Advancing Student Success Through Common Course Numbering
04/10/2026
California Community Colleges are undertaking a transformative, statewide effort to implement a student-facing Common Course Numbering (CCN) system. Mandated by Assembly Bill 1111 (Berman) and codified in Education Code Sections 66725–66725.5, this initiative ensures that comparable, lower-division courses are consistently numbered across all 116 colleges, improving clarity, equity, and transfer success.
Why Common Course Numbering Matters
Historically, the same course, such as Introduction to Psychology, could carry different course numbers and prefixes across colleges. This variation created confusion for students, often contributing to excess unit accumulation and delays in degree completion.
The CCN system replaces local course identifiers with standardized, statewide course numbers. This alignment is especially beneficial for students transferring to the University of California and California State University systems, as it enables institutions to more easily identify courses that fulfill Associate Degree for Transfer (ADT) requirements and major preparation pathways.
Understanding the New System
To support navigation of the new framework, two key elements distinguish CCN courses:
- The “C” Identifier: Courses that are part of the statewide system include a “C” in the course number (for example, ENGL C1000), signaling that the course is aligned across all California community colleges.
- Standardized Numbering: Many courses now follow a four-digit numbering structure that reflects their sequence and academic level within a broader statewide framework.
In addition, several subject prefixes have been updated to align with common usage across the state. For example, COM is now COMM, ENG is now ENGL, POL is now POLS, and PSY is now PSYC.
A Phased Implementation Timeline
Aligning curriculum across the largest system of higher education in the nation requires a coordinated, phased approach:
- Phase 1 (Fall 2025): Initial implementation of foundational courses in English, communication studies, political science, psychology, and statistics.
- Phase 2 (Effective Fall 2026): Expansion to additional disciplines, including history, economics, art history, and calculus.
- Phase 3 (Ongoing): Continued alignment of remaining disciplines as the system progresses toward full
implementation by July 1, 2027.
What This Means for Students
- No Loss of Credit: Previously completed courses remain valid. Students will not be required to retake courses due to these changes.
- Improved Clarity: Consistent course numbering across colleges simplifies academic planning, especially for students attending multiple institutions.
- Continued Transferability: Courses not yet included in the CCN system will continue to transfer under existing
articulation agreements.
The Road Ahead
The Common Course Numbering initiative represents a significant step toward reducing structural barriers that can slow student progress. By improving transparency and strengthening alignment across institutions, CCN supports more efficient pathways to degree completion and transfer.
As implementation continues, the district remains committed to providing timely information and support to ensure a smooth transition for students, faculty, and staff.
For additional information, including a crosswalk of old and new course numbers, please visit the district’s Common Course Numbering webpage: https://rccd.edu/commoncoursenumbering/index.html
Published by External Relations & Strategic Communications