Transcript Evaluation Policy
SBCC Transfer of Credit Regulations
Santa Barbara City College grants lower division subject and/or unit credit for most coursework completed at regionally accredited (Associations of Colleges and Schools) institutions of higher learning. Credit earned at a time when an institution was a candidate for accreditation may be accepted for credit. To earn subject and/or unit credit for previous coursework, students must submit an official transcript to SBCC Admissions & Records. Official transcripts of all high school and college work are important documents to have on file for proper counseling/advisement.
For information on how to have your external coursework evaluated visit the Transcript Evaluation Office website (sbcc.edu/teo). The following are criteria that will be used for determining subject and unit transfer credit and/or fulfillment of prerequisites using external course work.
Criteria I: Equivalency by Articulation (bilateral): The college has established a formal reciprocal articulation agreement with a four-year institution through the SBCC Articulation Office. (e.g. SBCC with UCSB)
These agreements are already faculty approved and are posted on ASSIST.ORG and do not require additional faculty review. The Transcript Evaluations Office will be responsible for verifying equivalency by articulation.
The articulated course will apply to both subject and unit degree requirements as well as prerequisites.
Bilateral articulation is only between regionally accredited institutions of higher education.
Criteria II: Transfer of Credit Agreement (unilateral): The incoming course is deemed by SBCC to be equivalent to an SBCC course but the source college has not approved reciprocity (e.g. Arizona State to SBCC; Allan Hancock to SBCC).
The course will apply to both subject and unit degree requirements as well as prerequisites.
In order to satisfy equivalency the course must be from a regionally accredited institution of higher education or approved international institution of higher education.
Criteria III: Satisfies a prerequisite (unilateral): The incoming course is not deemed to be an equivalent or substitute for an SBCC course but is deemed to satisfy a prerequisite under one or more "challenge" conditions approved by Title 5.
The course cannot be used to satisfy subject or unit requirements for degrees.