Upper-Division Transfer

Who is an Upper-Division Transfer Student (UDT)?

If you will have at least 60 semester or 90 quarter transferable units completed by the time you enter a CSU, you are considered an upper-division transfer applicant.

Admission Requirements for Upper-Division Transfer Students

To be admitted to the California State University as an upper-division transfer (UDT) student, you must:

have completed at least 60 semester (90 quarter) units of transferable college credit, of which 30 semester (45 quarter) units are at a level equivalent to general education courses;
have attained a grade point average of 2.0 or better across all transferable college courses attempted. A higher GPA may be required for high-demand programs and/or campuses;
be in good standing at the last college or university attended. In other words, “good standing" means you are eligible to re-enroll at your last college or university;
have completed with a grade of C- or better one course in each of the following four areas (in either column):

California General Education Transfer Curriculum (Cal-GETC)	General Education-Breadth	Intersegmental General Education Transfer Curriculum* (IGETC)
Area 1 - English Composition	Area A - English Language Communication and Critical Thinking	Area 1 - English Communication
1A - English Composition	A1 - Oral Communication	1A - Written Communications
1B - Critical Thinking and Composition	A2 - Written Communications	1B - Critical Thinking
1C - Oral Communication	A3 - Critical Thinking	1C - Oral Communications
Area 2 - Mathematical Concepts and Quantitative Reasoning	Area B - Scientific Inquiry and Quantitative Reasoning	Area 2 - Mathematical Concept and Quantitative Reasoning
	B4 - Mathematics/Quantitative Reasoning

GE Overview Trifold

Beginning in Fall 2025, the general education (GE) requirements for the CSU will change from the GE pattern that has existed since Fall 2021. The revised CSU GE Requirements provide an equitable experience for all CSU students.

Effective Fall 2025, the California General Education Transfer Curriculum (Cal-GETC) serves as the statewide lower-division general education pathway for all transfer students. Students who have maintained continuous enrollment should consult their institution regarding catalog rights; those who have not will be subject to follow Cal-GETC.

California Community Colleges or other approved institutions can certify up to 34 lower-division general education semester (51 quarter) units. Certification means that the CSU will accept these courses to meet the Cal-GETC areas designated by your CCC.

The Intersegmental General Education Transfer Curriculum (IGETC)* is a series of courses that prospective transfer students from California Community Colleges may use to satisfy the lower-division general education breadth requirements at both the CSU and UC*.

The CSU General Education-Breadth (CSU GE)* program allows California Community College transfer students to fulfill lower-division general education requirements for any CSU campus before transfer*. This curriculum provides an alternative to IGETC (and Cal-GETC, once fully implemented). It can be a good option if you know you want to transfer to a CSU but aren’t sure which campus you will attend, or if you know which campus you will attend but aren’t sure which major you will pursue. For more information, visit ASSIST.org.

Students who are certified with 34 semester units of lower-division Cal-GETC units will only be required to complete a minimum of nine semester (13.5 quarter) units of upper-division general education work after they transfer, just like other students attending their CSU campus.

*Students who have maintained continuous enrollment on an existing GE pattern should consult their institution about catalog rights.

Additional Resources for Transfer Students

Electives count toward transferable units but do not meet admission, major, general education, or graduation requirements. If you are undecided on a major, they can help you explore interests. Always confirm in your college catalog that electives transfer to the CSU.
Transfer students often find CSU courses require more writing than community college courses. Strengthening reading and writing skills before transfer, and using available writing support, will better prepare you for university work and the Graduation Writing Assessment Requirement (GWAR).
Nonresident transfer applicants are often held to higher admission standards. It is recommended that they complete at least 60 semester (90 quarter) units, including 30 semester (45 quarter) units of general education in English composition, critical thinking and composition, oral communication, and mathematical concepts and quantitative reasoning.
If you are applying to a high-unit major such as science, technology, engineering, and some math-based fields, be sure to check with the CSU campus for their requirements in this area or with your California Community College transfer counselor.

English Proficiency External Exams Educational Opportunity Program (EOP) Residency General Education

CSU Transfer Planner

The CSU Transfer Planner is an online resource designed to help California Community College students prepare for transfer to any of the 22 CSU campuses. Through the Transfer Planner, students can:

Explore CSU campuses, programs, admission requirements, and related career pathways.
Save degree programs of interest in one place.
Enter community college coursework to track general education progress and compare GPA with transfer requirements.
Access guidance and tips for a smooth transfer.

Students considering transfer, or already preparing, are encouraged to create or log in to their CSU Transfer Planner account.

CSU Transfer Planner