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Transfer Admissions Requirements

Welcome, Transfer Applicants!

At Cal State San Bernardino, we’re excited to help you take the next step in your academic journey. Here you’ll find everything you need to know about transferring as an upper- or lower-division student—including eligibility requirements, impacted majors (programs with more applicants than available spaces), and how your completed courses may transfer to CSUSB.

Join us for an Instant Admit Day at your local community college!

At this exclusive transfer event, your coursework will be reviewed on-the-spot to determine your eligibility for fall 2026 admission. Qualified students will receive a guaranteed Coyote Pass, giving you pre-approval for a fall admissions seat. Attending this event is a personalized opportunity to apply with confidence and take the next step toward joining CSUSB next fall.

Instant Admit Days for Transfer Students: Your Fast Track to CSUSB

Transfer Student Admissions Deadlines

Spring 2026 Deadlines

Sept. 15: Application Deadline

CSUSB will accept undergraduate applications for non-impacted programs via Cal State Apply from transfer and first-year students Aug. 1 through Sept. 15.

All 23 CSU campuses use the Cal State Apply application. There is a $70 application fee per campus you choose to send your application to. 

Sept. 30: Veteran & Returning Students Application Deadline

CSUSB will extend the application deadline for veteran and returning students. CSUSB will accept undergraduate applications via Cal State Apply from veteran and returning CSUSB students Aug. 1 through Sept. 30.

All 23 CSU campuses use the Cal State Apply application. There is a $70 application fee per campus you choose to send your application to. 

Sept. 30: Final Document Deadline

CSUSB requires that all admission requirements (Golden 4, units, GPA requirements, supplemental requirements) must be completed by the end of summer for spring admission. 

All incoming students will be required to submit official final transcripts from every institution attended regardless of relevance the courses taken may have to the major you are applying to at CSUSB. This includes schools that you have current attendance.

Transcripts must reflect completed spring and/or summer course grades. Fall coursework will not be accepted to meet admission requirements. 

Students should submit these as soon as they are available but no later than Sept. 30. Additional documents, such as test scores, may also be required.

For a personalized list of your required documents, CSUSB will create a To-Do list for each student. For more information, please visit our Submitting Documents webpage.

Nov. 15: Residency Document Deadline

Residency for tuition purposes affects whether a student pays in-state or out-of-state tuition fees. It is strongly advised that residency supporting documents are submitted as soon as possible. See our Establishing Residency webpage for more details. 

Nov. 30: Accept/Decline Deadline

Your admission decision is based on many factors and does not reflect your academic achievements.

After being offered admission, all students must formally accept their offer by Nov. 30 in order to secure their spot for spring enrollment. More information can be found on our Accept your Admission webpage.

Dec. 15: Transfer Orientation Deadline

Orientation is a mandatory program for all newly admitted students into CSUSB and is an on-campus experience that includes:

  • Introduction to campus resources and services
  • Academic advising
  • Opportunities to learn about campus life
  • Information on course registration
  • Social programming to connect you to campus

Sessions are offered at the San Bernardino and Palm Desert campuses. You must register for an orientation session on or before Dec. 15. For more information, visit the Transfer Orientation webpage.

Fall 2026 Deadlines

Application Deadline

December 2: Pre-Nursing
January 31: All other programs

CSUSB will accept undergraduate applications from transfer students for both impacted and non-impacted majors via Cal State Apply between Oct. 1, 2025 through Jan. 31, 2026.

All 22 CSU campuses use the Cal State Apply application. There is a $70 application fee per campus you choose to send your application to. 

Feb. 14: Residency Document Deadline

Residency for tuition purposes affects whether a student pays in-state or out-of-state tuition fees. It is strongly advised that residency supporting documents are submitted as soon as possible. See our Establishing Residency webpage for more details. 

Feb. 14: Partial Document/Transcript Deadline

All incoming students will be required to submit official transcripts from every institution you have attended regardless of relevance the courses taken may have to the major you are applying to at CSUSB. This includes schools that you have current attendance. 

Students should submit their transcripts as soon as they are available but no later than Feb. 14. Additional documents, such as test scores, may also be required.

For a personalized list of your required documents, CSUSB will create a To-Do list for each student. For more information, please visit our Submitting Documents webpage.

June 30: Veteran & Returning Students Application Deadline

CSUSB will accept undergraduate applications via Cal State Apply from veteran and returning CSUSB students Oct. 1 through June 30.

All 23 CSU campuses use the Cal State Apply application. There is a $70 application fee per campus you choose to send your application to. 

July 15: Transfer Orientation Deadline

Orientation is a mandatory program for all newly admitted students into CSUSB and is an on-campus experience that includes:

  • Introduction to campus resources and services
  • Academic advising
  • Opportunities to learn about campus life
  • Information on course registration
  • Social programming to connect you to campus

Sessions are offered at the San Bernardino and Palm Desert campuses. You must register for an orientation session on or before July 15. For more information, visit the Transfer Orientation webpage.

