Transfer Admissions
We’re so glad you are exploring California State University, Northridge as your next institution of higher education. We’re looking for students like you — determined to succeed no matter the obstacles. We'll help you find a career and make a difference in your community. Join the Matador nation!
How to Apply as a Transfer Student
You'll apply as an upper-division transfer student if:
- You have completed at least 60 transferable units (or 90 quarter units) with a GPA of 2.0 or higher.
- You've earned a C- or better in each of the CSU General Education Courses known as the Golden Four:
- Written Communication
- Mathematics/Quantitative Reasoning
- Critical Thinking
- Oral Communication (Speech)
- Note: Students applying as Engineering or Computer Science majors do not have to complete a critical thinking course prior to admission
- You are in good standing at the last college or university you attended.
Note: GPA requirements may be higher for applicants who chose a competitive major. Visit our Transfer Impaction page to see if your major is impacted.
Review Transfer Admission Requirements and Eligibility.
If you are an international student, please visit the International Transfer Admission page to find information to help you apply.
If you are a veteran student, please visit the Undergraduate Veteran Students Admission page to find information to help you apply.
For fall admission, applications are accepted from Oct. 1 to Jan. 31.
For spring admission, applications are accepted from Aug. 1 to Sept. 30.
You'll also want to make sure you apply for financial aid and scholarships in a timely fashion.
Explore our majors and decide which program you'll select on your application. Every year, some competitive majors receive more applicants than we can accept. These majors will have higher GPA minimums.
It's a good idea to get everything you'll need for your application ready. As a transfer applicant, you'll need:
- Unofficial transcripts. You will be required to enter all completed courses as well as those currently in progress and those you plan to take in the future.
- Social Security number, if you have one.
- Your citizenship status. Please note this is for CSU tuition purposes and will not affect your admission application.
- A credit or debit card. The $70 application fee is due at the time of submission and can only be paid by credit or debit card. If you are a California resident, the online application will automatically calculate your eligibility for an application fee waiver.
- Annual income. If you are a dependent, then you'll report your parents’ or guardian’s income. If you are independent, report your income.
Once you're ready, create an account and complete your application on Cal State Apply, the CSU's online application system. Be sure to carefully review your information before submitting.
After you apply, watch for an email from our office with the info you'll need to activate your CSUN Portal and email account. Once you've set up an account, you can check your application status. You can expect your admission decision to be available in the CSUN Portal as early as mid-March for fall and mid-November for spring.
Although not required for admission, your test scores for any AP, CLEP or IB exams you may have taken before applying to your previous college may help you satisfy admission and college preparatory subject requirements. To order test scores, see:
- Advanced Placement (AP) — Use CSUN college code 4707.
- College Level Exam Program (CLEP) — Use CSUN college code 4707.
- International Baccalaureate (IB) — Request a paper transcript.
Please note the test score due date in the Transcript Submission Information section below.
Send us your official transcripts for:
- All courses taken at other colleges and universities previously attended even if the course work was not completed.
- All college courses in which you are currently enrolled (preliminary, work-in-progress transcripts)
- Your final transcripts for work-in-progress as soon as you complete the courses and grades are posted *
- *Students with a verifiable Associate Degree for Transfer (ADT) will be admitted only when CSUN receives official transcripts meeting all requirements
Please see the Transcript Submission Information section below.
Associate Degrees for Transfer (ADT) Students
CSUN is part of three programs that help you transfer from the California Community Colleges. They can help you complete your bachelor's degree in a timely and cost-effective way. The programs are:
- Associate Degrees for Transfer (ADT)
- California Promise Two-Year Pledge Program
- Transfer Success Pathway (TSP)
About ADT
Associate Degrees for Transfer (ADT) are designed to help California community college students transfer to California State University (CSU) schools. Unlike regular AA or AS degrees, ADT degrees come with certain benefits. Completing an ADT in the arts (an AA-T) or the sciences (an AS-T) at a California community college means you will:
- Receive priority admissions consideration. This is an advantage because certain CSU majors are impacted. Learn about CSUN's impacted majors.
