Transfer to GCU
The Grand Canyon University (GCU) Transfer Center is a hub for students transferring to GCU. Whether you attended a community college or a university, we are here to assist you in evaluating and anticipating your transfer opportunities and needs.
We understand that transferring colleges can be a tricky process. Read below for the steps to follow when transferring to GCU, as well as frequently asked questions about college credits. Visit our Admission Requirements page for further information and resources on admission into GCU.
Once you’ve decided to transfer colleges, it is important to determine how many credits will join you on your new journey. That’s where the GCU Lopes Credit Evaluation Tool comes in. Transfer prospects plug in their previous college courses and the tool displays how many units qualify as transfer credits towards your chosen degree program at GCU. This free service is a handy way to evaluate your progress towards the 120 semester credits required for a bachelor’s degree.
Submitting your transcripts is the next step in the application process. Our Transfer Course Search Tool allows you to enter your community college transcripts and find out how many credits will count toward your degree at GCU.
All credits evaluated must meet the requirements of the degree and satisfy specific course requirements in order to be transferred toward the degree program.
As you make your transition, our transfer specialists will review all of your information, provide answers to your questions and walk you through every stage of the process.
The university employs a bulk transfer process for the transfer of doctoral credits from the same type of degree (e.g., EdD, PhD, etc.) and the same type of content (e.g., Organizational Leadership, Business Administration, etc.). Learn more about how your credits may transfer with GCU’s progressive transfer policy.
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Discover GCU
Interested in transferring to GCU? We invite you to Discover GCU, where you can visit our campus and learn everything about GCU firsthand. We understand how complex a college transfer can be, which is why we encourage you to attend this unique event. Experience our beautiful campus, supportive community, vibrant student life and quality academics at GCU.
Technically, no. Although transfer credits never expire, there are some general guidelines to keep in mind that may affect which units will transfer and which won’t. As always, contact a GCU transfer specialist for further clarity on this subject.
- STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Math) courses usually have a 10-year shelf-life. Advances in these fields tend to alter the methodologies and practices used within them.
- Graduate courses have a seven-year shelf-life.
- Previous life experience might be relevant. If you’ve worked in the field or industry of your degree path, you could possibly earn credit for that experience. GCU’s Lifelong Assessment (LLA) allows qualified students to earn credits based on past work and life experiences.
- Transfer credits must be from accredited universities. GCU generally accepts courses from accredited, GCU-approved colleges, universities or programs, provided the work is not of a highly specialized nature and a grade of “C” or better is earned.
Ultimately, the Office of Academic Records uses an official transfer credit evaluation to analyze all prior college or university coursework and determine how each course completed at each previous school will transfer into the University in the program of study. Based on that evaluation, some credits not applicable to the program may not transfer.
Transferring colleges doesn’t have to be stressful. Our Lopes Credit Evaluation tool and Transfer Course Search tool make transferring hassle free. GCU’s collection of transfer specialists are also here to support you during your transition.
A student must earn 120 semester credits to be awarded a bachelor’s degree from GCU. Of the 120 credits, 36 must come from upper-division coursework. Additionally, students must meet the program graduation requirements of their degree, including meeting the required coursework and any capstone requirements.
Contact your previous university or community college’s Registrar Office to request official and unofficial transcripts. Typically, institutions also provide tools to order transcripts online.