In July 2006, the Pennsylvania Department of Education (PDE) began implementation of Article XX-C of the Public institution Code of 1949. Intended to create a seamless statewide transfer and articulation system, this legislation requires Pennsylvania's 14 community colleges and the 14 universities in the Pennsylvania State System of Higher Education (PASSHE) to adopt mandatory equivalency standards for the purpose of creating at least 30 hours of foundation courses that can be easily transferred to any of the participating institutions and to establish an electronic portal for providing public access to transfer information.

Voluntary participation by private colleges and universities is allowed under the law. State-related institutions also may voluntarily participate in this statewide transfer system.

As of Spring 2008, Lackawanna College, Lincoln University, Seton Hill University and St. Francis University have joined PA TRAC. This brings the number of institutions participating in PA TRAC to 32. For a complete listing of participating institutions, click here.


Students who successfully complete courses from the approved Transfer Credit Framework will have their credits transferred and counted towards graduation at any of the participating colleges and universities.

Certain majors have specific requirements prescribed by external agencies. A reason for not applying an approved course towards graduation is based on external accreditation requirements and not internal college or university requirements. The student is responsible for working with an advisor to select appropriate courses as they relate to the major and these requirements.

The Transfer Credit Framework goes into effect for students matriculated Fall 2008.


The Pennsylvania Transfer and Articulation Center (PA TRAC) was created as a one-stop shop for transfer students, administrators and advisors/faculty.

The site contains the following information:

• Information about the " Transfer Credit Framework

  Students who successfully complete courses from the Transfer Credit Framework can transfer those credits to any of the participating colleges and universities and have them count towards graduation.

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• Transfer course equivalencies;
• College profiles for the participating institutions;
• Searchable databases such as Search by Institution and Search by Course; and
• Planning for Transfer Guidance.