Frequently Asked Questions
by Administrators & Faculty
[Click the questions to view the answer.]

  1. What is the Articulation and General Studies Committee (AGSC)?
  2. What is the Statewide Transfer and Articulation Reporting System (STARS)?
  3. How was the AGSC and STARS created?
  4. Are all public institutions in Alabama required to follow and implement the policy of the AGSC?
  5. What is the make-up of the AGSC?
  6. Who currently serves as members of the AGSC?
  7. Does the AGSC mandate the curriculum for all public institutions of higher education in Alabama?
  8. Does my institution have to participate?
  9. Are any private or out-of-state institutions included in this program?
  10. What are the advantages of a statewide articulation program?
  11. What are transfer guides and contracts/agreements?
  12. What are the time limits on STARS Transfer Guides and Contracts and what catalog do students graduate under?
  13. What are templates?
  14. Are there four-year to four-year transfer guides?
  15. How does my institution submit a course for AGSC approval?
  16. What are academic committees and who currently serves on these committees?
  17. What are the role and responsibilities of the academic committees?
  18. Who selects (appoints) the faculty members who serve on the academic committees?
  19. How long are the terms of academic committee members?
  20. I want to serve on an academic committee. How do I do this?
  21. I currently serve on an academic committee. How do I get off?
  22. How do I become a chair or vice-chair of an academic committee?
  23. What are the responsibilities of the chair of an academic committee?
  24. What are AGSC Institutional Points of Contact and what are their roles and responsibilities?
  25. How can I set up a workshop/presentation for colleagues on my campus?
  26. Is there a cost or fee to participate in the AGSC/STARS program?
  27. What types of usage reports can I receive regarding the use of STARS in relation to my campus or institution?
  28. How did Areas I-V come about and what is the makeup of these areas?
  29. What are Transfer Pages and Area V Pages and who is responsible for their maintenance?
  30. How frequently is transfer information updated on the STARS Transfer Guide and how do I know when something has changed?
  31. What recourse do students have if they feel their STARS Transfer Guide is not being honored?
  32. Does this program pay for itself and how is it funded?
  33. Who do I contact if I have questions, comments, or suggestions regarding the AGSC/STARS Program?
1. What is the Articulation and General Studies Committee (AGSC)?

AGSC stands for the Alabama Articulation and General Studies Committee. The AGSC was created in March of 1994 by the State Legislature through ACT 94-202.

The AGSC was created to simplify the transfer of course credit between public institutions of higher education. To accomplish this task, the AGSC has developed and has implemented a statewide general studies and articulation program that facilitates the transferability of coursework among all Alabama public colleges and universities. The AGSC continues to serve as a monitoring committee for the articulation program. The committee members oversee and maintain the program on an on-going basis. Finally, the AGSC works to resolve any student appeals related to transfer of coursework as it relates to the articulation program.

For more information, click here.
2. What is the Statewide Transfer and Articulation Reporting System (STARS)?
STARS stands for Statewide Transfer & Articulation Reporting System. STARS is a web-accessible database system which provides guidance and direction for prospective transfer students in the State of Alabama.

The STARS System allows public two-year students in Alabama to obtain a Transfer Guide/Agreement for the major of their choice. This guide/agreement, if used correctly, guides the student through his/her first two years of coursework and prevents loss of credit hours upon transfer to the appropriate public four-year university in Alabama. Although transfer guides/agreements can be printed only for two-year to four-year transfers, the STARS System can still provide guidance and direction to transfer students who have a different transfer situation.

The Alabama Articulation and General Studies Committee (AGSC) is responsible for the oversight and monitoring of the STARS System. The information that students receive from the STARS System has been approved by the AGSC.

Click here for step-by-step instructions for using STARS.
3. How was the AGSC and STARS created?
The AGSC and STARS Program was created through by the Alabama State Legislature through the passing of Act 94-202.
4. Are all public institutions in Alabama required to follow and implement the policy of the AGSC?

YES --- All public four-year universities and two-year community colleges in Alabama who receive state funding are required to follow and implement the policy set forth by the AGSC.

