If you are now in the process of earning your General Studies A.A. Degree at Prince George’s Community College and are planning to transfer to a four-year institution, these tips provides some general recommendations about transfer and suggests several courses to consider taking based on the most popular majors at PGCC’s primary transfer partners: University of Maryland College Park, Bowie State University, Morgan State University, Towson University, and University of Maryland Global Campus.
The following paragraphs include several general recommendations about transferring to four-year institutions. Though you may not see the major you are considering among the specific suggestions that are listed after these recommendations, we will continue adding majors, so check back over time. Looking at the suggestions for majors that are either similar or related to your own may help you identify possible courses to take while you are studying at PGCC.
General Transfer Recommendations
This guide is intended to help you select the most appropriate/transferable courses to take as you complete your General Studies A.A. degree. Some of the recommendations will be for the 32 institutionally required (31 general education + 1 PAS credit) part of this degree. Others will be for the 28 elective credits above and beyond these institutional requirements. In either case, it is important to remember that while you must complete at least 31 general education credits here at PGCC, you are able to transfer up to 36 general education credits when you transfer. Therefore, taking at least one additional general education course as part of your 28 elective credits is a very good idea. Your advisor can help you identify what this additional course could be.
Regardless of which institution you are planning on transferring to or which major you wish to pursue there, the best course of action is almost always to complete your Associate’s Degree at PGCC before transferring. Finishing your degree will streamline the transfer process, as each institution can then accept your earned credits in bulk, rather than having to review them on a line-by-line basis.
It is important to note that, as you plan your courses at Prince George’s Community College, you should work closely with your PGCC advisor, as well as the transfer advisor at your target institution, to ensure that you are selecting the most appropriate courses for your curriculum. Working together with both your PGCC advisor and your advisor at your target institution is the best way to proceed.
If you are in the process of identifying your major at your intended transfer institution, it is a good idea to identify more than one possibility by working together with your PGCC advisor. Always have back-up possibilities in case you are not initially admitted into the major of your choice. Your advisor can help you design more than one possible schedule, so that if you decide to change your major or are not initially admitted into the major of your choice, you can easily refer to an alternate list of suggestions to guide your course selections in any given semester.
Steps To A Successful Transfer
To ensure a seamless transfer experience, frequent communication with your transfer institution, and not just your PGCC advisor, is essential. We recommend the following:
- If you have not yet done so, ask your PGCC advisor who the transfer advisor at your target institution is and how to get in touch with them.
- Meet with the transfer advisor at your target institution to confirm the most appropriate courses for transfer, given your intended major.
- Ensure that you are familiar with the application timeline, including all important due dates for application materials.
- Identify and reach out to potential recommenders (instructors/mentors) well in advance of the application deadline. Your advocates want to help you succeed, but they will need time to write you a strong letter.
- Choose question
If you have the opportunity, visit the campus where you are planning to transfer.
- Know the amount of the application fee
- Inquire if there are application fee waivers
- Research scholarship opportunities at your intended transfer university
- Ensure your transfer institutions are listed on your FAFSA application
For additional information, see PGCC's Transfer Guidance for Public Institutions in Maryland.
Contact Us
Office of Transfer Services
Bladen Hall, Room 124
301 Largo Rd
Largo, MD 20774-2199
Phone: 301-546-0829
Email: articulation@pgcc.edu
Office Hours
Monday-Friday, 8:30 a.m.-4:30 p.m.