The Uniform Certificate of General Studies (UCGS) is a 30–31 credit hour, one-year certificate designed for students who plan to transfer to a four-year college or university in Virginia. Approved by the State Council of Higher Education for Virginia (SCHEV), courses in the UCGS satisfy lower-division general education requirements across public higher education institutions in Virginia, offering a direct, cost-effective transfer pathway.
Program at a Glance
| Program Aspect | Details |
| Award Earned | Certificate (Uniform Certificate of General Studies) |
| Total Credit Hours | 30–31 Credit Hours |
| Program Length | Two Semesters (1 year of full-time study) |
| Passport Component | Includes The Passport (16-credit general education subset) |
| Transfer Recognition | Guaranteed lower-division general education transfer across Virginia public universities |
| Program Head | Tina Dressler — tdressler@mgcc.edu |
📜 The Passport & Transfer Virginia Alignment
- The Passport (16 Credits): A concentrated subset of the UCGS consisting of 16 semester hours of foundational general education courses that transfer seamlessly into any public Virginia institution.
- The UCGS (30–31 Credits): Completing the full UCGS certificate fulfills core lower-division general education course requirements at destination public universities without requiring exact single-course equivalencies.
Explore course equivalencies and university transfer roadmaps at the Transfer Virginia Portal.
Why Earn the UCGS at MGCC?
- Guaranteed Credit Transfer: All courses within the UCGS are pre-approved by SCHEV for transfer to any public university in Virginia.
- Flexible Exploration: Ideal for students who plan to pursue a bachelor’s degree but have not yet declared a specific four-year major.
- Milestone Credential: Earn a recognized collegiate award after your first year of study while working toward a full Associate degree or four-year transfer goal.
Curriculum & Course Plan
The two-semester curriculum covers foundational coursework in written communication, humanities, fine arts, social and behavioral sciences, natural sciences, and mathematics.
👉 View the Complete UCGS Course Plan in the Catalog
Program Contact & Academic Advising
Planning your transfer schedule or exploring Passport and UCGS course options? Contact our Program Head or Student Services:
Tina Dressler — Program Head, Social Sciences
Phone: (540) 863-2817 | Email: tdressler@mgcc.edu
Office Location: Scott Hall, Clifton Forge Campus
MGCC Student Services Suite
Phone: (540) 863-2820 | Email: admissions@mgcc.edu
Location: Backels Hall, First Floor (Clifton Forge Campus)