All accredited public two-year institutions who teach courses from the Two-Year Common Course Directory, participate in the AGSC/STARS Program. Students attending these community colleges can obtain a STARS Transfer Guide in the major of their choice. The transfer guide, if used correctly, guides the student through his/her first two years of coursework and prevents the lost of credit hours upon transfer to the selected public four-year university in Alabama.

All accredited public four-year universities are required to accept the course credit as outlined on the transfer guide. The course credit must be applied to the total degree hours required for the major chosen by the student. In addition to applying the transfer credit toward the degree requirements, the four-year university must also graduate the transfer student in the same number of total hours as the native student.

Click here to view a list of two-year and four-year institutions who participate in the AGSC/STARS Program.
5. What is the make-up of the AGSC?

The make-up of the AGSC is set forth by State Legislative Act 94-202. The committee make-up is as follows:

  • 3 Two-Year Representatives (represent all public two-year institutions)
  • 2 Regional University Representatives
    (chosen from UNA, TSU System, UWA, JSU and UM)
  • 1 Auburn University Representative
  • 1 University of Alabama System Representative
  • 1 University of South Alabama Representative
  • 1 Alabama State Representative
  • 1 Alabama A&M Representative

    TOTAL OF TEN MEMBERS
    Note: Each member has an alternate.
6. Who currently serves as members of the AGSC?

The make-up of the AGSC is described in question #5 above. Click here to view the current AGSC members' listing. These individuals are appointed by their respective institution, system, or the Council of Presidents.

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7. Does the AGSC mandate the curriculum for all public institutions of higher education in Alabama?

NO --- The AGSC does not mandate the curriculum for all public institutions of higher education in Alabama. However, all public institutions of higher education who receive state funding must adhere to the transfer policy set forth by the AGSC. This simply means that four-year institutions must honor and accept transfer credit as prescribed by the STARS Transfer Guide.

While the AGSC does not mandate state curriculum for all institutions, most, if not all, of the two-year and many of the four-year institutions have adjusted their general studies programs to be more in-line with the AGSC general studies requirements set forth in Areas I-V (approximately 60-64 SH).
8. Does my institution have to participate?
All accredited public two-year and four-year institutions in Alabama who received state funding are required to participate in the AGSC/STARS Program. If your institution is listed here, then your institution currently participates.
9. Are any private or out-of-state institutions included in this program?

NO --- currently no private or out-of-state institutions participate in the AGSC/STARS Program. However, some private institutions may choose to accept a large portion of the coursework listed on the STARS Transfer Guides. This articulation decision would be left up to the administration of the private institution.

Students interested in transferring from a public two-year or four-year institution to a private institution in Alabama should contact the private institution for accurate transfer information. Students planning to transfer from a public two-year or four-year institution in Alabama to an out-of-state institution should also contact the receiving institution to obtain accurate transfer information.
10. What are the advantages of a statewide articulation program?

Students and parents benefit. Having a statewide articulation program that covers the transfer of course credit from one public institution to another can result in huge savings in terms of time and money for both parents and students. For example, if a student takes one or more courses that he/she believes will transfer and upon transfer finds out otherwise, the student not only loses the money spent on tuition, books, room and board but also must face graduation delays which might result in lost income from future job opportunities.

The public two-year institutions benefit. In addition to saving time and money for students and parents, the two-year colleges across the state have begun to streamline their course offerings to better match the AGSC approved transfer requirements as prescribed by STARS. The two-year colleges can also provide better and more consistent advising and counseling for their students. Most two-year institutions, if not all, have started to use STARS as their primary advising tool.

The public four year institutions benefit. Now that a state articulation program is in place, four-year institutions can better accommodate the transfer student. The four-year institutions are more familiar with which courses they have to take in each of the various majors or programs. In addition, each month every four-year institution is sent a list of prospective transfer students who have expressed and interest in transferring to their institution. This listing provides the four-year institutions with student names, addresses, e-mails, and phone numbers (if provided). This reporting feature has greatly enhanced the transfer student recruitment process.

