Requirements & Course Transfers
Find admissions requirements, and ensure your credits transfer smoothly to Seattle University.
Learn the Transfer Requirements to Apply
As you prepare to apply, learn more about the admissions requirements for transfer applicants.
Whether you’ve already started taking courses at another institution or are making a full four-year plan, you’ll find the tools, guides and resources to help your credits transfer to Seattle University.
GPA Requirements for Admission
Ordinarily, a cumulative grade point average of at least 3.0 (on a scale where an A is 4.00) is recommended for transfer admission consideration. This varies by program; please review your program’s Transfer Planning Guide for more specific details. Applications are reviewed carefully and holistically; primary consideration is given to course selection, academic trend and individual course performance. The average GPA of admitted transfer students is 3.44.
Proof of English Proficiency for Undergraduate Students
Applicants for whom English is not a first/native language must demonstrate English Proficiency regardless of English language studies, academic history, residence in the United States or other English-speaking countries, or immigration status.
Seattle University maintains the right to require English Proficiency testing when deemed necessary. The most recent demonstration of English Proficiency (i.e. test scores or course work, as per the policies described below) will be counted toward the English Proficiency requirement, regardless of whether previous scores are higher. Following the submission of English Proficiency score reports, requests for testing waivers will not be considered.
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.
Required to Participate in ELCB | Exempt from English Language and Culture Bridge | |
---|---|---|
TOEFL | 68 - 85 iBT | 86 iBT |
IELTS | minimum 6.0 | 6.5 |
ELS | Not applicable | Complete Level 112 with 3.0 GPA |
PTE | 48 - 62 | 63 |
Duolingo | 105-115 | 120 |
SAT (2016+) | 500 in Evidence-Based Reading and Writing | |
ACT | Not applicable | 20+ in both reading and English |
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.
Transfer Equivalencies
Explore How Your Courses Could Transfer for Seattle University Credit
Wondering how the courses you’ve already taken could transfer to Seattle University? Seattle University has a Transfer Equivalency Tool that allows you to view equivalent coursework from another institution.
An official evaluation of transfer coursework is provided by Seattle University upon admission. Courses not listed in the Transfer Equivalency Tool may still be transferable to Seattle University.
Transfer Equivalency Tool Tutorial
Learn how to use the Transfer Equivalency Tool alongside a Transfer Admissions Counselor.
Transfer Credit Policies
Seattle University grants the maximum credit possible to meet degree requirements for courses taken at other regionally accredited institutions. An official evaluation of transfer coursework will be provided upon admission to SU. Acceptable transfer credits are applied to degree requirements consistent with university policies.
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.
Make Your Plan: Transfer Planning Guides for Your Major
Many degrees require you to complete prerequisite coursework prior to transferring. You can find transfer planning guides available for each major below, which include prerequisites, suggested coursework, GPA information and equivalency tools.
Transfer Planning Guide Tutorial
Need help transferring? Watch how to utilize and understand the Transfer Planning Guides alongside a transfer admissions counselor.
Program of Study | Transfer Planning Guide |
---|---|
Accounting (BABA) | BABA in Accounting Transfer Planning Guide |
Business Analytics (BABA) | BABA in Business Analytics Transfer Planning Guide |
Business Economics (BABA) | BABA in Business Economics Transfer Planning Guide |
Economics (BA) | BA in Economics Transfer Planning Guide |
Finance (BABA) | BABA in Finance Transfer Planning Guide |
Individualized Major (BABA) | BABA Individualized Major Transfer Planning Guide |
Management (BABA) | BABA in Management Transfer Planning Guide |
Marketing (BABA) | BABA in Marketing Transfer Planning Guide |
Program of Study | Transfer Planning Guide |
---|---|
Diagnostic Ultrasound | BS in Diagnostic Ultrasound Transfer Planning Guide |
Nursing | BSN in Nursing Transfer Planning Guide |
Program of Study | Transfer Planning Guide |
---|---|
Biochemistry | BS in Biochemistry Transfer Planning Guide |
Biology | BS in Biology Transfer Planning Guide |
Cell and Molecular Biology | BS in Cell and Molecular Biology Transfer Planning Guide |
Chemistry | BS in Chemistry Transfer Planning Guide |
Civil Engineering | BS in Civil Engineering Transfer Planning Guide |
Computer Engineering | BS in Computer Engineering Transfer Planning Guide |
Computer Science | BS in Computer Science Transfer Planning Guide |
Electrical Engineering | BS in Electrical Engineering Transfer Planning Guide |
Environmental Science | BS in Environmental Science Transfer Planning Guide |
Marine and Conservation Biology | BS in Marine and Conservation Biology Transfer Planning Guide |
Mathematics | BS in Mathematics Transfer Planning Guide |
Mechanical Engineering | BS in Mechanical Engineering Transfer Planning Guide |
Physics | BS in Physics Transfer Planning Guide |
Ready to Apply
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Get in Touch
We’re here to help. For information about Seattle University Transfer Application Requirements, contact:
Admissions Office