I want to apply...

An international transfer applicant is a student who wishes to study at our university on an F-1 (student) visa, who has completed post-secondary coursework at a college or university located outside the United States or a regionally accredited community college or university within the United States and has not yet earned the equivalent of a U.S. bachelor's degree. 

APPLICATION DEADLINES:

(Open to all majors)

• SPRING 2027:  July 1, 2026 - November 15, 2026
  • Classes will start on January 25, 2027 for Spring 2027 intake
• FALL 2027:  October 1, 2026 - June 1, 2027
  • Applications open August 1st, submissions start October 1st. 
  • Classes will start on August 30, 2027 for Fall 2027 intake

Admission Requirements

CSUSM accepts both lower and upper-division transfer students. 

All transfer student must have a cumulative grade point average of 2.0 or higher in all postsecondary coursework attempted or completed.

Transfer student requirements:

• Lower-division transfer

  Students who have completed less than 60 units (90 quarter) units:

  • Meet first-time freshman criteria
  • Earned a cumulative transfer GPA of 2.0 or higher in all transferable units attempted
  • Applicants applying from: 
    • A college or university within the US should have completed the following courses with a grade of C- or better, a course in the following CSU GE areas:
      • Area 1A English Composition (or A2 Written Communication) and
      • Area 2 Mathematical Concepts and Quantitative Reasoning (or B4 Mathematics/Quantitative Reasoning).
    • A college or university located outside the US should have completed an Area 2 Mathematics/Quantitative Reasoning college level course (above Intermediate Algebra)
  • Good standing at last institution attended
• Upper-division transfer

  Students who have completed 60 units (90 quarter) units or more admission criteria:

  • Earned a cumulative transfer GPA of 2.0 or higher in all transferable units attempted
  • Applicants applying from: 
    • A college or university within the US should have completed the following courses with a grade of C- or better, a course in the following CSU GE areas:
      • Area 1A English Composition (or A2 Written Communication) and
      • Area 2 Mathematical Concepts and Quantitative Reasoning (or B4 Mathematics/Quantitative Reasoning).
    • A college or university located outside the US should have completed an Area 2 Mathematics/Quantitative Reasoning college level course (above Intermediate Algebra)
  • Good standing at last institution attended

To apply, submit the following:

• University Application

  TWO OPTIONS:

  OPTION ONE:  Apply online Email iapply@csusm.edu for assistance. Resource for the online application: Application Guide for online application. 

  OR,  if you are having difficulty, you can apply with the paper application:

  OPTION TWO: Use the paper application, download fillable form and return to us. 

• Transcripts
  1. All official academic records including certificates, examination grades, degrees or diplomas in the original language of issue through the postal mail in a school-sealed envelope. Copies will be accepted for the admission decision process. EXPEDITE PROCESSING: UPLOAD YOUR DOCUMENTS for fastest processing.
     
     IMPORTANT NOTE:  All foreign degrees not completed in the US MUST be submitted to one of the approved Foreign Transcript Evaluation Agencies.
     
     Lower-division transfers must also send secondary school transcripts.
     
     Applicants who have studied in the U.S. are required to have the U.S. institution(s) send official transcript(s) directly to CSUSM. If you are attending a California community college, you may be able to send your transcripts electronically. Confirm with your school to check if this option is available
     
     
  2. Official English translations of all academic records including certificates, degrees or diplomas
• Affidavit of Financial Support

  Submit your affidavit of financial support form, must include bank statement(s) dated within the last 6 months.

  • Fall 2026: Affidavit of Financial Support
  • Spring 2027: Affidavit of Financial Support

  Or, submit loan or scholarship letters for I20 issuance. 
• Passport
  Submit a copy of your passport. Please make sure that the copy is legible and not blurry.
• English proficiency requirement
  Satisfy the English Language Proficiency Requirement - If you do not have a passing test score OR have not yet taken a test, guaranteed conditional admission is available through our English language program.

EXPEDITE PROCESSING: UPLOAD YOUR DOCUMENTS for fastest processing.

IMPORTANT NOTICE ABOUT I-20:  Please be reminded that you must send your official transcripts and test scores (if required) directly to CSUSM by postal mail. US schools & universities can send US transcripts electronically at transcripts@csusm.edu. 

Test credit accepted: Advanced Placement (AP),  A/AS levels, College Level Examination Program (CLEP) and International Baccalaureate (IB) (see International Admissions office for details and other test credit accepted)

*Appeal process for special consideration due to extenuating circumstances/demonstrable hardship may be considered, submit appeal to: iapply@csusm.edu.