Here you will find your options for accessing your GWC student records whether it is transcripts, verifications, evaluations, GE Breadth and IGETC certification, or 1098T information.
WHAT IF THE STUDENT IS UNDER 18 YEARS OF AGE:
-Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA)-
Under this Act, students attending an institution of higher learning become an adult when it comes to their educational records at that institution. It is the policy of the Coast Community College District, in accordance with FERPA, to not release/discuss a student’s records without the signed release from the student, regardless of age, authorizing the release of that information to anyone except the student.
Golden West College will not release personally identifiable information from a student's education record without the student's prior written consent. Regardless of the student’s age, parents are not permitted access to their son or daughter's education records unless the student has provided written authorization. In order to provide written authorization. the student must complete a FERPA Release form. Both the student and the person they are authorizing the release of information to must be present and show photo ID. Please contact arinfo@gwc.cccd.edu for more information.
STUDENT'S RIGHT TO REVIEW AND CORRECT HIS/HER RECORDS:
Any currently enrolled or former student shall have access to any and all of their records on file at the college. Such access will be granted within 15 working days of a written request and shall be subject to procedures established by the Director of Admissions, Records, the Director of Financial Aid for financial aid records, the Dean of Counseling Services for counseling records, and the Vice President of Student Services for other records.
Students, by written request to the above administrator, may challenge the content of their records pursuant to the Education Code, Section 76232. Such challenges will be processed according to procedures established by those responsible administrators.
TYPES, LOCATIONS, AND CUSTODIANS OF EDUCATION RECORDS
Custodian Academic Records = Enrollment Services Office:Director of Admissions, Records and Enrollment
Services Financial Aid Records = Financial Aid: Director of Financial Aid Student
Conduct Records = Office of the Dean of Students: Dean of Students
Counseling Records = Counseling Division: Dean of Counseling
How do I get credit for what I already know and can do?Please Note: During the on-campus closure, transcripts that are submitted by mail will not be uploaded or reviewed until the on-campus closure has ended. We recommend submitting transcripts electronically to avoid this delay in processing.
Electronically
If the sending institution sends official transcripts electronically via PDF, electronic transcripts can be emailed to gwctranscripts@gwc.cccd.edu. The transcripts must be sent directly from the sending institutions authorized agent. GWC cannot accept forwarded transcripts from the student.
By Mail
Students that have completed classes at another accredited College or University, and wish to submit the transcripts for prerequisite clearance or for meeting degree/certificate requirements, may send official transcripts to:
Golden West College
ATTN: ADMISSIONS & RECORDS
15744 Golden West Street
Huntington Beach CA 92647
Current Students
You may access this service and order official transcripts through the secure student portal as an option within your MyGWC account. By using this secured personal access, you will not be required to sign a consent form releasing your transcript, therefore expediting your order.
Once logged in to your MyGWC account, click on the My Records tab. Under the Transcripts section, select Order Official Transcripts.
Former Students
If you are a former student, you may access the online transcript ordering service by clicking on the link below. Your signed consent will be required to fulfill your transcript order. For your convenience, a consent form will be generated for your order that you can return via email to arinfo@gwc.cccd.edu
STOP! DO NOT REQUEST CSU GE OR IGETC CERTIFICATION ON AN OFFICIAL TRANSCRIPT UNLESS YOU BELIEVE YOU HAVE COMPLETED ALL THE REQUIREMENTS AND ARE READY TO SUBMIT CERTIFICATION TO YOUR TRANSFER SCHOOL OF CHOICE. WE STRONGLY ADVISE YOU TO CHECK YOUR DEGREEWORKS “WHAT IF” ANALYSIS AND CONSULT WITH COUNSELING BEFORE PLACING AN ORDER FOR GE CERTIFICATION.
Please contact Parchment support for questions regarding the transcript process: www.parchment.com/chat-support
DISCLAIMER:
You are responsible for providing accurate mailing addresses. Replacement transcript requests resulting from inaccurate mailing addresses are subject to the normal transcript fee. We are not responsible for mishandling by the U.S. Post Office or the receiving school or agency.
Rates as of August 2022
| No Charge | The first two requests for transcripts and/or verifications of enrollment are free of charge. If you're not sure how many transcripts/verifications you've requested in the past, you can contact the Admissions & Records Office to confirm. |
| $5.00 each | A $5.00 fee is charged for regular processing of each transcript. Please allow 3-5 business days for processing your request plus mailing time. |
| RUSH Fee Optional $5.00 | For RUSH orders, we will provide a special handling service, which guarantees processing of your request within two business days of receipt for an additional $5.00 per copy ($10.00 total per copy). |
| $30.00 per recipient | Domestic Federal Express |
| $55.00 per recipient | International Federal Express |
How do I know if my transcripts were received?
