We encourage you to select one of three approaches for successful transfer. Your choice of a transfer strategy should be made after considering many factors such as your major, transfer college or university, financial situation and personal needs. You’ll need to make the important decisions, but we’re available to listen and help you consider the benefits of each option.
Approach 1 – Earn an Associate in Arts or Associate in Science degree at Black Hawk College (64 hours)
We recommend that most students earn the AA or AS degree. If you plan to complete two years of coursework at BHC, you can benefit from compact and course equivalency agreements which have been negotiated with four-year colleges and universities for students who complete a transferable associate degree. Select courses that meet the general education and freshman/sophomore level courses for your major at your transfer school. If you need help selecting these courses, we are available to assist you.
Approach 2 – Complete the Illinois Articulation Initiative General Education Core (IAI GECC) before transferring (37-41 hours)
If you don’t plan to remain at BHC long enough to complete the AA or AS degree, you may consider completing the Illinois Articulation Initiative General Education Core Curriculum. The IAI GECC is a core of general education courses that meet the lower division general education requirements at more than 100 public and private two-year and four-year colleges and universities in Illinois. By completing the IAI GECC you will meet lower division general education requirements when you transfer to an IAI participating college or university.
If you complete an AA or AS degree at BHC you will automatically meet IAI requirements. If you are undecided on a transfer school, but know your major you may benefit from IAI course recommendations for specific majors. A list of Black Hawk College IAI general education and major courses may be accessed at the IAI website.
IAI General Education Core Curriculum Worksheet
IAI Participating Colleges and Universities
IAI Major Course Recommendations
Approach 3 – Select courses at Black Hawk College that meet the general education and major requirements at your transfer college or university
Regardless of how long you plan to attend BHC, your best approach to transfer may be to select courses that are equivalent to major and general education courses at your transfer college or university. This approach is most frequently used by students in certain specialized majors or those transferring to an out-of-state school. If you select this approach, you will need to collaborate carefully with your BHC advisor, as well as an advisor in your major department at your transfer school.
