Transfer to SFSU

SFSU offers a high-quality education that’s accessible to all. With a wide range of resources available, you’ll have the support you need to apply as a transfer student.

Explore these resources to ensure you’re on the right path.

Find your program CSU Transfer Planner  ASSIST Approved Course Equivalencies

A transfer student is an applicant who has attempted college coursework after the summer following high school graduation, but has not completed a Bachelor's degree.

SFSU considers applications from transfer students regardless of the number of transferable units. 

Lower-Division Transfer — applicant with less than 60 semester (90 quarter) transferable units

Upper-Division Transfer — applicant with 60 or more semester (90 or more quarter) transferable units

Fall applicants must complete these requirements no later than the end of the spring term prior to enrollment.  

Spring applicants must complete these requirements no later than the end of the fall term prior to enrollment

Some majors at SFSU are impacted, where the number of fully eligible applicants exceeds the number of spaces available in that major. It is important to have an alternate major in mind for when you go to submit your application.

Lower-Division Transfer Student

Lower-division transfer applicants must meet the following eligibility criteria: 

• Have a high school diploma or equivalent
• Complete the required A-G college preparatory courses with a grade of C- or better
• Have earned the specified GPA in A-G courses based on your residency or high school. 
  • 2.50 or greater for California residents 
  • 3.00 or greater for non-California residents 
• Have achieved an overall college GPA of at least 2.00 in all transferable courses attempted. 
• Be in good standing at the last college or university attended. 
• Have completed a college English Composition course and a college Math/Quantitative Reasoning course with a grade of C- or better. 

Upper-Division Transfer Student

Upper-division transfer applicants must meet the following eligibility criteria:

• Earn an overall college GPA of at least 2.00 in all transferable courses
• In good standing at the last college or university attended
• Complete at least 30 semester units which meet CSU general education requirements with a grade of C- or better, including the ‘Golden Four’ courses:
  • Oral Communication/Speech
  • English Composition
  • Critical Thinking and Composition
  • Math/Quantitative Reasoning

ADMISSION REQUIREMENTS 

It’s important to apply by the priority application deadline for your term of interest. 

Stay on track with your admission application by reviewing key dates and deadlines, including when applications open and close. Make sure to give yourself enough time to gather materials so you can submit your application before the deadline.

Dates and Deadlines

When you’re ready to apply, you can start your online application through Cal State Apply. 

A $70 (non-refundable) application fee is due at the time of submission and can be paid by credit card or PayPal. Some students may qualify for an automatic application fee waiver based on the information provided in the application. 

SFSU uses your self-reported information from the application to make an admission decision, so it is extremely important that you answer all questions on the application completely and accurately. 

List all colleges and universities attended on your application.

Transfer Application Checklist Apply now