Transferring to 4-Year Institutions
Students may earn credit for Advanced Placement (AP) test with scores 3, 4, and 5. AP Credit can be used to meet the California General Education Transfer Curriculum (Cal-GETC). Students must turn in AP exam results to the Mt. San Antonio College (Mt. SAC) Admission and Records Office. The table below lists how the California State University (CSU) and the University of California (UC) will accept AP credit to meet Cal-GETC general education areas and the minimum units awarded toward each general education area. The table also lists the minimum CSU and UC units accepted toward the 60 units needed to meet transfer admission unit requirements. The CSU or UC campus to which the student transfers determines the total number of units awarded for Advanced Placement examinations and the applicability to other graduation requirements. A table that lists how AP is accepted for Mt. SAC general education is available in the Academic Policies and Requirements section.
Advanced Placement (AP) Examinations CSU/UC Transfer Credit
College Credit for Advanced Placement (AP) Tests
| Exam | Cal-GETC Units | CSU Units | UC Units |
|---|---|---|---|
| African American Studies | Not Applicable | 6 Semester | 2.6 Semester/4 Quarter 1 |
| Art and Design: 2-D Design 2 | Not Applicable | 3 Semester | Refer to Note 2 |
| Art and Design: 3-D Design 2 | Not Applicable | 3 Semester | Refer to Note 2 |
| Art and Design: Drawing 2 | Not Applicable | 3 Semester | Refer to Note 2 |
| Art History | 3 Semester (Area 3A or 3B) | 6 Semester | 5.3 Semester/ 8 Quarter |
| Biology | 4 Semester (Area 5B and 5C) | 6 Semester | 5.3 Semester/ 8 Quarter |
| Calculus AB 3 | 3 Semester (Area 2) | 3 Semester | Refer to Note3 |
| Calculus BC 3 | 3 Semester (Area 2) | 6 Semester | Refer to Note3 |
| Calculus BC/AB sub score 4 | 3 Semester (Area 2) | 3 Semester | 2.6 Semester/4 Quarter 4 |
| Chemistry | 4 Semester (Area 5A and 5C) | 6 Semester | 5.3 Semester/ 8 Quarter |
| Chinese Language and Culture | 3 Semester (Area 3B) | 6 Semester | 5.3 Semester/ 8 Quarter |
| Computer Science A | Not Applicable | 3 Semester | 5.3 Semester/ 8 Quarter |
| Computer Science AB 5 | Not Applicable | 6 Semester 5 | 2.6 Semester/4 Quarter 5 |
| Computer Science Principles | Not Applicable | 6 Semester | 5.3 Semester/ 8 Quarter |
| English Language and Composition6 | 3 semester (Area 1A) | 6 Semester | Refer to Note 6 |
| English Literature and Composition 6 | 3 Semester (Area 1A or 3B) | 6 Semester | Refer to Note 6 |
| Environmental Science | 3 Semester (Area 5A and 5C) | 4 Semester | 2.6 Semester/4 Quarter |
| European History | 3 Semester (Area 3B or 4) | 6 Semester | 5.3 Semester/ 8 Quarter |
| French Language and Culture | 3 Semester (Area 3B) | 6 Semester | 5.3 Semester/ 8 Quarter |
| French Literature5 | 3 Semester (Area 3B) | 6 Semester 5 | 5.3 Semester/8 Quarter 5 |
| German Language and Culture | 3 Semester (Area 3B) | 6 Semester | 5.3 Semester/ 8 Quarter |
| Government and Politics: Comparative | 3 Semester (Area 4) | 3 Semester | 2.6 Semester/4 Quarter |
| Government and Politics: United States | 3 Semester (Area 4) | 3 Semester | 2.6 Semester/4 Quarter |
