University of Phoenix and LACCD Launch 3+1 Degree Transfer Program

This collaboration aims to lower educational costs while simplifying credit transfers for adult learners. Under the agreement, participants receive an incentive where every sixth course taken at the University of Phoenix is free. The initiative leverages a transfer model designed to reduce friction for students who have already completed general education requirements, allowing them to apply prior credits toward a four-year degree without repeating coursework.

John Woods, provost at the University of Phoenix, noted that the partnership strengthens regional access to higher education by building on existing academic achievements. For the Los Angeles Community College District, the deal represents a strategy to support a diverse student body—many of whom are first-generation college attendees—in reaching career milestones. The district, which serves over 270,000 students across nine colleges, views the agreement as a vital tool for meeting local workforce demands and facilitating seamless transitions into bachelor-level programs. Over the last eight years, the University of Phoenix has applied more than 7 million transfer credits, a move the institution estimates has saved students approximately $3 billion in tuition costs.