ASSOCIATE DEGREE FOR TRANSFER

Merced College currently offers 31 Associate Degree for Transfer (ADT) options for students. These degrees consist of the Associate in Arts for Transfer (AA-T) and the Associate in Science for Transfer (AS-T). 

The ADT provides students with priority admission and junior-standing status to the California State University (CSU) system. To receive admission priority and other ADT benefits, the degree must be accepted as "similar" to the major at specific CSU campuses. Students can verify ADT similarity on the CSU website. 

Please note that ADT admission priority does not guarantee admission to specific majors or campuses. CSU campuses may apply local preference policies or have impaction policies in place. Students are advised to research CSU campus admission websites and consult with a Merced College Guidance Counselor. 

Students who have been awarded an AA-T or AS-T and are admitted to a similar program at a CSU campus are able to complete their remaining requirements for a 120-unit baccalaureate degree within 60 semester or 90 quarter units. 

In accordance with AB 928, students will be automatically placed on an ADT pathway if they have identified transfer as their educational goal. However, those wishing to opt out or modify their educational goal must consult with a counselor to ensure their academic plan aligns with their specific transfer objectives. 

To view the most current list of Merced College ADTs and to confirm which CSU campuses, private universities, and out-of-state universities accept the ADT as similar to their programs, please visit the I Can Go to College Associate Degree for Transfer website.

Merced College list of Transfer Degrees:

• Administration of Justice (AS-T)

• Agriculture Animal Science (AS-T)

• Agriculture Business (AS-T)

• Agriculture Plant Science (AS-T)

• Anthropology (AA-T)

• Biology (AS-T)

• Business Administration 2.0 (AS-T)

• Chemistry (AS-T)

• Communication Studies 2.0 (AA-T)

• Computer Science (AS-T)

• Early Childhood Education (AS-T)

• Economics (AA-T)

• Elementary Teacher Education: Integrated Programs (AA-T)

• English (AA-T)

• Geography (AA-T)

• Geology (AS-T)

• History (AA-T)

• Kinesiology (AA-T)

• Mathematics (AS-T)

• Music (AA-T)

• Nutrition and Dietetics (AS-T)

• Philosophy (AA-T)

• Physics (AS-T)

• Political Science (AA-T)

• Psychology (AA-T)

• Social Justice Studies, Ethnic Studies (AA-T)

• Sociology (AA-T)

• Spanish (AA-T)

• Studio Arts (AA-T)

• Theatre Arts (AA-T)

Graduation Requirements

For the Associate in Arts for Transfer (AA-T) and Associate of Science for Transfer (AS-T) Degree:

1.     The student must satisfactorily complete 60 semester units or 90 quarter units that are eligible for transfer to the California State University.

Note: Students can reference the Merced Community College District catalog and Assist.org to determine CSU transferability for courses. 

2.     The coursework must include completion of the requirements for an approved intersegmental lower-division general education pattern used for transfer to the California State University.  

Note: Beginning Fall 2025, all students with catalog rights for Fall 2025 and all subsequent terms will complete the Cal-GETC general education pattern. Students are encouraged to meet with a counselor to understand what courses fulfill Cal-GETC and to discuss catalog rights for general education patterns. 

3.     A minimum of 18 semester units or 27 quarter units in a major or area of emphasis, as determined by the community college district. 

4.     In accordance with California State University (CSU), all courses applied toward a major must be "satisfactorily completed” with grade standards of A, B, C, or P (Pass).

Note: Pass (P) Grades: A grade of "P" is recognized as equivalent to a "C" or better. However, students are cautioned that many competitive or impacted majors may require a letter grade (A, B, or C) for specific prerequisites.

Students must verify the specific grading standards of their target transfer institution by reviewing the official University Catalog for their intended major and checking Assist.org.  

5.     All degree requirements, including general education, must be completed with a degree-applicable grade point average of 2.0 or better.

6.     The work must include at least 12 semester units of study in residence; exceptions to the residence requirement can be made by the Board when an extenuating circumstance or undue hardship would result.