Articulation between community colleges and state universities must be effective for Florida's "2 plus 2" system to work. Our prior report found that 20% of AA transfer students took a semester or more of lower division courses at a university. Over half of the lower division courses taken by AA transfer students were taken for degree requirements, indicating that some university degree programs were likely not consistent with common prerequisites requirements. Taking required lower division courses after transferring to a university cost students approximately $8.7 million in tuition and the state $13.8 million in support costs over a three-year period.
The Department of Education has implemented some of our recommendations, but has not addressed other needed changes. We continue to recommend that the department improve articulation by systematically reviewing university catalogs to ensure matching prerequisites, identifying causes of unsuccessful articulation, or encouraging community college students to establish a degree track. All 28 community colleges have developed partnerships with four-year institutions, which should reduce transfer problems.
To lower state costs, the Legislature should consider requiring students to pay the full cost of excess courses.

No Title
Report 02-05
University Implementation and State Oversight of Common Program Prerequisites Has Improved
Report 10-43 May 2010
Inconsistent Implementation of Common Prerequisites Creates Barriers to Effective 2+2 Articulation
Report 08-11 March 2008
Stronger Financial Incentives Could Encourage Students to Graduate With Fewer Excess Hours
Report 04-44 June 2004

Copies of this report in print or alternate accessible format may be obtained by email OPPAGA@oppaga.fl.gov, telephone (850) 488-0021, or mail 111 W. Madison St., Room 312 Tallahassee, FL 32399-1475.