| Human Geography | 3 Semester (Area 4) | 3 Semester | 2.6 Semester/4 Quarter |
| Italian Language and Culture | 3 Semester (Area 3B) | 6 Semester | 5.3 Semester/ 8 Quarter |
| Japanese Language and Culture | 3 Semester (Area 3B) | 6 Semester | 5.3 Semester/ 8 Quarter |
| Latin | 3 semester (Area 3B) | 6 Semester | 5.3 Semester/ 8 Quarter |
| Latin: Literature 5 | 3 Semester (Area 3B) | 6 Semester 5 | 2.6 Semester/4 Quarter 5 |
| Latin: Vergil 7 | 3 Semester (Area 3B) | 3 Semester 7 | 2.6 Semester/4 Quarter 7 |
| Macroeconomics | 3 Semester (Area 4) | 3 Semester | 2.6 Semester/4 Quarter |
| Microeconomics | 3 Semester (Area 4) | 3 Semester | 2.6 Semester/4 Quarter |
| Music Theory 8 | Not Applicable | 6 Semester | 5.3 Semester/ 8 Quarter 8 |
| Physics 1: Algebra-based9 | 4 Semester (Area 5A and 5C) | 4 Semester | 5.3 Semester/ 8 Quarter 9 |
| Physics 2: Algebra-based 9 | 4 Semester (Area 5A and 5C) | 4 Semester | 5.3 Semester/ 8 Quarter 9 |
| Physics B 10 | 4 Semester (Area 5A and 5C) | 6 Semester | 5.3 Semester/8 Quarter 10 |
| Physics C: Electricity/Magnetism 9 | 3 Semester (Area 5A and 5C) | 4 Semester | 2.6 Semester/4 Quarter 9 |
| Physics C: Mechanics 9 | 3 Semester (Area 5A and 5C) | 4 Semester | 2.6 Semester/4 Quarter 9 |
| Precalculus | Not Applicable | 3 Semester | Not Applicable |
| Psychology | 3 Semester (Area 4) | 3 Semester | 2.6 Semester/4 Quarter |
| Seminar | Not Applicable | 3 Semester | Not Applicable |
| Spanish Language and Culture | 3 Semester (Area 3B) | 6 Semester | 5.3 Semester/ 8 Quarter |
| Spanish Literature and Culture | 3 Semester (Area 3B) | 6 Semester | 5.3 Semester/ 8 Quarter |
| Statistics | 3 Semester (Area 2) | 3 Semester | 2.6 Semester/4 Quarter |
| U.S. History | 3 Semester (Area 3B or 4) | 6 Semester | 5.3 Semester/ 8 Quarter |
| World History11 | 3 Semester (Area 3B or 4) | 6 Semester | 5.3 Semester/8 Quarter11 |
| World History: Modern 11 | 3 Semester (Area 3B or 4) | 3 Semester | 5.3 Semester/ 8 Quarter 11 |
- 1
Effective 2025. Students will not earn UC units prior to 2025.
- 2
UC Transfer limitation. If a student passes more than one AP exam in Art and Design, only one exam may be granted credit. The UC grants 5.3 semester/8 quarter UC units for the Art and Design: 2-D Design exam or 5.3 semester/8 quarter UC units for the Art and Design: 3-D Design exam, or 5.3 semester/8 quarter UC units for the Art Design: Drawing exam. 5.3 semester units/8 quarter UC units maximum for all exams.
- 3
UC Transfer limitation. If a student passes more than one AP exam in calculus, only one exam may be granted credit. The UC grants 2.6 semester/4 quarter UC units for the Calculus AB exam or 5.3 semester/8 quarter UC units for the Calculus BC exam. 5.3 semester/8 quarter UC units maximum for both exams.
- 4
Students who take the Calculus BC examination and earn a subscore of 3 or higher on the Calculus AB portion will receive 2.6 semester/ 4 quarter UC units for the Calculus AB examination, even if they do not receive a score of 3 or higher on the BC examination (note that the maximum credit awarded for both exams is 5.3 semester/8 quarter UC units).
- 5
This exam is no longer offered effective 2010.
