Requirements
Cal State LA admits both lower-division and upper-division transfer students. Review the requirements that apply to you:
| Requirement Category | Lower Division Transfer | Upper Division Transfer |
|---|---|---|
| Units | Fewer than 60 transferable semester units (or 90 quarter units) | At least 60 transferable semester units (or 90 quarter units) |
| High School |
| N/A |
| College General Education | Complete with C- or better:
|
|
| College GPA | 2.0+ GPA in all transferable college coursework | 2.0+ GPA in all transferable college coursework |
| Good Standing | Must be in good standing at last college/university attended | Must be in good standing at last college/university attended |
| English Language Proficiency | If applicable, meet English Language Proficiency requirement | If applicable, meet English Language Proficiency requirement |
*Critical Thinking is waived for most Engineering and Computer Science majors.
Important Notes:
- All requirements must be completed by:
- Spring for Fall admission
- Summer for Spring admission
- Meeting minimum CSU transfer requirements does not guarantee admission
- Some majors are competitive or specialized and have additional Major-Specific Criteria. This includes:
- Fire Protection Administration
- Music (BM)
- Nursing
- Urban Learning – Teacher Prep
How to Transfer:
Admission decisions are based on the information you provide in your application, so make sure your coursework, grades, and test scores are accurate and complete.
Applying to Cal State LA
Apply to Cal State LA
- Before you apply, review degree and admission requirements for your intended major. You must declare a major when applying — no changes can be made after submitting.
- Apply online at Cal State Apply
- Spring 2027: Apply between July 1 - August 31, 2026
- Fall 2027: Apply between October 1 - November 30, 2026
- Need help? Visit our Application Tips page.
Important: If you’ve attended a U.S. college, you’ll need to enter your full transfer coursework into the application. Select majors will be asked about progress toward major-specific criteria for admissions.
Inaccurate or incomplete information may affect your admission decision.
After applying, you’ll get an acknowledgement email from [email protected]. If you don’t receive it within two weeks of submission, please follow up with us.
Ready to Apply? Start Your Application (opens in a new window)
Submitting Transcripts and Documents
Transcripts & Documents
Please do not send your transcripts until we ask for them. Any documents sent early or without a request will not be reviewed.
Submitting Additional Documents
Additional Documents
In certain cases, we may require supplemental documents to complete your admission file:
- ADT Students: Must verify you're on track to complete your CCC Associate Degree for Transfer by Spring (for Fall admission) or Summer (for Spring admission).
- AP/CLEP/IB score reports: Send official scores (other colleges’ credit doesn’t transfer).
- California Residency for tuition purposes - This is requested if we need to confirm that you qualify for in-state tuition. Visit the Residency webpage for more info.
- Military Veterans - If you're a veteran, please send your discharge papers (Form DD 214) and military transcripts (like AARTS or SMART) for college credit.