Students can view whether Golden West College has received their transcripts from other institutions by viewing the Priority Registration tab in the Registration section of MyGWC.com. Transcripts will appear in the "Transcripts Received from Other Colleges" section under the heading. Please follow the steps below:
Students may use high school transcripts to:
You can use the Parchment Digital Credential Service to order your official transcripts to be sent to Golden West College. Most transcripts are sent digitally, and you will receive a confirmation email when they have been received by our Admissions/Records office.
Paper Transcripts:
Golden West College
Attn: Admissions & Records
15744 Goldenwest Street
Huntington Beach, CA 92647
Electronic Transcripts:
Official transcripts may be submitted electronically to Admissions and Records from your sending institution via PDF. The transcripts must be sent directly from the sending institutions authorized agent to gwctranscripts@gwc.cccd.edu. GWC will not accept forwarded transcripts from the student.
Students requesting credit for prior learning using Advanced Placement (AP), International Baccalaureate (IB), and/or College-Level Examination Program (CLEP) may receive credit for earning a satisfactory score in the following circumstances:
Even if you had your exam scores sent to a previous college, the scores won't transfer to GWC with your official transcript from the college you attended. If you want the exam scores to be applied toward credit at Golden West College, you will need to order official scores from the College Board or the International Baccalaureate to be sent to GWC.
Duplicate Credit
Duplicate credit will not be awarded in the same area for Advanced Placement Exams, the International Baccalaureate and the CLEP subject exams. In order to receive credit students must have official test results from the testing service sent to Golden West College. Credits are posted to the transcript upon completion of all other graduation requirements.
Course credit and units granted at Golden West College may differ from course credit and units granted by a transfer institution.
Students may earn credit for the College Entrance Examination Board (CEEB) Advanced Placement (AP) Tests with scores of 3, 4, or 5. AP credit can be used to meet IGETC, CSU/GE and A.A. general education (GE) and/or major requirements. [Local/Non-transfer Degree Exceptions to the minimum AP score are the PHYS G120 Algebra Based Physics: Mechanics and PHYS G125 Algebra Based Physics: Electricity/Magnetism courses (AP Physics 1 and 2) which require a score of 5 for GWC unit and subject credit. Also, students who score 5 in Calculus BC can earn 10 units and subject credit for MATH G180 + G185].
Students must have the College Board send AP exam results to Admissions and Records (hand carried copies will not be accepted) for use on the A.A. or GE patterns. Course credit and units granted at Golden West College may differ from course credit and units granted by a transfer institution. See a GWC counselor for more information.
The AP Chart is based on the most current information available
Students can earn GWC credit for International Baccalaureate examinations with a minimum score of 5. Exam results can be used to satisfy CSU General Education Breadth and IGETC requirements but may require a score of 4 in some of the areas.
Students can earn IB credit with a minimum score of 5 except where noted.
The IB Chart is based on the most current Information available.
CLEP credit can be used to satisfy CSU General Education Breadth requirements. It cannot be used to meet IGETC requirements. CSU grants CLEP credit, UC does not. It is up to the receiving institution to evaluate and grant CLEP credit. CLEP credit awarded at GWC may not transfer to other colleges. See a GWC counselor for more information.
Historical CSU CLEP exam credit and changes.
The CSU CLEP Chart is based on the most current information available.
GWC grants credit for courses taken at regionally accredited institutions outside of the United States.
Students seeking credit for foreign coursework must provide a transcript evaluated by an accredited evaluation and translation service (see the Counseling Center or International Student Center for referrals). Students must turn in the official evaluation to Admissions and Records for inclusion in their record and then schedule an appointment with Counseling so that international coursework may be evaluated. Coursework from foreign institutions cannot be used for CSU GE Breadth or IGETC certification except to validate the foreign language requirement. Credit can be granted for GWC AA General Education requirements in the Natural Sciences, Humanities, Social Sciences, and Lifelong Learning and Self Development, or Math Competency areas only.
Transfer to a University
We cannot apply international coursework to CSU General Education Certification or IGETC Certification for transfer purposes. Although some courses may be accepted by the institution to which the student transfers, it is up to the destination institution to evaluate and determine what coursework will be accepted and how it will apply to the degree. For more information consult directly with the 4-year college that is the transfer destination.
Students will be mailed an evaluation after the required documents have been submitted. Awarded credit is not transferable to other colleges and universities; it is subject to the individual policies of the respective institutions.
If you are transferring to Golden West from another college or university, welcome! There are some things you may need to do before registering for classes.
When students make an appointment with a Counselor and it prompts an official evaluation on the transcripts on file for the meeting. This is beneficial as you can work with a Counselor to apply your previous credit as you develop your Student Education Plan (SEP). Please contact Counseling and request an appointment.
Transcripts submitted to Golden West College are evaluated for every lower division, degree applicable course completed with a grade of A, B, C, D, F, CR or P. These courses, units, and grades earned are applied as appropriate to the student's GWC goal and used for educational planning purposes. Courses with W, NC or NP notations are not reviewed or applied. Students must request copies of official sealed transcripts be sent to Admissions and Records from each college attended before an evaluation can be performed.
