Transfer Student/Second Bachelor’s

1. Transfer applicants have earned 12 or more transferable college credits since receiving a standard high school diploma or its equivalent. The Office of Undergraduate Admissions determines the number of transferable credits by evaluating applicants’ college transcripts. Applicants who earn transferable college credits, regardless of the total number, before graduating high school are considered freshmen; however, if they earn 12 or more credits after high school graduation they are considered transfer applicants. Applicants are classified as upper-level, mid-level or lower-level transfer.
   
   • Upper-level transfer applicants have graduated with an Associate of Arts (AA) degree from a Florida public college or university or they have 60 or more transferable credit hours.
   • Mid-level transfer applicants have 30 to 59 transferable credit hours.
   • Lower-level transfer applicants have 12 to 29 transferable credit hours.
     
     
2. Their academic status must be in good standing and they must be eligible to return to the last institution attended as a degree-seeking student.
   
   
3. Applicants who meet the minimum admission requirements are not guaranteed admission into FGCU or its degree programs. Individual programs may have additional requirements including a supplemental application, minimum GPA, pre-requisite courses and test scores, so applicants should verify specific requirements with these programs prior to starting the application process. Applications received or completed after the posted deadlines may be processed for admission into the requested term based on space or time limitations; therefore, some applicants may be offered admission into the next available term.
   
   
4. Undergraduate Admissions determines the number of transferable credits by evaluating applicants’ college transcripts. The following types of college courses are not transferable: technical, vocational, physical education or remedial courses or courses for which a grade below D- is received.
   
   
5. Must satisfy the foreign language requirement.

Please read each category to help you decide which application process you should follow. Failure to provide the required documents may delay the application review process.

AA graduates from Florida College System Institutions or State Universities (upper-level transfer)

• AA degree has been awarded and posted on official college transcript.
• Completed at least 60 transferable hours and the general education requirement, excluding courses not accepted by the university.
• Have an overall 2.0 GPA in all courses attempted as calculated by the university.
• Completed 2 college-level courses in both English and math with a grade of C or higher.

AA graduates from non-Florida or private institutions (upper-level transfer)

• Have 60 or more transferable credit hours, excluding courses not accepted by the university.
• Have an overall 2.0 GPA in all courses attempted as calculated by the university.
• Completed 2 college-level courses in both English and math with a grade of C or higher.
  
  

Applicants can meet the Math and English course requirements in one of three ways:

1. Completing an Associate of Arts degree at a public Florida state/community college
2. Completing two (2) college-level courses in both English and math with a grade of C or higher. Upper-level transfer applicants who have not completed an AA from a Florida public state/community college will need to have at minimum two English composition courses AND two college-level mathematics courses, such as algebra, statistics, liberal-arts mathematics or finite mathematics. A grade point average of 2.5 or higher is required in the two English courses, as well as the two Mathematics courses. 

If an applicant has not been determined to meet course requirements through completion of an AA degree from a public Florida state/community college, through grades from math and English courses, or minimum test scores on the ACT or SAT, they may not be admitted to the university. 

 Applicants with 30 or more but less than 60 transferable hours (mid-level transfer)

• Have an overall 2.5 GPA in all courses attempted as calculated by the university.
• Completed at least one English composition course and one college-level mathematics course with a grade of C or higher. Both courses must consist of three (3) semester credit hours. Students not meeting these requirements must meet the requirements for transfer students with less than 30 transferable hours.
• Must submit an official high school transcript to demonstrate completion of the foreign language admission requirement.

Factors such as the number of post-secondary hours completed, grades obtained, coursework completed, and length of time since high school graduation are some of the factors that will be considered.

Applicants with at least 12 but less than 30 transferable hours (lower-level transfer)

• Have an overall 2.5 GPA in all courses attempted as calculated by the university.
• Must submit an official high school transcript and ACT/SAT test scores. They must meet the freshman admission requirements.
• A limited number of lower-level transfer applicants not meeting freshman admission requirements may be admitted if they can reasonably be expected to complete satisfactory academic work.

