University Transfer Degrees

ECC is the perfect starting point for beginning courses toward a bachelor's degree or obtaining summer credits for transfer. Depending on your goals, your academic advisor will assist you in creating an education plan for a smooth transition to the college or university you prefer.

Illinois Articulation Initiative (IAI)

The Illinois Articulation Initiative (IAI) is a statewide transfer agreement transferable among 100 participating colleges and universities in Illinois. 

Under IAI, colleges and universities agree to accept a set of general education courses instead of their lower-level requirements. It's important to know that these general education courses transfer as a group, so individual course credits may not transfer. Talk with your academic advisor to understand how your courses will transfer.

GECC, or General Education Core Curriculum, includes courses that give students a broad range of knowledge and skills across different subjects. Completing the GECC helps develop important skills like critical thinking and communication, which are useful in school and work. Want to see how your courses map to the general education package (GECC)? View the Course Worksheet.

University Transfer Degrees: AA & AS

The Associate in Arts (AA) degree has a fully incorporated GECC. When you complete an AA degree and transfer, your transfer school should waive your general education requirements at the next 4-year IAI participating institution you choose to attend.

The Associate in Science degree (AS) is tailored for science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) studies. It features a modified general education package, enabling students in these rigorous fields to stay aligned with their peers at four-year institutions. After transferring, they can complete a few general education courses at their chosen institution. With the AS degree, students take an extra math and science course, postponing two GECC courses in Humanities & Fine Arts and Social & Behavioral Sciences. While the GECC package remains intact, students fulfill it upon university transfer.

Additional University Transfer Degrees

In addition to the AA and AS degrees, ECC offers other programs to help you move on to a bachelor's degree after ECC. However, these programs don't include all the IAI general education courses. Working directly with your academic advisor ensures your transfer goes smoothly. Together, you can create an education plan that fits your chosen area of study and where you plan to go after ECC.

• Associate in Engineering Science (AES)
• Associate in Fine Arts – Art (AFA)
• Associate in Fine Arts – Music (AFA)
• Associate in Fine Arts – Music Production (AFA)