About Us

C-ID, the Course Identification Numbering System, is a faculty-driven system that was initially developed to assign identifying designations (C-ID numbers) to significant transfer courses. C-ID addresses the need for a “common course numbers” by providing a mechanism to identify comparable courses. Most C-ID numbers identify lower-division transferable courses commonly articulated between the California Community Colleges (CCC) and universities (including Universities of California, the California State Universities, as well as with many of California's independent colleges and universities). While C-ID’s focus is on courses that transfer, some disciplines may opt to develop descriptors for courses that may not transfer to UC or CSU. As submission of a course to C-ID by a CCC indicates acceptance of courses bearing that C-ID number, C-ID is a means of establishing intrasegmental (with the CCC) articulation.

The C-ID number is a designation that ties that course to a specific course “descriptor” that was developed by intersegmental discipline faculty and reviewed statewide. It provides information for students, staff, and faculty who must identify which community college courses best meet the expectations transfer partners have for courses that contribute to transfer into a major at specific universities. The C-ID descriptor also provides information for ongoing curriculum development and revision of lower division courses.

Once the descriptor for a course has undergone wide discipline review, it is posted for general viewing. Individual college courses are compared to the minimum requirements set by these descriptors. Any community college course that bears the C-ID supranumber conveys that intersegmental faculty have determined it meets the published course content, rigor, and course objectives. The C-ID descriptor also means that any other course elsewhere, bearing the same number will be accepted by the institution.

C-ID began by developing descriptors for courses in 20 disciplines that are among those most frequently transferred. The next area of focus has been on the courses in TMCs (the Transfer Model Curricula that describe the major component of associate degrees for transfer). C-ID will then expand to include more and more courses each year. Click above to view the current status of course descriptors and C-ID numbers in an array of transfer disciplines.

This continuous process of review, revision, and assigning of numbers means that this website will be a dynamic one—so watch this site for frequent updates and new information.

For additional information about C-ID, contact: c-idsupport@asccc.org