July 15: Final Document/Transcript Deadline

All incoming students will be required to submit all outstanding final official transcripts reflecting completed spring course grades. Students should submit these as soon as they are available but no later than July 15.

Additional documents, such as test scores, may also be required.

For a personalized list of your required documents, CSUSB will create a To-Do list for each student. For more information, please visit our Submitting Documents webpage.

July 31: Accept/Decline Deadline Extended

Your admission decision is based on many factors and does not reflect your academic achievements. After being offered admission, all students must formally accept by the extended deadline of July 31 in order to secure a spot for fall enrollment. 

More information can be found on our Accept your Admission webpage.

 

Admissions Requirements

Upper-Division Transfer

Who is an Upper-Division Transfer Student (UDT)?

If you’ll have at least 60 semester or 90 quarter transferable units completed by the time you enroll at Cal State San Bernardino, you’ll apply as an upper-division transfer student.

UDT Admission Requirements

To qualify for admission as an upper-division transfer, you’ll need to:

  • Complete at least 60 semester (90 quarter) transferable units, including 30 semester (45 quarter) units of general education courses.
  • Earn a minimum 2.0 GPA across all transferable college courses. (Some majors or campuses may require a higher GPA.)
  • Be in good standing at your last college or university, meaning you’re eligible to re-enroll there.
  • Finish with a grade of C- or better in one course from each of the four required areas (see table below).
Course Requirements
General Education-BreadthIntersegmental General Education Transfer Curriculum* (IGETC)
Area A - English Language ​Communication and Critical ThinkingArea 1 - English Communication
A1 - Oral Communication1A - Written Communications
A2 - Written Communications1B - Critical Thinking
A3 - Critical Thinking1C - Oral Communications
Area B - Scientific Inquiry and Quantitative ReasoningArea 2 - Mathematical Concept and Quantitative Reasoning
B4 - Mathematics/Quantitative Reasoning 


If you’re completing your general education requirements through IGETC or CSU GE-Breadth, those pathways can help you meet these requirements too.

Understanding IGETC and CSU GE-Breadth

  • IGETC (Intersegmental General Education Transfer Curriculum) is a series of courses that California Community College students can use to fulfill lower-division general education requirements for both the CSU and UC systems.
  • CSU GE-Breadth allows California Community College students to complete lower-division general education requirements for any CSU campus before transfer. It’s a great option if you plan to attend a CSU but aren’t yet sure which campus or major you’ll choose. Learn more at ASSIST.org.
  • California Community Colleges or other approved institutions can certify up to 39 semester (58.5 quarter) unitsof lower-division GE-Breadth coursework.
  • Students who are GE-certified with 39 semester units will only need to complete at least 9 semester (13.5 quarter) units of upper-division general education after transferring—just like other CSUSB students.

 

Lower-Division Transfer

Who is a Lower-Division Transfer Student (LDT)?

If you’ll have fewer than 60 transferable semester units (or 90 quarter units) completed by the time you plan to enter Cal State San Bernardino, you’ll apply as a lower-division transfer student.

LDT Admission Requirements

To qualify for admission as a lower-division transfer, you must:

  • Have completed the “a–g” course requirements in high school.
  • Have graduated from high school (earned a diploma, GED, or equivalent).
  • Meet CSU’s minimum eligibility requirements for a first-time freshman.
  • Earn a minimum overall college GPA of 2.0 across all transferable units attempted. (Some majors may require a higher GPA.)
  • Be in good standing at your last college or university, meaning you’re eligible to re-enroll there.
  • Complete with a grade of C- or better one course in written communication (GE Area 1A) and one in mathematics or quantitative reasoning (GE Area 2).

 

Additional Information for Transfer Students

English Proficiency

If English is not your native language and you haven’t completed at least three years of full-time study at a school where English is the primary language of instruction, you’ll need to show English proficiency through an approved exam.
CSUSB accepts tests such as:

  • TOEFL (minimum score: 61 iBT or 500 paper-based)
  • IELTS
  • PTE Academic
  • iTEP
External Examinations (AP, IB, CLEP)

You can earn general education or lower-division major credit by passing CSU-approved external exams such as Advanced Placement (AP), International Baccalaureate (IB), or the College-Level Examination Program (CLEP). Passing scores and credit units are determined by CSUSB and may count toward your degree or general education requirements.

Elective Courses

Elective courses count toward your total transferable units but may not meet specific admission, pre-major, or general education requirements. If you’re undecided about your major, electives are a great way to explore your interests and discover your strengths. Be sure to check your college catalog to confirm that these courses are transferable to CSUSB for at least elective credit.

