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What Credits Will Transfer to Cal U?

photo of students in classroom at computers How many of your college credits will transfer to Cal U? Will you have to re-take introductory courses? Will transfer credits count toward your major? If you're like most transfer student, you probably have a lot of questions.

At the Office of Articulation and Transfer, our job is to make the transfer process as easy as possible. If you're thinking about transferring, contact us early and we can give you an unofficial evaluation of the courses you're taking so you'll know whether or not they will transfer to Cal U. If you're a student at a Pennsylvania community college, one of the PASSHE institutions, or a PA Trac-participating school, you can see for yourself what courses are equivalent to Cal U courses through PA Trac.

If you have been accepted to Cal U, and would like to access your Degree Audit, click here.

Student Transfer Policy


For students with an Academic Passport who are transferring with an associate degree (AA or AS):

  • You must have a 2.0 minimum cumulative grade point average in all course work presented for transfer from each institution attended.
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  • AA or AS degree must contain a minimum of 30 hours of liberal arts courses from the following fields of study: composition/communications, humanities/fine arts, behavioral/social sciences, biological/physical sciences, and mathematics and computer science.
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  • A maximum of 45 general education credits and liberal arts course credits earned at the two-year college may be transferred to meet lower division requirements (a course-by-course match is not be required).
  • All additional course credits will be applied first to the major course of study, and lastly as electives.

For students with an Academic Passport who are transferring from an incumbent state system university:

  • You must have a 2.0 minimum cumulative grade point average with a minimum of 12 credit hours of college level course work.
  • Up to a maximum of 45 general education credits and/or liberal arts course credits earned at the sending institution will be used to meet lower division University general education requirements (a course-by-course match requirement will not be required).
  • Capacity limits and/or higher admissions standards may apply to certain high demand academic programs.
  • State System students holding the Academic Passport will be entitled to take any course offered through distance learning and listed in the catalog at any other State System university and have those credits and the grade earned accepted by their home institution.

For students transferring without an Academic Passport who have not completed the AA or AS degree:


  • You must have a minimum cumulative grade point average of 2.0 or greater in all course work presented for transfer from each institution attended.
  • You must have a minimum of 12 credit hours of college level course work, up to a maximum of 45 credits in courses designated and credited as general education by an accredited community college, which shall be used to meet lower division University general education requirements (a course-by-course match will not be required).
  • Additional transfer credits will be applied first to major courses, and lastly, as electives.

Transfer Credit Evaluation Policy

California University of Pennsylvania will accept the following transfer credits and apply them toward a baccalaureate degree:

  • A maximum of 75 credits from an accredited two-year community or junior college.
  • A maximum of 90 credits from an accredited four-year institution.
  • A maximum of 90 credits from a combination of accredited two-year and four-year colleges.

Also:

  • Students transferring with a degree may transfer a maximum of 30 credits toward an associate degree (two years). Students transferring without a degree may transfer a maximum of 15 credits toward an associate degree at Cal U.
  • Developmental courses are not transferable. Examples of developmental classes are basic math or English.
  • Grades of "D" are not transferable unless they are counted as part of the Academic Passport or if they were completed at a college or university that has an articulation agreement with Cal U.
  • Transferred credits are counted toward your advanced standing at Cal U; however, the grade point average of transfer courses is not calculated as part of your Cal U grade point average.
  • Although credits will always transfer according to these provisions, regulations that govern the national professional accreditation of certain programs offered at Cal U may not permit some courses taken in programs not similarly accredited at other two- and four-year institutions to be transferred as the equivalents of courses that might have similar titles at Cal.

If you are a current Cal U student who wishes to take courses at another university, then transfer the credits back to Cal U, you should obtain approval to do so from your adviser or the dean of your college before registering for classes at another institution.



Can You Appeal a Transfer Credit Evaluation?


Yes. If you feel certain credits should be accepted for transfer, you may take the follow steps to appeal the evaluation:

  • Contact the Office of Articulation and Transfer at transfer@calu.edu or 724-938-5939 and request an explanation.
  • If you are not satisfied with the explanation, contact your faculty adviser or department chairperson to discuss the decision.
  • If an accord is not still reached, you may appeal to the dean of your college.
  • The final source of appeal is the provost. This final step should be taken only if resolution is not reached at an earlier stage, and only if the student is convinced that arbitrary and/or capricious standards were applied. The appeal to the provost must be in writing. The provost will review the matter and take whatever action is necessary to provide an equitable solution.