Requirements for Transfer Students

Transfer, Second-Degree, and Re-Admit Students

Advanced standing students are an important part of our undergraduate population. By providing you with a favorable evaluation of your college credits, excellent academic advisement, and access to undergraduate courses, we expect that you will be successful in completing your degree requirements in a reasonable period of time.

The admissions office makes a decision upon receipt and review of your application for admission, ALL official transcripts, and supporting materials.

When applying, you must present at least 12 college-level credits with a minimum 2.0 grade point average (some majors, such as nursing may require a higher gpa). If you have completed fewer than 12 college-level credits, you must also submit a high school transcript.

If you have earned credits by examination, such as CLEP, AP, or USAFI, please make sure a copy of these credits is included. At this time, you must also select a major. You may select undeclared only if you have less than 60 credits.

Transfer Appeals Process

Students transferring from New Jersey county/community colleges with a completed A.A., A.S., or A.F.A. degree should be aware of the following provisions of State-Wide Transfer Agreement. Students covered by the provisions of this agreement who believe that they have not received an accurate and complete evaluation of their credits with their letter of acceptance from William Paterson University should refer to the New Jersey Statewide Agreement Transfer Appeals Process Procedure page (transfer appeals process).

Special Requirements for Re-Admit Students

Review our Leave of Absence/Withdrawal Policy to determine if you need to reapply.

Students who have previously enrolled in undergraduate courses at William Paterson University must file an application as a re-admit student. If courses have been completed at another college or university, regardless of whether taken before or after William Paterson enrollment, an official copy of the transcript(s) must be forwarded to the William Paterson University Office of Admissions. Certain University policies may require additional information resulting in delay of the admissions process. Please submit an application and supporting credentials as early as possible.  Contact Melissa Matera for specific readmission questions at materam@wpunj.edu or 973.720.2901.

Acceptance Notification - Credit Evaluation and Academic Advisement
Upon acceptance, you are mailed (or emailed) an acceptance package with detailed information about enrolling in the University, including instructions on how to read your online credit evaluation and seek academic advisement. Read these materials carefully so that you can connect with your academic advisor and register for class. Also, please submit the required admissions deposit and health form.

Unofficial Transcripts

William Paterson University allows unofficial college transcripts to be used during the admission, credit evaluation*, and registration process. All unofficial transcripts must include the student’s full name, institution, grade points, credits, and grade point average. 

If submitted electronically, unofficial transcripts must be sent as a PDF and must be submitted after an application has been completed. 

To ensure a successful submission and to prevent delay, applicants who submit unofficial transcripts should follow these guidelines and requirements:

Which transcripts are needed by William Paterson University?

All of them. In order for us to evaluate an application for transfer admission, we require transcripts from all colleges and university ever attended. This is regardless of the length of attendance, whether the courses were completed or a degree was earned, even if the transfer credit appears on a different transcript, and/or whether it is believed that the academic record will affect admission or transfer of credit.

When do I send official transcripts and what happens if I don’t?

It is the student’s responsibility to request all official transcripts to be sent to us. If WP does not receive official transcripts by the first week of classes, a hold will be placed on the student’s record and they will not be permitted to register for the upcoming semester. In addition, all transferred credits will be deleted from the student’s evaluation.

For example, an accepted student for Fall 2020 that does not provide WP with their official transcripts will not be able to register for classes for the Spring 2021 semester and all of their transfer credits will be removed from their degree evaluation.

*The unofficial degree evaluation is subject to change upon receipt of official transcripts and review by an authorized evaluator.

** If a student is not able to get official transcripts due to financial obligations at their previous institution(s) it is not recommended to submit unofficial transcripts to WP until all financial obligations are finalized. Students will not be permitted to progress at WP without official transcripts being submitted.


Credit Evaluation
The evaluation is based on the credits completed (prior to the date of acceptance to William Paterson) and the degree and major you selected on your application. The analysis contains a summary of credits applied towards your degree, and the remaining requirements necessary to complete your degree. 🎥 Watch this video to learn how to read your evaluation.

Articulation Agreements
You can use the Articulation Agreements link for more specific help with transfer articulation agreement issues.