A journey in higher education doesn’t always start and end with the same college or university. Transferring to a new school can be your path to earning the degree that’s the right fit for your personal and professional goals.
First, let’s define the term “transfer student.” Specific qualifications vary, but generally schools set a threshold at which a student is considered a transfer. At Arizona State University, any learner who has previously attended a different college or university and completed at least 12 credits qualifies as a transfer student.
Students may choose to transfer for a variety of reasons, including:
- A certain school might offer a unique program or learning opportunities more in line with your goals.
- The educational environment at your current school may not feel like the best fit for you.
- Students who’ve earned an associate degree at a community college may want to transfer to a university to earn a bachelor’s degree.
If you’re considering or already committed to transferring to a new school to finish your degree online, there are support services you can use to help ensure a smooth transition, but they’re not the same everywhere.
The transfer process can vary significantly between schools, so it’s in your best interest to carefully review requirements and workflows. It’s important to understand how transfer credits work so you can select the best online degree for your needs and make a plan around attending a new school. Your prior learning should be recognized and rewarded, so consider the tools and services a new school may provide that can help make the transfer process easier.
The most transfer-friendly ASU Online programs
- The Bachelor of Arts in interdisciplinary studies and Bachelor of Arts in liberal studies accept up to 90 transfer credits, higher than the standard 64, providing a potentially quicker path to graduation.
- The Bachelor of Arts in general studies maximizes your prior credits and offers customizable tracks. This program empowers you to complete your education while building career-ready skills.
- The Bachelor of Arts in mass communication and media studies allows you to explore a wide variety of topics within the field including, but not limited to, pop culture, political communication, social media, podcasting and project management. Due in part to having only one required course and a large number of electives to choose from, the program is very transfer-friendly. You can potentially transfer a large number of credits into the program then tailor your studies to your interests.
- If you’re looking for a bachelor’s program after earning your Associate of Applied Science (AAS) degree, check out our Bachelor of Applied Science degrees. BAS programs are specifically designed for transfer students who've already earned an AAS. BAS programs allow you to transfer your full 60 credits to ASU and begin your major courses right away. Speak with your enrollment coach for details.
- For example, the BAS in graphic information technology may be a better option for a transfer student with an AAS degree than the BS in graphic information technology.
- ASU Online launched a new, flexible business program in Fall 2023 that may help transfer students graduate quicker. The Bachelor of Arts in applied business and technology solutions is an interdisciplinary in nature and allows you to combine your interests; such as combining logistics with human resources. Additionally, internships can count for up to 12 credit hours of electives.
How ASU Online makes it easy for transfer students
ASU Online offers support in a variety of ways for transfer students.
- Enrollment coach
Every transfer student’s situation is different. Between colleges previously attended, credits earned, educational and career goals and other factors, there’s plenty of variation from one learner to the next.
Enrollment coaches offer guidance about key needs such as application deadlines, transferring credits and programs that are relevant to your interests. Similarly, these professionals can share information about tuition costs, timelines and other important topics. The team at ASU Online are prepared to support you with these issues and more.
- Pathway programs
If you decide to apply to ASU Online as a community college student or graduate holding an associate degree, you can take advantage of MyPath2ASU®. This program includes guided transfer maps for a wide variety of pathways and the ASU Transfer Guide that includes a database of nearly 1 million course equivalencies from thousands of U.S. accredited institutions. You’ll also have the opportunity to connect with transfer student ambassadors who offer peer-to-peer support.
These maps include personalized, term-by-term navigation that helps you understand how courses apply to your degree. If you’re planning ahead on transferring from another school to ASU Online, a common path for community college students, you can learn which courses will satisfy our requirements. That can ultimately save you time and money.
By successfully completing your MyPath2ASU™ and all admission requirements for your indicated major, you’ll be prepared to receive admission into ASU Online and your major of choice.
- A broad range of degrees
Above anything else, you want to earn a degree that aligns with your objectives as a student and goals as a professional.
ASU Online offers more than 180 bachelor's degree programs, meaning you’ll have plenty of options to choose from. Whether you’re interested in the humanities, STEM, business or a number of other topics, you may find a degree that fits into your plans for the future.