Transfer Programs
Joliet Junior College offers a wide range of transfer courses that are designed to provide the first two years of education for students seeking a baccalaureate degree from a four-year college or university. The key to successful transfer is to plan early, seek advice from advisors at both JJC and the prospective four-year institution, and use the most updated information to ensure a smooth transition. Students who complete a prescribed set of courses from JJC can complete the Associate in Arts (A.A.) degree or Associate in Science (A.S.) degree prior to transferring to a four-year institution. Note that the Associate in Applied Science (A.A.S.) degree, although not primarily created for transfer, may be articulated with specific four-year institutions to create a smooth transfer experience.
Here are the steps to take that will make the transfer process easier:
- Complete the requirements for either an Associate in Arts or an Associate in Science degree. The course requirements for these two degrees are located in the next few pages. Student Planning and My Degree Progress make it easy for students to see what classes they have already taken and what classes they need to take to complete their major and should be used in conjunction with your advisor for transfer planning.
- If you are not sure where you plan to transfer or what your intended major will be, follow the course requirements of the Illinois Articulation Initiative (IAI). These requirements match the A.A. and A.S. degree program requirements at JJC. Familiarize yourself with the IAI website (itransfer.org).
- If you know the institution to which you plan to transfer and the major program you plan to pursue, seek out the specific course recommendations from that college/university. You will still follow the transfer degree requirements at JJC, but you also may have to select more carefully from the choices available. For example, although there are many choices to fulfill your mathematics requirement, certain degree programs at certain universities will want you to select specific courses from among the array of choices.
- If you know which major you plan to pursue but are unsure about which college or university you might attend after JJC, then you should follow the major transfer recommendations listed on itransfer.org. Also, the course applicability system, now Transferology.com, can help you to determine how specific courses will transfer for specific majors at participating four-year universities and colleges.
- Always use all of the resources available to you to make the best possible decision. Seek out the help of an advisor. Use itransfer.org. Seek advice from your intended college/university (if you know that information). Finally, use the vast array of student services at JJC to help with career counseling, academic advising and course selection, and tutorial services.
Associate in Arts Degree
The Associate in Arts degree is designed for students planning to pursue a four-year degree program in majors like agriculture, anthropology, art, business, communication/journalism, communication/public relations, criminal justice, English, history, music, philosophy and religion, political science, psychology, sociology, speech communication and theater.
Students interested in elementary and early childhood education should follow the A.A. program and use advising to select appropriate courses. Students majoring in secondary education should follow an A.A. or A.S. degree program and supplement it with appropriate education courses.
Associate in Science Degree
The Associate in Science degree is designed specifically for students planning to pursue a bachelor’s degree in agriculture, biology, chemistry, computer science, engineering, mathematics, and physics. All pre-medical, pre-dental, and pre-veterinary medicine degree programs follow the Associate in Science degree in either biology or chemistry.
Illinois Articulation Initiative (IAI)
Joliet Junior College is a participant in the Illinois Articulation Initiative (IAI). The IAI is an agreement among Illinois colleges and universities to make the transfer of credit as easy as possible. Currently, the IAI allows for the smooth transfer of a set of courses, labeled the General Education Core Curriculum (GECC sections I-V), among more than 100 participating public and private colleges and universities. Completion of the GECC at any participating community college in Illinois guarantees that transferring students will be granted the equivalent credit for the entire general education program of the receiving four-year institution. However, the four-year institution may have additional upper-division (junior/senior) general education graduation requirements. The approved general education requirements at JJC for the Associate in Arts degree (37 - 41 credit hours - Categories I-V ) and the Associate in Science degree (31 - 35 credit hours - Categories I-V ) will fulfill the IAI GECC.
If you transfer before completion of the IAI GECC at JJC, you will have to satisfy the general education requirements of the transfer institution. Courses will be evaluated on a course-by-course basis to determine transferability. Note: Course-by-course equivalency isn’t guaranteed.
Transferring to another institution is a complex process. In order to understand the process of course transferability, students should use three sources of data. First, students should consult www.itransfer.org for specific information about the GECC requirements and certain academic majors. Second, students should meet with a JJC advisor to seek information about how courses will be evaluated when transferring to another institution. Third, the student should verify with the receiving institution. While the approved IAI GECC allows for completion of the transfer institutions’ lower level general education requirements, specific course selections in general education, the major and electives can enhance the transfer process.
General Education
University Partnerships and Transfer Agreements
The University Partnerships Office at JJC has many transfer agreements and transfer guides designed to make transferring to a four-year institution easy. A full list of transfer agreements and transfer guides can be found at jjc.edu/university-partners.