How the Michigan Transfer Agreement supports your transfer journey
Friday, March 13, 2026 12:00 AM
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The Michigan Transfer Agreement (MTA) provides a clear path to transfer.
- Students complete 30 credits of general ed at any Michigan community college.
By Dr. Leslie Kellogg,
Provost
As provost of Macomb Community College, one of my priorities is ensuring that every student has a clear, affordable and efficient pathway to achieving their academic goals.
Whether a student arrives at Macomb knowing where they wish to transfer or if they’re exploring possibilities, my message is always the same: You have options - and we are here to help you navigate them.
One of the most valuable options is the Michigan Transfer Agreement, or the MTA. The MTA has transformed the transfer experience for Michigan students, providing consistency, transparency and peace of mind.
If you’re starting at a community college and planning to transfer to earn your bachelor’s degree, the MTA will save you time and money.
What is the Michigan Transfer Agreement?
To earn the MTA, students must complete:
- Two English composition courses
- One mathematics course (algebra, statistics or quantitative reasoning)
- Two social science courses (from two disciplines)
- Two humanities or fine arts courses (from two disciplines)
- Two natural science courses, including one lab
Every Michigan community college participates in the MTA, as do all public universities and many private institutions.
The MTA is beneficial for all transfer students but is especially helpful for students who are undecided about where they will transfer or what major they will pursue. This is because the MTA is applied universally to every major.
The history of the MTA
Before the MTA was adopted by Michigan colleges and universities in 2014, some community college students found that their general education credits were not accepted by universities. The Michigan Legislature encouraged institutions to collaborate.
In response, a committee of representatives from community colleges and universities was formed. The group agreed on a statewide approach to general education. The result was the MTA, a standardized, student-friendly framework that ensures general education credits are readily accepted.
How do students make sure they’re enrolled in the MTA?
I strongly recommend students, whether new to Macomb or joining us for another semester, meet regularly with a counselor or academic advisor. These conversations will ensure that you’ve selected the right courses to stay on track for the MTA.
Students can also explore transfer information through the Michigan Transfer Network website at MyTransfer.org, which provides detailed course equivalency information and additional MTA guidance.
Additionally, Macomb’s MTA courses are listed on our website. And, the MTA is embedded directly into our Associate of Arts, Associate of Science and our Associate of Fine Arts degree, which will launch this fall.
A foundation students can trust
Since its establishment, the MTA has provided students with confidence to know they can begin their studies at Macomb while knowing they are building a recognized, transferable foundation.
To learn more about the MTA, please visit our Michigan Transfer Agreement webpage.