The State of Alabama benefits. The STARS program also makes it easier for students to begin and complete their degrees in Alabama. In addition, the state articulation program promotes accountability among the higher education leaders of Alabama. Through this program, millions of dollars are saved each year because students are better informed and they do not waste time and/or money taking courses that will ultimately not count toward their total degree hours.

Alabama is not alone in this effort. Many states have implemented similar state articulation programs. In almost every instance, the benefits gained from such programs far outweigh the costs and difficulties associated in implementing and maintaining such a program.

If you would like to have someone from the STARS staff come to your campus and discuss the positive impact that the AGSC/STARS Program has had on higher education in Alabama, please contact us.
11. What are transfer guides and contracts/agreements?

Transfer guides are simply the paper document created through the STARS System that details the specific courses and options required in the first two-years of college for students who currently attend or plan to attend a two-year community college prior to transferring to a state four-year institution. The guide has various parts.

  • Major information
  • Date printed
  • Student information (name, address, e-mail, etc.)
  • Special instructions and other information about the transfer guide
  • Areas I-V (course requirements and lists)
  • List of possible transfer institutions who offer degrees in the student's major
  • HTML Links to institutional homepages, transfer assistant pages, and Area V Pages
  • Transfer agreement/contract (contractual document which obligates the receiving institution to accept the coursework taken as prescribed on the transfer guide)

Students must use the STARS System as instructed----> See HOW TO USE STARS. If you still have questions or need assistance in obtaining a STARS Transfer Guide, please contact us.

12. What are the time limits on STARS Transfer Guides and Contracts and what catalog do students graduate under?

The STARS Transfer Guide is to be honored for a period of four years from the date printed off the web site by all other public institutions of higher education that offer programs in the specified discipline. Students should keep a copy of this guide for verification purposes. The STARS Transfer Guide remains valid and is guaranteed only if the student continues in the major specified on his/her transfer agreement. Changes made by accrediting and/or other regulatory agencies could result in specific requirements being added to the Transfer Agreement (i.e., No Child Left Behind Mandates). Any changes made by an institution in its degree programs will affect the transfer student in the same manner as the students native to the University.

Catalog Year Issue - The students who use transfer guides will be graduated under the catalog in effect on date that the guide is printed unless they choose to go under the catalog in effect at time of transfer. See #1 on transfer agreement.
 13. What are templates?
Templates are documents created by the various discipline committees and specific institutions which simply set forth the requirements for the first two-years of the program. Once a template is ratified by the AGSC, the STARS office then takes that document and creates a corresponding transfer guide to be used by prospective transfer students. For more information about AGSC templates, click here.
 14. Are there four-year to four-year transfer guides?

NO --- The STARS System does not provide individualized four-year to four-year transfer guides like it does for two-year to four-year students. However, students attending four-year institutions can use ratified templates and their institutions approved course listing to see those courses in their major area which will transfer from their current four-year institution to other four-year institutions in the state in their major.

Students contemplating a transfer from an Alabama four-year institution to another Alabama four-year institution are strongly encouraged to meet prior to transfer with the prospective receiving institution.

See our institutional links page for more information about all the institutions that we serve.

 15. How does my institution submit a course for AGSC approval?
The AGSC Course Proposal Procedure and Forms can be found here.

