Title 20, EducationRelease 119-110

§1093a Articulation Agreements

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

Last updated Sep 22, 2026|Official source

Summary

An articulation agreement is a written deal between colleges that says which courses will count toward specific degrees. The Secretary must run a program to help states and public colleges make, improve, and use these agreements within each state and, when possible, between states by 2010. The agreements must be posted on state and college websites. Suggested methods include common course numbers, a shared general education core, systems to manage credit transfer, and other Secretary‑recommended approaches. The Secretary must give technical help to states and colleges to carry this out. The Secretary cannot force colleges to adopt any particular policy or practice about these agreements.

Full Legal Text

Title 20, §1093a

Education, Source: USLM XML via OLRC

(a)Definition

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)Program to encourage articulation agreements

(1)Program established

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)Technical assistance provided

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)Rule of construction

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

Sep 22, 2026

Release point: 119-110