Transfer academic requirements

Grade point average requirements

A minimum cumulative GPA of 2.25 in all transferable courses is required. If you have fewer than 24 transferable credits, high school transcripts will also be necessary.

Students holding an associate degree from a regionally accredited U.S. two-year or four-year institution may qualify for admission with a minimum GPA of 2.0.

Documents required for admission

  • English proficiency test results
  • Transcripts from all high schools or universities attended
  • Bank statement or sponsor letter confirming $49,300 USD, the equivalent of one year's expenses
  • Copy of passport (and visa, if available)

Scanned documents are acceptable for admission review. However, if admitted, official final documents will be required.

International transfer credit guidelines

If you're transferring to Iowa State from an international institution, you may wonder how your credits will be evaluated. Here’s an overview of the process to help you prepare and make the transfer as seamless as possible.

The evaluation of transfer credit happens in two stages. First, the Office of Admissions reviews your courses to determine the transferable credits. Once complete, you can view your Transfer Credit Evaluation (TCE) in your Admissions MyAccount.

The second stage is completed by the college of your major, typically after your arrival. At this point, your college determines which credits fulfill the requirements for your specific program. To ensure a smooth review process:

  1. Submit final transcripts: If you’re currently attending another university, arrange to have your final official academic records sent to the Office of Admissions as soon as they are available.
  2. Attend orientation: Follow the international orientation schedule upon arrival. Orientation includes essential sessions on class selection and registration, and you’ll meet with your academic advisor to discuss credit evaluation.
  3. Provide course syllabi: Bring official syllabi from all previous coursework. Each syllabus should bear the university’s original stamp or seal. If the syllabi aren’t in English, provide both the original and a professionally translated English copy. The English translation must be done either by your university or a professional translator.

Evaluating courses individually may take two to three weeks. You might also need to meet with faculty to discuss your prior coursework and share additional materials, such as reading lists, textbooks, reports, or exam results.

To graduate from Iowa State, students need 120 credits. This requirement guides our calculation for transfer credits:

  • If a university requires 150 hours for a four-year degree, we use the ratio 120/150 = 0.80, multiplying each course's credits by 0.80 to determine transferable credits.
    • For example, a course with 3 credits would transfer as 2.5 credits (rounded from 2.4), while a 4-credit course would transfer as 3 credits (rounded from 3.2).
  • For courses measured in hours instead of credits, we divide the number of hours by 15.
    • Example: A 45-hour course would transfer as 3 credits.
  • For most Chinese institutions, we multiply credits by 0.70 and round up.
  • Courses below 1 credit are generally not transferred (labs are an exception).

Courses are credited at the academic level they were taught:

  • A second-year course transfers as 2000-level credit, even if Iowa State offers it at the 3000-level.
  • In the U.K., where university programs are typically three years, first-year courses transfer as 2000-level, second-year as 3000-level, and so forth.

Departments are assigned based on course details such as name, description, syllabus, and comparison with the Iowa State course catalog.

We determine the grading scale for each university using resources like AACRO Edge, transcript details, and university websites.

We award credit only from institutions accredited by the educational authorities in their country and do not accept credits from:

  • Military programs
  • Moral or ethics courses
  • Physical education and sports-specific courses
  • English as a Second Language (ESL) or English composition from countries where English is not the sole official language (credit is awarded for speech or English literature)
  • Developmental, remedial, vocational, or technical courses
  • Programs in which the institution awarding credit is not directly involved
  • Chinese international summer schools

American Degree Transfer Program (ADTP) – Malaysia

Explore the ADTP at INTI University College, Methodist College Kuala Lumpur, Sunway University, and Taylor's University College.