Transfer Students

We’re happy you’re considering Northwestern to continue your education. Our transfer students make up 20 percent of our total student body. We’re committed to making your transition as smooth as possible. Your transfer admission counselor is dedicated to working directly with you.

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Applying as a Transfer Student

If you have earned college credit after graduating from high school, you are considered a transfer student.

Undergraduate transfer students are those pursuing traditional (day-school) degrees.

Applying as an Undergraduate Transfer Student

Complete an Application for Admission.
Request delivery of the following documents:
1. Official and final High School Transcript*
2. Official College Transcripts*
3. Optional: ACT, SAT, and/or CLT Test Scores (Codes: ACT 2138 or SAT 6489)

NOTE – Undergraduate applicants who have previously completed a bachelor’s degree will be requested to provide official collegiate transcripts prior to admittance; high school transcripts and ACT/SAT/CLT test scores will not be required for admittance.

*When requesting delivery of official transcripts, please request that your institution mail your materials to the following address, or email them to [email protected].

Admissions Office
3003 Snelling Avenue North
St. Paul, MN 55113

Application Deadlines

Fall 2025 Term – Application Deadline August 1, 2025
Spring 2026 Term – Application Deadline December 15, 2025

Transfer Credits

A transfer credit evaluation may be requested to determine how your credits will apply to your desired major at Northwestern. Northwestern accepts coursework with grades of C- or higher from accredited and some non-accredited institutions. Classes are evaluated for transfer on a course-by-course basis.

For a bachelor’s degree or an associate degree, a minimum of 30 credits must be completed at Northwestern. Additionally, a minimum of 50 percent of major and minor coursework must be completed at Northwestern. Finally, students must have completed a minimum number of credits at Northwestern to be eligible for undergraduate graduation honors (30-59 credits for “with distinction” honors and minimum of 60 credits for Latin honors; see the catalog for more information).

All courses must be college-level to fulfill traditional undergraduate core curriculum requirements. Remedial coursework will not fulfill degree requirements. Please see course catalog or contact the transfer counselor for details.

NOTE – Please note that the transfer credit evaluation option is not offered for potential nursing students. A transfer credit evaluation will be automatically completed and sent upon admittance to the university and receipt of all collegiate transcripts.

Transfer Credit Evaluation (TES)

Academic Minimums

Prospective transfer students may be admitted with a minimum collegiate GPA of 2.50. Prospective post-baccalaureate students may be admitted with a minimum collegiate GPA of 2.75. A limited number of students with below-standard academic credentials may be transitionally admitted upon an additional review process.

Class Standing

A student’s class standing is based upon the number of transferable credits and credits by examination earned before matriculation.

Transferable Credits	Class Standing
1-29	Freshman
30-59	Sophomore
60-89	Junior
90+	Senior

Proportional Requirements for Transfer Students: Signature Courses within the Core Curriculum

Transfer students who first enroll at Northwestern as sophomores, juniors, or seniors seeking a bachelor’s degree are to fulfill the core curriculum requirement on a proportional basis for signature courses. Signature courses fulfill the Biblical Thinking & Living core category and the Leadership & Professionalism category. All other core curriculum category requirements must be completed.

For purposes of administering the core curriculum requirement, class standing of transfer students is based on the total of “transferable” credits from all colleges and universities previously attended (see definition on page 29 of the Course Catalog) and credits awarded by University of Northwestern on the basis of examinations taken before matriculation.

Requests for transfer equivalency for BIA, BIB, and Theological Philosophy credits should be approved by the Chair of the Department of Biblical & Theological Studies. Requests for transfer equivalency for LDR courses should be approved by the Chair of the Department of Christian Ministries.

Sophomore Transfers (30-59 Transferable Credits) – 22 Credits

BIA1007 Christian Thinking & Living – 2 credits
BIA1015 Interpreting Scripture or MIN2016 Biblical Interpretation for Study – 2 credits
BIB2005 Survey of the Old Testament – 4 credits
BIB2008 Survey of the New Testament – 2 credits
BIB4360 Systematic Theology or BIB4365 Historical Theology or BIB4460 Biblical Theology (or BIB6312 for Dual Degree B.A./M.Div. program) – 4 credits
Theological Philosophy – 2 credits
LDR1015 Leadership for Transformation – 4 credits
LDR4425 Leading with Courage and Calling – 2 credits

Junior Transfers (60-89 Transferable Credits) – 16 Credits

BIA1007 Christian Thinking & Living – 2 credits
BIA1015 Interpreting Scripture or MIN2016 Biblical Interpretation for Study – 2 credits
BIB4360 Systematic Theology or BIB4365 Historical Theology or BIB4460 Biblical Theology (or BIB6312 for Dual Degree B.A./M.Div. program) – 4 credits
Theology Philosophy – 2 credits
LDR1015 Leadership for Transformation – 4 credits
LDR4425 Leading with Courage and Calling – 2 credits

Senior Transfers (90+ Transferable Credits) – 10–11 Credits

BIA1007 Christian Thinking & Living – 2 credits
BIA1015 Interpreting Scripture or MIN2016 Biblical Interpretation for Study – 2 credits
BIB4360 Systematic Theology or BIB4365 Historical Theology or BIB4460 Biblical Theology (or BIB6312 for Dual Degree B.A./M.Div. program) – 4 credits
LDR4415 The Self-aware Leader – 0–1 credits
LDR4425 Leading with Courage and Calling – 2 credits

Credit by Examination

Adult Undergraduate Credit for Prior Learning