Transfer Studies

Transfer Studies

You did it: You finished at OCC. You completed your general education transfer requirements, crossed the stage, and transferred on, ready to spend the next couple of years earning your bachelor’s degree. 

And you can do it—finish up at OCC—even if getting an associate degree no longer makes sense for you. 

Time to Move On? 

You started at OCC with optimism—you would find your path. OCC always provides a path to help you reach your goals. That goal has grown and changed with you. Your focus, now, is clear: you want to transfer your OCC credits to a bachelor’s degree program. 

Prep for Transfer—Even If You Didn’t Plan It 

Many OCC degrees are designed to transfer easily. Even many associate in applied science (AAS) degrees can be used as a transfer platform. 

If you find your path has changed so many times that finishing your associate degree is more of a challenge, consider a simpler option.

Wrap Up Your OCC Career 

You can still finish at OCC and transfer: choose the Transfer Studies Certificate. It’s a path to finishing with a credential (as well as credits) and moving on to your next goal. 

MTA: It’s a Popular Choice 

If the courses you’ve taken here meet the standards for the Michigan Transfer Agreement (MTA), your OCC classes will count as the general education requirements for most four-year degrees in the state. That saves you time and money, speeding you towards your ultimate goal. 

Many OCC programs already meet the standards and earn an MTA endorsement on the transcript. You can also request an MTA review and endorsement from the registrar. At the same time, you can request your Transfer Studies Certificate! To request the MTA stamp prior to having your transcript sent to our 4-year partner institutions, send an email to transcripts@oaklandcc.edu.

Step-by-Step: Your Transfer Studies Certificate 

Turning your collection of credits into an MTA-ready Transfer Studies Certificate is as easy as 1, 2, 3: 

Step 1: Compare your courses to MTA requirements. 

First, check your unofficial transcript online using MyOCC –you may already have an MTA endorsement! If not, compare your collection of credits to the minimum expectations (Details in the Transfer Studies Certificate catalog page): 

  • 30-credit minimum
  • None of the credits can be from a College-Level Examination Program (CLEP), a DANTES Subject Standardized Test (DSST) or from an International Baccalaureate (IB)
  • 2.0 or higher: You must have earned a grade of 2.0 or higher in all courses counting toward the MTA.
  • 1 credit from OCC: If you’ve transferred in most of the credits you want to transfer out, you must earn at least 1 credit from OCC first.  

Finally, your courses need to cover the range of topics and categories set out in the MTA. Compare your record to the MTA requirements in these areas: 

  • English Composition 
  • Communications 
  • Mathematics 
  • Social Sciences 
  • Fine Arts/Humanities 
  • Natural Sciences 

Step 2: Meet with an OCC Counselor 

Transferring can be easy, especially with a guide. Talk to an OCC Counselor, who will help you: 

  • Register for classes to complete your transfer prep. 
  • Apply for admission to your next college or university. 
  • Understand the best path for your goals. 
  • Wrap up your coursework at OCC. 
  • Make sure your transcript has the MTA endorsement. 
  • Make the most of your graduation. 

Step 3: Apply to Graduate 

Yes, earning your Transfer Studies Certificate means you graduate before you move on, even without an associate degree. Talk to an OCC Counselor who will help you: 

  • Fill out your graduation application with the registrar. 
  • Work through the requirements to graduate. 
  • Decide how you want to participate in commencement ceremonies. 

Your Goal, Your Path & Your Pace 

Your Transfer Studies Certificate represents everything that you have accomplished at OCC and before. It marks the start of the next phase toward your big goal. Plan for it in a way that works for you. 

Full-time: One Year to Transfer-Ready 

Most people choose to earn a Transfer Studies Certificate after starting toward a different end goal. You might be different: you might choose to start your certificate in the fall with four classes and finish up the following summer—ready to transfer after one year at OCC: 

Part-time: Less than 2 Years 

Take one to two classes a term and you will be transfer ready in less than 24 months, even starting with 0 credits. 

Enroll Now 

Begin your studies with these steps: 

  • Apply to OCC. If you’re not already an OCC student, create a profile and complete our online application. 
  • On the application, select your desired Transfer Studies option. 
  • Existing OCC students can update their academic program using the Student Update Information Request form. 

Contact Information & Service Hours

Counseling main line: (248) 341-2270

Auburn Hills Campus
2nd Floor B Building
Email a Counselor @ Auburn Hills
Fax (248) 232-4355

Highland Lakes Campus
2nd Floor of Woodland Hall
Email a Counselor @ Highland Lakes
Fax: (248) 942-3055

Orchard Ridge Campus
1st Floor of M Building
Email a Counselor @ Orchard Ridge
Fax: (248) 522-3696

Royal Oak Campus 
1st Floor of B Building
Email a Counselor @ Royal Oak
Fax: (248) 246-2455

Southfield Campus
2nd Floor of A Building
Email a Counselor @ Southfield 
Fax: (248) 233-2740

Service Hours

  • Monday, Thursday & Friday: 8:30am - 5:00pm (Onsite & Virtual Services)
  • Tuesday & Wednesday: 8:30am - 5pm (Onsite & Virtual Services) 
    • 5:00 - 7:00pm (Virtual)
  • Saturday (see dates below): 8:30am - 12:30pm (Virtual Services Only)
    • First two Saturdays in January & September
    • Entire months of July, August & December