If you are planning to transfer to a four-year university, one of the biggest questions you may have is: “How do I know the classes I take at Lemoore College will actually count?”
You do not want to spend time, money, and energy completing classes only to discover that they do not apply toward your degree or transfer requirements. The good news is that you can take steps now to make your classes work toward your larger goal.
Start With Your Transfer Goal
Before registering for your next semester, think about where you want to go and what
you want to study.
Your transfer plan can look different depending on whether you are planning to attend a California State University, University of California, private university, or another type of four-year institution. Your intended major can also affect which courses you need.
If you already have a university or major in mind, bring that information with you when you meet with a counselor. If you are still deciding, that is okay, too. A counselor can help you explore your options and create an educational plan based on your goals.
Connect with Lemoore College Counseling & Advising →
Create an Educational Plan Before Choosing Classes
One of the best ways to avoid unnecessary classes is to have a Student Education Plan
that connects your courses to your academic and transfer goals.
At Lemoore College, counselors can help you create a semester-by-semester plan and choose courses that support your degree or transfer pathway. Lemoore College specifically recommends creating a customized education plan rather than relying only on a program map.
Learn about Transfer Services and Education Planning →
Think of your education plan as a road map. Instead of asking, “What class should I take next?” you can ask, “Which class helps me get closer to my transfer goal?”
Check Transfer Requirements for Your Major
A class can be transferable and still not necessarily be the specific course you need
for your intended major.
For example, your transfer plan may include:
- General education requirements
- Courses required for your major
- Prerequisites for upper-division courses
- Transfer-specific requirements
- Courses needed to complete an Associate Degree for Transfer (ADT), when applicable
This is why it is important to look beyond whether a class simply transfers. You also want to understand how the course fits into your specific transfer pathway.
For California public universities, transfer-planning tools can help you research requirements for particular campuses and majors. Lemoore College's Transfer Services recommends using tools such as ASSIST, the CSU Transfer Planner, and UC Transfer Admission Planner when planning for transfer.
Look Into ADT and Cal-GETC Pathways
Depending on your goals, you may have a structured transfer pathway available to you.
An Associate Degree for Transfer (ADT) can provide a pathway from a California community college to a CSU bachelor's degree. Lemoore College also offers Cal-GETC coursework designed to fulfill lower-division general education requirements for transfer to UC or CSU campuses.
Explore Lemoore College Transfer Services →
Explore the Transfer Studies–Cal-GETC program →
Not every student will follow the same pathway, so talk with a counselor before assuming that an ADT or Cal-GETC pathway is the right fit for you.
Do Not Rely on a Program Map Alone
You may find a program map on a Lemoore College program page that shows a possible
sequence of classes. These maps can be helpful when you are trying to understand what
a program might look like, but they are not a replacement for your official education
plan.
Your situation may be different from another student's. Previous college coursework, your intended university, your major, transfer requirements, and the classes you have already completed can all affect what you need.
That is why it is worth checking your plan before registering.
Review Your Plan Before Every Semester
Your transfer plan is not something you create once and forget about.
Before registering for each semester, take a few minutes to review:
- What is my current transfer goal?
- Has my intended major changed?
- Which requirements have I already completed?
- Which requirements still need to be completed?
- Does each class I am considering fit into my education plan?
- Do I need to update my plan with a counselor?
If your goals change, your classes may need to change, too. Meeting with a counselor before making major course changes can help you understand how those changes may affect your timeline.
Schedule an appointment with Lemoore College Counseling & Advising →
What If You Already Took Classes You're Unsure About?
Do not assume that a class was a waste just because you are unsure where it fits.
Bring your questions to Counseling & Advising. Counselors can review your academic progress, help you plan future terms, and discuss degree and transfer options with you.
You can also review your educational plan and compare it with your current progress before registering for additional courses.
Get help with course selection and educational planning →
Make Your Units Work Toward Your Goal
Planning for transfer does not mean you need to know every detail of your future right
now. It means taking a few extra steps before registering so you understand why you
are taking each class.
Start with your transfer goal. Research the requirements for your intended university and major. Then work with a Lemoore College counselor to create and update an educational plan.
Most importantly, do not be afraid to ask before you register. A question about whether a class fits your plan can be much easier to answer before you take the class than after.
Your Transfer Planning Checklist
Before registering for your next semester:
- Identify your target university or universities.
- Choose or explore your intended major.
- Research transfer and major requirements.
- Meet with a Lemoore College counselor.
- Create or update your Student Education Plan.
- Check whether an ADT or Cal-GETC pathway fits your goals.
- Confirm that the classes you plan to take fit your education plan.
- Review your plan again before registering each semester.
You do not have to figure out your transfer path alone. Start with a conversation, create a plan, and make each class part of a larger goal.