Who is a Transfer Applicant?

East Stroudsburg University welcomes more the 800 transfer students from two- and four-year institutions each year.

A transfer student:

• Has attended any post-secondary institution after high school graduation and 
• Attempted 12 or more college credits

Note: Individuals who have attempted fewer than 12 credits following graduation from high school are considered a traditional freshmen applicant. 

When to Apply

Prospective transfer students can apply starting July 2016 to be reviewed for the Spring or Fall 2017 semesters. Applications are only available online at www.esu.edu/apply.

Deadline for Applying

Application and Review Process

For an admission decision to be made the following must be submitted:

• A complete online application
• A $25 application fee paid online
• Official transcripts from all institutions attended post high school, listing courses in progress as well (if applicable) 
• An official high school transcript (required for all transfer students entering ESU without a conferred Associate or Bachelor’s degree)

Please note: Fall applicants must submit final spring grades and spring applicants must submit final fall grades. Decisions for admission are conditional until a final transcript is received verifying that all program and admission criteria are met.

Notification of Admission

• Applicants will receive communication via the email address provided on the application throughout the admission process.
• Applicants should be sure to keep their address updated with ESU and check their inbox and spam folders often. Any changes should be emailed to undergrads@esu.edu with your full name and ID number.
• Applicants can also check their status online at www.esu.edu/appstatus for real-time updates. 
• Applications are reviewed on a rolling basis beginning in September. A letter and email will be sent for any decision made.
• Applicants applying to Nursing and Speech-Language Pathology, may not be notified until late November for Spring and late April for Fall. This process allows additional review time to determine the appropriate candidates for the limited seats in these programs.

Transfer Admission Criteria

A minimum of 12 college credits with a GPA 2.0 or higher is required for consideration.  

Applicants with fewer than 12 attempted college credits are considered freshmen in the application process, and will be evaluated using a combination of their official college GPA, high school record, and SAT/ACT scores.

Although a 2.0 GPA is required for admission consideration, the following Programs have higher admission criteria:

• Computer Science/Computer Security
• Hotel, Restaurant, and Tourism Management
• Pre-Nursing/Nursing
• Recreation Services Management
• Rehabilitative Services
• Speech-Language Pathology
• Sport Management
• Teacher Education Programs

More information can be found at esu.edu/transfer under “Admission Requirements.”

Applicants must maintain a minimum GPA of a 2.00 on the final official college transcript. Applicants not offered admission to their first choice major will have an opportunity to choose another major.

Pennsylvania Transfer Articulation Center

The Pennsylvania Transfer and Articulation Center (PA TRAC) was established to comply with Article XX-C of the Public Institution Code of 1949. ESU participates in PA TRAC which allows for a seamless statewide transfer and articulation system between Pennsylvania’s 14 community colleges, four state-related universities, and the 14 universities in the Pennsylvania State System of Higher Education. Transfer of courses and academic program articulation occurs in the following three ways:

• 30-Credit Transfer Framework is a complement of a minimum of 30 credits of foundation courses that can be easily transferred to any of the participating institutions. The Framework includes courses in English, public speaking, mathematics, natural science, humanities and the behavioral and social sciences.
• Articulation Agreements from Community Colleges.  Please view the ESU website in order to see all existing agreements: click here .    
• Statewide Program-to-Program Articulation effective for the fall 2012 semester and allows students who graduate with specified associate degrees to transfer as juniors into bachelor degree programs in similar fields at a participating four-year institution. At ESU, the following degree programs are part of the Statewide Program-to-Program agreements:
         
  • Biology
  • Business Management
  • Chemistry
  • Communication Studies
  • Computer Science
  • Criminal Justice
  • Early Childhood (PreK-4)
  • English
  • Environmental Science
  • Fine Arts: Art Emphasis
  • Geography
  • History
  • Mathematics
  • Physics  
  • Political Science 
  • Psychology      
  • Social Work
  • Sociology
  • Theatre

For additional information on the PA TRAC, please visit www.esu.edu/transfer.

Academic Passport

The Academic Passport is a program designed to promote a seamless transfer process for students currently attending Pennsylvania community colleges, Lackawanna College and the universities in the Pennsylvania State System of Higher Education. If a student meets the established eligibility criteria, s/he will be granted an Academic Passport, which will guarantee acceptance at any of the Pennsylvania State System of Higher Education Institutions - and ensure the transfer and acceptance of all successfully completed course credits. 

Applicants holding the Academic Passport from Pennsylvania community colleges, Lackawanna College, or a Pennsylvania State System university will transfer credit according to the Board of Governors Policy titled “The Academic Passport and Student Transfer Policy.” Further information may be obtained from the Office of Admission, or by visiting www.passhe.edu.

Transfer of Credit Without An Academic Passport

Only credits for courses with grades of  “C” or better will be considered for transfer credit.

Students may transfer credit from institutions that have been accredited by:

• Middle States Association of Colleges and Schools
• New England Association of Schools and Colleges
• North Central Association of Colleges and Schools
• Northwest Association of Schools and Colleges
• Southern Association of Colleges and Schools, Inc.
• Western Association of Schools and Colleges
• Accrediting Commission for Community and Junior Colleges
• Accrediting Commission of Senior Colleges and Universities
• Council for Higher Education Accreditation

ESU does not accept or deny credits exclusively based on the sending institution’s accreditation. Credits from institutions not accredited by the above agencies or non-accredited institutions will be reviewed by the Transfer Center staff and/or relevant ESU academic department for transfer credit. Students may be required to submit additional course information to assist in determining equivalencies.

Transfer Credit Evaluation

Applicants offered admissions will receive a Final Transfer Credit Evaluation (TCE) from the Transfer Center, in the Student Enrollment Center. The TCE will indicate coursework that is transferable to ESU and will also indicate the transfer equivalent at ESU. The Transfer Center will update the student's record and notify the applicant via the U.S. Postal Service and email. Transferable credits are officially added to a student’s records upon evaluation of the official final college transcript.

Please see the Graduation Residency Requirement in the Academic Regulations section of the catalog for information that may affect the maximum transferable credits and completion of a student's ESU degree program.

How to Read the Transfer Credit Evaluation (TCE)

1. Sending institution course(s) transfer as follows:
   1. If there is an exact matching ESU course, the title will reflect the ESU equivalent course.
   2. If there is no exact match, but the course transfers as an elective, the original course title will be retained.
   3. Course Code 199: General Education elective (no exact match), suitable for General Education requirement in specified ESU academic department.
   4. Course Code 299 and 399: Departmental elective (no exact match), ESU academic department decides how the course applies toward the major.
   5. Course Code ELEC 299: Course that does not fit either General Education or major requirements, credit will transfer as an elective.

Transfer Credit Appeal Process

Applicants may appeal transfer credit evaluations by contacting the Transfer Center staff in The Student Enrollment Center (SEC) in person or by email at sectransfer@esu.edu. The appeal process will encompass a re-evaluation of coursework by the Transfer Center staff. Applicants who appeal an equivalency are asked to submit a course syllabus, which provides more detailed information than a catalog listing. Students not satisfied with the results of the transfer credit appeal completed by the Transfer Center may appeal the decision to the chairperson of the academic department relevant to the course(s) in question. Full and final discretion rests with the academic department.

Final Transfer of Credits

Transferable credits are officially added to a student’s East Stroudsburg University record upon receipt and evaluation of the official final college transcript.