Requirements & Course Transfers

English proficiency may be met with the Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL), the International English Language Testing System (IELTS), or Duolingo (DET)

The chart below outlines the English proficiency requirements for general admission as well as admission to the English Language and Culture Bridge (ELCB) program. The TOEFL exam has two different grading scales. For more information on what the TOEFL consists of and a list of official testing centers visit the ETS web site. Both score requirements are listed below.

College of Nursing applicants for whom English is not their first language must demonstrate English proficiency at non-ELCB level (meaning 86 on the iBT or 6.5 on the IELTS). Exceptions below may apply.

Students with TOEFL scores in the ELCB range will take a placement essay test upon arrival at Seattle University. Some students may have their ELCB requirement waived based on the results of the placement essay test.

Applicants who require a TOEFL should plan to complete the exam at a local testing center.

Seattle University allows students to use college-level English composition I to satisfy English proficiency. To meet this requirement, students must meet the following criteria:

• 45 quarter credits (or equivalent) from a regionally accredited US college or university complete at the time of application.
• Complete college-level English composition with a 3.0 of higher grade (B)
• Have a cumulative GPA of 3.0 or higher.

Seattle University reserves the ability to require English proficiency testing should it be deemed necessary.

Seattle University will provide a letter of conditional admission to undergraduate students who apply and are admitted to Seattle University, subject to the student successfully completing Level 6 of Seattle Central College's Bridge program, as well as any other conditions that are required to be met.

Seattle University will also accept and transfer approved college-level courses that are taken as part of the Pathway Program and passed with the requisite GPA.

To learn more about this, send an email to international@seattleu.edu.

ELS Language Center (US centers only) students who have completed level 112 with a 3.0-grade point average are considered to have the equivalent TOEFL score of 86 and will be exempt from the undergraduate English Language Learning Center. For more information on the ELS program, visit els.edu or call 1-866-748-9780.

• First-year applicants who complete their entire high school curriculum in the United States, parts of Canada, the United Kingdom, Ireland, New Zealand, Australia, Bahamas, Jamaica, Kenya, Singapore, Trinidad and Tobago, Nigeria, Belize or at American schools abroad, may have the English Proficiency requirement waived if their transcript does not include any ESL course work and the high school cumulative grade point average and four years of English composition/literature average of 3.0 or higher.
• Transfer applicants from U.S. colleges who meet the same criteria as first-year applicants above may have the English Proficiency requirement.
• Post-baccalaureate applicants who have earned a bachelor's or advanced degree at Seattle University or at a recognized college or university in the United States, Canada, Great Britain, Ireland, New Zealand, or Australia and who have continued to reside in countries where English is the primary language for at least two years prior to submission of the application, will be considered to have met the English Proficiency requirement.

Most transfers from two-year colleges who, during their first two years, follow a parallel program of study to their intended Seattle University major, enter as juniors and can complete degrees with two additional years of coursework. Exceptions occur when you have taken courses not applicable to your major, since some majors entail more specific requirements than others. Should your major change, the number of applicable transfer credits may also change. 

Washington State Direct Transfer Agreement 

If you are earning a direct transfer Associate of Arts Direct Transfer Agreement degree (AA-DTA) or the Associate of Science-Transfer degree (AS-T), you may satisfy most Seattle University core requirements and some major requirements. You may be eligible to transfer to Seattle University with 90 (quarter) credits and junior standing, complete upper-division courses and receive a bachelors' degree. Successful completion of prerequisite coursework may be required for admission consideration into specific programs. A final official transcript with the degree posted must be submitted.

Students completing a degree listed above with a 3.0 cumulative GPA or higher may be eligible for guaranteed admission; check out the Redhawk Transfer Admissions Guarantee for more details. 

California Community Colleges IGETC Transfer Guarantee

When you complete an Associate of Arts degree as well as the Intersegmental General Education Transfer Curriculum (IGETC) track, you will enter Seattle University as a Junior with 90 credits earned and all CORE requirements fulfilled except University Core Module II, an interdisciplinary course, and a senior synthesis.

Oregon Community Colleges Associate’s Degree

When you earn the Associate of Arts Oregon Transfer Degree (AA/OT) prior to matriculation at Seattle University, you will enter as a Junior with 90 credits earned and all CORE requirements fulfilled except University Core Module II, an interdisciplinary course, and a senior synthesis.

Arizona Community Colleges

When earn the Associate of Arts as well as the Arizona General Education Curriculum (AGEC-A) track prior to matriculation at Seattle University, you will enter as a Junior with 90 credits earned and all CORE requirements fulfilled except University Core Module II, an interdisciplinary course, and a senior synthesis. 

Students completing the Associate of Arts Direct Transfer Agreement degree (AA-DTA) or the Associate of Science-Transfer degree (AS-T) from a Washington state community college with a 3.0 or higher cumulative GPA who submit a completed, satisfactory transfer application with the required supporting materials are guaranteed admission to Seattle University.

Admission into a specific academic program is dependent on specific program admission requirements and capacity and students applying by the quarterly application deadline. As such, the Bachelor of Science in Nursing and Bachelor of Science in Diagnostic Ultrasound programs are competitive and excluded from this guarantee.

Students are encouraged to contact Undergraduate Admissions by email at transfer@seattleu.edu or call 206-220-8040 to help them prepare a direct pathway into their desired major.

Admitted students will also be automatically considered for merit-based scholarships, and any merit-based scholarship amount earned will be guaranteed for three years.

Took Some Time Away from School? 

If you have a significant gap in education, you may be asked to establish a current academic record at another college or university prior to applying for transfer admission at Seattle University. Please contact a Transfer Admissions Counselor for more information.

Due to COVID-19, students who have earned a Pass, Satisfactory or Credit grade for courses completed in Winter quarter 2020, Spring quarter 2020, Spring semester 2020 or Summer term 2020 may receive transfer credit and those courses may fulfill degree requirements in all undergraduate programs.