- Be admitted with junior standing so you can begin upper-division coursework at a CSU.
- Be guaranteed admission to a CSU, though not necessarily to a particular campus or major.
- Be able to complete the transfer major in 60 more semester units (90 quarter units). If you change your major at the CSU, however, the guarantee is lost.
To maintain your ADT status once admitted to CSUN, review the ADT policies at Planning Tools for ADT/STAR Act Students. You will also find Degree Road Maps for completing your major in 60 additional units.
About California Promise
If you are admitted to CSUN with a verified Associate Degree for Transfer (ADT), you can participate in the California Promise Program. You will take a two-year pledge to complete your bachelor’s degree in two more college years. This means you take 30 semester units per year, including summer and winter terms. If you qualify, you will:
- Receive priority registration.
- Receive routine and thorough academic advisement especially for ADT students.
For program requirements, qualifications and the pledge form, visit CSUN’s California Promise Program page.
Verify Your ADT Major for CSUN
To qualify for admission to an ADT degree-completion program and/or the California Promise Program at California State University, Northridge (CSUN), you must:
- Be pursuing one of the California Community College ADT majors.
- Apply for admission to the matching CSUN-approved major and option, if applicable, and
- Meet the CSUN admissions requirements and deadlines.
Find Matching ADT & CSUN Majors
About TSP
The Transfer Success Pathway (TSP) program is an opportunity to obtain dual enrollment in both a California community college and CSUN. For questions about TSP at CSUN, email Rene Chino.
Transcript Submission Information
How to Submit Transcripts
- Paper transcripts must be received in sealed, unopened envelopes. Ask your previous school(s) to send your official transcripts to:
California State University, Northridge
Office of the Registrar
18111 Nordhoff Street
Northridge, CA 91330-8207
U.S.A.
- For electronic transcripts, choose "CSU Northridge" as the recipient. If this option is not available, use registrar@csun.edu as the recipient email address.
- If you have any California community college transcripts, please review eTranscript California and have the transcripts sent through this system.
- You may also hand deliver transcripts in sealed, unopened envelopes to the Office of Admissions in Bayramian Hall (BH), Room 160 during our business hours.
- Please do not send duplicate paper and electronic transcripts.
Transcript Deadlines
Transcripts for Coursework
Official transcripts showing completion of 60 units (90 quarter units) and the four CSU General Education Courses must be received electronically, postmarked or hand delivered to the Office of Admissions by the following due dates:
- Fall Admission
- Preliminary transcript deadline for work in progress: Feb. 15
- Final transcript deadline: July 15
- Spring Admission
- Preliminary transcript deadline for work in progress: Oct. 1
- Final transcript deadline: Jan. 15
All course work must be completed by:
- The end of the spring term before the fall semester in which you intend to enroll.
- The end of the fall term before the spring semester in which you intend to enroll.
Optional Test Scores
Official test score reports for any AP, CLEP or IB exams you may have taken must be received by the following due dates:
- Fall Admission: July 15
- Spring Admission: Jan. 15
These test scores are not required for admission but helpful for placement purposes.
Additional Information
International Transfer Students
As an incoming international student, you'll have a few extra steps. Get the information you need to apply.
Review International Transfer Student Details
Veteran Students
If you're a veteran transfer student or the dependent of a veteran, our Office of Veterans Affairs will review your benefits documents and guide you through the application process.
Learn More About Veteran Student Details
Deaf and Hard-of-Hearing Students
As one of the largest communities of Deaf and hard-of-hearing college students in the country, we have tons of extra resources. If you're an incoming transfer student who is Deaf or hard-of-hearing, explore NCOD: Deaf and Hard of Hearing Services and fill out our supplemental application.
Western Undergraduate Exchange (WUE)
If you are a resident of one of the member U.S. states or territories of the Western Interstate Commission on Higher Education, you can enjoy reduced nonresident tuition rates by participating in the Western Undergraduate Exchange (WUE) program at CSUN.
Affording CSUN
Find out everything you need to know about the cost of attendance, and get help applying for financial aid.