Transfer Students Draft

You are a transfer applicant if you have completed coursework at a college or university since leaving high school but have not yet completed a bachelor’s degree. CSULB accepts applications from upper-division transfer students each semester.

Transfer applicants must apply to specific majors and meet supplemental admission criteria. Refer to the Transfer Admissions Eligibility and Transfer Application Process page for more information.

To apply to CSULB, visit Cal State Apply. For application support and assistance please visit the Cal State Apply Applicant Help Center.

• Complete 60 transferable semester units or 90 transferable quarter units.
• Have a minimum, overall college GPA of 2.00 or higher in all transferable college course work attempted.
• Be in good standing at the last college or university attended in a regular session.
• Complete a minimum of 30 semester units or 45 quarter units in courses approved to meet CSU General Education (GE) requirements.
• Complete with a grade of C or better the CSU GE requirements in Written Communication, Oral Communication, Critical Thinking and Mathematics/Quantitative Reasoning.

Admission to CSULB is highly competitive. Transfer applicants must apply to specific majors and meet supplemental admission criteria.

There are two possible pathways you can follow to demonstrate preparation in your intended major:

1. Major Specific Requirements for Transfer - These requirements reflect the lower-division major preparation recommended by the CSULB department faculty.
2. Associate Degree for Transfer (ADT) - The Associate Degree for Transfer (ADT) curriculum is used in lieu of the specific course requirements listed on the CSULB website. The ADT can be completed at your California Community College.

For more information about the ADT and transfer admission eligibility at CSULB, please visit the ADT website and work with your community college transfer center for additional support on meeting the requirements.

• Students are generally granted transfer credit for baccalaureate-level courses successfully completed at regionally accredited colleges and universities.
• If you have attended a California Community College, CSU, or UC - Use Assist.org to determine if completed coursework is transferable and equivalent to courses at CSULB period.
• Be sure to visit your community college transfer and career centers regularly to discuss your educational plan so you can ensure you’re taking the appropriate courses to transfer.
• If you have attended a private or out of state college/university - Use Determining Courses that Meet the CSULB Major Specific Admission Requirements as a guide in determining transferable courses.
• Accredited institutions and out-of-state community college course work will be evaluated on a course-by-course basis. Credit will be given to courses considered equivalent to those offered at CSULB.

If transferring units earned at a regionally accredited community college:

• A maximum of 70 transferable units may be earned toward the minimum unit requirement for graduation (typically 120). Courses beyond this limit may be used to satisfy specific subject requirements as appropriate.

If transferring units earned at a regionally accredited 4-year college or university: 

• While there is no specific limit on transfer courses, students must satisfy the University’s 30-unit residency requirement to earn a CSULB degree.
• If you have test credit (College Level Examination Program, Advanced Placement, International Baccalaureate), military experience credit or workforce training credit please review the Transfer Credit for Incoming Students to learn more.

• Fall Semester Admission: October 1 to November 30.
  For fall semester admission, coursework and unit minimums must be completed no later than the prior spring term.
• Spring Semester Admission: August 1 to August 31.
  For spring semester admission, coursework and unit minimums must be completed no later than the prior summer term.

Admission to CSULB is highly competitive. Transfer applicants must apply to specific majors and meet supplemental admission criteria. Refer to the Transfer Admissions Eligibility and Transfer Application Process page for more information.

To apply to CSULB, visit Cal State Apply. For application support and assistance please visit the Cal State Apply Applicant Help Center.

The Center for International Education supports prospective international applicants through the admissions process, makes admission decisions for undergraduate applicants, and reviews eligibility for admission to graduate departments.

Some transfer students may decide to take classes at CSULB before enrolling as a student.  Learn how Open University may assist you in achieving your educational goals. Open University offers the opportunity for anyone to enroll in a course without being admitted to the university. You can take courses on a space-available basis and earn college credit during the Fall and Spring semesters.