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Admissions & Student Outreach

Transfer Applicants

Am I a transfer applicant?

A transfer applicant is a prospective student who has taken college courses after the summer following their high school graduation. CSUSM accepts applications from lower-division* and upper-division transfer applicants. 

*The Nursing program does not accept lower division transfer applicants.

Am I a lower-division or upper-division transfer applicant?

Eligibility for admission as a transfer student is different depending on whether the applicant is considered a lower division or upper division student. The following definitions are based on the number of units earned at the end of the spring semester (if applying for fall admission) or the end of summer term (if applying for spring admission:

Lower division: applicants who have completed fewer than 60 semester (90 quarter) units of college credit

Upper-division: applicants who have completed 60 or more (90 quarter) units of college credit

Important note regarding admission criteria
  • Spring admission requirements must be completed by the end of the preceding summer term.
    Courses completed in fall will not be considered for spring admission.

  • Fall admission requirements listed above must be completed by the end of the preceding spring term.
    Courses completed in summer will not be considered for fall admission.

Am I eligible for admission?

Transfer applicants to CSUSM who meet the following criteria are eligible for admission to non-impacted programs (read more about impacted majors).

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  • Lower-division transfer admission criteria
    1. Earned a cumulative transfer GPA of 2.0 or higher in all transferable units attempted
    2. Be in good standing at the last institution attended
    3. Completed, with a grade of C- or better, a course in the following CSU GE areas: 
      • Area 1A English Composition (or A2 Written Communications) and
      • Area 2 Mathematical Concepts and Quantitative Reasoning (or B4 Mathematics/Quantitative Reasoning).
    4. Meet all freshman eligibility criteria in effect for the term for which the application is submitted.
  • Upper-division transfer admission criteria
    1. Earned a cumulative transfer GPA of 2.0 or higher in all transferable units attempted
    2. Be in good standing at the last institution attended
    3. Completed, with a grade of C- or better, a course in the following CSU GE areas: 
      • Area 1A English Composition (or A2 Written Communications) and
      • Area 2 Mathematical Concepts and Quantitative Reasoning (or B4 Mathematics/Quantitative Reasoning).

What else do I need to know to apply as a transfer student?

First, be sure to check out How to Apply page for details regarding application deadlines and more. In addition, here are a few other considerations!

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  • Transcripts and Test Scores

    Following submission of your application, you must submit the following to be considered for admission:

    • Official transcripts from all colleges and universities attended (grades or in-progress units from the most recent enrolled semester should be included).
    • Official test scores, if you have taken Advanced Placement (AP) exam or International Baccalaureate (IB) exam and need this credit to meet admission requirements.
    • Lower division transfers only: Official high school transcript showing completion of all freshmen admission eligibility criteria.
  • Major Preparation, Articulated and Transferable Courses

    While not required to meet minimum admission requirements, transfer students can complete additional courses which prepare for the major of choice. Below are resources for locating the requirements and how to meet them with transfer courses.

    • Identify major requirements and transferability: visit ASSIST.org to identify the courses at California Community Colleges that can be taken to meet lower division major requirements at CSUSM.
    • Explore Associate Degrees for Transfer: visit this website to learn about Associate Degree programs that are similar to majors at CSUSM for a faster path to graduation

    Remember that these pages do not take the place of an Admissions Counselor or an Academic Advisor!

  • Impacted Majors

    Impacted majors have more qualified students interested in declaring these majors than can be accommodated in current courses. As a result, additional admission criteria apply. You can find a list of the impacted majors at CSUSM - and the additional admission criteria - on our impaction page.