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Frequently Asked Questions

In this Section:

How will I know which classes to take after transferring?
As an incoming transfer student, you will be advised at preregistration by a faculty member representing your major. You and your advisor will have a copy of your Summary of Transfer Credits. This will determine which requirements you have fulfilled and help you plan an academic program for completing the remaining requirements for graduation.

How do I know if the courses I’m transferring meet APU’s requirements?
Check out our transfer website at www.apu.edu/registrar/undergraduate/transferring/. Choose your school from the drop down menu at the bottom of the page. Click “View Document.”
Your Summary of Transfer Credits form will show you which General Studies requirements you have already met. In addition, the university catalog has a list of courses for each major. You may refer to these educational categories to locate classes similar to the ones you have taken.

Note: Your academic advisor will determine which classes fulfill the requirements for your selected major at preregistration.

If you are not completing the Intersegmental General Education Transfer Curriculum (IGETC) program, please refer to APU’s suggested General Studies guidelines to help determine if the classes you have taken match APU’s requirements and will transfer. An official transcript evaluation will be completed on a course-by-course basis for each transfer student to determine transferable units.

Completion of the requirements for an A.A. degree or the general education program at another school does not guarantee that you have met all of APU’s General Studies requirements. However, if you complete the IGETC program with the APU provisions, you will have met most of APU’s General Studies requirements.

When you have applied and been accepted to APU, you will receive a general education evaluation prior to registering for your classes.

Do I have to complete a general education program to transfer?
Not at all. You are welcome to transfer at any time.

Is there an orientation program I must attend?
There are three different orientation seminars held throughout each semester.

The first seminar is held prior to the beginning of the semester.* Two additional orientation seminars are held at various times to ensure transfer students know about upcoming information and events.

*The orientation staff provides you with information about APU’s student services and the university, which will make your transition smoother.

When do I register for classes?
If you are in the area, you will have an opportunity to meet with a faculty member during one of APU’s on-campus preregistration events to plan your first semester schedule. APU will provide you with further information after you have been admitted.

Will I be able to graduate in two years if I have completed two years of course work at another college?
To help you finish your degree in only two years, APU has designed Major Articulation Plans (M.A.P.) with select California community colleges to help guide your course planning. For a list of Major Articulation Plans, visit www.apu.edu/registrar/undergraduate/transferring/. Outside of M.A.P., completion rates vary depending on your major and completed coursework. For a formal evaluation of your transcripts, contact the Office of Undergraduate Admissions at (626) 812-3016.

What if I intend to major in nursing?
The School of Nursing requires applicants to submit additional information along with the regular university application. Please refer to the nursing section on the first page of the Application for Undergraduate Admission.

Transfer applicants who have completed college courses and/or nursing courses in nationally accredited nursing or other health care programs are evaluated individually and given credit for courses that meet the requirements. When sufficient documentation is not available, some nursing courses may be challenged by the applicant.

The School of Nursing will determine what program you will enter after your transcripts have been evaluated.

Will I lose credits if I transfer to APU from a quarter system?
APU uses a semester system. Quarter units are transferred as two-thirds of a semester unit.

What is the maximum number of units I can transfer?
APU will accept a maximum of 70 semester units from a community college. Once a student has reached this ceiling, APU will not accept any additional units from a community college to meet graduation requirements. If a student is enrolled in another four-year college, all transferable credits from a four year college may be accepted.

In order to graduate from APU, a minimum of 30 units must be earned at this institution, including at least 15 upper-division units in the major field. At least 18 of these units must be completed within the last 24 units counted toward the degree. Credit by examination (CLEP) may not be used to fulfill the 30-unit minimum requirement.

Will a D grade transfer?
A minimum C- grade is required for all transferable units.

Will APU accept College Level Examination Program (CLEP) credit?
If you receive an accepted score, you will receive units of credit for each CLEP test. This also includes units received from Advanced Placement (AP) and International Baccalaureate (IB) tests. Refer to the 2007-08 Undergraduate Catalog for information on acceptable test scores.

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