Articulation (education)

In education, articulation or more specifically course articulation, refers to the process of comparing the content of courses that are transferred between postsecondary institutions such as colleges or universities. In other words, course articulation is the process by which one institution matches it's courses or requirements to course work completed at another institution. Students use course articulation to assure that the courses they complete will not have to be repreated at the institution to which they are transferring.

Related Topics:
Education - College - Universities

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Course articulation should be differentiated from the process of acceptance by one institution of earned credit, from another institution, as applicable towards its degree requirements, i.e. "transferring credit".

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Course articulation may be done on an ad hoc basis when a student actually wishes to transfer or pursuant to existing course-to-course comparison data or more formal articulation agreements. In the latter case, representatives of each institution compare their respective course curricula, to determine which courses are comparable and which are not. Their consensus is then formalized in a written agreement which is then used by students and advisors and is updated according to a mutual schedule.

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The process of articulation of can become very complicated when students transfer courses earned at multiple and international campuses, more than 5-10 years ago, or have alternative credit experiences such as exam or military credit.

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