The process of matching courses or programs between colleges (so students can transfer more smoothly).

An agreement between two institutions that may outline course equivalencies, admissions requirements, or recommended courses to study to ensure the smooth transfer of students from one school’s program to another’s.

ARTSYS is a web-based platform designed to provide information that can streamline the transfer process for students moving from Maryland community colleges to University System of Maryland institutions and other participating Maryland colleges and universities. It is designed around core principles: minimizing credit loss, avoiding course duplication, and ensuring fairness for both native and transfer students, and completing courses leading to both the associate and bachelor’s degree.

The system helps students and advisors determine how community college courses transfer by showing course equivalencies and how requirements are met. It also provides recommendations for courses based on each institution’s major requirements (Program Transfer Guides). Additionally, ARTSYS includes an academic history feature that aids students in understanding how their courses compare to a Program Transfer Guide.

Degree awarded for the completion of at least 60 credits of work that includes general education requirements, major program of study requirements, and electives. 

Degree awarded for the completion of at least 120 credits of work that includes general education requirements, major program of study requirements, and electives. Four-year colleges and universities award bachelor’s degrees in Maryland.

The transfer of a degree or a set of courses without individual review of courses or course-by-course equivalency.

An optional plan of study under an academic major. This may be a more specialized curriculum, with an emphasis on a specific part of the overall major. For example, a student majoring in English may have a concentration in writing or literature.

A course at one college that equates to a course offered at another. For example, a community college PSYC100 (Introduction to Psychology) may be equivalent to PSY101 (Foundation of Psychology) at a four-year institution.

Information about a course, usually published in the course catalog. It usually includes the course number, name, and a brief description.

Information about how a course relates to other courses. It answers the question, “How does this course transfer?”

A way to earn college credit for what you have already learned through experiences like work, volunteering, or self-study. If you can demonstrate that this knowledge is similar to what you would learn in a classroom, you can be awarded credit toward your degree or certificate.

Each institution has a process to evaluate your experiences, like through assessments or portfolios, to determine how much credit you can receive. Refer to your institution’s Credit for Prior Learning website for the most accurate information. Advanced Placement (AP), College Level Examination Program (CLEP), and International Baccalaureate (IB) assessments are common sources of credit for prior learning.

Some colleges have agreements that allow simultaneous admission to a community college and a four-year institution. If certain criteria are met, the student may be guaranteed admission to a particular major at the four-year, generally once that associate degree is completed with a minimum grade point average. 

A student who is simultaneously enrolled in a secondary school and in an institution of higher education in Maryland. This type of program allows a student to have one or more courses to be credited for both high school and college credit. There may also be developmental (or preparatory) courses offered through dual enrollment that are not eligible for associate or bachelor’s degree credit but that do count for the high school diploma. Contact your high school advisor to learn more about available programs.

Courses that satisfy optional credits, and those not associated with major credit, or general education credit. Students often take these courses out of interest. (These are different from electives within a major.)

The document used to apply for federal financial aid. It is available on the web at www.fafsa.ed.gov. The form should be completed for each year a student is enrolled in higher education. The State of Maryland and colleges also use the FAFSA to determine eligibility for many financial aid programs.

The money awarded to a student to help pay for education. How much financial need you have is based on completion of the FAFSA form. Aid may be in the form of a grant, scholarship, loan, or work-study. You apply for aid through your college and complete the FAFSA at www.fafsa.ed.gov.

A first-year student, or freshman, is a student who:
(a) Has earned a high school diploma or equivalent; and
(b) Has not earned any college credit from an institution of higher education subsequent to earning the high school diploma or equivalent. (COMAR) (Credit from courses taken in the summer between high school graduation and entry in the fall following are exempt.)

For undergraduates, a student enrolled in 12 or more credits per semester.

A first-time undergraduate student with a high school diploma who has earned college-level credit through standardized testing, concurrent/dual enrollment programs, or early or middle college (programs in which students earn the associate degree concurrently with the high school diploma).

Academic courses which provide for a broad range of learning outcomes, designed to graduate a well-rounded and educated student population. In Maryland, all institutions have general education requirements. These are courses in science, social science, English, mathematics, arts, and others. In addition, each college and university has its own additional general education requirements to ensure a well-grounded foundation to shape an educated citizenry. These courses must be completed by all students graduating from a public institution in Maryland. Consult your institution’s catalogue for a list of applicable general education courses. (COMAR)

A numerical assessment of a student’s cumulative academic performance, often expressed on a scale of 4.0.

The unique guidelines and criteria set by a college or university for accepting transfer credits from other institutions.

A freshman- or sophomore- level course (100 or 200 level) that provides credit towards the completion of an academic program but does not satisfy a general education or major requirement.

The academic discipline a student wishes to receive a degree in. For example, Biology, Sociology, Elementary Education, or Social Work. Majors have required courses, and they may include major electives.

A course that you can choose to take as part of your major field of study. While you have required core courses that you must complete for your degree, major electives allow you to select additional classes that align with your interests or career goals within your major.

