Streamlining Student Transfer
Welcome to the June Transfer Hub newsletter. This month's newsletter focuses on updates on Transfer Council's work with Common Course Numbering (CCN) and Major Transfer Maps (MTMs), for this year.
You are receiving this newsletter as a subscriber. If you are not a subscriber but would like to sign up to receive this newsletter, please subscribe below.
Established in 2021, Transfer Council has begun its fourth year of developing recommendations to the Higher Education Coordinating Commission (HECC) on new transfer and credit policies and agreements. This builds on decades of work dedicated to streamlining transfer pathways in Oregon. For more on this, see the About Oregon’s Statewide Work to Streamline Student Transfer webpage.
In March 2025, Transfer Council approved Major Transfer Map Curriculum Articulation Policies (MTM-CAPs) in Sociology (AAT/AST), Biology (AST), and Business (AST). They also approved modifications to PSU’s post-transfer crosswalk in the MTM-CAP in Computer Science. The Council updated one of their MTM-CAP templates – the pre-transfer crosswalk – to include recommended language from NWCCU. They also expanded the subcommittee charge for the CCN Outcomes Assessment subcommittee, to include providing support to MTM subcommittees. Finally, the Council approved a recommendation from the General Education subcommittee to create a maintenance schedule for the AAOT and transfer student general education learning outcomes.
In April 2025, the Council approved a charge for the Transfer Council Report Subcommittee (more on this below). They also approved additional modifications to PSU’s post-transfer crosswalk in the MTM-CAP in Computer Science. Elizabeth Cox-Brand (OCCA) and CCWD Director Donna Lewelling led a discussion based on the 2025 Postsecondary Transfer in Oregon: Examining the Current Landscape of Transfer Policy report prepared for the OCCA by Student-Ready Strategies.
In May 2025, Transfer Council heard from the Measures of Success Subcommittee Chair Tad Shannon (WOU) about current institutional practices for measuring student intent and the feasibility of future measures at community colleges. Nominations for the annual Transfer Council Survey and Report Subcommittee were confirmed and Council Cochairs reviewed and discussed a work plan for 2025-26.
Finally, at the June 2025 Transfer Council Meeting, the MTM-CAP for Elementary Education (AAOT) and the MTM-CAP for Psychology (AST) were approved, which means all existing MTMs have been updated to the new Curriculum Articulation Policy format. Also approved were the Measures of Success Subcommittee Recommendations, which outline the measures to be put in rule to track transfer progress and to evaluate the effectiveness of statewide transfer tools. Finally, the Council approved recommendations from the 2025 CCN History Subcommittee for aligning HST/HIST 201Z/202Z/203Z United States History I, II, and III. All other CCN alignment work will resume in the fall, once faculty are back on contract.
 |
|
Transfer student success stories.
Nate Kersey is a 2025 graduate of the University of Oregon with a BS in Political Science and minors in Science Communication, and Planning, Policy, and Management. He also has an AAOT from Portland Community College. Nate has served as the student representative on the Transfer Council for several years.
|
Nate's story: Like many people, my educational journey has been a nontraditional one. I graduated from high school in 2014, was in university for a year, then joined the work force. I returned to Portland Community College (PCC) in spring 2021 and knew that I wanted to transfer to a four-year university, so I took the path a lot of Oregon transfer students take—I earned by AAOT. I then transferred to the University of Oregon (UO) in spring 2023 and graduated spring 2025. Towards the end of my time at PCC, I joined the Transfer Council as a student representative for community colleges. When I transferred to the UO, I became the student representative for the university systems.
Nate's advice for students: My advice for students is if you aren’t sure of a major, the AAOT is likely the best choice you can make in a community college. If you know what you want to do, look into the aligned transfer maps [MTMs] and common courses [CCN] or the various other direct transfer programs between institutions. Also, talk to your professors in person, go to office hours, and speak with your advisors. When it comes to transfer, talk to the registrar’s office where you are transferring to and go over your transcript. You may be able to challenge how individual classes were or were not counted if you just ask. Look at groups like transfer clubs, nontraditional student unions, and TRIO SSS programs to find resources to help you. Concerning my time on the TC: I saw how much the faculty and professors care for their students. Arguments and debates are always based on a disagreement over how to best serve students. Members of the TC care deeply and work extremely hard to give students a better higher ed experience. It was an honor working with them over the years I served.
