Common Course Numbering
Education Code Sections 66725-66725.5 [via Assembly Bill No. 1111 (Berman)] require implementation of a student-facing common course numbering (CCN) system across the California Community Colleges on or before July 1, 2027.
Coming this Summer and Fall, the community colleges in California are making changes to align their course numbering to make it easier for students when they transfer. This common course numbering will take place in phases, with the first phase of changes taking place in the 2025 Summer and Fall Class Schedules.
Now students can better understand the courses they need in order complete their goals and transfer to a University of California (UC) or California State University (CSU). The new course numbers will be consistent across community colleges. For transfer students, this will reduce the loss of credits when transferring, and the time needed for degree completion.
You do not need to retake any courses due to these changes. These updates are simply part of a statewide effort to streamline course naming and numbering. In addition to some course numbers changing, the abbreviations for several disciplines have changed as well, so all COM classes are now COMM, all ENG classes are now ENGL, all POL classes are now POLS, and all PSY classes are now PSYC. Be sure to use the new abbreviations when searching for courses.
The second and third phases of the changes to course numbering will happen in subsequent terms and semesters. You will be notified about the changes when the new class schedules are made available. These changes are being made state-wide to better serve our transfer students.
Frequently Asked Questions
The California Community College system is implementing a student-facing Common Course
Numbering (CCN) system, as required by Education Code Sections 66725-66725.5 through
Assembly Bill No. 1111 (Berman), to be completed by July 1, 2027. This system will
create common course numbers for comparable courses across all community colleges
in the state, facilitating smoother transfers to four-year institutions and reducing
unnecessary credit accumulation. By maximizing credit mobility, the CCN system will
enhance equitable transfer opportunities and support student success by helping students
build cohesive academic plans, understand course transferability, and make informed
course selections. This collaborative effort involves faculty, administrators, staff,
and system officials to ensure the best outcomes for California community college
students. (Source: ASCCC)
Courses identified as common between California Community Colleges are denoted with
a "C" in the catalog number of the course (e.g. ENG 1A is now ENGL C1000)
Some subject area prefixes have been changed to align with what is common throughout
the state (e.g. POL is now POLS)
Yes. Courses that have not been changed may continue to transfer under previously
agreed-upon transfer agreements between two-year colleges and four-year colleges
Background on the Common Course Numbering project is available at the website of the California Community College Chancellor's Office.