Transfer Student Checklist

Transfer eligibility requirements can change depending on your coursework history, credit count, residency and other criteria. Be sure to meet or exceed these expectations before beginning the application process.  

Minimum High School Coursework Requirements  

You must have completed our minimum high school course requirements to be eligible for admission. You can make up for high school course deficiencies with college-level coursework: One semester of 100-level college coursework equals two semesters of high school coursework.  

Minimum College Credit Hours and Coursework  

You must have completed 12 credit hours of college-level coursework post-high school before you can apply as a transfer student. The admissions committee may need final grades for your current coursework to make a decision, especially if the current coursework or grade is a minimum requirement for your major. As a part of the application process, you must submit official transcripts from all colleges attended. 

 English Proficiency  

Citizens of non-English-speaking countries are required to submit proof of English proficiency to complete their Purdue application. This requirement is based on country of citizenship, not current residency or language of instruction. 

Additional Documentation 

Applicants from Chinese universities must arrange for a verification report of the university transcript with China Credentials Verification. Visit their website for more information on how to apply for a verification report. 

• Request that your official verification report be sent directly to admissions@purdue.edu. 
• The official verification report will include copies of your college transcript(s).  

At Purdue, students are directly admitted to a specific major. Before starting the transfer process, decide which program you wish to gain admission to and understand the minimum requirements and expectations for your major of choice. 

If you’re already planning to attend another institution before applying to Purdue, be sure to review the Articulation Agreements and Transfer Single Articulation Programs section in step 3 below.  

Explore Majors  

Whether you’re sure of your next step or looking for the best path that aligns with your career goals, explore our 200-plus majors. Sort by college or school, location, program type, and area of interest. On each major page, you’ll find specific transfer requirements for that major to help guide your decision-making, including minimum GPA or grade requirements and specific course equivalency information.  

Closed Programs 

Please note that not all our programs are available to transfer into and some are available only at a select location and/or open for admission during select term(s). Refer to our Closed Programs page for an up-to-date list of program availability. 

Plan of Study  

Each major at Purdue has a plan of study outlining course requirements and electives, with a sample four-year plan as well as supplemental information for a clear road map to fulfill degree requirements. A link to view the plan of study is included on each major page below the program summary.  

A program’s plan of study is best used in conjunction with our credit equivalency tools included in the sections below to:  

• Understand how your previous college coursework fits into your desired Purdue major   
• Strategically select future coursework at your current institution that will eventually fit into your desired major’s plan of study  

There are many paths to Purdue, even within the transfer process. From specific program agreements to guidelines for students who have been away from the academic world for some time, this section can help illuminate some strategic pathways to aid in your eventual transfer to Purdue. 

Articulation Agreements and Transfer Single Articulation Programs (TSAP)  

Articulation agreements and programs provide preplanned pathways into select programs at Purdue in partnership with specific institutions. Students begin by completing a predetermined two-year plan at a participating institution and then transfer to Purdue to complete the final two years of that major.  

We’ve put together tools to help you understand how your credits will transfer to Purdue and how those credits may or may not fit into your specific plan of study (see Step 2 above). If you have any questions along the way, our admissions team is available to help. 

Understand Different Credit Types  

There are two main ways that your college credit may be categorized after being evaluated:  

Direct Equivalency: Course/credit is equivalent to a specific Purdue course   

• This fulfills a specific coursework requirement for admission and/or your plan of study  
• It will be displayed on your Transcript Credit Report as an actual course at Purdue (16500, 17200, 22000 etc.)  

Undistributed Credit: Course/credit will be brought in as general Purdue credit  

• This can be used to satisfy selective/elective requirements in your plan of study  
• It will be displayed on your Transcript Credit Report as a number followed by letters (1XXXX, 1XQMT, etc.)   

Transfer Credit Course Equivalency Guide  

The Transfer Credit Course Equivalency Guide is a comprehensive database of evaluated college credit broken down by institutions in each state/country. It consists of two different reports to help you understand your current/future credit.

The Report by Transfer School Course

• Shows all evaluated credit in a particular subject at a particular institution  
• Best for credit you’ve already received at other institutions  
• Use to strategically pick courses for future terms at other institutions  

Report by Purdue Course

• Shows which institutions carry a specific Purdue course equivalency by state/country  
• Best to use when trying to find specific Purdue course equivalencies  
• Use in conjunction with your major’s plan of study

Other Types of Credit  

The tools listed on this page also can be used for dual credit achieved in high school. For information on credit databases for AP, IB and CLEP exam credit, as well as how we evaluate military credit, testing and experience, view our transfer credit guidelines. 

Thinking about transferring but unsure of how it will affect your financial aid? Our Division of Financial Aid outlines key steps to transfer your aid eligibility to Purdue.

While first-year students typically apply a full year before they wish to attend college, as a transfer student, you’ll apply the semester before your desired start term. A complete application must be submitted by the deadline set for that term for consideration. Be sure to check our Closed Programs page to ensure your major of choice is open for your desired entry term.