How to Transfer Credits

Most transfer students as well as incoming first-year students bring credits with them to MSU, but how those credits apply can vary. Transfer credit decisions depend on the course, your grade, and how the course and content aligns with MSU degree requirements. Some courses may transfer as direct equivalents, while others may come in as elective credit. Your official transfer credit evaluation will be available after you’re admitted, so you and your advisor can discuss how your credits apply to your major. To get a sense of how your courses have transferred to MSU previously, explore the MSU Transfer Equivalency Tool.  

When your credits transfer to MSU, they may apply directly to major or general education requirements, or they may transfer as elective credit. Elective credits still count toward your total MSU credits and class standing, but they don’t always replace required courses in your major. How credits apply depends on course content and your intended program; your academic advisor can help you understand how your credits will distribute. 

Advanced/test credit, also known as credit by examination, may award credit for qualifying scores on exams such as AP, IB, CLEP, DSST, A‑Levels, and approved dual enrollment coursework. Depending on the exam and score, advanced credit may apply toward specific course requirements, waive a course, or count as elective credit. All scores must be sent directly to MSU for review. Advanced credit can help students move ahead more quickly, but how it applies depends on the exam, score, and intended major. Advisors review advanced credit with students after admission. 

Credit loss doesn’t usually mean that credits disappear or aren’t accepted by MSU. Instead, it can mean that some transfer credits don’t apply directly to major requirements. These credits typically still count toward your total MSU credits, class standing, and financial aid eligibility, but may come in as elective credit rather than replacing required courses in your major.

Credit loss most commonly happens because majors have specific sequencing, accreditation standards, or other requirements, not because the coursework was invalid. Your academic advisor will review your transfer credit evaluation with you to help minimize any surprises and plan your appropriate steps. 

Sometimes a course from your previous institution doesn't have a direct equivalent at MSU, or you believe a transfer course could or should fulfill a specific major requirement at MSU. In these cases, you can request a formal syllabus review. This enables faculty to accurately assess the rigor and content of your previous work to determine credit eligibility. Talk to your admissions counselor about where syllabus reviews might be possible.   

MSU’s Transfer Equivalency Tool at transfercredit.msu.edu helps you explore how courses from other colleges may transfer to Michigan State. Use the tool before applying or enrolling to get an early sense of how specific courses have transferred in the past and to help you plan future coursework with transfer in mind. MSU also uses this tool as a reference point during the official transfer credit review process. While equivalencies shown in the tool are not guarantees, they provide a helpful starting point until you receive your official transfer credit evaluation after admission. 

The Michigan Transfer Agreement (MTA) is a statewide agreement that allows students who complete a designated set of general education courses at a participating Michigan community college to transfer those credits to participating universities, including Michigan State University. Completing the MTA can help streamline the transfer process, reduce duplicate coursework, and satisfy some general education requirements. You do not need to complete the MTA to apply as a transfer student.

If you are considering transferring to MSU, be sure to connect with your academic advisor and an MSU transfer admissions counselor early to ensure you're selecting courses that align with your intended major and transfer goals. 

Once you complete the MTA, you must make sure that your transcript has the MTA certification from your institution. This is done differently at each institution, so be sure to connect with your academic advisor to ensure your transcript is ready to go to avoid delays in review of your transcript and awarding of credit or waiving of requirements. 

Credit for Prior Learning recognizes college‑level learning you may have gained outside a traditional college classroom. At MSU, CPL can come from sources like AP, IB, CLEP, or other approved exams, dual or concurrent enrollment, military training, or approved professional or workplace learning. Depending on the experience, CPL may result in course credit, a course waiver, or elective credit. How credit applies depends on the type of learning, documentation provided, and your intended major, and is reviewed as part of the admissions and advising process. Discuss what this may look like for you with your academic advisor during enrollment.