Title 20 — EducationRelease 119-73

§1093a Articulation agreements

Title 20 › Chapter CHAPTER 28— - HIGHER EDUCATION RESOURCES AND STUDENT ASSISTANCE › Subchapter SUBCHAPTER IV— - STUDENT ASSISTANCE › Part Part G— - General Provisions Relating to Student Assistance Programs › § 1093a

Last updated Apr 6, 2026|Official source

Summary

The Secretary must run a program to help states and public colleges make agreements so courses transfer toward degrees. Articulation agreement — a written deal among colleges about which courses count toward a degree. States and colleges must create and use these agreements within their states and, when possible, across states by 2010 and post them online. The Secretary must provide technical help but cannot force colleges to adopt specific transfer rules.

Full Legal Text

Title 20, §1093a

Education — Source: USLM XML via OLRC

(a)In this section, the term “articulation agreement” means an agreement between or among institutions of higher education that specifies the acceptability of courses in transfer toward meeting specific degree or program requirements.

(b)(1)The Secretary shall carry out a program for States, in cooperation with public institutions of higher education, to develop, enhance, and implement comprehensive articulation agreements between or among such institutions in a State, and (to the extent practicable) across State lines, by 2010. Such articulation agreements shall be made widely and publicly available on the websites of States and such institutions. In developing, enhancing, and implementing articulation agreements, States and public institutions of higher education may employ strategies, where applicable, including—

(A)common course numbering;

(B)a general education core curriculum;

(C)management systems regarding course equivalency, transfer of credit, and articulation; and

(D)other strategies identified by the Secretary.

(2)The Secretary shall provide technical assistance to States and public institutions of higher education for the purposes of developing and implementing articulation agreements in accordance with this subsection.

(3)Nothing in this subsection shall be construed to authorize the Secretary to require particular policies, procedures, or practices by institutions of higher education with respect to articulation agreements.

Reference

Citations & Metadata

Citation

20 U.S.C. § 1093a

Title 20 — Education

Last Updated

Apr 6, 2026

Release point: 119-73