Submit official test scores from the ACT or SAT. Official test scores can be sent to FGCU electronically through either testing agency using the following codes: ACT (0733) or SAT (5221). Scores can also be sent on a paper score report from the testing agency or an official high school transcript. Since March 2016, the College Board has offered a redesigned SAT. Applicants may submit scores from either version of the test to FGCU as each required score will be included in the admission’s evaluation process. There will be a correlation standard used to compare scores. The FGCU Admissions website will contain the most up-to-date information on the redesigned SAT and the admissions process.

1. Submit the FGCU Undergraduate Admission Application online. Make sure you also complete these related tasks. Answer the conduct questions and provide the necessary documentation as appropriate. Failure to perform either action will delay processing your application. Follow the instruction regarding the signature on the application.
   
   
2. Pay the non-refundable $30.00 application fee using a credit card or send a check payable to Florida Gulf Coast University.
   
   
3. Send your official high school transcript reflecting all completed coursework and a graduation date. Your high school can send the transcript by mail to the Undergraduate Admissions address. Most Florida public high schools can send transcripts electronically through the Florida state-wide transcript service (FASTER). Transcripts sent from a personal email address or by fax are unofficial and will not be accepted.
   
   • Applicants with a GED must submit official GED test scores. Applicants who were home-schooled must submit a properly formatted transcript- learn more at Home-Schooled Students.
   • Applicants with an international high school transcript must submit a transcript evaluated by a credential evaluation agency — learn more at International Students.
     
     
4. Send official college transcripts from all colleges and/or universities previously attended to the Undergraduate Admissions office in the following ways:

• Postal Mail: Send an official transcript in a sealed envelope to the mailing address: Florida Gulf Coast University Office of Undergraduate Admissions 10501 FGCU Blvd. S., Fort Myers, FL 33965-6565.
• Florida Electronic Transcript Service (SPEEDE): The institutions in the Florida College System may send transcripts electronically to FGCU using a state-wide transcript service (FASTER). Contact the Registrar's office at the institution for more information on this option. The FGCU SPEEDE code is 730000003255300. 
• Other Transcript Services (Parchment, eScripp Safe or National Clearinghouse): Some colleges or universities send transcripts electronically using a third-party transcript service. Notifications to view transcripts from these services should be sent to Undergraduate Admissions. Contact your institution's Registrar's office for more details on this option. Transcripts sent from a personal email address or by fax are unofficial and will not be accepted.
• Military credit is considered college credit: All active duty, reserve and veterans of the Army, Coast Guard, Marine Corps and Navy must request transcripts from Joint Services Transcript (JST). Air Force transcripts can be requested from Air University (AU).  *NOTE** Transcripts, test scores, and all supporting documentation received by the university will not be transferred to a third party and become the sole property of FGCU. For information on Transfer of Credit and Articulation Agreements please refer to our Transfer Articulation page.

If the bachelor’s degree was awarded from an out-of-country institution, all foreign transcripts must be evaluated for equivalency purposes. University-level coursework undertaken abroad may be transferable if earned at a recognized institution depending on academic equivalency.  Applicants should submit an original evaluation of courses taken and an English translation of course syllabi for which credit is desired. The evaluating agency will review your transcripts and determine your level of academic study comparable to the U.S. education system.  However, academic departments have the option of denying credit for any coursework not applicable to that department. Failure to send foreign transcripts to an outside evaluation agency may cause delay in application processing.

Graduates from regionally accredited four-year U.S. institutions may apply for admission for a second undergraduate degree.

• The first baccalaureate degree satisfies the general education and Gordon Rule requirements and provides exemption from the foreign language requirement for admission.
• Admission test scores are not required by the university, but may be required by a limited-access program.
• Admission to a limited-access program is not guaranteed.

If the student’s grade point average is at least 2.0 on previous coursework and the applicant is in good standing at the last institution attended, the applicant is admissible to FGCU.
 

