Dec 11, 2024  
2024-2025 University Catalog 
    
2024-2025 University Catalog

Transfer Credits



Evaluation of Transfer Credits

When a student is admitted, the Office of the Registrar will evaluate previous college work in relation to the requirements of Cal State Fullerton. All undergraduate degree candidates will be issued a credit summary or a Titan Degree Audit (TDA) during the first semester of attendance that serves as a basis for determining remaining requirements for the student’s specific objectives. The Office of the Registrar will convert quarter units of credit transferred to the university to semester units by multiplying quarter-unit totals by two-thirds.

Once issued to a student, the evaluation remains valid as long as the student enrolls for the term specified, pursues the objective specified and remains in continuous attendance. The student will not be held to additional graduation requirements unless such requirements become mandatory as a result of changes in the California Administrative Code or the California Education Code. If the student does not remain in continuous attendance and has not applied for and been granted a formal leave of absence, the evaluation issued upon readmission will specify the remaining requirements for the student’s objectives.

In view of the foregoing regulations, the student should notify the Office of the Registrar immediately of a change in the objective specified in the evaluation. While the evaluation for a student remains valid, the student is held responsible for complying with all changes in regulations and procedures that may appear in subsequent catalogs.

Acceptance of Credit

Credit for work completed at accredited institutions, other than coursework identified by such institutions as remedial or in other ways as being nontransferable, will be accepted toward the satisfaction of baccalaureate degree and credential requirements at the university within limitations of residence requirements and community college transfer maximums.

Transfer of Credit from a Community College

Upper-division credit is prohibited for courses taken at a community college. Credential credit is also not permitted for courses in professional occupational education taken in a community college. However, this does not negate credit for preprofessional courses taken at a community college, such as introduction to education, art or design, arithmetic or music for classroom teachers. Once a student has attained 70 units of college credit at a community college, no additional community college units will be accepted towards baccalaureate degree completion.

Credit for Examinations

Students may request to take campus-originated challenge examinations (as differentiated from placement examinations) developed at Cal State Fullerton. Credit shall be awarded to those who pass them successfully.

Credit for Standardized Examinations

Cal State Fullerton awards credit to be applied toward the degree requirement for students who pass a standardized examination such as Advanced Placement (AP) Tests, International Baccalaureate (IB) and College Level Examination Program (CLEP).  Please refer to the Credit by Standardized Examinations Chart.

Credit by Advanced Placement

Students who have successfully completed courses in the Advanced Placement Program of the College Entrance Examination Board (defined as receiving a score of 3, 4 or 5) shall be granted credit for each Advanced Placement course toward graduation, advanced placement in the university’s sequence of courses and credit for curriculum requirements.

Cal State Fullerton grants credit toward its undergraduate degrees for successful completion of examinations of the Advanced Placement Program of the College Board. Students who present scores of 3 or better will be granted up to six semester units (nine quarter units) of college credit.

International Baccalaureate Program

Cal State Fullerton recognizes the high scholastic quality of the International Baccalaureate diploma program. High school graduates who have participated in the program are encouraged to apply for admission, and those who have received the International Baccalaureate diploma will be given special consideration for admission. Advanced placement and/or university credit for International Baccalaureate subject examinations may be awarded at the discretion of individual departments.

Credit by College-Level Examination Program

Cal State Fullerton accepts three semester units of credit for approved College Level Examination Program examinations, subject to minimum passing scores, provided the examination was not taken previously within one calendar year and that degree credit has not been granted for previous coursework at the equivalent or at a more advanced level than for the examination in question.

Cal State Fullerton may be able to grant additional credit or advanced standing based upon CLEP examination results. Contact the Office of the Registrar for additional information and for listings of approved exams.

Credit for Extended Education and Correspondence Courses

The maximum number of credits through correspondence and Extension courses that may be allowed toward the bachelor’s degree is 24 units, if otherwise applicable.

Credit for Non-Collegiate Instruction

Cal State Fullerton grants undergraduate degree credit for successful completion of non-collegiate instruction, either military or civilian, appropriate to the baccalaureate degree, which has been recommended by the Commission on Educational Credit and Credentials of the American Council on Education. The number of units allowed are those recommended in the Guide to the Evaluation of Educational Experience in the Armed Services and the National Guide to Educational Credit for Training Programs.

Credit for Prior Learning

Cal State Fullerton grants up to 30 units of credit for learning, knowledge or skills-based experience that has been documented and evaluated according to campus policy. Students should be aware, however, that policies for earning credit for prior learning vary from campus to campus in the CSU. Requests for credit for prior learning will be evaluated individually.