These electives help you tailor your education, providing opportunities to explore specific topics or skills related to your major while still fulfilling degree requirements. For example, if you’re majoring in psychology, a major elective might be a class on abnormal psychology or child development.

Beginning with the 2021-2022 award year, the qualified children of undocumented immigrants who are eligible for in-state tuition under §15–106.8.of the MD Education Article are now eligible to apply for various State financial aid grants and scholarships.

The Maryland State Financial Aid Application (MSFAA) is available online to applicants who are ineligible to receive federal aid using the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA). The MSFAA allows qualified children of undocumented immigrants, who qualify for in-state tuition under §15–106.8 of the MD Education Article, to apply and be considered for certain types of State need-based financial aid.

You should NOT complete the MSFAA if you are a U.S. citizen or an eligible noncitizen with an Alien Registration number – these students should complete the FAFSA at https://studentaid.ed.gov/sa/fafsa. International students who are studying in the U.S. on a student visa are NOT eligible for state or federal financial aid programs and should NOT complete the MSFAA. To learn more about non-U.S. citizens and financial aid eligibility, visit http://studentaid.ed.gov/sa/eligibility/non-us-citizens.

To learn more about the MSFAA and the eligibility criteria for State financial aid grants and scholarships, visit the MHEC One App Undocumented Students FAQs.

A full- or part-time student who has been accepted into an institution and a degree or credential program in it, allowing them to take credit-bearing courses and work toward their academic goals.

A secondary field of study that a student can choose to complement their major. While a major is the primary focus of a student’s degree, a minor allows them to explore another area of interest in less depth.

To earn a minor, students typically need to complete a set number of courses in the chosen subject. For example, a student majoring in business might choose to minor in psychology, gaining additional knowledge and skills that can enhance their career prospects or personal interests. Minors can help diversify a student’s education and make their degree more versatile.

If “No equivalency found” is seen in ARTSYS it could mean that the course is not yet evaluated or there is no equivalency. Consult your advisor for more information. 

A student who is enrolled in a college or university but is not pursuing a specific degree or formal program. This status often applies to students taking individual courses for personal interest, professional development, or to explore potential degree options without committing to a full program.

Non-matriculated students typically do not have the same requirements as matriculated students, such as meeting degree prerequisites, and may have more flexible enrollment options. However, they may have limited access to certain resources or services available to degree-seeking students.

Classes that do not count toward a student’s degree requirements or major. These courses may be interesting or valuable for personal growth, but they do not fulfill any specific academic criteria needed for graduation. They can be applied to the degree, however, as electives.

For example, if a student takes a criminology class while pursuing a degree in economics, that art class might be considered non-applicable if it doesn’t fit into the student’s required major curriculum or general education requirements, but it still provides 3 credits toward the degree.

Courses offered that do not transfer to another institution. Courses must be credit-bearing to transfer. Developmental courses in English, reading, or mathematics do not transfer. Occupational or vocational courses often do not transfer to 4-year institutions.

Courses in ARTSYS marked this way have not yet been evaluated by the institution for transfer of credit. Please contact your transfer advisor or the receiving institution’s website for more information.

A course or courses that must be taken prior to enrollment in the next-level course. For example, PSYC101 may be a prerequisite for PSYC221, or MTH150 may be a prerequisite for CHEM210. Prerequisites often have a minimum grade requirement.

An articulation agreement between a receiving institution and a sending institution that sets forth the course and other degree requirements within a single bachelor’s degree program offered by the receiving institution that may be completed at the sending institution.

A list of courses and related information that provides guidance to transfer students regarding Program Transfer Agreements and recommendations for completing 60 credits at a community college that prepare the student for a particular major at a specific four-year institution. These guides can also contain details on Articulation Agreements when listed.

A selection of courses recommended for students interested in transferring into a program of study.

The institution of higher education to which a student desires to transfer courses and credits.

The process whereby students who have transferred from a community college with at least 45 credits to a four-year university can transfer up to 15 credits back to the community college to earn an associate degree. This process typically happens when the student earns credits at the four-year institution that can complete the associate degree requirements.

An academic calendar term describing a 14- to 16-week period between August or September and December and between January and May.

An institution of higher education at which a student was previously enrolled and earned academic credit.

An official document displaying courses, grades, GPA, and information concerning academic courses completed, credits transferred, or credit exams taken.

An undergraduate student entering an institution for the first time who has successfully completed, after earning a high school diploma or equivalent, at least one course at another institution of higher education that is transferable to the institution the student is enrolling in.

The credits from these courses count toward the degree where the student transfers. The course counts as a major course, a lower-level elective, or a General Education or institutional requirement. 

Courses designated as junior or senior level, usually as 300 or 400 level courses. Primarily, these courses satisfy credit towards an academic major or minor.

A student who is enrolled at one college or university but temporarily attends another institution, usually to take one or more specific courses. This arrangement allows them to earn credits that may transfer back to their home institution. Students generally need approval from their home institution to take a course elsewhere if they wish to transfer it into their degree.