1. Submit application via FGCU Application Portal.
• Be sure to complete the code of conduct section and provide any necessary documentation if needed.
• Be sure to sign the application.
2. Pay the non-refundable $30.00 application fee using a credit card or send a check payable to Florida Gulf Coast University.
3. Send official college transcripts from all colleges and/or universities previously attended. Official transcripts may be sent to the Undergraduate Admissions office in the following ways:
• Postal Mail: An official transcript sent in a sealed envelope from your previous institution to the mailing address below.
• Florida Gulf Coast University
  Office of Undergraduate Admissions
  10501 FGCU Boulevard South
  Fort Myers, FL 33965-6565
• Florida Electronic Transcript Service: The following institutions send transcripts electronically to FGCU using a state-wide transcript service (FASTER). Contact the Registrar's office at the institution for more information on this option.
• Third Party Transcript Service (Parchment, eScripp Safe or National Clearinghouse): Some colleges or universities use third party transcript services to send transcripts. Transcript notification from these services should be sent to Undergraduate Admissions. Contact your institution's registrar's office for more details on this option. Transcripts sent from a personal email address are unofficial and will not be accepted.

 

**NOTE** Transcripts, test scores, and all supporting documentation received and opened by the university may not be transferred to a third party or the applicant and become the sole property of FGCU. For information on Transfer of Credit and Articulation Agreements please refer to our Transfer Articulation page.

 

How do credits transfer?

Policy on Transfer Credits and Articulation:

Transfer of credit is awarded for academic courses completed at regionally accredited institutions, or in candidacy for regional accreditation by one of the following regional accrediting associations:

• Middle States Higher Education
• Higher Learning Commission
• New England Association of Schools and Colleges
• Northwest Association of Schools and of Colleges and Universities
• Northwest Commission on Colleges and Universities
• Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges
• Western Association of Schools and Colleges Community & Junior Colleges
• Western Association of Schools and Colleges Senior Colleges & Universities

Transfer students from non-regionally accredited Florida institutions that follow the state common course numbering system may have a limited number of courses articulated. Visit the Florida Department of Education website for details.

All transfer work is evaluated first by the Office of Undergraduate Admissions to determine overall acceptance of credit. The credits transferred may or may not apply toward your specific degree program, so speak with an advisor to learn more about how your credits will apply towards your degree program.

The Office of Undergraduate Admissions evaluates the acceptability of total credits transferable to FGCU and identifies total credits accepted at the lower division (1000 and 2000 level courses). The college of the student's major assigns the equivalent upper division (3000 and 4000 level) courses. Admission to FGCU does not guarantee acceptance into all programs or courses offered by the university. The university reserves the right to evaluate transfer credit courses on an individual basis. The final applicability of transfer of credit rests with the respective academic advisor, thus they may ask you to provide course descriptions and/ or syllabi for formal review of your transfer credit.

Checking the Status of your Transfer Articulation:

Within a few weeks of being admitted to Florida Gulf Coast University we will articulate your college transcripts. We only articulate official transcripts and do not articulate courses from another college/university that may have been posted as transfer credit on that transcript. Please make sure to send all final official transcripts to the Undergraduate Admissions Office directly. We cannot accept faxed transcripts or transcripts in sealed envelopes that have been opened by the student.

How many credits will transfer to FGCU?

In order to access your transfer articulation, you must log in to Gulfline with your UIN number and PIN number. You will want to choose Student Records and then click on Academic Transcript. This will let you know the number of transferable credits. If you have any questions after looking over your transfer of credit, please contact your academic advisor.

