Transfer MSU: Transfer Credit at MSU

Transfer MSU
Michigan State's searchable transfer credit equivalency system

Transfer Admission Requirements

Michigan State University uses rolling admission for transfer students. Decisions are typically made eight to 12 weeks after all application materials are received. For maximum admission and scholarship consideration, you are encouraged to apply six months prior to your desired semester of enrollment. International students are encouraged to apply one year prior. Certain limited enrollment majors have additional admission requirements and deadlines.

Although paper application forms are available, it is preferable for you to submit your application online. Applying online allows for faster processing and gives you the ability to track your application’s status using the online application status check system.

Application Instructions for Transfer Applicants

Complete the application for admission online or use the paper application form.
Prepare your required personal statement.
Pay the $35 application fee ($50 for international applicants) using Visa, MasterCard, Discover, American Express, or an electronic check (online applications only).
Have transcripts from all colleges and universities you have attended sent directly to MSU.
Submit official high school transcripts and ACT or SAT scores if you have completed fewer than 28 credits. The ACT code is 2032; the SAT code is 1465.

Additional Requirements for International Transfer Applicants

Have originals or certified copies of all transcripts, diplomas, marked sheets, and certificates sent from all high schools, colleges, and universities you have attended. Official translations must be provided when originals are not in English.
Submit the statement of financial proof with a supporting bank statement.
Provide proof of English proficiency if your first language is not English (TOEFL, SAT, IELTS, MELAB, or ELPT are accepted.) The TOEFL code is 1465. International students are encouraged to submit SAT scores, if available. SAT scores are useful for determining academic admissibility and for placement in math and English composition classes.

Transfer Admission Criteria

Admission as a transfer student is based on consistent academic performance including all grades, courses, and attempts at all previously attended institutions. Applicants with a GPA below 2.0 are not admissible.

Admission consideration is stronger for applicants who have completed 28 or more credits and meet the following criteria:

3.0 GPA or higher
completion of one year of English composition equivalent to Michigan State’s Writing, Rhetoric & American Culture course “Writing: Science and Technology” (WRA 110).
completion of a math course equivalent to MSU’s intermediate algebra (MTH 1825) or higher; college algebra (MTH 103) is preferred.

Students with 42 or more credits completed must select a major; the majors of no preference, premedical, prenursing, preoptometry and preveterinary cannot be chosen. Certain limited enrollment majors have additional admission requirements.

Transferring Credit

All admitted students are required to submit an Advanced Enrollment Deposit (AED) confirming their planned enrollment at MSU. Admitted transfer students are mailed their official transfer credit evaluation six weeks after the Advanced Enrollment Deposit is received. This evaluation shows how courses completed at other institutions transfer to Michigan State University.

Transfer students are encouraged to use the Transfer MSU searchable transfer credit equivalency system to identify courses that may transfer until they receive an official transfer credit evaluation. Students transferring from two-year institutions may transfer a maximum of 60 semester credits for use toward a bachelor's degree. Students transferring from a four-year institution may transfer a maximum of 90 semester credits for use toward a bachelor's degree. Currently, course work assigned a passing grade of 1.0 or higher may be recognized in transfer if the overall grade point average from the institution at which a set of grades was earned is 2.0 or higher.

Effective fall 2006, a minimum of 2.0 must be acquired in each course in order for its credit to be transferred to Michigan State University. For more information, visit our Academic Programs Catalog.