Transfers
Your Transfer Journey Starts Now
Transferring from HCC to a four-year university is a popular path to a bachelor’s degree.
Students can build a solid academic foundation and save on the cost of college by starting at HCC. HCC offers university transfer/core curriculum and choice of associate degrees, many designed specifically for students who want to transfer and apply HCC credits toward a bachelor’s degree at another institution. Utilize the wealth of support services and resources available to help you meet your transfer goals.
Transfer Coordinators and Specialists can help students determine the path/ core classes needed to complete their associate degree transfer successfully, and meet your educational goals. Transfer staff can help you select the right courses that will transfer, apply to your future bachelor’s degree, and satisfy your HCC and university degree requirements. Transfer staff can help you explore transfer destinations, identify admissions requirements, and assist with your university application. If transferring is part of your plan, we recommend you start planning early.
Transferring to another Institution
Whether you are interested in transferring to another institution before completing your HCCS associate degree, you have the option to do so. Additionally, you may be eligible to utilize “reverse transfer” credits earned at the new institution to satisfy your associate degree requirements at HCCS. You can reverse transfer up to 42 college-level credit hours within three years of leaving HCCS, provided all graduation requirements are met. Please consult with your Advisors, Coordinators, or Specialists for detailed information and guidance.
Discuss Transfer Options with Transfer Coordinators/Specialists
Discuss transfer options with your Transfer Coordinators and Specialists. A transfer plan outlines the courses required by the university, which students can complete at HCCS toward their bachelor's degree. Whether you are still deciding on your choice of university or major, meet with career specialists, transfer coordinators, or specialists for additional guidance and information.
Unofficial Transcripts
HCC accepts unofficial transcripts, grade reports and/or TSI scores for initial advisement and placement. This information will determine if an exemption from assessment or prerequisites is applicable. A transcript hold will be placed on your record until an official transcript is sent.
Please electronically send or mail official transcripts to:
Houston Community College
Office of Student Records
P.O. Box 667517, MC 1136
Houston, TX 77266-7517
Official Transcripts
While unofficial transcripts may be accepted for initial registration, official transcripts must be received within 30 days of seeing an or enrolling in classes, whichever comes first. Official transcripts are needed for any of the following purposes.
TSI Exemption
- Complete an associate degree or higher from an accredited institution.
- Complete a college-level English and a college-level math.
- Passing ACT/SAT/TAKS scores.
TSI Status: Students transferring to HCCS must provide an official transcript so that their TSI status can be determined.
Acceptance of transfer work
Students seeking acceptance of transfer credit toward a degree or certificate should send an official transcript to the Office of Student Records at the time their Educational Plan is filed.
Assessment
Transfer students who have college-level work (including English and Math) may not need testing for TSI or for prerequisite purposes. Course prerequisites are met through previous coursework or appropriate testing scores.
Contact at a campus near you for testing times
TSI Scores
Students who have taken an approved TSI test must submit an official copy of their scores to the Office of Student Records if those scores do not appear on an official transcript.
Advisor
See an for advising, selection of courses, and registration information, so that you can be set up for online registration.
Have you already decided upon a career pathway and what to study?
- It is essential to have specific educational goals in mind.
- Do you know your current GPA to prepare for transferring? Schedule an appointment to discuss your GPA and other transfer topics.
- The Transfer Services team can assist you in selecting a transfer pathway. We have strong partnerships with local, regional, and national universities.
- HCC has articulation agreements with public and private universities.
Transfer Services
Ensuring Academic Success After Graduation, Our Services are not limited to:
- Reviewing the University Application process, navigating through the university transfer guides, Assistance with Personal Statements for Transfer Admissions,
- Assistance Ordering Official Transcripts, selecting a University Program that aligns with an HCC pathway,
- Connecting students with University Recruiters Coaching for Transfer Fairs, Information Sessions, Preview Days, and University Field Trip
University Recruiting Events on Campus Preview Day
Host a comprehensive Preview Day where students can explore various university programs, interact with faculty, and get a firsthand look at campus life.
- “Coffee Talks” – a series of informal yet informative sessions in which university representatives discuss their institutions in a relaxed, conversational atmosphere.
- Transfer Fairs are large–scale recruiting events where students network with prospective universities. Transfer boot camp is where university representatives serve on a panel to discuss their school, programs, and the transfer process.
- Decision Days – University Representatives will host sessions helping students apply on the spot.
- Field Trips – Students can develop a sense of belonging and visualize attending the university
Transfers Resources
Additional Information
Core Curriculum
The Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board (Coordinating Board), with the assistance of its Undergraduate Education Advisory Committee, designed a new 42 semester credit hour (SCH) core curriculum for all undergraduate students in Texas public higher education institutions. All public institutions in Texas have an approval list of courses as part of the Texas Core Curriculum. The TCC list of courses is approved annually for each academic year. A list of courses are available at the Texas General Education Core Curriculum Web Center.
