How Transfer Credit Works
What Is Transfer Credit?
UC Davis may grant transfer credit for courses completed outside of UC Davis if the courses meet university transferability requirements. Transfer credit can come from many different situations, including:
- College courses taken during high school (dual enrollment)
- Courses taken at another college during summer or while enrolled at UC Davis Coursework completed before transferring to UC Davis from another institution
Please note that not all coursework is guaranteed to transfer. Common reasons transfer credit may not be accepted include:
- Reaching the maximum number of transferable units
- Admissions determining a course is non-transferable
- Issues involving repeated coursework
Our department cannot determine whether UC Davis will accept transfer credit. Questions about transferability should be directed to Office of the University Registrar. However, we can help students understand what a course may be equivalent to at UC Davis if transfer credit is accepted.
Sending Transcripts
If you complete courses outside of UC Davis, you must send official transcripts to Undergraduate Admissions in order for transfer credit to appear on your UC Davis record. Most colleges use electronic transcript services such as Parchment. When searching for “UC Davis” in the service, the correct recipient option is usually provided automatically.
Processing Time
It can take up to one academic quarter for transfer credit to appear in your OASIS Academic Record. For new transfer students, transfer credit will likely be complete during summer but processing may continue through the end of Fall quarter.
Reading Your Academic Record in OASIS
Once transfer credit is added to your OASIS under the "Academic Record", you will see:
- How the course was credited
- The original course code and title
- The institution where the course was completed
- Units granted (semester units are converted to quarters units by multiplying by 1.5)
- Grade received
Understanding Your Credit
UC Davis Course Credit
If your transfer course shows a UC Davis course number in parentheses, you received credit for that specific UC Davis course.
Example
PSYCH 101 at Diablo Valley College is considered equivalent to PSC 001.
TR Course Credit
If your course displays something like PSC TR1, this means:
- The course transferred for units
- There is not currently a direct UC Davis course equivalency attached to it
This still counts toward your total unit requirement for graduation. Additional transfer courses in the same subject area may appear as TR2, TR3, and so on.
Example
Both of these psychology courses are not considered equivalent to any UC Davis course. However, the student has received a total of 9 quarter units for them.
How Courses Are Evaluated
Many students assume transfer credit is determined by the course title alone, but that is not how equivalencies are decided. Courses are evaluated through either:
- Articulations
- Equivalency reviews
What Is an Articulation?
An articulation is a formal transfer agreement between institutions that identifies how courses transfer between schools. In California, articulations mainly exist between California Community Colleges (CCCs) and UC/CSU campuses.
Students can view official articulation agreements through ASSIST.org.
Please note that community college coursework is considered lower division only (courses from 001-099 at UC Davis).
What Is an Equivalency?
If no articulation agreement exists, a course may still receive UC Davis credit through an equivalency review. During an equivalency review, UC Davis faculty compare the course content and syllabus to determine whether it matches a UC Davis course. Equivalency reviews are commonly used for:
- Other UC campuses
- CSU campuses
- Private universities
- Out-of-state institutions
For Psychology, Cognitive Science, Philosophy, and Science & Technology courses, visit our Course Equivalencies and Substitutions page to:
- View previously evaluated courses
- Submit an equivalency request
- Learn how equivalencies and substitutions work
For courses outside PSC, CGS, PHI, and STS, contact the corresponding UC Davis department.
Common Departments for Equivalencies
Frequently Asked Questions
- My transfer credit hasn’t posted yet, but I need to register for a course. What should I do?
- You may need to submit a prerequisite petition while your transfer credit is still being processed.
- If my course is approved as equivalent, will my OASIS Academic Record automatically update?
Not always. Sometimes approved equivalencies remain listed as TR credit in OASIS unless the reviewing department prompts the Office of the University Registrar to update the record. I
Even if the course still shows as TR credit, it can still satisfy degree requirements if the equivalency has been approved.
- Can a community college course satisfy an upper-division UC Davis course?
- No. California Community College coursework transfers as lower-division credit only and cannot replace upper-division UC Davis coursework.
- I completed only part of a course series at another institution. How will that transfer?
- Some articulated series require that are courses in a sequence be completed to receive full UC Davis equivalency credit. If you completed only part of a sequence, your coursework may appear as TR credit and may require additional departmental review.
- How long do approved equivalency decisions last?
- Most departmental equivalency decisions remain valid for 5 years.
- Can transfer credit satisfy General Education (GE) requirements?
- Possibly. GE credit is reviewed separately from major requirements. Students can contact their college advising office with questions.
- I want to take courses outside UC Davis before graduating. Is there anything I should know?
- Yes. Students are subject to the UC Davis Residence Requirement, which limits how many of your final units before graduation can be transferred from another institution. Contact your college advising office if you have questions about eligibility.