Transfer Students
We’re glad you’re considering Northwestern to continue your education. At Northwestern, transfer students are a valued part of our community. Whether you’re coming from a community college or another university, we’re here to help you make a smooth transition.
Learn about admission requirements, credit transfers, deadlines, and support services. We look forward to welcoming you to campus!
Transfer Admissions Requirements
- Fill out your Admissions Application
- Academic Minimum:
- 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.
- Transfer Credits: Northwestern accepts coursework with grades of C- or higher from accredited and some non-accredited institutions.
Transfer Checklist
1.
Complete an Application.
2.
Submit Required Documents.
3.
Submit your Deposit.
Transfer Checklist
- Complete an application for Admission.
- Information about your most recent college or university.
- Information about your high school coursework and grades.
- A list of your activities, honors, and awards.
- Faith questions.
- Personal faith statement.
- Request delivery of the following documents.
- Official or Unofficial Transcripts for ALL college and universities you’ve attended.
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 - If you have less than 60 credits of full-time college coursework, submit your Official High School Transcript (sent to University of Northwestern – St. Paul directly from high school).
- We are committed to supporting students in their academic and professional growth. While we do require a minimum GPA of 2.5 for admittance, we understand that grades don’t always tell the full story. If you do not meet the minimum GPA requirements, please submit the following materials:
Academic Reference: We recommend asking a teacher or professor who can best describe your academic achievements, leadership record, and potential success at the University of Northwestern – St. Paul. You will be prompted to put down your reference’s first and last name, and their email.
Insight Resume: This form will ask you questions regarding academic performance and success. You may complete this form in your application portal when prompted.
- Official or Unofficial Transcripts for ALL college and universities you’ve attended.
- If you’re accepted, submit your deposit
- To confirm enrollment, admitted applicants must submit a $200 deposit that credits toward tuition. If you’ll be joining UNW soon, welcome home to the Eagles! Take a look through our Accepted Students page to see what’s ahead. If you have additional questions, feel free to reach out to [email protected].
Deadlines
- Fall Semester: August 15
- Spring Semester: December 15
After completing my AAS degree, I was set on attending Northwestern. The transfer process far exceeded my expectations. From the beginning, I felt valued, heard, and welcomed, even before I moved into the dorms. My admissions counselor and professors were supportive, ensuring I was fully prepared to succeed when classes began. During my time at Northwestern, I built lasting friendships and meaningful professional relationships. I’m truly grateful that God led me to Northwestern and for the impact its Christ-centered community has had on my life.
Scholarships
Scholarships for transfer students
Annual, Renewable
Transfer students who have earned college credit from a different college or university after graduating from high school are eligible for the transfer scholarship. The names, awarding criteria and amounts for the following scholarships are effective for new Northwestern transfer students enrolling in Fall 2026. Financial Aid recipients prior to Fall 2026 are governed by the scholarship names, criteria and amounts when they enrolled.
Scholarship Amounts for Fall 2026
| Scholarship | GPA (Unweighted) | Yearly Value |
| Presidential | 3.95-4.00 | $18,000 |
| Deans | 3.70-3.94 | $16,000 |
| Faculty | 3.20-3.69 | $14,000 |
| Founders | 2.80-3.19 | $11,000 |
| Directors | 2.79 or less | $7,000 |
Scholarship awards are prorated for students taking less than a full-time credit load (12+). Undergraduate Online Learning course credits do not apply.
Frequently Asked Questions
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 the 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)
| Transferable Credits | Class Standing |
|---|---|
| 1-29 | Freshman |
| 30-59 | Sophomore |
| 60-89 | Junior |
| 90+ | Senior |
At Career & Leadership Development it is our goal to assist you in personal discovery, exploring meaningful work, securing an internship, and preparing you for the workplace.
We offer coaching, personal assessments, workshops, events, professional connections, and online resources.
Yes, the Core Curriculum at the University of Northwestern – St. Paul provides a structure through which the educational philosophy of the institution is achieved. Grounding all intellectual inquiry in the truth of the Bible and God as the Ultimate Reality of the universe requires exploration of the following three critical questions, all of which find their answer in Christ.
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 for selected courses may be secured by students who demonstrate competency by means of scores on standardized examinations such as Advanced Placement (AP), College Level Examination Program (CLEP), DANTES Subject Standardized Tests (DSST), and International Baccalaureate (IB), or, in the case of BIB1006 Old Testament History and Literature: Law and History, BIB1007 Old Testament History and Literature: Poetry and Prophecy, and BIB2008 New Testament History and Literature, by locally prepared examinations.
See the Credit by Examination page for more information. Contact the Registrar’s Office to learn the maximum number of credits allowed for standardized examinations. Credits may not be earned through CLEP or DSST examinations whose content duplicates credit previously earned.
Questions? Connect with an Admissions Counselor!
Jennifer Kong
Transfer Counselor
Jennifer graduated from University of Minnesota, Twin Cities with her Bachelor’s in 2019 and graduated from…
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