Pre-Baccalaureate Degree Completion Opportunities
General Education Core Curriculum
The General Education Core Curriculum (GECC) is a credential that signifies a student’s completion of the general education package of the Illinois Articulation Initiative (IAI). It is for students interested in transferring to an Illinois four-year college or university for their bachelor’s degree. This allows a student to transfer their courses as a complete package rather than individually. The GECC is aligned to the Associate of Arts degree and is comprised of courses approved by the Illinois Articulation Initiative (IAI). Individual IAI courses are accepted at most major colleges and universities throughout the state. To be awarded the GECC, students must complete 37-41 credit hours in approved classes.
Illinois Articulation Initiative
The Illinois Articulation Initiative (IAI) is a statewide agreement that allows transfer of the completed General Education Core Curriculum between participating Illinois institutions. Completion of the General Education Core Curriculum at any participating college or university in Illinois assures transferring students that lower-division general education requirements for an associate’s or bachelor’s degree have been satisfied. This agreement is in effect for students entering an associate or baccalaureate degree-granting institution as a first-time freshman in summer 1998 and thereafter. For a complete list of participating Illinois colleges and universities, visit the website at www.iTransfer.org.
Compact Agreement
The articulation compact is an agreement between public and private four-year colleges/universities and Illinois community colleges. Graduates of Illinois community colleges who have completed an associate in arts (AA) or an associate in science (AS) degree are accepted as having "junior status" at the following colleges and/or universities: Aurora University, Chicago State University, Concordia University, Eastern Illinois University, Governor's State University, Illinois State University, Northeastern Illinois University, Northern Illinois University, Southern Illinois University, University of Illinois at Springfield and Western Illinois University.
AA and AS degree students transferring to these institutions are considered to have met the lower division general education requirements. Certain programs of study at the senior transfer institution may require additional prerequisites beyond those specified in the institution's general education requirements. For additional information, students are encouraged to contact the Transfer Center.
2 + 2 Agreements
These agreements define two years of specific Triton course work that would allow for transfer into specific programs of study at participating four-year institutions. The agreement(s) also define(s) the two years of course work required at the senior institution for completion of the baccalaureate degree. For additional information, students are encouraged to contact .
3 + 1 Agreements
These agreements allow for 3 years of specific Triton coursework that would allow for transfer into specific programs of study at participating four-year institutions.
Capstone Agreement
While the associate in applied science (AAS) degree is not intended to transfer, some participating four-year colleges will accept the AAS degree in its entirety for specific program majors (technology, criminal justice, etc.). Students should substitute transferable courses for those AAS degree requirements whenever possible. For a list of four-year institutions that participate in the capstone agreement, contact a counselor.
Second Associate's Degree
A student may earn a second associate's degree by meeting the following:
- The general education requirements for the second degree.
- Program requirements for the second degree.
- Completion of 15 additional semester hours in residence that do not apply to the first degree.