Transferring between higher education institutions is a common practice and on Thursday, the University of North Carolina System announced a new tool for those looking to move within North Carolina’s schools.
The system officially launched its Common Numbering System database and web page, which will help undergraduate students navigate the challenges of determining which course credits will move from their current school to another. In a release, the UNC System describes the database as containing more than 1,600 lower-level courses from its 16 different college campuses and the state Community College system that have interchangeable credit.
“The launch of the Common Numbering System is a triumph for students and institutions across our great state,” UNC System President Peter Hans said in the message. “Students have long dealt with a complex transfer process that didn’t always recognize credits completed at another UNC institution or a community college. This important tool will help expand access to our world-class institutions, benefiting the one-third of our students who will transfer from a community college or another UNC System institution during their college experience.”
The UNC System cited the CNS project as a “collaborative effort” between faculty and staff across North Carolina, taking nearly two years to complete. The tool aims to help the system achieve one of its top priorities from its recent strategic plan: improving and increasing access to all UNC institutions for qualified, prepared North Carolinians. Currently, prospective students must apply and be accepted into their new school before searching the institutions’ individual websites to determine how and what they will receive credit for completed classes. The UNC System has a web page that links to schools’ respective websites for transfers, but the Common Numbering System may work as a new resource to search for specific courses and how their credit is reflected across all colleges.
An example of the Common Numbering System’s database search. The Philosophy 101 course at UNC-Chapel Hill is entered, and the equivalent courses at the other UNC System schools is reflected. (Photo via the UNC System.)
“The UNC System’s Common Numbering System will save time and money for transfer students, helping them to plot the most efficient path toward a degree,” said David English, the UNC System’s acting senior vice president for academic affairs. “For two decades, this idea has been a conversation piece. At last, it’s a reality. My thanks to everyone who worked to put this valuable tool into the hands of our students and their advisers.”
Alongside the database page, the UNC System launched pages dedicated to providing resources for academic advisors, detailing the UNC transfer credit appeal process and answering frequently asked questions regarding the CNS.
The University of North Carolina System includes the state’s 16 public universities and the North Carolina School of Science and Mathematics, enrolling nearly 250,000 students across all of its campuses. For more about transferring within the UNC System, visit its Transfer Students web page.
Photo via Johnny Andrews/UNC-Chapel Hill.
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