Transfer Credit

Transfer credit allows eligible coursework completed outside PLNU to be reviewed for possible application toward a PLNU academic program. Transfer credit requirements vary by academic level and program, so students should review the information that applies to their student population before planning or submitting coursework.

Students may review information regarding alternative sources of academic credit, including credit earned through approved examinations and military education or training. These resources may assist students in understanding how previously completed work may be evaluated for credit at PLNU.

Joint Services Transcripts

To have your Joint Services Transcript (JST) evaluated:

  1. Contact PLNU's Office of Admissions for an Unofficial Transcript Evaluation Request. You must include a copy of your JST for evaluation. Please allow two weeks' processing time.  
  2. Joint Services Transcript (must petition for credit - number of units that will be applied to the degree will be communicated to the student prior to enrollment.)
  3. Admissions will contact you to notify you of your evaluation.
  4. Once admitted, you will need to have an official JST sent to the PLNU Office of the Registrar. An official evaluation will be done and approved courses will be entered onto your transcript for transfer credit. A maximum of 32 units may be transferred to PLNU from JST, AP, IB, CLEP, and online coursework combined.

Traditional Undergraduate students may review transfer credit requirements, transfer agreements, course equivalencies, and procedures related to the transfer of coursework completed before or after enrollment at PLNU.

Traditional Undergraduate Exams for Credit

A combined maximum of 70 units may be transferred to PLNU from the following sources (with no more than 32 units of exam/JST credits):

  1. Community Colleges
  2. Joint Services Transcript (must petition for credit)
  3. AP (Advanced Placement) with 2020 AP tests being offered at home, PLNU will accept credit
  4. College Level Examination Program (CLEP)
  5. IB (International Baccalaureate)

You can also review our policies for standardized testing (SAT/ACT), foreign language placement exams, and college courses taken in high school.

Transfer Agreements

PLNU has created transfer agreements with multiple colleges and universities to help current and prospective students choose transferable General Education (GE) courses. The courses listed in our transfer agreement database are pre-approved with certain restrictions to transfer to PLNU. If we do not have a transfer agreement for your institution, please read our GE Transfer Guide.

Transfer Agreement Database

If you are a current student and have questions regarding these agreements, please contact the Office of the Registrar. If you are a prospective transfer student, please contact a transfer admissions counselor for more details.

You may apply to PLNU with any number of units; there is no minimum credit requirement. Our transfer agreements list all the GE courses required at PLNU but you do not need to complete these courses to apply.

Explore the Transfer Agreement Database

The GE courses listed in these agreements are created for students pursuing a traditional undergraduate bachelor's degree program at PLNU. Some majors may require a student to choose a specific GE course from the list. Please consult the PLNU catalog to determine which courses may be required for your major.

Transferring Credits as a Current PLNU Student

Students planning to complete coursework at another institution while enrolled at PLNU should:

  1. Review transfer agreements and transfer credit policies to determine course eligibility.
  2. Obtain any required approvals and submit applicable petitions before registering at another institution.
  3. Complete approved coursework in accordance with university transfer credit requirements.
  4. Submit official transcripts to PLNU upon completion of approved transfer coursework.

Accelerated Undergraduate students may review transfer credit options, eligibility requirements, and procedures related to coursework completed before or after enrollment in an accelerated undergraduate program.

Ways to Receive Credit

You may transfer the number of units needed to reach the minimum required 120 units for your degree from the following sources (with no more than 24 units of exam/JST credits):

  • Community Colleges
  • Joint Services Transcript (must petition for credit)
  • AP (Advanced Placement)
  • College Level Examination Program (CLEP)
  • IB (International Baccalaureate)

PLNU reviews courses for transfer that were completed at regionally accredited institutions in the U.S. to count toward a bachelor's degree at PLNU. Each transfer course is evaluated individually; the course description will be compared to the content and school/department/university requirements at PLNU to determine equivalency. For additional information, review PLNU's catalog policy on transfer credit.

Accelerated Undergraduate Exams for Credit

A combined maximum of 84 units may be transferred to PLNU from the following sources (with no more than 24 units of exam/JST credits):

  1. AP (Advanced Placement) (Students who need to request their AP scores may contact the AP Board at (888) 225-5427.)
  2. College Level Examination Program (CLEP) (Review our policies for the SAT/ACT, College Level Examination Program (CLEP), International Baccalaureate (IB), and college courses taken in high school)
  3. IB (International Baccalaureate)

Transfer Agreements

PLNU has created transfer agreements with San Diego community colleges to help students choose transferable General Education (GE) courses. The courses listed in our transfer agreement database are pre-approved. Please contact your admissions counselor to assist with your future selections.

Prospective students may apply to PLNU with a minimum number of 40 units. Our transfer agreements list all the GE courses required at PLNU, but you do not need to complete these courses to apply.

Explore the Transfer Agreement Database

Transferring Credits as a Current PLNU Student

The following instructions have been created specifically for students who are currently attending PLNU. If you are a prospective transfer student, please contact your admissions counselor for information on transferring to PLNU.

If you are planning to take transfer courses while also enrolled in courses at PLNU, you must file a course transfer petition with the Office of the Registrar before signing up for any classes not on the transfer guides.

Graduate students may transfer a maximum of 6 semester units of post-baccalaureate credit. These courses must be petitioned with your academic department advisor.

Requirements include:

  • Not more than seven years old
  • A minimum grade of C (for MBA minimum grade is B)
  • From a regionally accredited university
  • Not previously used for a degree