Transfer Applicants

Who is a Transfer Applicant?

East Stroudsburg University welcomes more than 700 transfer students each year from two- and four-year institutions.

A transfer applicant:

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

Note: Applicants with fewer than 12 attempted college credits following graduation from high school are considered freshmen in the application process, and will be evaluated using a combination of their college course grades, high school record, and SAT/ACT scores.

Application Dates

Prospective transfer students can apply starting July 2020 to be reviewed for the Spring or Fall 2021 semesters. The application is available online at esu.edu/apply.

 

 Spring 2022 Semester
 
   November 12, 2021
 Regular Admission*
   
 Fall 2022 Semester
 
   March 1, 2022
 Priority Admission
   
   May 2, 2022
 Regular Admission*
   
 *Thereafter  Rolling Admission (applications considered on space available basis)

 

 

 

 

Application Requirements

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

  • A complete online application
  • A $25 application fee
  • 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)

Fall applicants must submit final spring term grades and spring applicants must submit final fall term grades.  All admission decisions are conditional upon successful completion of the final term(s) of enrollment.

Admission Notification

  • Applicants will receive communication throughout the admission process via the email address they provided on the application.
  • Applicants should keep their address updated with ESU and check their inbox and spam folders. Any changes should be emailed to admission@esu.edu with your full name and ID number.
  • Applications are reviewed beginning in September. Admission decisions may be communicated by email and/or postal mail.  Applicants can also check their status online for real-time updates. 
  • Applicants to Nursing are reviewed for fall only, and may not receive an admission decision until later in the admission cycle. 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 of 2.0 or higher is required for consideration.  

The following programs have higher admission criteria:

  • Communication Sciences and Disorders (formerly Speech-Language Pathology)
  • Computer Science
  • Computer Security
  • Hotel, Restaurant and Tourism Management
  • Nursing
    • RN to BS in Nursing
  • Recreation Services Management
  • Rehabilitative and Human Services
  • Sport Management
  • Teacher Education Programs

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

Applicants not offered admission to their first choice major will have an opportunity to choose another major.

Pennsylvania Transfer Articulation Center

ESU participates in the Pennsylvania Transfer and Articulation Center (PA TRAC) which was established to comply with Article XX-C of the Public Institution Code of 1949. PA TRAC 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 with Community Colleges.  View existing agreements at esu.edu/transfer.    
  • Statewide Program-to-Program Articulation 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
    • History
    • Mathematics
    • Physics  
    • Political Science 
    • Psychology      
    • Social Work
    • Sociology
    • Theatre

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

The Student Transfer Policy

The Student Transfer Policy 1999-01A is 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. Students who meet the established eligibility criteria, are guaranteed acceptance at any of the Pennsylvania State System of Higher Education Institutions - and ensured the transfer and acceptance of all successfully completed course credits. Further information may be obtained from the Office of Admission, or by visiting passhe.edu.

Transfer of Credit

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


ESU does not accept or deny credits exclusively based on the sending institution’s accreditation or mode of coursework delivery. Credits from 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 admission will receive a final Transfer Credit Evaluation (TCE) from the Office of Admissions. The TCE will indicate coursework that is transferable to ESU and will also indicate the transfer equivalent at ESU. Transferable credits are officially added to a student’s ESU 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 not an 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 or 399: Departmental elective (no exact match), ESU academic department decides how the course applies toward the major.
    5. Course Code ELEC 299: Course 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 transitions@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.