Each academic college has its own criteria for transfer admission.
If you are not sure which college offers your major, please see our online guide to majors. Unless specified otherwise, course requirements apply regardless of campus choice. These prerequisites must be completed with a grade of C (2.0) or higher. Successful completion of the required coursework is not a guarantee of admission. Credits are listed in semester hours.
High school and college transcripts are required to complete a transfer application. SAT or ACT scores are not required if you have completed more than one semester of full-time college coursework after your high school graduation.
Transfer students to Penn State University Park must have taken two years of full-time college coursework before the time of transfer. Some programs have additional requirements that are noted below.
Transfer Requirements by College
COLLEGE OF AGRICULTURAL SCIENCES
Turfgrass Science requires 3 credits each in general chemistry and in organic chemistry.
COLLEGE OF ARTS AND ARCHITECTURE
Art Education and Music Education require a minimum cumulative grade point average of 3.0 and 3 credits in general psychology. Art Education also requires a portfolio and 9 credits in art or related areas. Music Education also requires an audition and credits in musicianship, theory, music history and performance.
We recommend Music and Music Education transfers for summer or fall complete their applications and have all materials to us by February 1.
Architecture, Art, Graphic Design, Landscape Architecture, Music, and Theatre require a portfolio, audition, or an interview. We require Architecture and Landscape Architecture transfers to complete their applications and have all materials (including the required portfolio) to us by December 31.
No transfer admission to the Interdisciplinary Digital Studio major.
SMEAL COLLEGE OF BUSINESS
No transfer admission into any program in Smeal College if you have 3 or more semesters of work.
If you have 2 semesters of work, a minimum cumulative grade point average of 3.0 is required as well as 3 credits of either English composition/literature or effective speech and 3 credits of either college algebra or calculus.
COLLEGE OF COMMUNICATIONS
University Park: A minimum cumulative grade point average of 3.0 is required.
No transfer admission to Advertising/Public Relations or Film and Video.
COLLEGE OF EARTH AND MINERAL SCIENCES
University Park: 8 credits calculus with analytic geometry and 4 credits calculus-based physics are required, except for Geography which has no specific course requirements.
The following programs require an additional 4 credits of calculus-based physics: Energy Engineering, Environmental Systems Engineering, Materials Science and Engineering, Meteorology, and Petroleum and Natural Gas Engineering.
COLLEGE OF EDUCATION
A minimum cumulative grade point average of 3.0 is required. No specific course requirements. Applicants will be reviewed by the College.
COLLEGE OF ENGINEERING
If you have less than two years of attempted college work, or have not completed entrance-to-major coursework*, apply to the College of Engineering pre-major status (ENGR) at a non-University Park campus. Students in this category usually have one year to complete necessary coursework to qualify for entrance into a College of Engineering major at University Park. Architectural Engineering is not available to any transfer student, even those admitted to ENGR.
If you have two or more years of attempted college work, apply for admission directly into a major at University Park. You must show earned credits for the entrance-to-major coursework*. No direct transfer admission for the following programs: Aerospace Engineering, Architectural Engineering, Bioengineering, Civil Engineering and Mechanical Engineering.
Applications and complete credentials for spring must be received by December 1, for summer by April 15, and for fall by June 15. Applicants with 3 semesters of college course work will not be considered for spring admission.
An applicant holding a baccalaureate degree in any major typically will not be admitted to a baccalaureate degree program.
*8 credits of calculus with analytical geometry, 3 credits of general chemistry, and 4 credits of calculus-based physics. The Computer Science major requires 3 credits of intermediate programming in place of chemistry.
COLLEGE OF HEALTH AND HUMAN DEVELOPMENT
Nursing requires a course in anatomy and a course in physiology.
No transfer admission for the Golf Management Option in the Recreation, Park and Tourism Management program.
COLLEGE OF INFORMATION SCIENCES AND TECHNOLOGY
No specific course requirements.
COLLEGE OF THE LIBERAL ARTS
Psychology requires 3 credits each in general psychology, statistics, an additional math course and a social & behavioral science course.
EBERLY COLLEGE OF SCIENCE
University Park: All majors require 8 credits of calculus with analytic geometry, though some programs have additional requirements to be eligible for entry into that major:
- Astronomy & Astrophysics: 3 credits of general chemistry and 3 credits of calculus-based physics astronomy;
- Biochemistry & Molecular Biology, Biotechnology, and Microbiology: 6 credits of general chemistry plus a 1 credit lab;
- Biology and Premedicine: 4 credits of basic biology concepts and biodiversity, 4 additional credits of biology, and 3 credits of general chemistry;
- Chemistry: 8 credits of general chemistry plus 2 credits of lab, 3 credits of organic chemistry;
- Forensic Science: 4 credits of basic biology concepts and biodiversity, 6 credits of general chemistry plus a 1 credit lab;
- Physics: 8 credits of calculus-based physics and 3 credits of general chemistry;
- Science: 4 credits of physics, 3 credits of chemistry and 4 credits of biology.
Other campuses: All majors require 4 credits of calculus and analytic geometry.
PENN STATE ABINGTON COLLEGE
Art requires completion of 2 design courses, a drawing course, and a portfolio review.
Biology requires 4 credits each in calculus with analytical geometry, biology and chemistry to be admissible to the major.
Science requires 4 credits each in calculus with analytical geometry, chemistry and biology to be eligible to enter the major.
Secondary Education, Biological Sciences requires a minimum cumulative grade point average of 3.0.
PENN STATE ALTOONA COLLEGE
Biology requires 4 credits calculus with analytical geometry, 4 credits of basic biology concepts and biodiversity, an additional 4 credits of biology, and 3 credits of chemistry.
Elementary Education requires a minimum cumulative grade point average of 3.0.
Environmental Studies requires a course covering an introduction to environmental studies, literature and the natural world, basic concepts and biodiversity to be eligible to enter the major.
Mathematics requires 8 credits of calculus with analytical geometry to be eligible to enter the major.
Science requires 8 credits of calculus with analytical geometry and two of the following courses: physics, chemistry and biology.
PENN STATE BERKS
No specific course requirements.
PENN STATE ERIE, THE BEHREND COLLEGE
Engineering Technology require 3 credits of physics, and either 4 credits of calculus or 6 credits of algebra, trigonometry or precalculus.
Electrical Engineering and Mechanical Engineering require 8 credits of calculus with analytic geometry, 4 credits of chemistry with a lab, and 4 credits of calculus-based physics.
PENN STATE HARRISBURG
No specific course requirements.
THE UNIVERSITY COLLEGE
Elementary Education and Elementary Education in Multicultural Settings both require a minimum cumulative grade point average of 3.0.
After 3 semesters of work, Science requires the completion of 4 credits of calculus with analytical geometry and two courses selected from physics, biology or chemistry to be eligible to enter the major.