- 6
UC Transfer limitation. If a student passes more than one AP exam in English, only one exam may be granted credit. The UC grants 5.3 semester/8 quarter UC units for the Language and Composition exam or 5.3 semester/8 quarter UC units for the Literature and Composition exam. The UC grants 5.3 semester/8 quarter UC units maximum for both exams. Only one of the two English courses required for transfer admission may be satisfied with an AP exam score.
- 7
This exam is no longer offered effective 2013.
- 8
UC will grant credit for full Music Theory exam. Students who earn only a subscore will not receive exam credit.
- 9
UC Transfer limitation. If a student passes more than one AP exam in Physics, a maximum of 5.3 semester/8 quarter UC units will be granted credit for all exams. The UC grants 5.3 semester/8 quarter UC units for the Physics 1 exam, 5.3 semester/8 quarter UC units for the Physics 2 exam, 2.6 semester/4 quarter UC units for the Physics C Electricity and Magnetism exam, 2.6 semester/4 quarter UC units for the Physics Mechanics exam.
- 10
This exam is no longer offered effective 2015.
- 11
World History was reduced in scope and renamed World History: Modern in 2018.
International Baccalaureate (IB) Exams
Students may earn credit for International Baccalaureate (IB) test with a score* of 5, 6, or 7 on Higher Level exams. IB credit can be used to meet the California General Education Transfer Curriculum (Cal-GETC). Students must turn in IB exam results the Mt. San Antonio College (Mt. SAC) Admissions and Records Office. The table below lists the minimum CSU and UC units accepted toward the 60 units needed to meet transfer admission unit requirements. The CSU or UC campus to which the student transfers determine the total number of units awarded for International Baccalaureate examinations and the applicability to other graduation requirements. A table that lists how IB is accepted for Mt. SAC general education is available in the Academic Policies and Requirements section.
College Credit for International Baccalaureate (IB) Exams
| Exam | Cal-GETC Units | CSU Units | UC Units |
|---|---|---|---|
| Biology HL | 3 Semester (Area 5B) | 6 Semester | 5.3 Semester/ 8 Quarter |
| Chemistry HL | 3 Semester (Area 5A) | 6 Semester | 5.3 Semester/ 8 Quarter |
| Economics HL | 3 Semester (Area 4) | 6 Semester | 5.3 Semester/ 8 Quarter |
| Geography HL | 3 Semester (Area 4) | 6 Semester | 5.3 Semester/ 8 Quarter |
| History (any region) HL | 3 Semester (Area 3B or 4) | 6 Semester | 5.3 Semester/ 8 Quarter |
| Language A: Literature (any language, except English) HL* | 3 Semester (Area 3B) | 6 Semester 1 | 5.3 Semester/ 8 Quarter |
| Language A: Language and Literature (any language, except English) HL | 3 Semester (Area 3B) | 6 Semester 1 | 5.3 Semester/ 8 Quarter |
| Language A: Literature (any language) HL | 3 Semester (Area 3B) | 6 Semester | 5.3 Semester/ 8 Quarter |
| Language A: Language and Literature (any language) HL | 3 semester (Area 3B) | 6 Semester | 5.3 Semester/ 8 Quarter |
| Language B (any language) HL | 6 Semester 1 | 5.3 Semester/ 8 Quarter | |
| Mathematics: Analysis and Approaches HL | 3 Semester (Area 2) | 6 Semester 1 | 5.3 Semester/ 8 Quarter |
| Mathematics: Applications and Interpretation HL | 3 Semester (Area 2) | 6 Semester 2 | 5.3 Semester/ 8 Quarter |
| Physics HL | 3 semester (Area 5A) | 6 Semester | 5.3 Semester/ 8 Quarter |
| Psychology HL | 3 semester (Area 4) | 3 Semester | 5.3 Semester/ 8 Quarter |
| Theater | 3 Semester (Area 3A) | 6 Semester 1 | 5.3 Semester/ 8 Quarter |
- 1
A minimum score of 4 may be used for CSU Credit.
- 2
A minimum score of 4 may be used for CSU Credit. No UC credit is awarded for the Mathematics Applications and Interpretations exam offered 2021 and later.
