Transfer and Articulation System for California’s colleges and universities.

C-ID serves as a “supranumbering’‘ system, providing a method to identify courses with similar content and outcomes across different institutions. This system is particularly beneficial for students attending multiple community colleges or planning to transfer to four-year universities, as it clarifies how courses taken at one institution will be recognized elsewhere. For instance, a course labeled as C-ID COMM 110 at one college will be accepted as equivalent to a course with the same C-ID designation at another participating institution.

What is C-ID?

C-ID primarily aids students by streamlining the transfer process, reducing the uncertainty about course equivalencies, and minimizing the accumulation of excess credits. Faculty and counselors also benefit, as C-ID provides clear guidelines for course content and expectations, facilitating curriculum development and advising. Additionally, institutions utilize C-ID to establish and maintain articulation agreements, ensuring that their courses align with statewide standards.

Colleges participate in the C-ID system by submitting their courses for review to determine alignment with established C-ID descriptors. Once approved, these courses receive a C-ID designation, signaling their comparability to similarly designated courses at other institutions. This process supports the development of Associate Degrees for Transfer (ADT), which guarantee admission to a California State University campus for community college students who meet specified criteria. By fostering a cohesive and transparent framework for course identification, C-ID plays a crucial role in enhancing student mobility and success within California’s higher education system.