As part of the Transfer Council’s 2025 annual report to the Commission, all public community colleges and universities are currently completing a statewide implementation survey on Major Transfer Maps (MTMs), Core Transfer Maps (CTMs), and Common Course Numbering (CCN). The survey collects information on program offerings, catalog alignment, advising practices, and institutional tracking capacity to support consistent and transparent implementation of Oregon’s legislatively mandated transfer pathways. Surveys are due June 23rd. Results of the survey will be shared in the Transfer Council’s Annual Report to the HECC, due September 1, 2025. For more information on the work of this group, see their subcommittee charge and last year's annual survey report (2024).
Five new Common Course Numbering (CCN) faculty subcommittees began meeting in late January/early February 2025, to align 15 courses during 2025. The following information provides an update on the work of these subcommittees, so far.
Common Course Numbering Subcommittees
CCN Biology Subcommittee, from Cochairs Lindsay Biga (OSU) and Jonathan Christie (Chemeketa): The Biology Subcommittee has finished working for the academic year. During winter/spring terms, we formally approved Anatomy and Physiology course subject codes, titles, descriptions, and outcomes. When we reconvene in the fall (2025), we'll work on aligning course credits, which is the last expected decision the subcommittee will need to make prior to creating our final recommendation report.
CCN Chemistry Subcommittee, from Cochairs Kenneth Friedrich (PCC) and Christopher Walsh (EOU): The Chemistry Subcommittee has finished all work on aligning CH/CHE/CHEM 104Z/124Z (lecture and lab), CH/CHE/CHEM 112Z and CH/CHE/CHEM 150Z. The final report is in progress and will be voted on in early October before submission to the Transfer Council.
CCN Communication Subcommittee, from Cochairs Hailey Adkisson (LBCC) and Jessica Fabbricatore (EOU): The Communication Subcommittee finalized and voted on course learning outcomes and a course description for COM/COMM 216Z: Intercultural Communication. Additionally, the subcommittee has an agreed-upon draft for course learning outcomes and a course description for COM/COMM 220Z: Introduction to Gender and Communication and COM/COMM 219Z: Small Group Communication. Formal votes will take place in early Fall 2025 before we begin a discussion about credits.
CCN History Subcommittee, from Cochairs Niki Theis-Coulter (RCC) and Mason Tattersall (OSU): The CCN History Recommendation Report for HST/HIST 201Z/202Z/203Z United States History I, II, III was presented to the Transfer Council on 6/13/2025. All courses were approved. Information was sent to CAOs/Provosts on 6/20.
CCN Spanish Subcommittee, from Cochairs Rachel Knighten (LCC) and Patricia Gimenez-Eguibar (WOU): The CCN Spanish Subcommittee reached consensus on course descriptions for Spanish 101Z, 102Z, and 103Z. This achievement supports clearer, more consistent transfer pathways for students and strengthens statewide alignment in Spanish language instruction.
Additionally, three special subcommittees continued work from the previous year (2024):
Special Subcommittees
General Education, from Cochairs Amanda Haight (MHCC) and John Edwards (OSU): The Gen Ed Subcommittee has been working on a proposal for a framework and timeline for maintenance of the Associates of Arts Oregon Transfer (AAOT) degree. This framework is intended to provide guidance for review and updates to the AAOT at more consistent intervals to ensure the degree continues to meet the needs of students looking to transfer between community colleges and Oregon public universities.
CCN Outcomes Assessment, from Cochairs Kristin Nagy Catz (OSU) and Ann Cary (PCC): The Outcomes and Assessment Subcommittee created short videos to accompany their Guiding Questions and Best Practices document [found in the 2024 CCN Handbook]. Additionally, they continue to support faculty CCN subcommittees with writing course learning outcomes. Lastly, they began creating a section about writing learning outcomes for the MTM handbook.
Systems & Operations Subcommittee, from Cochairs Elizabeth Bay (Chemeketa) and Amy Clark (WOU): The Systems and Operations Subcommittee has focused recent work on two main topics: providing updated data on the most frequently transferred courses and discussing operationalization of the newly adopted lecture-lab "Z" courses. For the first item, data was collected from universities on the courses they most commonly accept in transfer, resulting in a list of the top 30 most transferred courses, excluding current or proposed Z-courses. For the second item, the subcommittee examined the structure of lecture-lab courses and explored strategies for consistent implementation across institutions.
