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Important Transfer Policies

As you prepare to transfer to Biola University, make sure to pay close attention to our course transfer policies and admissions requirements. Also, our counselors are available to answer any questions you have about the process, so don’t hesitate to reach out. Please note that current applicants should contact their admissions counselor to receive their transfer evaluation.

Students transferring to Biola University are not required to complete a specific set of college courses, and also do not need to meet a minimum amount of college credits completed prior to applying. We do, however, recommend that you follow our core curriculum as a guide to get started.

Have questions? Contact the Office of Transfer Admissions if you have any questions about the transfer process.

  • (562) 903-4752

Undergraduate Transfer Policy

  1. Biola University will accept credit for equivalent courses from schools accredited by regional or national agencies recognized by CHEA (Council for Higher Education Administration), including distance education courses.
  2. Biola University measures all courses in semester credits. Quarter credits are converted to semester credits by reducing the quarter credits by one-third. Such a reduction does not mean loss of credit. Quarter credit hours are converted as follows:
    1. 5 quarter credit hours = 3.335 semester credit hours
    2. 4 quarter credit hours = 2.668 semester credit hours
    3. 3 quarter credit hours = 2.001 semester credit hours
    4. 2 quarter credit hours = 1.334 semester credit hours
    5. 1 quarter credit hour = 0.667 semester credit hours

      Students may complete a degree requirement with a quarter system course that converts to at least two-thirds the credit of the requirement. For example, a 3-credit Biola requirement requires at least 2.001 credits and a 4-credit Biola requirement requires at least 2.668 credits.

      If the course requirement is found within the Core Curriculum requirements of the degree program, credits will not need to be made up (with the exception of foreign language; foreign language can only be satisfied with the full number of credits indicated for the student's degree program). If this requirement is found within the major requirements or Core Bible requirements, the credits will need to be made up through major electives or Bible electives to ensure that the full number of credits for the degree is still met.
  3. A maximum of 70 transferable semester credits are acceptable from two-year community colleges. A maximum of 90 transferable semester credits are acceptable from four-year colleges and universities. No more than 90 transfer credits will be accepted.
  4. Incoming transfer students may fulfill their Core Curriculum (GE) requirements by completing Biola University's Core Curriculum (GE), completing the Intersegmental General Education Transfer Curriculum (IGETC), or completing CSU Breadth.

    The completed IGETC/CSU Breadth model for either the University of California (UC) or the California State University (CSU) systems is accepted by Biola University with the following provisions:
    1. First Year Seminar: The Biola Experience cannot be completed by the IGETC/CSU Breadth certification.
    2. The current foreign language requirement for all bachelor’s degrees cannot be completed by the IGETC/CSU Breadth certification.
    3. The current ENGL 313 (Writing in the Disciplines) requirement cannot be fulfilled by the CSU Breadth certification (note: full IGETC certification at admission fulfills ENGL 313).
    4. The minimum of 120 credits for graduation will remain the same.
    5. In addition to IGETC/CSU Breadth certification, students must take all major-specific Core Curriculum (GE), prerequisite, and support courses if not met through IGETC/CSU Breadth.
    6. Official documentation certifying IGETC/CSU Breadth completion must be received by the Office of the Registrar by the graduation petition deadline (March 15 for Spring, November 15 for Fall) prior to receiving commencement and/or graduation clearance.
  5. Partial IGETC, CSU Breadth, or General Education Coursework Completion: If a student at a California community college transfers before full completion of the IGETC or CSU Breadth transfer patterns, all coursework taken at the community college to meet the pattern guidelines will transfer to Biola University in satisfaction of Core Curriculum (GE) requirements for that area, with the exception of upper division, modern language, or program-specific requirements. Similarly, with the same exceptions, coursework taken at any regionally or nationally accredited institution to meet the general education guidelines of that institution will, in most cases, satisfy requirements for the comparable subject area in Biola's Core Curriculum.
  6. In addition to Core general education requirements, students who transfer to Biola University will be required to take thirty (30) credits of Bible/Theology. (See the Bible Minor section for more information.)are required to complete a set of coursework in biblical and theological studies. New students who transfer with 45 or more transferable credits earned after high school and prior to matriculation are eligible for a reduced requirement of 18 credits in biblical and theological studies, rather than the 30 credits required of most undergraduate students. See the Core Curriculum: Bible and Theology Courses section for more information. Note: Transferable credits are determined by the Office of the Registrar.
  7. Once admitted, continuing students are subject to Biola University's Core Curriculum and program-specific requirements as essential to the mission, vision, values, as well as institutional learning outcomes. No more than 15 transfer credits will be accepted after a student matriculates (defined as the first day of a student’s first semester of coursework). Continuing students should consult with their departments, academic advisors, and submit Transfer Petition Forms to the Office of the Registrar, before considering coursework outside Biola for potential transfer credit.
  8. All students are required to take a minimum of 24 credits of upper-division coursework in their major, 15 of which must be taken at Biola University.
  9. A minimum of 24 of the last 30 credits must be earned at Biola University (i.e., only 6 credits may be transferred in during this time).
  10. Biola has a residency requirement for biblical studies. Of the biblical and theological studies coursework required for all students, at least half of the required credits must be taken at Biola.
  11. Grades do not transfer — only earned credit amounts. A student's grade point average is computed only on work completed at Biola University.
  12. Courses may not transfer for several reasons: repeat of work already taken, low grades ("D+" or lower), technical or vocational courses, remedial courses, etc.
  13. College-level credit earned during the 9th–12th grades will be given credit, including Advanced Placement, International Baccalaureate and CLEP exams. These credits do not count toward the transferable credit threshold needed for a reduction in the biblical and theological studies requirement.
  14. A music major is limited to a maximum of three semester's worth of previous study in applied music (not including ensembles). The maximum number of transferred applied music credits for each program is as follows: Applied music proficiency will be determined in the first semester of private study at Biola and further transfer applied music credits may or may not be granted as of that point. A non-music major is limited to a maximum of 8 credits in applied music (including ensembles), and a non-physical education major is limited to 8 credits in physical education or skill courses.
    1. B.M. Music Performance: 6 credits
    2. B.M. Music Composition: 3 credits of primary instrument, and 6 credits of applied composition
    3. B.M. Music Education: 3 credits
    4. B.M. Music Therapy: 3 credits
    5. B.M. Worship Arts: 3 credits
    6. B.A. Music: 3 credits
    7. B.A. Music, Commercial Music: 6 credits
    8. Contemporary Worship Minor: 3 credits
    9. Music Minor: 3 credits
  15. The combined total of transferred credits plus completed Biola credits determines student level:
    1. Freshman: 0–26 credits
    2. Sophomore: 27–56 credits
    3. Junior: 57–87 credits
    4. Senior: 88 credits and above
  16. Students who have already earned a bachelor’s degree will have the Writing Competency Requirement and all Core Curriculum requirements (except those that are program-specific) waived.