students standing in conversation

Welcome Transfer Students!

At UofSC Aiken, we appreciate transfer students for their fresh perspective, maturity, and focus. If you have attended another college and think that our campus would be a better fit for you, we would love for you to apply.

Our Campus

Interested in transferring to USC Aiken? Come see what we have for you!

Requirements

Things to keep in mind when you apply

Who is a Transfer Student?

After graduating high school, if you have attended another college or university and attempted one or more courses, regardless of credit earned, you are a transfer student.

Accepted Credit Hours

In order for an academic course from a previous institution to be accepted at (transferred to) USC Aiken, there must be an equivalent course within the USC Aiken Academic Bulletin. Credits associated with accepted courses are called transferable credit hours.

If you have completed 12 or more transferable semester credit hours, your college academic performance will determine your eligibility for admission. If you have completed less than 12 transferable semester credit hours of college level work, your college and high school academic performance will determine your eligibility for admission.

Grade Point Average

To be considered for admission, transfer students are required to have a minimum 2.0 cumulative GPA (on a 4.0 GPA scale) in all previous college-level course work.

Academic Good Standing

Transfer applicants must be in academic good standing and eligible to return to the institution last attended. Therefore, applicants who are on academic suspension or dismissal from the institution that they last attended are not eligible for admission.


How to Apply

Ready to submit an application? Follow these steps and you’ll be done in no time

  1. Complete an application

    Head over to our Apply Now page and click the Apply Now button to complete an online application. A complete application includes the application, $45 non-refundable application fee and official college transcripts (high school transcripts, if applicable).

  2. Submit college transcripts

    Students who previously attend any UofSC campus, are not required to submit transcripts from any UofSC locations or institutions previously attended prior to their last UofSC acceptance.

    Students must request and submit official final transcripts directly to UofSC Aiken from each previously attended academic institution. Hand delivered transcripts will be considered unofficial. Applicants must submit transcripts of all previous college courses attempted whether or not credit was earned and regardless of whether the applicant wishes to transfer any credit. Failure to report all attempted college courses may constitute sufficient cause for later dismissal from the University.

  3. Check Your Application Status

    The application review process begins after a complete application has been submitted. To log into the Pacer Application Portal and check the status of an application, click the Check Status button on our Apply Now page and log in with the email address and password that was used to create the application account.

For additional information, please contact the Office of Admissions.


Transfer Credit Evaluation

The transfer credit review process

Transferring with an AA/AS Degree

Effective June 1, 2022, the University of South Carolina Aiken in alignment with Proviso 117.152 (CHE: Transfer of Student Credit), will guarantee that students who have earned an Associate of Arts or Associate of Science degree from a public two-year institution of higher learning shall receive a minimum of sixty transfer credit hours at a public four-year college or university and shall be given a junior status at the college or university. Course prerequisites and minimum credit requirements for awarding degrees shall still apply.

The acceptable credits will apply to each student’s degree program differently and in accordance with the requirements of the major area of study.USC Aiken publishes and consistently updates tables of transferable credits for student use in determining how each course will transfer into USC Aiken.

How Transferable Credits are Determined

Accepted credit from previous college work is determined through a transcript review prepared by the Office of Transfer Student Initiatives and Services. After being admitted to the university, students can view a list of accepted courses in their Self Service Carolina portal (Advising Transcript section) in approximately 3 weeks after their acceptance. Each course will be evaluated by the appropriate department chair/dean to determine whether to award credit towards the student's major.

Transferable Credit Criteria

In general, transfer credit is awarded when:

  • earned at a school accredited by a regional accrediting association
  • a grade of C or higher is earned
  • course content is similar to the corresponding course at USC Aiken
  • the course completes requirements in the general education or elective areas

Keep in mind that although a course may be transferable, it may not necessarily apply to all majors, programs, or degrees.

Unofficial Transfer Reviews

Applicants may use the resources below to conduct an unofficial transcript review. The information provided through the self-review is UNOFFICIAL, but can provide insight into the transfer process. The transfer equivalencies identified through this source are not a guarantee of transfer credit, which can only be provided after an official review by the university.

Institutional Maximums of Transferable Credit

The senior year of work (30 semester hours) must be completed in residence at UofSC Aiken and at least 12 hours of the student's major courses must be earned at UofSC Aiken. At least 25 percent of semester credit hours applicable toward the degree must be earned at UofSC Aiken. 120-semester credit hours with a minimum system grade point average of 2.0 are required for most baccalaureate degrees.


Additional Credit Types

Other types of credits that are accepted at UofSC Aiken

Institutional Challenge Exams

In some disciplines, students may receive credit for a course by requesting and earning a B or better on a challenge exam. Departments and Schools determine which of their courses may be challenged and the number of challenge exams that may be applied to major course requirements.  Department chairs/school heads should be consulted concerning individual unit guidelines.