Note: Individual two-year institutions should not submit courses for approval. This is handled by The Alabama College System. If you are interested in submitting a two-year course for approval, please contact Alicia Taylor at The Alabama College System for more information.
16. What are academic committees and who currently serves on these committees?
The foundation of the state articulation program rests with the AGSC Academic Committees. These committees are made up of faculty members from both the two-year and four-year institutions across the state. They serve as representatives for their institutions in their professional areas of expertise. Currently, there are 33 separate academic committees. Twenty-one of the committees are called General Studies Academic Committees (GSACs). The other twelve are called Pre-professional Academic Committees (PACs). Individuals serving on these committees should take their roles seriously. Academic committee members are the primary voice for their institution in articulation matters related to their discipline. To find out more about the make-up, roles, and responsibilities of the the AGSC Academic Committees, click here. To access a complete listing of the individual faculty who currently serve on the various academic committees, click here.
17. What are the roles and responsibilities of the academic committees?
The roles and responsibilities vary depending on the type of academic committee. To find out more about the roles and responsibilities of the the AGSC Academic Committees, click here.
18. Who selects (appoints) the faculty members who serve on the academic committees?
The responsibility of appointing faculty members to serve on various academic committees is handled by the institution's point of contact for AGSC/STARS matters. These individuals often maintain a list of possible candidates. In naming these individuals, the points of contact often get input or recommendations from academic deans, associate deans, and or department heads.
19. How long are the terms of academic committee members?
There are no set terms for academic committee members. Committee members can serve as long as they desire or as long as their institution would have them serve. To find out more about the roles and responsibilities of the the AGSC Academic Committees, click here.
20. I would like to serve on an academic committee. How do I do this?
The best way to become a member of an academic committee in your discipline is to give your name to your institution's point of contact for AGSC/STARS matters. Inform the contact person that you would like to serve on an academic discipline committee should a slot open.
21. I currently serve on an academic committee. How do I get off the committee?
The best way to be removed as a member of an academic committee is to make a formal request to your institution's point of contact for AGSC/STARS matters. The Point of Contact will, in turn, notify our office and inform us of the member change. Please take action to be removed if you do not want to serve. It is better to have someone from your institution who is willing to serve and be active than to have someone who simply does not reply or does not take the initiative to become involved.
22. How do I become a chair or vice-chair of an academic committee?

Chairs and vice-chairs are elected by the members of the academic committee. The terms of the chair and vice-chair are two years. Once the chair's term is over, the vice-chair becomes the chair, and the committee must select a new vice-chair. First, you should become a regular member of the academic committee. When the current term is over, ask if you can become the new vice-chair. Two-years later you will be moved to the chair slot.

NOTE: Two-year members can serve as chairs or vice chairs on GSAC committees. They cannot serve as chairs or vice chairs on PAC committees (only four-year members can hold these positions).
 23. What are the responsibilities of the chair of an academic committee?

The main responsibility of the chair of an academic committee is to serve as the main contact person for the committee. Usually, action items are initiated via e-mail to the chair of the academic committee. Committee members are encouraged to respond or vote on issues through correspondence with their chair. The chair basically oversees the work of his/her committee. He/she is to make sure action is taken and votes are recorded and reported back to the STARS office by the designated deadlines. Many times, work required of a specific committee can be handled by e-mail, regular mail, phone, or fax. Sometimes, the chair may set up a face-to-face meeting should he/she feel one is warranted.

To find out more about the roles and responsibilities of the the AGSC Academic Committees, click here.
24. What are AGSC Institutional Points of Contact and what are their roles and responsibilities?
In 2002-2003, the AGSC determined (as a result of an outside evaluation study) that better communication was needed between the AGSC/STARS Office and the various public institutions (two- and four-year) in Alabama. To help resolve this communication problem, the AGSC created Institutional Points of Contact at each institution impacted by the AGSC and STARS. These individuals serve as the primary contact person on their campuses. To view the current roles/responsibilities of these individuals, click here. To see a listing of the current individuals serving as their Intuitional Point of Contact for AGSC/STARS matters, click here.
25. How can I set up a workshop/presentation for colleagues on my campus?
The best way to set up an AGSC/STARS workshop or presentation for various academic groups on your campus is to contact Mr. Keith Sessions (Executive Director of AGSC/STARS). You can reach him by e-mail or by phone (334)-670-3690. There is no cost for this service.
26. Is there a cost or fee to participate in the AGSC/STARS?
NO --- Currently, this program is funded solely through Alabama taxpayer dollars. There is no charge to individual students or institutions for the use of the AGSC/STARS Program. The AGSC/STARS Program is funded as a separate line item through the Alabama Commission on Higher Education (ACHE). For more information in regards to funding, please see question #32 below.
27. What types of usage reports can I receive regarding the use of STARS in relation to my campus or institution?

Monthly and Annual STARS Usage Reports are available on the web in various formats. Please click here to view the current usage reports online. If you need individualized reports for your institution, please contact Mr. Shannon Nichols by e-mail or by phone (334) 670-3691. There is no cost for this service.

