Transfer Students
Apply Today - Application Opens October 1
San Diego State University receives applications from thousands of highly qualified applicants each year. You must choose a major when applying to transfer to SDSU. Applicants are admitted based on preparation for the intended major. Learn how to make your application more competitive by closely reviewing the admission requirements before you apply.
Spring 2025
Applications are accepted August 1 - 31, 2024 from upper-division transfer students for select undergraduate programs for spring 2025 admission.
Fall 2025
Applications are accepted October 1 - December 2, 2024 for fall 2025 admission.
Who is a Transfer Student?
You can apply as a transfer student if you will have completed 60 or more transferable semester (or 90 or more quarter) units by:
- The end of summer 2024 for spring 2025 admission or
- The end of spring 2025 for fall 2025 admission.
We do not accept transfer applications from lower-division students with fewer than 60 transferable semester units.
Fall 2025
SDSU is only accepting applications for a second bachelor's degree in nursing. Applicants to the second bachelor's degree in nursing must have earned their first bachelor's degree from an institution that carries United States regional accreditation.
Spring or Fall 2025
- SDSU accepts applications from students with international coursework.
- You must meet the Transfer Admission Minimum Requirements to be considered for admission. Completion of the following GE courses, known as the "Golden Four:" oral communication, written communication, critical thinking, and mathematics must be at an institution that carries United States regional accreditation. A grade of C- or higher is required.
- If you have international coursework, please review the information below before applying to SDSU.
International Transcript Evaluation
San Diego State University requires transfer applicants with international coursework to submit official foreign transcripts to an approved international transcript evaluation service. All college/university transcripts from foreign institutions must be submitted for a detailed, course-by-course credential evaluation. Please select from the list of approved evaluation services providers.
You should contact the evaluation service as soon as possible, as your request for official transcripts and completion of the evaluation will take several weeks to process. Refer to your my.SDSU account for required documents and deadlines.
World Education Services, Inc.
P.O. Box 5087
New York, NY 10274-5087
Phone: (212) 966-6311
Fax: (212) 739-6100
wes.org
International Education Research Foundation, Inc.
P.O. Box 3665
Culver City, CA 90231-3665
Phone: (310) 258-9451
Fax: (310) 342-7086
ierf.org
Once your detailed course-by-course evaluation has been completed, your international evaluation service provider will send your evaluation and foreign transcripts directly to San Diego State University.
Before You Apply
Transfer Admission Minimum Requirements
SDSU is impacted at the undergraduate level in all majors and programs. Upper-division transfer applicants exceeding the minimum requirements will receive admission priority for available spaces.
- Review the Transfer Admission Minimum Requirements.
Choose Your Major
- Select the major that you are going to pursue. If you completed 100% of your transferable courses from Palomar or MiraCosta colleges, review the Majors Not Offered by CSU San Marcos.
- Review the cumulative GPA requirements for your intended major.
- Know which term is accepting applications for the major you are pursuing.
- Spring 2025: Review the list of Undergraduate Programs Open for Spring Admission.
- Fall 2025: All majors will be accepting applications.
- Determine which transfer pathway you are going to follow for admission.
- Be aware of majors with special instructions.
Majors with Special Instructions
You must meet the Transfer Admission Minimum Requirements and successfully pass an audition for acceptance to the major and the University. Please visit the Prospective Dance Student website for additional information.
Applicants to international business must choose a different language from the principal language of instruction used at the high school or secondary school from which they graduated. Please visit the Prospective International Business website for additional information.
You must meet the Transfer Admission Minimum Requirements and successfully pass an audition for acceptance to the major and the University. Please visit the Music Audition and Application Information website for additional information.
Fall 2025
You must meet the Transfer Admission Minimum Requirements and successfully pass an audition for acceptance to the major and the University. Please visit the BA Musical Theatre web page for additional information.
Spring 2025
Nursing transfer applications will not be accepted for spring 2025, except from RN to BSN applicants who have completed an Associate Degree in Nursing (ADN) or Diploma in Nursing program from another college. RN to BSN applicants interested in spring 2025 admissions should contact the School of Nursing for information and prescreening.
Fall 2025
Prospective nursing transfer applicants must complete all nursing prerequisites by the end of the fall 2024 term in order to be eligible for fall 2025 admission consideration. Nursing prerequisite courses may not be in progress during spring 2025. No exceptions will be granted.
In addition to applying for admission online at Cal State Apply by December 2, 2024, you must also update your Cal State Apply colleges attended and college coursework, including courses completed or courses that are planned to fulfill prerequisites, by completing and submitting the Academic History Update on the Cal State Apply website and answer the specific nursing questions in January 2025 for fall 2025 admission. Upper-division and second bachelor's students applying to nursing must complete nursing prerequisite courses by the end of fall 2024. Please visit the School of Nursing website for additional information.
Fall 2025
Transfer students admitted to the pre-major in television, film, and new media with an emphasis in production are required to submit a petition portfolio the second Monday in April. Please visit the department website for additional information on the portfolio requirements.
Fall 2025
You must meet the Transfer Admission Minimum Requirements and successfully pass an audition for acceptance to the major and the University. Please visit the BA Emphasis in Performance web page for additional information.
Online Resources
Determine how transfer course credits can be used to meet SDSU General Education and major preparation course requirements:
- General Education requirements: Refer to the Transfer Students - Additional Information section of the General Catalog to determine how to satisfy your General Education requirements.
- Major preparation course requirements: Refer to the Curricula by Department page of the General Catalog and select your major.
Transfer Student Success
SDSU recognizes and values the wealth of experiences our transfer students bring to our community. You can find resources and opportunities to engage earlier in your academic and professional career, and connect with other transfer students through the official transfer student organization, the Transfer Student Outreach Alliance.