Educational Experiences in the Military

Academic credit may be awarded for educational experiences in the military if they are in accordance with recommendations published by the American Council on Education (ACE) and are consistent with University policy on transfer of credit. Credit will be applied to a degree program upon the approval of the Department Chair or School Head from which the degree is to be awarded.

Advanced Placement

The University of South Carolina Aiken supports the College Board’s Advanced Placement Program, which allows high school students the opportunity to pursue college-level courses in their own schools and to be taught the material by their own teachers.

International Baccalaureate

IB graduates who score well (4-7) on their Higher Level exams will be awarded college credit as determined by the academic departments. No credit is awarded for subjects passed at the Subsidiary level of IB, nor for scores below 4 on the higher level exams.

College Board CLEP

The University awards credit by examination for College-Level Examination Program (CLEP) SUBJECT exams only. By attaining an acceptable score, a student may receive credit equal to that normally earned in the comparable University course.

Programs and Agreements

Pathway programs designed for seamless transfer

Palmetto College

An online degree completion program that's designed for students who have already completed their general education requirements and need to finish their undergraduate degree online.

RN-BSN program

The University of South Carolina Aiken's 100% online RN to BSN program is designed to help working nurses transform their nursing practice in as few as 12 months.


Upcoming Events

Ways for Transfer Students to get more involved on campus

National Transfer Student Week

Third Week of Octber

Join us for this annual event to celebrate and welcome members of the Pacer Transfer Nation!

There will be events through the week, from virtual sessions with the Transfer Center team to in-person social and educational events. Click here to view the schedule and learn more about National Transfer Student Week.


What's Next?

Some next steps and resources that you might find helpful

Check Application Status

After submitting your application, you can check the status of your application in the Pacer Application Portal

In addition to receiving the final admission decision, applicants may send and receive messages from the Admissions Office and review a checklist of which documents have been received or are needed before an admissions decision is made from within the portal. Admissions decisions are typically available three to four weeks after a complete application has been submitted.

Visit Campus

Interested in seeing the campus for yourself? Whether it's our beautiful quad, state-of-the-art esports facility, or small classroom sizes, you're sure to be impressed. Schedule a visit today!

Contact Us

Reach out to the Office of Transfer Student Initiatives and Services

How to reach us

Penland 101

M - F, 8:30 am - 5:00 pm

803-641-3366

803-641-3613

This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

Our staff

Meet the Team

Advanced Placement (AP)

The University of South Carolina Aiken supports the College Board’s Advanced Placement Program, which allows high school students the opportunity to pursue college-level courses in their own schools and to be taught the material by their own teachers. After completion of the AP courses, students take the appropriate AP test to determine their level of achievement.

Test Name   AP Score 3 AP Score 4 AP Score 5
Art 2D Design   ARTS A103  ARTS A103 ARTS A103
Art 3D Design   ARTS A103  ARTS A103 ARTS A103
Art Drawing   ARTS A111  ARTS A111 ARTS A111
Art History   ARTH A105 ARTH A105 ARTH A105
Biology    BIOL A121 or A122  BIOL A121 and A122  BIOL A121 and A122 
Calculus AB   MATH A141 MATH A141  MATH A141
Calculus AB Subscore   MATH A141  MATH A141  MATH A141
Calculus BC   MATH A141 and A142  MATH A141 and A142 MATH A141 and A142
Chemistry   CHEM A111  CHEM A111 and A112  CHEM A111 and A112
Computer Science A   CSCI A145 CSCI A145  CSCI A145
Computer Science Principles   CSCI A101  CSCI A101  CSCI A101
English Lang/Comp   ENGL A101  ENGL A101 ENGL A101 and A102
English Lit/Comp*   ENGL A101  ENGL A101  ENGL A101 and A102
Environmental Science   BIOL A106 BIOL A106  and GEOL A103  BIOL A106  and GEOL A103
European History   HIST A102  HIST A102 HIST A101 and A102
French Language   FREN A101  FREN A101 and A102 FREN A101 and A102
German Language   GERM A101 GERM A101 and A102 GERM A101 and A102
Govern & Poli-Comparative        
Govern & Poli-US   POLI A201 POLI A201 POLI A201
Human Geography   GEOG A103 GEOG A103 GEOG A103
Italian Language   ITAL A101 ITAL A101 and ITAL A102 ITAL A101 and ITAL A102
Latin    LATN A101 LATN A101 and A102 LATN A101 and A102
Macroeconomics   ECON A221 ECON A221 ECON A221
Microeconomics   ECON A222 ECON A222 ECON A222
Music Aural Subscore        
Music Nonaural Subscore        
Music Theory   MUSC A196 MUSC A196 and MUSC A198 MUSC A196, A198 and A296
Physics C-E&M   PHYS A202  PHYS A212 PHYS A212 
Physics C-Mech   PHYS A201  PHYS A211  PHYS A211 
Physics I   PHYS A201  PHYS A201 PHYS A201
Physics II   PHYS A202  PHYS A202  PHYS A202 
Psychology   PSYC  A101  PSYC  A101  PSYC  A101 
Spanish Language   SPAN A101  SPAN A101 and A102 SPAN A101 and A102
Statistics   STAT A201  STAT A201  STAT A201 
United States History   HIST A201  HIST A201  HIST A201 and A202
World History   HIST A101  HIST A101  HIST A101 and A102 

