Articulation Agreement

Overview

Florida has a strong, state-wide articulation agreement and state course numbering system that allows students to move easily between publicly-funded colleges and universities in our state. Florida’s statewide articulation system is often called a 2+2 system because it allows students to complete a two-year, Associate in Arts (A.A.) degree at a public Florida college, transfer to a public university in Florida, complete two additional years of upper-division coursework there, and thus earn a baccalaureate degree.

Florida Law

Since 1972, Florida law has guaranteed that all students who earn an Associate in Arts (A.A.) degree at a public Florida college will be granted admission into a public university in our state. Specifically, Florida Statute 1007.23 (2)(a) states, “every associate in arts graduate of a Florida College System institution shall have met all general education requirements and be granted admission to the upper division of a state university, except for a limited access or teacher certification program.” In other words, Florida law guarantees that any student who earns an A.A. degree at any of the 28 public colleges in Florida will be granted admission into one of Florida’s 12 public universities.

However, Florida law does not guarantee that students who earn an A.A. degree will be granted admission into a specific, upper division program or a specific university. Students must meet all prerequisite courses and requirements in order to be admitted into specific university baccalaureate programs.

Students are strongly encouraged to meet with their academic advisor to learn more about how they can meet all transfer program requirements for their university of choice.

The success of Florida’s state-wide articulation agreement depends, in large part, on the strength of our statewide course numbering system which facilitates the transfer of credits among public higher education institutions. Florida Statute 1007.24 (7) states, “Any student who transfers among postsecondary institutions that are fully accredited by a regional or national accrediting agency recognized by the United States Department of Education and that participate in the statewide course numbering system shall be awarded credit by the receiving institution for courses satisfactorily completed by the student at the previous institutions. Credit shall be awarded if the courses are judged... to be academically equivalent to courses offered at the receiving institution.

In 2019, the Florida legislature modified Florida Statute 1007.23 to mandate that every Florida College System (FCS) institution develop a direct 2+2 articulation agreement with at least one State University System (SUS) institution. These direct articulation agreements are intended to strengthen the statewide articulation agreement that has been in place for almost half a century. 

Please visit the Guaranteed Transfer Programs page to learn more.