Transfer process

Students transfer colleges for many reasons, from financial challenges to a change in major, to online course availability. The most common is a student transferring from a community college to a four-year university. Before you make the switch, research transfer credit policies and talk with an academic advisor.

A transfer student is anyone who has completed college-level coursework and plans to continue their education at a different institution. Common types of transfer students include the following:

Community college transfer: Many students transfer from a community college to a four-year university. You may begin your college careers at a community college to save money, get general education credits, or make more informed decisions about potential majors.

Four-year university transfer: Many students transfer from one four-year school to another. Common reasons may include financial burdens, a desire to switch majors, and wanting a better fit with the school.

Nontraditional transfer: Leaving school can be a difficult decision, but sometimes emergencies, financial concerns, or job opportunities mean you must step away from your education temporarily. Fortunately, you can return to college any time, though you may need to reapply for admission if going back to the same school you originally attended.  Check your school’s student leave policy to learn more. Be sure to see whether your school will accept the college credits you previously earned.   

Each school has a different transfer policy. Credits may or may not transfer and/or apply to your degree plan. Sometimes a course you take at one school will transfer to another school but may not count as credit toward your degree. Thankfully, transferring courses is easier in Texas than many other states. Texas has a Core Curriculum and Common Course Numbering System. This means similar freshman and sophomore level courses that are taught at different state schools are identified by common numbers. If you're planning to transfer, these are often the best courses to take. 

Transferring credits from outside Texas 

If you are transferring from a college outside of Texas, your credits will be reviewed individually. The receiving institution will evaluate course content, credit hours, and grades to determine whether the courses are comparable to Texas courses. Course syllabi or descriptions may be required, and not all credits may transfer or apply to your degree plan. 

Public vs. Private school transfers 

• Public to public (Texas): Credits are more likely to transfer smoothly, especially Core Curriculum courses. 
• Private to public: Credits may transfer, but they are often evaluated on a course-by-course basis and may not align with degree requirements. 
• Public to private or private to private: Transferability varies widely and depends on institutional policies.

Transfer agreements

Your college may have a special transfer agreement with another school for other courses to transfer. Be sure to see an advisor, who can help you sort out the information and help you make the right choices.

Applying as a transfer student is like applying as a freshman applicant; however, there are some key differences. The first step is to make sure that you meet the school’s transfer criteria.

Some colleges have a minimum number of credit hours or minimum GPA you have to meet for admission. Colleges may also have a maximum number of transfer hours that they’ll accept or that may be applied toward a degree. Check the schools website for requirements.

Then, you'll apply through a platform like ApplyTexas, Common App, or directly on the college website. As a transfer applicant, you’ll need to send any college transcripts, and possibly high school transcripts and SAT or ACT scores. Many colleges will also ask for a writing sample like a college essay or personal statement.

Some colleges accept transfer students throughout the year, where others may only accept transfer students once per year (fall or spring semester). Research the application deadlines for any you are interested in.

If you transfer from a two-year college to a university after you have earned 30 or more credit hours, but before you finish an associate degree, many two-year colleges will transfer courses completed at the university back into your program and award an associate degree.  

With this win-win arrangement you can earn one college degree while continuing to work on your bachelor’s degree. Before transferring, connect with an advisor at your community college to confirm which university courses will transfer back and count toward your associate degree. An advisor can help you plan your courses, so you stay on track and maximize the credits you’ve already earned.