Common Course Numbering

What is Common Course Numbering?

Common Course Numbering (CCN) is California legislation (AB 1111) standardizing course numbers across all 115 California Community Colleges. The goal is to streamline the transfer process between community colleges and four-year universities by ensuring that equivalent courses have consistent numbering and naming conventions across institutions. Standardizing course numbers makes it easier for students to identify equivalent courses, avoid taking unnecessary or duplicate classes, and streamline the transfer process. This reduces time, lowers costs, and improves transfer efficiency.

Do all courses have new numbers?

CCN is being implemented in phases. Phase 1, which begins in fall 2025*, includes the following six courses:

• COMM-C1000: Introduction to Public Speaking
• ENGL-C1000: Academic Reading and Writing
• ENGL-C1001: Critical Thinking and Writing
• POLS-C1000: American Government and Politics
• PSYC-C1000: Introduction to Psychology
• STAT-C1000: Introduction to Statistics

There are two additional phases, which will be completed in fall 2026 and 2027.

Please note, while these six courses have updated names and numbers, the course content and credit remain the same.

What does this mean for students using the Exchange?

Prior to fall 2025, colleges had different names for similar courses. Moving forward, these courses will have the same subject, number, and title. For example: 

To ensure you are taking the correct course, please meet with a counselor/academic advisor at your Home College prior to using the CVC Exchange. They will have the most accurate information.

*A small number of colleges have implemented CCN in summer 2025.