GWC does not accept coursework completed at any institution that is not regionally accredited by one of the following agencies:
Please note that some courses have similar titles, and appear to be equivalent to courses offered by GWC. However, the elements of the course may not be congruent with the GWC course.
Please review the Policies and Regulations for more details.
Students with an earned bachelor’s degree from an institution regionally accredited by the Council for Higher Education Accreditation (CHEA) will be exempt from General Education requirements under the AA Option 1 GE pattern.
Students will need to complete the following for an Associate of Arts Degree:
Submission of official transcripts is required. This does not apply to Associate Degree for Transfer options, the CSU-GE Breadth or IGETC requirements. Please see a counselor for further details on this process and remaining requirements for the degree.
Note: Students pursuing a nursing degree must still undergo a full transcript evaluation for equivalent coursework and complete any deficiencies for the nursing degree.
If you have completed a degree (Associate degree, Baccalaureate degree, etc.) and intend to use coursework toward a degree here at Golden West, have your official transcripts sent to Golden West College. Once you receive confirmation that they have been received, contact Counseling for an official evaluation.
Many non-traditional students (adults age 25+) come to California community colleges with skills gained through military, workplace, and civic experiences. They hold industry credentials, are graduates of public service academies, and were trained for military occupations. Credit for prior learning (CPL) is a strategy to help students get credit for what they already know and can do, saving them time and money on their educational path.
Credit for Prior Learning (CPL) college credit is awarded for validated college-level skills and knowledge gained outside of a college classroom. Credit for prior learning may be earned for eligible courses approved by the faculty for students who satisfactorily pass an authorized assessment.
Authorized assessments may include the evaluation of approved external standardized examinations, military service/training, the evaluation of industry or State/Federal Government recognized credentials, student-created portfolios, and credit by examination.
Governor Brown signed two bills in 2018 that mandate CPL in California Community Colleges (SB1071, AB1786). From that time until the start of the Fall 2022 semester, community colleges across the state have been implementing policies and practices to ensure equity, quality, and integrity in the assessment process
Please visit the CPL page for more information.
What is the General Education (GE) Certification?
Certification is an indication of the completion of the entire pattern of general education (GE) for the California State University (CSU) and/or University of California (UC) campuses. This is often noted on the transcript or can be included with the transcript as a Certification Form. Students must request certification on their transcript. Certification allows students to satisfy their lower-division general education requirements by following the approved community college curriculum rather than the university's lower-division general education pattern. Students must still complete upper division general education and campus-specific degree coursework after transfer.
What is the CSU GE Breadth?
The CSU General Education Breadth is a pattern of courses that community college students can use to satisfy lower division general education requirements for any California State University campus. This agreement describes the coursework that students must take to fulfill the lower division requirements for the CSU campuses. CSU GE Breadth Requirements
What is the Intersegmental General Education Transfer Curriculum (IGETC)?
The Intersegmental General Education Transfer Curriculum (IGETC) is a pattern of courses that community college students can use to satisfy lower division general education requirements for any University of California or California State University campus. This agreement describes the coursework that students must take to fulfill the lower division requirements. IGETC Requirements (Note: On some UC campuses, IGETC is not recommended for some majors.)
Are CSU GE Breadth and IGETC Certification the same?
No. While similar, there are some key distinctions between the two patterns. IGETC has a foreign language competency requirement that can be met in a variety of ways. Most students will satisfy this requirement with either two years of high school foreign language with grades of C or better, or one semester of foreign language at the college level.
The CSU GE Breadth requirements include an oral communications course, as well as the graduation requirement of U.S. History, Constitution, and American Ideals. This graduation requirement can be met at the community college and can be included in the general education coursework.
Which General Education pattern should I choose?
It depends. If you plan on applying to both the UC and CSU, then the IGETC is an appropriate pattern as it meets the requirements for both systems. If you are only seeking transfer to the CSU, then you can follow the CSU GE Breadth requirements.
Is completion of IGETC or CSU GE Breadth required for admission to the UC or CSU?
No. Students are not guaranteed admission to any campus on the basis of completing general education coursework. However, of the lower-division breadth requirements may improve a transfer applicant's chances of admission to a competitive campus and/or program.
There are two ways to check what requirements you have completed:
Your unofficial transcript
Disclaimer
You are encouraged to use this Degree Works worksheet audit report as a guide when planning your progress toward completion of the above requirements. Contact your Counselor for assistance in interpreting this report or regarding your official degree/certificate completion status. This audit is not your academic transcript and it is not official notification of completion of degree, certificate, or transfer requirements. It is only used as a guiding tool.
How do I request a GE Breadth/IGETC certification?
The GE Breadth/IGETC certification must be initiated by the student (it’s not automatic.)
