follows for priority consideration:

 *U.C. Berkeley only accepts for Fall Semester.

 

Contact the Transfer Center or the Counseling Office to obtain applications and information on application workshops.

Major Requirements
 

The UC system places a strong emphasis on the completion of lower division major requirements prior to transfer, so students are advised to focus on major classes while attending NVC. By doing so, students are prepared to enter into upper division courses in their major upon entrance into the university. Students should meet with a counselor to determine course equivalencies for their major and to develop an educational plan to ensure a smooth transition to the four-year institution.

High demand or impacted majors, such as business administration, engineering, and biological sciences, may require that all lower division major requirements be completed as part of the admission criteria. This is referred to as “supplemental admission criteria.”  Impacted majors may also require a GPA of above a 2.4, as well as supplemental applications, portfolios, etc. Students should review the catalog of their chosen university and consult a counselor to determine what, if any, supplemental admission criteria is necessary for their major.

General Education/Breadth Requirements
 

Each UC campus is comprised of several colleges, or schools within the university. Each one of these colleges has its own general education or breadth pattern required for the bachelor’s degree. Students should focus on completing their major classes and should consult with a counselor to determine general education/breadth requirements for their chosen major, college, and campus.  

The Intersegmental General Education Transfer Curriculum (IGETC) will meet lower division general education/breadth for all UC campuses and colleges with the exception of UC, Berkeley’s School of Business Administration, and UC, San Diego’s Eleanor Roosevelt and Revelle Colleges. Although IGETC is not an entrance requirement, students are advised to complete this pattern prior to transfer if they are not enrolled in high-unit majors. Students who complete the IGETC pattern will not be held to any other lower division general education courses at the UC campus as long as they request official certification from Napa Valley Community College upon transfer to the UC campus.  Students will be held to all other graduation requirements of the campus in question.

Note: IGETC may be completed in lieu of the California State University General Education pattern for students transferring to the CSU system. Courses used to fulfill CSU graduation requirements in American History and Institutions may not be used in IGETC area 4.

Intersegmental General Education Transfer Curriculum
 

A new IGETC list is published each academic year since courses may be added or deleted. Catalog rights do not apply to IGETC certification, so students must consult the new list each year. If a course is taken when it fulfills an IGETC requirement, it continues to fulfill the requirement, even though it is subsequently removed from the pattern.

A course may be used to satisfy only one IGETC area.  Each course must be completed with a “C” or better (not “C-”).

A student, following the IGETC pattern, is expected to complete all of the requirements (a total of 39-42 semester units) before transferring to a UC or CSU campus.  If a student, for good cause, is unable to complete one or two IGETC courses he/she may be eligible to complete the IGETC pattern after transferring.  Students should consult with a counselor for details regarding this option.

The list of courses approved for each of the following area and sub-areas of the IGETC pattern is published each term in the schedule of classes.  In addition, students may obtain a copy of the IGETC pattern sheet from the Counseling Office, Transfer Center or Career Center.

1. English Communication (CSU requires: 3 courses, one from each group below; or UC requires:  2 courses, one each from groups A and B).

Group A - English Composition: 1 course; 3 semester units

Group B - Critical Thinking-English Composition: 1 course; 3 semester units.

Group C - Oral Communications (CSU requirement only);  l course; 3 semester units.

2. Mathematical Concepts and Quantitative Reasoning  1 course; 3 semester units.

3.  Arts and Humanities:  3 courses; 9 semester units; at least one course must be selected from the Arts and one from the Humanities area.

4. Social and Behavioral Sciences:  3 courses; 9 semester units.  Courses must be selected from at least 2 of the following disciplines:

Anthropology, Child Family Studies, Economics, Geography, History, Political Science, Psychology, Sociology or Speech.

5.  Physical and Biological Sciences; 2 courses: 7 semester units.  One course must come from the physical sciences and one from the biological sciences; at least one course must include a laboratory.

6. Language other than English (UC requirement only):  2 years of the same  foreign language in high school with a grade “C” or better, or equivalent proficiency demonstrated by testing or college courses.

Additional Graduation Requirements
 

Some colleges may have additional graduation requirements. These courses are required for the bachelor’s degree and not as part of the admission criteria; however, students may wish to complete these requirements at NVC to minimize the number of courses to be taken at the university.  Students should consult a counselor to determine what, if any, additional requirements are needed for their chosen major and college.  

Independent Colleges and Universities
 

California has more than 100 independent colleges and universities, offering a variety of major and program choices.  Each of these institutions has its own set of entrance and graduation requirements. Students must consult the catalog of their chosen institution and work with a counselor to develop a transfer plan. Representatives from Dominican College, Pacific Union College, St. Mary’s, Samuel Merritt, and other independent universities in the area regularly visit the Transfer Center. Students can schedule individual appointments with these representatives for specific information regarding course transferability, admission criteria, and graduation requirements.

As public university fees have increased, independent colleges have become more competitive with four-year public institutions. Napa Valley College encourages transfer students to consider and evaluate all transfer alternatives in route to making the best personal choice. Costs at these institutions vary, but financial aid packages can often meet some or most expenses, making independent colleges, in some cases, an affordable alternative. Inquire at the Transfer Center for more information.

Degree Completion/Extended Format Programs

Approximately 23 bay area colleges and universities offer degrees in evening/weekend/online or combination formats. Consult with the Transfer Center or a counselor for more information.

California Articulation Number (CAN)
 

The California Articulation Number System identifies some of the transferable, lower division, introductory courses commonly taught on college campuses. CAN courses in one participating campus will be accepted “in lieu of” the same CAN course on another campus. For example, CAN ECON 4 on one campus will be accepted for CAN ECON 4 on another participating campus. Each campus retains its own numbering system.

The California Articulation Numbers are listed parenthetically after the course units and hours in this catalog. Most campuses throughout the state use CAN numbers. Check with counseling offices and academic advisors for lists of participating campuses and courses.

The complete list of Napa Valley College  courses that have qualified for the CAN system is available on the Internet at www.can.csus.edu. The current list of Napa Valley College CAN courses follows on the next page:

California Articulation Numbers

                     

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