College Level Examination Program (CLEP)
The College Level Examination Program (CLEP) is a credit-by-examination program that measures a student’s level of comprehension of introductory college-level material and consecutively earn college credit. The California State University (CSU) requires a passing score of a least 50 on the CLEP exam. Each campus in the CSU system determines how it will apply external examinations toward credit in the major.
CLEP exams cannot be used to meet requirements for the California General Education Transfer Curriculum (Cal-GETC). The University of California (UC) does not accept CLEP exams.
| CLEP Examination | Passing Score | Minimum Credits Earned Toward CSU Admission |
|---|---|---|
| American Government | 50 | 3 |
| American Literature | 50 | 3 |
| Analyzing and Interpreting Literature | 50 | 3 |
| Biology | 50 | 3 |
| Calculus | 50 | 3 |
| Chemistry | 50 | 3 |
| College Algebra | 50 | 3 |
| College Algebra - Trigonometry | 50 | 3 |
| College Composition | 50 | 0 |
| College Composition - Modular | 50 | 0 |
| College Mathematics | 50 | 0 |
| English Composition (no essay) | 50 | 0 |
| College Composition (with essay) | 50 | 0 |
| Financial Accounting | 50 | 3 |
| French Level I* | 50 | 6 |
| French Level II* | 59 | 9 |
| Freshman College Composition | 50 | 0 |
| German Level I* | 50 | 6 |
| German Level II* | 60 | 9 |
| History, United States I | 50 | 3 |
| History, United States II | 50 | 3 |
| Human Growth and Development | 50 | 3 |
| Humanities | 50 | 3 |
| Information Systems and Computer Apps | 50 | 3 |
| Introduction to Educational Psychology | 50 | 3 |
| Introduction to Business Law | 50 | 3 |
| Introduction to Psychology | 50 | 3 |
| Introduction to Sociology | 50 | 3 |
| Natural Sciences | 50 | 3 |
| Pre-Calculus | 50 | 3 |
| Principles of Accounting | 50 | 3 |
| Principles of Management | 50 | 3 |
| Principles of Marketing | 50 | 3 |
| Principles of Macroeconomics | 50 | 3 |
| Principles of Microeconomics | 50 | 3 |
| Social Sciences and History | 50 | |
| Spanish Level I* | 50 | 6 |
| Spanish Level II* | 63 | 9 |
| Spanish with Writing I* | 50 | 6 |
| Spanish with Writing II* | 63 | 9 |
| Western Civilization I | 50 | 3 |
| Western Civilization II | 50 | 3 |
- *
If a student passes more than one CLEP test in the same language other than English (ex: two exams in French), then only one examination may be applied to the baccalaureate.
CSU/UC Cross Enrollment
California resident students at Mt. San Antonio College may enroll in one undergraduate course per term at a participating CSU or UC campus without formal admission and without payment of state university fees/tuition. To be eligible for cross-enrollment, students must:
- have completed at least one term at Mt. SAC;
- have at least a 2.0 GPA in all coursework completed;
- have satisfied prerequisite(s) of the class in which they plan to enroll at CSU/UC;
- be enrolled in at least six units at Mt. SAC;
- and have paid their registration fees.
To apply for CSU/UC Cross Enrollment, students must complete the CSU/UC Cross Enrollment application, which is available on the host university's website or at their campus in the Records office. If requested by the University campus hosting the cross-enrollment course, a cross-enrollment form for Mt. SAC students is available online. (Cross-enrollment form).
California Independent Colleges and Universities
California’s fully-accredited independent colleges and universities provide many options at the undergraduate, graduate, and professional levels for students planning to continue their education beyond the community college. Admission requirements vary and are listed in the catalogs of the various universities and colleges.
For more information about California Independent Colleges and Universities, visit college/university websites, www.aiccu.edu, or Mt. SAC Transfer Services.
Out-of-State Colleges and Universities
Students may also consider transferring to colleges and universities in other states. Admission requirements vary by school. For more information, visit college/university websites or Mt. SAC Transfer Services.