International Baccalaureate (IB)

The University of South Carolina Aiken recognizes the academic challenge inherent in the International Baccalaureate (IB) Program and encourages students who have completed the IB diploma to apply.  IB graduates who score well (4-7) on their Higher Level exams will be awarded college credit as determined by the academic departments. No credit is awarded for subjects passed at the Subsidiary level of IB, nor for scores below 4 on the higher level exams.

Test Name   IB Score 4 IB Score 5 IB Score 6 or 7
IB Biology    BIOL A121  BIOL A121 and A122  BIOL A121 and A122 
IB Business and Mgmt.   BADM A371 BADM 371 and MGMT 376 BADM 371 and MGMT 376
IB Chemistry   CHEM A111  CHEM A111 and A112  CHEM A111 and A112
IB Computing Studies   CSCI A145 CSCI A145 and A146 CSCI A145 and A146
IB Economics   ECON A221 ECON A221 ECON A221
IB English 1A   ENGL A101  ENGL A101 and A102 ENGL A101 and A102
IB European History   HIST A102  HIST A102 HIST A102
IB French B   FREN A101  and A102 FREN A101 and A102 FREN A210
IB Geography    GEOG A103 GEOG A103 GEOG A103
IB German B   GERM A101 and A102 GERM A101 and A102 GERM A210
IB History of Africa/ME   No Equivalent  HSSI A002T (Non-West) HSSI A002T (Non-West)
IB History of Asia   No Equivalent HSSI A002T (Non-West) HSSI A002T (Non-West)
IB Latin B   LATN A101 and A102 LATN A101 and A102 LATN 210
IB Math   MATH A141 MATH A141 and A142 MATH A141 and A142
IB Music   MUSC A173 MUSC A173 MUSC A173
IB Physics    PHYS A201  PHYS A201 and A202 PHYS A201 and A202
IB Psychology   PSYC  A101  PSYC  A101  PSYC  A101 
IB Social Anthropology   ANTH A102 ANTH A102 ANTH A102
IB Spanish B   SPAN A101 and A102 SPAN A101 and A102 SPAN A210
Visual Arts   No Equivalent ARTS A103 ARTS A103

College-Level Examination Program (CLEP)

The University awards credit by examination for College-Level Examination Program (CLEP) SUBJECT exams only. By attaining an acceptable score, a student may receive credit equal to that normally earned in the comparable University course.

Test Name Equivalent Course Minimum Score
CLEP Financial Accounting BADM A225 Financial Accounting 55
CLEP Business Law BADM A324 Commercial Law 50
CLEP Information Systems BADM A390 Business Information Mgmt 50
CLEP Macroeconomics ECON A221 Principles of Macroeconomics 50
CLEP Microeconomics ECON A222 Principles of Microeconomics 50
CLEP Management BADM A371 Principles of Management 50
CLEP Marketing BADM A350 Principles of Marketing 50
CLEP American Government POLI A201 American National Government 50
CLEP US History I HIST A201 History of the US TO 1865 50
CLEP US History II HIST A202 History of the US Since 1865 50
CLEP Western Civilizations I HIST A101 World Civilization up to 1750 50
CLEP Western Civilizations II HIST A102 World Civilization Since 1750 50
CLEP Analyz & Interp Lit ENGL A102 Composition and Literature 57 + essay
CLEP College Composition ENGL A101 Composition 51 + essay
CLEP American Literature ENGL A285 Survey of American Literature II 57 + essay
CLEP English Literature ENGL A289 Survey of British Literature II 57 + essay
CLEP Biology BIOL A121 50
CLEP Biology BIOL A121 and BIOL A122 56
CLEP Chemistry CHEM A111 General Chemistry I 50
CLEP College Algebra MATH A108 Applied College Algebra 50
CLEP Precalculus MATH A111 Precalculus Math I 50
CLEP Calculus MATH A141 Calculus I 47
CLEP Psychology PSYC A101 Introductory Psychology 50
CLEP Sociology SOCY A101 Introductory Sociology 50