NOTE: We may not be able to generate certain types of reports simply because we collect and maintain only certain data. Contact us and find out if we can create a report to help you.
28. How did Areas I-V come about and what is the makeup of these areas?
After years of discussion, research, and debate, the AGSC established five separate areas that compose the first 60-64 hours of degree credit. These components serve as minimum standards for the various academic committees as they establish transfer requirements for students in their various discipline areas. It should be noted that the AGSC/STARS System is major (discipline) driven.

To view AREAS I-V as they currently exists, click here.
29. What are Transfer Pages and Area V Pages and who is responsible for their maintenance?

Transfer Assistance Pages are web pages maintained by each individual four-year institution in Alabama. Most Transfer Assistance Pages include general information vital for transfer student success. Information links include, but are not limited to:

  • Admissions Requirements
  • Admission Application
  • Tuition/Fee Costs
  • Financial Aid Assistance and Information
  • Links to AREA V Pages
  • Scholarship Information
  • Advising Information
  • Current Bulletin/Catalog
  • Links to Various Departments/Colleges

Area V Pages are also maintained by each individual four-year institution in Alabama. The primary purpose of Area V pages is to provide transfer students with additional information about transfer coursework that can be taken at the two-year institutions to complete the Area V requirements not covered on the official AGSC/STARS Transfer Guide. Four-year institutions can use these pages to provide information about specific admission criteria and requirements for specific academic programs. In addition, four-year institutions can make strong recommendations in Areas I-IV as long as they do not limit choices by transfer students in those areas.

To view the existing Transfer Assistance Pages and the Area V Pages currently in place across the state, please click here.

--- Transfer Assistance Page Template for ABC University (EXAMPLE)
--- Area V Page Template for ABC University (EXAMPLE)

NOTE: To better assist students, every STARS guide viewed includes a listing of the institutions that offer bachelor degrees in the student's chosen major. This listing is hot-linked to institutional Home Pages, Transfer Assistance Pages, and Area V Pages.

If you have questions about your institution's Transfer Assistance Pages or Area V Pages, please contact your institutional point of contact for AGSC/STARS matters. The point of contact, in turn, will contact our office if necessary.
30. How frequently is transfer information updated on the STARS Transfer Guide and how do I know when something has changed?

Since all STARS Transfer Guides are based on current curriculum standards as prescribed by the various academic committees, this information changes periodically. In most cases, the information on STARS is updated soon after regular AGSC meetings (every 2-3 months). However, should the need arise, the STARS Staff can make changes at any time. To stay informed about changes that impact the content of STARS Transfer Guides, click here. Each time our office changes or updates a particular transfer guide, we will post a summary of the change on this page. The page is color-coded to help end-users differentiate the changes.

NOTE: All two-year and four-year institutions are responsible for checking periodically for changes so that they too can update or change their Area V Pages (if needed).
31. What recourse do students have if they feel their STARS Transfer Guide is not being honored?

There is a formal appeals process in place if students feel their STARS Transfer Guide is not being honored. However, as of today, the AGSC/STARS Office has had ZERO appeals. Students who are having problems are encouraged to work with the individual point of contact at the two-year institution from which they are transferring. The two-year point of contact will in turn contact and work with the four-year point of contact to try to rectify the transfer problem or issue.

If students have questions or concerns, they can also contact our office at (334) 670-3690 or e-mail the STARS Office.
32. Does this program pay for itself and how is it funded?

The AGSC/STARS Program is funded through Alabama State Taxpayer dollars.

Since Fall of 1998, over 300,000 students have obtained STARS Transfer Guides. If each guide printed prevents a student from taking one course that will not transfer, one could conservatively estimate that the AGSC/STARS Program has saved students and parents (state taxpayers) over $300 million in tuition, books, room and board. Averaged out over that time period, that amount equals a savings of over $50 million dollars per year.
33. Who do I contact if I have questions, comments, or suggestions regarding the AGSC/STARS Program?

Please see our contact information page.