California State University
Upper Division Transfer Admission Requirements
Students are eligible for admission with 60 or more transferable semester units (90 quarter units) if they:
- Have a college grade point average of 2.00 or better in all transferable college units attempted.
- Are in good standing at the last college or university attended, i.e. are eligible to re-enroll.
- Have completed or will complete prior to transfer at least 30 semester units (45 quarter units) of courses equivalent to general education requirements with a grade of “C-” or better. The 30 units must include all of the general education requirements in communication in the English language (English composition, oral communication, and critical thinking) and at least one course of at least 3 semester units (4 quarter units) required in college-level mathematics.
- Students are advised to complete major preparation classes prior to transfer. For some majors/campuses, these courses may be required for admission. Consult university websites, counselors/advisors, and visit Mt. SAC Transfer Services for more information. Also, visit ASSIST to find community college courses that fulfill major requirements.
Note: These are the minimum admission standards. Many campuses and majors are impacted (more competitive) and may require a higher GPA and/or completion of specific courses for admission.
Lower Division Transfer Admission Requirements
Please be aware that most CSU campuses do not admit lower-division transfer students. California residents may be eligible for CSU admission with fewer than 60 transferable semester units (90 quarter units) if they:
- have completed “a-g” course requirements in high school;
- have graduated from high school (received a high school diploma or General Educational Development, or GED, certificate);
- minimum CSU admission eligibility requirements of a first-time freshman;
- have achieved an overall college GPA of at least 2.00;
- be in good standing at the last college or university you attended. (In simple terms, “good standing” means you are eligible to re-enroll at your last college or university); and
- have completed, with a grade of C- or better, a course in GE Section A2 in written communication and a course in GE section B4 in mathematics or quantitative reasoning.
Some campuses may require lower-division transfer students to have completed English composition and general education mathematics prior to transfer. Contact the transfer campus of choice to determine whether there are admission limits on the number of lower-division transfer students.
The University of California
Upper Division Transfer Admission Requirements
The vast majority of transfer students come to UC at the junior level from California community colleges. To be considered for UC admission as a junior, you must fulfill both of the following:
- Complete 60 semester (90 quarter) units of transferable college credit with a GPA of at least 2.4 (2.8 for nonresidents). No more than 14 semester (21 quarter) units may be taken Pass/Not Pass.
- Complete the following course pattern requirements, and earn a grade of C or better in each course:
- Two transferable college courses (3 semester or 4-5 quarter units each) in English composition
- One transferable college course (3 semester or 4-5 quarter units) in mathematical concepts and quantitative reasoning
- Four transferable college courses (3 semester or 4-5 quarter units each) chosen from at least two of the following subject areas:
- Arts and Humanities
- Social and Behavioral Sciences
- Physical and Biological Sciences
Note: Meeting these minimum requirements does not guarantee admission to the campus or major of your choice. Many campuses and majors receive more applications than they have spaces available. To be competitive, you should work toward meeting the specific requirements for the campuses and majors that interest you. Consult university websites, counselors/advisors, and visit Mt. SAC Transfer Services for more information. Also, visit www.assist.org to find community college courses that fulfill major requirements.
Lower Division Transfer Admission Requirements
While all UC campuses welcome a large pool of junior-level transfers, most admit only a very limited number of lower-division transfers (students with fewer than 60 units). You may establish eligibility for lower division transfer:
- If you were eligible for admission to UC when you graduated from high school, meaning you satisfied the subject, examination and scholarship requirements, you are eligible for transfer if you have a 2.0 GPA in your transferable college coursework (2.8 GPA for non-residents). Visit the UC admissions website for more information about these requirements: www.universityofcalifornia.edu/admissions.
If you met the scholarship requirement in high school, but did not satisfy the 15-course subject requirement, you must take transferable college courses in the missing subjects, earn a grade of C or better in each required course and have an overall 2.0 GPA in all transferable coursework to be eligible to transfer (a 2.8 GPA is required for nonresidents).