 

If You’re Not a California Resident and Want to Transfer

If you’re transferring from outside California or from a private college or university, it’s recommended that you complete at least 60 semester (90 quarter) transferable units before applying to CSUSB.

You should also plan to complete at least 30 semester (45 quarter) units of general education courses in key areas such as written communication, critical thinking, speech, and quantitative reasoning (mathematics).

To learn which of your courses may transfer, you can contact CSUSB for an evaluation of your coursework.

If you have questions about residency or need to complete the California Residency Reclassification Form, visit our Establishing Residency webpage for guidance and next steps.

 

CSU Transfer Planner

The CSU Transfer Planner is a free online tool designed to help California Community College students plan a smooth and successful transfer to CSUSB. With the CSU Transfer Planner, you can:

  • Explore CSUSB programs and transfer-admission requirements.
  • Save degree programs of interest in your online account.
  • Track your community college coursework to monitor your general education progress.
  • Compare your GPA to transfer-admission requirements.
  • Get personalized tips to help you stay on track and transfer efficiently.

Whether you’re already preparing to transfer or just starting to explore your options, don’t wait—create your CSU Transfer Planner account today and start mapping your path to becoming a Coyote!

 

Impacted Majors

For impacted majors, the GPA requirement is higher and is set each term based on the number of qualified applicants and available spaces. GPA minimums may also differ for students from CSUSB’s Local Area compared to those applying from outside the area.

CSUSB’s Local Area includes specific community colleges within San Bernardino and Riverside counties. You can find the full list on our Transfer Impaction website. If you’ve attended more than one college, your classification will be based on where you completed the majority of your coursework or the last school you attended.

Local Area Students

If you’re applying to an impacted major from CSUSB’s Local Area, you’ll receive priority consideration. This means the minimum GPA required for admission may be lower than the GPA required for applicants outside the local area.

Out-of-Local-Area Students

If you’re applying to an impacted major from outside CSUSB’s Local Area, the minimum GPA required for admission will be higher than for local applicants. The exact GPA cutoff is set each term and depends on the number of qualified applicants and available spaces.

Regional Accreditation Includes:

  • Western Association of Schools and Colleges
  • Middle States Association of Schools and Colleges
  • North Central Association of Schools and Colleges
  • New England Association of Schools and Colleges
  • Northwest Association of Schools and Colleges
  • Southern Association of Schools and Colleges 

 

Transfer Success Pathway

Planning to start at one of California’s 116 community colleges? The Transfer Success Pathway helps you lock in a clear path to CSUSB, making it easier to transfer and finish your bachelor’s degree.

Explore the Pathway

 

Tips for First-Generation Students & Quick Apply Guide

At CSUSB, you’re not alone—78% of our students are the first in their families to attend college. We’re proud to support you every step of the way. Use these tips and our quick application guide to help you get started and feel right at home in the Coyote Pack.

Find Your Pack

Whether it’s through your major, a student club or organization (CSUSB has more than 100!), athletics, or student housing, building connections is key. The sooner you find your community, the stronger your Coyote experience will be.

Explore Campus Life

Lean on Academic Advising

Figuring out which classes to take, when to get tutoring, and how to stay on track can feel overwhelming at first. That’s why CSUSB Academic Advising is here for you—ready to guide you in person or on Zoom.

Talk to an Academic Advisor

Prepare Your FAFSA and Explore Scholarships

Paying for college doesn’t have to feel overwhelming. The Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) and scholarships can make a big difference, and CSUSB’s Office of Financial Aid & Scholarships is here to guide you—whether you need help completing your FAFSA or exploring scholarship opportunities you may qualify for.

Explore Your Financial Aid Options

 

Financial Aid for Transfer Students 

Once you’ve applied to CSUSB, don’t forget to apply for financial aid, too. This usually starts with completing the FAFSA form, exploring scholarships, and checking if there are any additional forms you need to submit.

The CSUSB Office of Financial Aid & Scholarships is here to support you. You can reach the team by email at financialaid@csusb.edu, by phone at (909) 537-5227, or in person at University Hall, room 150 (UH-150). 

See All Financial Aid Resources

 

Compare Course Credits and Explore Programs

Want to see how your community college courses transfer to CSUSB? Use the ASSIST portal to find a complete list of transferable courses. To explore your academic options, check out our online catalog, which features every CSUSB degree and program—from Accountancy to Writing.

After You’re Admitted: New Transfer Student Checklist

Congratulations—your next chapter at CSUSB is about to begin! As a transfer student, you’re bringing your hard work and experience with you, and we’re here to help you make a smooth transition. Use this checklist to stay on track before classes begin, and be sure to sign up for Orientation, where you’ll connect with fellow transfer students, meet academic advisors, and learn about the many resources available to support your success in the Coyote community.

Next Steps for Transfer Students