"Course transfer" is the process that happens when a student completes a course or courses at one institution (or distance education provider) and has those credits applied to their course record at another institution (or provider). If you want to do this, you must furnish the admission (or registrar's) office of your transfer institution with an official written record (called a "transcript") of course-work previously taken and ask that the credits be evaluated for transfer. The transfer institution will then inform you which of the credits are transferrable (and if not, why not), and how they are being accepted. For example, some of the credits may be applied to the institution's "general education requirements" (which must be completed by all students); yet others may be accepted as "electives" (courses that you may apply to your degree program in any way they fit). The most sure-fire way to transfer courses is to consult frequently with advisors on both campuses (and/or distance education providers) prior to enrolling in courses so that they can tell you what courses are considered "transfer courses" and how they can apply to your academic goals.

For students wishing to transfer in distance education (or other) credits from an Oregon community college at the time they are admitted to a public university, there are a number of pathways available. Which situation best describes yours?

• You seek admission to an Oregon public university as a "first-time freshman" with the corresponding transfer of some courses/credits (including distance education) from a community college (or colleges).
  
  If you apply to an Oregon public university with a fewer number of college-level credits than required for "transfer admission" (see below) you will be evaluated on the basis of your high school work and be admitted as a "freshman." However, your college-level work will still count and those credits you have earned will likely transfer. In addition to your high school record, you will have to furnish your college course record (transcript) to the university to which you apply. You will then be informed about the transferability of these credits and how you may use them toward your general education requirements, electives, and/or degree program requirements. Since the distance education courses offered through ONE are transcripted in the same manner as "traditionally-earned" classroom credits (that is, your course record will look identical to an on-campus student's record), you should encounter little difficulty transferring courses from one institution to another.
• You seek admission to an Oregon public university as a "transfer student."
  
  Oregon public universities officially define a "transfer student" as one who applies to the university having already completed from 24-36 hours (actual number of hours depends on the institution to which you apply) of college-level work, with a minimum grade point overage of 2.00 -2.50 (depending on the institution to which you apply, and whether or not you are an Oregon resident). If you fit into this category, you are admitted to the university on the basis of your college (not high school) performance. When you apply for admission, you will not need to submit your high school record. You will have to furnish your college course record (transcript) to the university to which you apply. You will then be informed about the transferability of these credits and how you may use them toward your general education requirements, electives, and/or degree program requirements. Since the distance education courses offered through ONE are transcripted in the same manner as "traditionally-earned" classroom credits (that is, your course record will look identical to an on-campus student's record), you should encounter little difficulty transferring courses from one institution to another.
• You seek admission to an Oregon public university having earned an Associate of Arts/Oregon Transfer Degree (AA/OT).
  
  All of the community colleges in Oregon offer the Associate of Arts/Oregon Transfer degree (commonly called the "AA/OT"). This is a degree specifically designed with the prospective transfer student in mind, although it is not necessarily the best choice for everyone; you should consult closely with your advisor to see if this is a route that would be best for you. If you complete an AA/OT, you will have the guarantee that your transfer program has met, in full, the lower-division general education requirements (those expected of all students) at any Oregon public university. Further, you will have junior status at the transfer institution for registration purposes. AA/OT transfer requirements for various campuses are available here. Currently, Central Oregon Community College, Chemeketa Community College, Lane Community College, and Portland Community College offer an AA/OT degree via distance education. Contact these campuses directly to learn more about their programs. Since distance education courses are transcripted in the same manner as "traditionally-earned" classroom credits (that is, your course record will look identical to an on-campus student's record), you should encounter little difficulty transferring AA/OT courses from one institution to another.
• You are already admitted to an institution and degree program and you wish to transfer in some courses/credits from another college or university.
  
  Most degree programs, including distance education degree programs, permit students admitted to their programs to transfer in courses from other accredited colleges and universities. Decisions about the acceptance of specific courses within majors (degree programs) are typically made by the academic departments. If you are in this situation, you should check with your academic department or program office about its transfer policies.