MTM Subcommittees
Some subcommittees are no longer meeting since their MTM-CAPs are complete. They will resume meeting at their next scheduled maintenance meeting. All remaining subcommittees are actively meeting:
MTM Elementary Education Subcommittee: The subcommittee concluded their work on May 12 and unanimously voted to recommend their updated MTM-CAP to the Transfer Council. The Transfer Council approved this MTM-CAP at their June meeting.
MTM Psychology: The subcommittee concluded their work on May 23 and unanimously voted to recommend their updated MTM-CAP to the Transfer Council. The Transfer Council approved this MTM-CAP at their June meeting.
MTM Communication: The subcommittee has completed the MTM associate degree curriculum, the program learning outcomes for the Associate of Arts Transfer (AAT) degree, and the AP/IB alignment. They drafted their MTM development narrative, which will be voted on in October. The subcommittee is expected to finish their MTM-CAP by December. Crosswalks will be solicited in October.
Selection of CCNs and MTMs for 2026 will be made at the August Transfer Council meeting.
In May 2025, the Systems and Operations Subcommittee shared an updated list of 30 of the most transferred courses between Oregon colleges and universities. This update will be used to inform course selection for 2026 and beyond. Prior to passage of SB 233 (2021), Registrars created the original 80 Most Transferred Course List, which has been used for course selection for CCN. Course selection also relies on a list of the Highest Enrolled Courses from HECC’s Office of Research and Data, a review of course offerings at institutions (for the past 3 years), and consultation with existing and past CCN Cochairs.
Selection of the major courses of study for development as Major Transfer Maps requires the use of specific criteria as specified in administrative rule (see OAR 715-025-0010). The Commission and the Transfer Council must consider, at a minimum, the majors with the most workforce demand and the most common majors among students who transfer from a community college to a public university. This data is provided by HECC’s Office of Research and Data. 2026 will also mark our return to naming and completing three MTMs per year, as the temporary reduction granted by SB 233 has expired.
Nominations for new CCN and MTM subject areas will be solicited during fall term, and these new subcommittees will begin their alignment work in January 2026.
The following timeline represents the approximate dates for all CCN and MTM work, based on milestones:
January
- New CCN and MTM subcommittees begin meeting
January to June; September to November
- CCN and MTM subcommittees convening
April
- Systems and Operations share feedback on CCN course selection for next year
June
- Transfer Council annual CCN/MTM survey sent to institutions; due late June
- CCN aligned courses announced as they are aligned (email, HECC website, listserv); CAOs and Provosts are notified via email, after Transfer Council approves recommendations
June/July
- CCN and MTM selections for the next year researched
August
- Transfer Council and HECC announce CCN courses and MTMs for the next year; colleges and universities are notified via email and the HECC listserv
- Transfer Council annual report on CCN/MTMs due to Commission (9/1)
September/October
- Call for nominations, for next year’s CCN and MTM subcommittees
November
- New CCN and MTM subcommittee nominations approved by Transfer Council
- All CCN subcommittees complete alignment work
- All CCN aligned courses for the year announced (email, HECC website, listserv); colleges and universities notified via email and the HECC listserv
December
- MTM subcommittee work completed
- Transfer Council annual retreat
Maintenance and Review Schedules for CCN and MTMs will appear (soon) on the Transfer Council—Members and Subcommittees webpage.
HECC’s Transfer Home webpage shares information on statewide efforts to Streamline Student Transfer, Transfer Council, Common Course Numbering, and Major Transfer Maps.
The Tools for Transfer – The Oregon Transfer Compass webpage has information for students planning to transfer, including info for students who know their major or are looking at a transfer degree.
Transfer Council’s List of CCN Courses. The approved CCN course list for 2025 has been added to the Educator Resources--CCN webpage. For information on submitting a nomination for a CCN or MTM Subcommittee, see the Nomination Process document, which includes a link to the nominating form.
The Transfer Council – Members and Subcommittees webpage contains a list of Transfer Council members, CCN Subcommittee Members for 2025, MTM Subcommittee Members for 2025, the CCN Handbook, the MTM Faculty Handbook, and charges for all Transfer Council subcommittees. Reports and Memos related to CCN can be found on the Educator Resources – Common Course Numbering webpage.
Additional educator resources for creating MTM advising guides for students can be found on the Major Transfer Maps webpage under Communication Tools.
|
