Nationwide research reveals that the majority of students enrolling for higher education now assemble coursework from two or three campuses by the time they complete their degree programs 1 . Other students enroll from the outset at the institution where they intend to complete a degree, but also take selected courses elsewhere with the intention of transferring those courses toward their degree. In addition, students often interrupt their enrollment to work or take care of other obligations or they alter their aspirations and shift campuses to pursue new degree plans. Given the complex patterns of student enrollment that are now seen in New Mexico and elsewhere, it is vital that students, faculty, and administrators all continue to play their parts in assuring appropriate transfer of credit between campuses and contribution of those credits toward degree requirements. Since the late 1980s, New Mexico s colleges and universities have steadily improved their working relationships, which is reflected in an increased rate of acceptance of transfer credits.
Some students transfer between community colleges or from a university to a community college.
In some cases, these students have changed their educational goals and have decided to seek a vocational certificate or associate s degree. Others are taking courses preparatory for yet another transfer elsewhere. Last year for the first time, an analysis was performed on data from the Commission s statewide data base to gather information about the representation of transfer students among bachelor s degree recipients. This year the analysis was extended to include associate degree recipients. Bachelor s Degree Recipients Over half of New Mexico s bachelor s degrees are awarded to transfer students.