To earn an associate degree, you must fulfill certain core curriculum requirements. The core curriculum for transfer degrees is comprised of the 42 credit hours outlined below:
| Subject Area | Required Credits |
|---|---|
| Communications | 6 |
| Mathematics | 3 |
| Life & Physical Sciences | 6 |
| Language, Philosophy, & Culture | 3 |
| Creative Arts | 3 |
| American History | 6 |
| Government/Political Science | 6 |
| Social & Behavioral Sciences | 3 |
| Component Area Option | 6 |
| Total | 42 |
Please note:Transfer degrees include the Associate of Arts (AA), Associate of Science (AS), and Associate of Arts in Teaching (AAT). If you are working toward an Associate of Applied Science (AAS), consult with your pathway advisors to see which of the subject area credits you must obtain before graduation.
Specialty Pathway Programs
Houston Community College has created various Program 2 Program (P2P) transfer pathways with several of our university partners.
- HCC pathway to Lamar University - BS in Industrial Technology
- HCC pathway to SFA - BS in Interior Design
- Texas A&M University Engineering Academy
- University of Houston Engineering Academy
- HCC pathway to UHD - Bachelor of Applied Arts and Sciences (BAAS)
- HCC pathway to UHV - Katy Campus
- Texas Southern University Health Sciences Programs
- University of Texas-Tyler Engineering
Houston Guided Pathways (Houston GPS)
Houston GPS will:
- Houston GPS - https://higheredtransfer.org/degree-mapping/
- Provide a timely, structured, and seamless pathway for students transferring from Gulf --Coast-Houston area community colleges to Houston area universities.
- Boost post-secondary attainment, and increase completion and successful transfer rates in the Houston region.
- Build a culture of timely graduation that will save everyone time and money, most importantly our students.
Meta Majors:
- Art, Humanities, Communications, and Architecture
- Business
- Education
- Engineering and Technology
- Math, Science, and Health Sciences
- Social and Behavioral Sciences
University Participants:
- University of Houston
- University of Houston-Clear Lake
- University of Houston-Downtown
- University of Houston-Victoria
- Prairie View A&M University
- Texas Southern University
More information: https://uh.edu/provost/university/houstongps/
Transfer Portal Information:
University Transfer Plans (Out-of-State)
- American InterContinental University
- Arizona State University
- Colorado State University Global
- Franklin University
- Grand Canyon University
- Herzing University
- LIM College
- Loyola University of New Orleans
- Missouri Southern State University
- Missouri University of Science and Technology
- National University
- Purdue University Global
- Southern New Hampshire University
- Universidad de las Americas (Mexico)
- University of Phoenix
Transfer Scholarships
- Choosing a university for transfer involves multiple factors, but the cost is often the decisive factor for many HCCS students and their families. Recent research reveals that the perceived cost of attending a university, rather than the actual price, frequently discourages students from applying.
- Federal and state funding provides numerous financial aid opportunities, enabling many students to attend top-choice schools and pursue their preferred degree programs.
- Students are encouraged to ask the financial aid offices at their chosen universities to do a financial aid eligibility estimate. While not a guarantee of a student’s funding, the cost estimate is a means by which a student may determine potential eligibility for financial assistance.
- The estimates depend upon the completeness and accuracy of the information students provide. Financial aid estimates are not well-publicized, and many universities do not wish to make the forecast unless a student has applied for admission to that school. However, financial aid offices do estimates upon request, usually only during the fall semester. It can be the basis for deciding whether a student can afford the school.
- Our partner universities highly seek HCCS students. Several institutions' data show that HCCS students who transfer with an associate degree have maintained an average GPA of 3.1. To support this transfer, the universities featured in this publication offer a variety of scholarships specifically for transfer students who have completed around 50 transferable semester hours.
- Preference may be given to those who have earned an associate degree before transferring. Scholarships are often awarded based on academic performance, leadership skills, and involvement in community and college activities. Please refer to the enclosed contact details for more information on deadlines and applications.
Additional Information:
Scholarships for Transfer Students
- Baylor University
- Houston Christian University
- Our Lady of the Lake University
- Prairie View A & M University
- Sam Houston State University
- Stephen F Austin State University
- Texas A & M University College Station
- Texas A & M University Commerce
- Texas Southern University
- Texas State University
- Texas Tech University
- Texas Tech University-Health Science
- University of Houston – Central Scholarship
- University of Houston – Clear Lake
- University of Houston – Downtown
- University of Houston – Victoria
- University of Houston – Sugar Land
- University of the Incarnate Word
- University of North Texas
- University of St. Thomas
- University of Texas Arlington
- University of Texas Austin
- University of Texas Dallas
- University of Texas Health Science Center – Houston
- University of Texas Medical Branch – Galveston
- University of Texas San Antonio
Student Services Contact Center
Student Services