Transfer Credit

Generally, meet with an ESSC advisor to have your GE courses and transfer credit summary audited. They can clear any errors (credits that did not transfer when they should have, for example) that the automated system in the Evaluation's office didn't catch.

FAQs

• How do I transfer my course credits from another college?
  • 1. Order transcripts from the institution from which you took courses.
    2. Have them electronically sent to SJSU (recommended) or mailed to you, so you can hand deliver them to the Registrar's office, which is located under the North Garage. (Use the Dropbox by the Student Services Center entrance.)
    3. You will be emailed confirmation that they have received  your transcripts and will need time to process and post your grades.
    4. Check the status of your transcripts in your Transfer Credit summary in MySJSU.
    5. Email eval@sjsu.edu if your transcripts have been received but not yet posted.
• How do I make sure the courses I plan on taking will transfer (articulate) with SJSU?

  • Generally, all information can be found in Assist.org.
    
    Additionally, SJSU has its own articulation page which includes options to view only GE courses or major courses (course-to-course list).

• When should I transfer my credits?

  • As soon as possible.
    
    If the transfer course is a prerequisite, you will need it posted in your records before you can register for the proceeding course during Advanced Enrollment. Otherwise, you will need to bring unofficial transcripts to the department or instructor in record to get an add code.
    
    Failing to show proof or prerequisites may result in being dropped from the course.

• My credits didn't transfer. What should I do?

  • These are your options:

    Talk to your major advisor for a substitution or a waiver.

    Depending on the course, you might need to submit a Transfer Equivalency or Intensive Science petition.

    If you're unsure, make an appointment with an ESSC advisor for their recommendations.

• I took an AP exam. For which courses or GE areas will I receive SJSU course credit?

  • Go to SJSU's catalog listing of AP credit by examination.

    You will need to send your official scores from College Board to SJSU to apply these credits to your account.

• What is the "temporary Area C waiver," and how does it relate to Area F?

  • The temporary Area C waiver for 2021-2022 has been approved for our college.

    If you are a new transfer student starting Fall 2021, you will not be required to complete Area F if you've had continuous enrollment at the community college. During the process of transfer credit being posted and evaluated and continuous enrollment verified, Evaluations will change your GE catalog year (different from the major catalog year) to Fall 2020, which would keep you on the old GE pattern and not require you to take Area F.

    Transfer credit will continue to be evaluated and posted throughout the summer, so once credit has been evaluated, please refer to eval@sjsu.edu if you have the continuous enrollment but are being held to Area F.

    Read the CSU policy on GE requirements.

• What is the difference between a TEP and a substitution?

  • A TEP (transfer equivalency petition) is strictly for an external course with no articulation agreement already. It is submitted by the student through the TEP process, managed by the ESSC, and sent to the appropriate department. TEPs are usually sent outside the CoE, for example to the Chem or Math department.

    Substitution is when an advisor approves the use of one course (external credit or another SJSU course) for another SJSU course. There could be an articulation agreement, or it could be another SJSU course. Only the major advisor can make a substitution. This is the more flexible option.

    Here are some examples of substitutions:

    The student took an external course with no articulation agreement, but the course is very close to an SJSU required course (e.g. CIS 22A from De Anza for CS 46A).

    The student took an SJSU course from a different major, and it is close enough to the current major requirement (e.g. AE 30 for ME 30).

    The student submitted a TEP (transfer equivalency petition) which was rejected for some reason or another, and the major advisor determines that the course satisfies the major requirement (e.g. a physics course from an international university for PHYS 50).

    When in doubt, meet with your major advisor first.

• Should I sign up for a course before I know whether transfer credit could be used to meet a requirement through equivalency?

  • In general we advise checking in with your major advisor to determine whether a TEP is best or necessary. We also advise not signing up for courses you think you have a good chance of receiving credit for using transfer credit (especially as a new transfer student).

    When in doubt, meet with your major advisor first.

• CMPE/SE: Can I use a lower-division course as a substitute for a required upper-division course?

  • The CMPE/SE department will no longer consider petitions from students trying to substitute a lower-division course for an upper-division SJSU course. Please contact the CMPE/SE department if you have questions.