California State University (CSU)
Admission Requirements for Transfer to California state University (CSU)
The California State University (CSU) is the country’s largest four-year public university system with 22 universities available for transfer that include,
1.California State University, Bakersfield
2.California State University Channel Islands
3.California State University, Chico
4.California State University, Dominguez Hills
5.California State University, East Bay
6.California State University, Fresno
7.California State University, Fullerton
8.California State Polytechnic University, Humboldt
9.California State University, Long Beach
10.California State University, Los Angeles
11.California State University, Monterey Bay
12.California State University, Northridge
13.California State Polytechnic University, Pomona
14.California State University, Sacramento
15.California State University, San Bernardino
16.San Diego State University
17.San Francisco State University
18.San José State University
19.California Polytechnic State University and Maritime Academy
20.California State University San Marcos
21.Sonoma State University
22.California State University, Stanislaus
Upper-Division Transfer Admission Requirements for Transfer to California State University (CSU)
To establish eligibility for the CSU as a junior-level transfer, students must:
- Complete 60 CSU transferable units;
- Earn a GPA of 2.0 or higher in transferable units;
- Be in good standing at the last college/university attended;
- Four courses (4) that satisfy the following CSU Areas also known as the ‘Golden Four’:
English Composition, Critical Thinking and Composition, Oral Communication, and Mathematical Concepts and Quantitative Reasoning with a C or better.
Refer to the California State University site on Upper-Division Transfer for more information, https://www.calstate.edu/apply/transfer/Pages/upper-division-transfer.aspx
Additionally, for impacted CSU campuses and majors, students must successfully apply with the major preparation coursework and eligible GPA for their major as outlined by each campus. Student may view these requirements on Assist.org and are encouraged to work with their Counselor each semester to ensure their educational plan satisfies each measure of transfer eligibility.
While the Cal-GETC General Education pattern and the Associates Degree for Transfer (ADT) offered at a California Community College are not a transfer requirement, fulfilling each of these offers students several important benefits for students such as streamlining the general education and major preparation requirements for the CSU, reducing time to graduation at the CSU, reducing the cost of attendance at the CSU, and benefits in the CSU admissions evaluation process.
CSU Admissions Deadlines
Priority Application Filing Dates for California State University (CSU) are typically,
Fall Semester/Quarter
- Application Opens: August 1st
- Submission Opens: October 1st
- Deadline to apply is: November 30th
Winter Quarter
- Application Opens: June 1st
- Deadline to apply is: June 30th
Spring Semester/Quarter:
- Application Opens: July 1st
- Deadline to apply is: August 31st
Summer Term:
- Application Opens: February 1st
- Deadline to apply is: February 28th
Please note, the CSU system generally offers at least two admissions cycles for transfer, in the Fall and Spring. However, some majors may be closed for Spring admissions cycle. Only the Fall semester is open for all majors at all campuses.
Students are highly encouraged to visit the Career and Transfer Center for a schedule of workshops and events to support their application process. The Career and Transfer Center provides ongoing support throughout the year for each step in the CSU application process. The Career Transfer Center is located on the 2nd floor of the Robert N. Chang Student Center (SC), Room 216A.
In addition, the CSU system also offers ongoing transfer admissions options for online degrees. For more information, go to,
Some CSU’s also offer limited options for Lower-Division Transfer, for students that have completed 59 transferable units or less. For more information go to,