Cerritos College gives students "passport" to transfer to out-of-state universities

NORWALK -- As part of its continued efforts to increase graduation rates, Cerritos College recently joined the Interstate Passport network to provide students with a seamless pathway to transfer their lower-division general education courses to out-of-state universities and increase their ability to complete their educational goals. 

Member schools in the program more than 20 universities, including the University of Hawaii-West Oahu, Western Oregon University, University of North Dakota, Northern State University, Dixie State University, Southern Utah University, and the University of Utah.
Cerritos College is the first California community college to join the program among top four-year colleges and universities.

“The Interstate Passport program’s streamlined transfer process will allow our students to complete their education faster with less debt, and lower foregone earnings from unduplicated learning,” said Rick Miranda, vice president, academic affairs. “It will increase successful transfer and completion for our students.”

Students who complete the Passport Block with a minimum grade of “C” or its equivalent in each course will receive the Passport-Lower Division General Education and can transfer to any of its member universities.  Students who transfer with a Passport to another member institution will not have to repeat or take additional courses to satisfy lower-division general education requirements in the Passport’s nine areas.

The new Interstate Passport℠ partnership at the College adds another innovative, student completion initiative that puts students first. The College also boasts Cerritos Complete, AIME, Finish First, Scholars’ Honors Program, and other programs geared toward college completion. In May, the College honored its largest graduating class in the campus’ 60-year history with more than 3,000 graduates in the Class of 2017.

For more information about Interstate Passport, visit wiche.edu/passport.