»Transferring to Chapman University

Stay in Touch Visit Apply

Chapman is a transfer-friendly institution, and welcomes those from two- or four-year colleges. For most of our majors transfers have the option to consider a fall or spring semester entry point.

Please use the information below to learn more about transferring to Chapman. If you are ready to apply, you’ll find detailed instructions on our how to apply page for transfer students.

Getting started

Unlike public colleges and universities, Chapman does not have a single set of requirements that guarantees admission to all majors.

To check if college-level coursework completed at other institutions is eligible for transfer credit at Chapman, view our Transfer Credit and Articulation Guidelines.
You can use Transferology to see how your courses will transfer. After creating an account, this free tool allows you to enter courses you have taken (or plan to take) and see which will transfer into a degree program at Chapman.

Toggle Section

We recommend meeting with an advisor at your community college transfer center. With your advisor’s guidance, select courses that meet requirements for either the CSU (California State University) full certification in general education or IGETC (Intersegmental General Education Transfer Curriculum) full certification or an ADT degree.

Completion of a full certification is not an admission requirement for Chapman. However, you can waive the majority of Chapman’s General Education curriculum if you complete the Cal-GETC certificate, CSU, IGETC or an ADT. Chapman honors the completion of these transfer plans all the way up until the time you start classes at Chapman, so you can be in progress with one of these transfer plans when you apply.

You should concentrate on Chapman’s General Education requirements, particularly the Shared Inquiry and Foreign Language areas that are outlined in our Transfer Brochure.

A Transfer Team member can also help you develop an academic plan at your current school that will aid your transfer process to Chapman. To schedule an advising appointment, contact us at transfers@chapman.edu or (714) 997-6711.

Additional merit aid for select honor societies

Chapman recognizes the importance of honor societies within our transfer population, as they can enrich the community college experience prior to transferring onto a 4-year college.

That's why transfer applicants who are eligible for merit scholarships at Chapman and are members of either of the following organizations are also eligible for additional scholarships of up to $5,000 per year:

These scholarships can be combined with the Chapman merit scholarship and will be indicated in your offer of admission.

Attend a Transfer Information Session - on campus or virtually

For students thinking about transferring: we're holding regular virtual information sessions! A Transfer Team member will introduce you to Chapman, explain the transfer admission process and answer your questions.

Click on a link to learn more and register.

On-campus Information Session >>

Virtual Information Session >>

Majors with prerequisites

There are some majors at Chapman with required and recommended courses for transfer students. You can view majors with transfer prerequisites and recommended courses here.

If you are applying to a program in a school/college not listed on that page, your major does not have any prerequisites.

How a Transfer Student Excelled

Argelia Diaz Orozco | Accounting '20

As a transfer student, Argelia was nervous about finding her footing at Chapman. But with help from her professors and the career office, she didn't just acclimate ― she thrived.

Argelia's story

Tips for Transferring

Vafa Fanaii | Political Science major & Peace Studies minor

Vafa transferred to Chapman from a local community college. In this blog post, he provides advice for those thinking of transferring.

View tips for transferring

Veterans information

Chapman participates in the Yellow Ribbon Program of the Post-9/11 GI Bill®. You can learn more about financial resources and admission processes for veterans and their family members on our Veterans Resource Center website.

Visit Veterans Resource Center >>

Connect with us

We are happy to help you at any and every point in the admission process. There are several ways for us to connect:

Virtual Advising Appointments: We can meet one-on-one (by phone) with you before you apply. Advising is not required, but can help you develop an academic plan at your current school that will aid your transfer process to Chapman. You can schedule an appointment here.
Visit Opportunities: We offer ways to connect on campus or from wherever you are.

If you can't wait to learn more, you can also watch a recording of a Transfer Information Session:

Frequently asked questions

Toggle Section

Chapman accepts transfer students for both fall and spring semesters.

You are considered a first-year applicant if any of the following apply:

You are still in high school/home school and have not yet received your high school diploma or the equivalent.
You have not yet received your high school diploma or the equivalent and are enrolled in an early-college program or dual-enrollment program.

You are considered a transfer applicant if the following applies:

You have started your college enrollment (Must be after your HS graduation date or equivalent) at a regionally accredited college or university. Whether you have any college units completed or not, you are considered a transfer applicant once you have started your college enrollment.

You can use Transferology to see if your courses will transfer. After creating an account, you can enter courses you have taken (or plan to take) into this free tool and see which will transfer into a degree program at Chapman.

We also encourage all prospective transfer students to schedule an advising appointment so we can assist you with course articulation questions and establishing a timeline of when to apply.

Fall orientation for transfer students happens at the end of August.
Spring orientation for transfer students happens at the end of January.

Additional opportunities to complete the Orientation program will be offered if you are unable to attend during Orientation week.

The purpose of Orientation is to build community and offer opportunities for you to become acclimated to Chapman. We encourage you to attend.

Chapman housing is guaranteed for all transfer students who request it. You can learn more about transfer housing options here.

Yes. We offer Virtual Transfer Information Sessions that cover the application and admission process for those transferring from 2- or 4-year institutions. For a schedule of our session, or to register, visit our Transfer Information Sessions page.

We also offer individual transfer appointments. You can schedule a transfer appointment here.

At a minimum, transfer students should complete a transferable college-level English and math course prior to their first semester at Chapman.

Additionally, there are specific courses depending on the academic major a student is applying to. You can view the majors with prerequisites here.

If you are applying to a school/college not listed above, your major does not have any prerequisites.

Yes, we accept any of these and there is no preference between them. We will honor the completion of the full certification through IGETC and/or CSU or the ADT degree all the way up until you start classes at Chapman so students can be in progress with it when they apply.

Our priority deadlines for admission are February 15 for fall admission and October 15 for spring admission. Applications are considered on a space-available basis after the deadlines.

Some programs are better suited for a fall start. That list can be found in our Transfer Applicant Guide.

Please review our How to Apply page for transfer students for the most up-to-date requirements.

You can view current figures for cost of attendance here. Transfer students are considered for merit aid/scholarships by submitting their application for admission. You can find our requirements for need-based aid on our Applying for Need-based Aid page.

Transfer Applicant Guide

Download our Transfer Applicant Guide (PDF) for an in-depth look at transferring to Chapman and a worksheet to help you navigate the application process.

Take a Self-Guided Tour

Virtually explore Chapman in this student-led tour through our Orange Campus. You'll be able to visit classrooms, hang-out spots, our residence life area and much more!

Start the Tour

»Transferring to Chapman University

Getting started

Next Steps for Students from California Community Colleges

Next Steps for Students from Four-Year Colleges or Out-of-State Community Colleges

Additional merit aid for select honor societies

Attend a Transfer Information Session - on campus or virtually

Majors with prerequisites

Veterans information

Connect with us

Frequently asked questions

When is it possible to transfer to Chapman University?

Am I a first-year or transfer applicant to Chapman?

If I plan on transferring to Chapman, how do I know which college courses I've taken will transfer?

When is transfer student orientation? Is it mandatory?

Will I get Chapman housing?

Are there information sessions specifically for transfer students?

What courses am I required to complete before applying?

Do you accept IGETC or CSU full certification or the ADT degree?

What are the application deadlines?

What documents are required to apply?

What is the cost of attendance?

Contact the Transfer Team

Transfer Applicant Guide

Take a Self-Guided Tour