 

General Guidelines for Awarding Transfer Credit:

• Credit is not given for technical, vocational, physical education or pre-college courses, or for courses completed below a grade of D-.
• Transfer credits will not be computed into a student’s FGCU institutional grade point average but are included in the overall grade point average.
• If credits are in quarter hours, they will be converted to semester hours by multiplying the quarter hours by .67. As an example, a course with four quarter hours will only be awarded 2.67 semester credits.
• At least 25 percent of coursework for the degree must be earned at FGCU. Thirty (30) of the last 60 hours must be earned at FGCU to receive a baccalaureate degree from FGCU.
• Credit by departmental examination from another institution will be evaluated on a case-by-case basis. Credits awarded by another institution solely based on SAT or ACT scores will not be accepted by FGCU.
• Accreditation status and evaluation of credits from an institution outside of the U.S. must be made by an international credential evaluation agency with associated costs to be paid by the student. University-level coursework undertaken abroad may be transferable if earned at a recognized institution depending on academic equivalency. Course transferability is determined on a course-by-course basis. All transfer credit evaluations are completed after admission to the university as a degree-seeking student and prior to the student’s orientation. Only official transcripts will be articulated. Click this link for information on international evaluation services.
• An equivalent FGCU course number will be entered on the student's official academic transcript.
• Courses with a transfer grade of C- or below may not be used toward satisfaction of computational and communication requirements.

Degree Acceleration Programs (AP, CLEP, IB Equivalencies)

Florida Gulf Coast University awards up to 45 semester hours of Advanced Placement (AP), College Level Examination Program (CLEP), Advanced International Certificate of Education Program (AICE), or the International Baccalaureate Program (IB) towards a degree if an applicant meets the qualifiers or standards for each program. Equivalency information for these programs can be found at AP/AICE/CLEP/IB equivalencies. Official test scores or transcripts must be sent to the Undergraduate Admissions office in order for an official to review and award the credits. For more information, visit Degree Acceleration Programs in the Undergraduate Catalog.

Military Service Credit and the Admissions Review Process

Florida Gulf Coast University considers military service credit utilizing the American Council on Education (ACE) course equivalency information. Credits are awarded based on the recommendations of ACE and the evaluation of their equivalency to FGCU courses; however, ACE’s recommendations are not binding upon the university. A maximum of 45 semester hours of military service credits can be applied toward a degree. FGCU accepts official transcripts from ACE, AARTS, and SMART. An applicant must submit official copies of these documents to the Undergraduate Admissions office in order for an official to review and award the credits. For more information on veteran assistance, visit Veterans Information.

College Credit for Online Courses Completed Prior to Initial Enrollment

If requested by an applicant prior to the student’s initial term of enrollment in undergraduate education, FGCU shall evaluate online coursework. Credit will be awarded if the academic program determines the online course content and learning outcomes are comparable to FGCU offered courses, the online course meets the quality and accreditation standards intended for transfer courses, and the online course is relevant to the applicant’s intended program of study. It is the applicant’s responsibility to initiate the request for review of such online coursework. The request should be made to the Office of Undergraduate Admissions and include an official transcript, course description, and syllabus. Additional documentation made be required as determined by the reviewing academic program. A student denied transfer of online coursework may submit a written appeal to the appropriate college dean. Credit awarded by the university for online coursework will be noted on the student’s transcript.

A limited-access program is one where both program admission and registration in program classes are restricted to a certain number of students meeting pre-determined criteria. This means that you are initially accepted into the university as a pre-major AND then you must submit a supplemental application for consideration for acceptance into a limited-access undergraduate major.

Limited-access status is justified where student demand exceeds available resources (student/faculty ratios, instructional facilities, equipment or specific accrediting requirements) or students require minimum skills to be admitted into the program (such as Music or PGA Golf Management). Limited-access programs have separate admissions processes and selection criteria. Not all students who meet the selection criteria are admitted into the limited-access majors. The selection process is very competitive and space is limited in each incoming class. Freshmen do not need to submit supplemental applications; applications are due in the sophomore year or when program prerequisite requirements have been completed.

Admission to FGCU does not guarantee admission to any limited-access program. Degree programs that require a supplemental application due to limited access are listed below. 

Marieb College of Health & Human Services:

• BS Clinical Laboratory Science: Consult the program admissions page for information on applications, requirements and deadlines.
• BSN Nursing: See the program admissions page for information on applications, requirements and deadlines.

NOTE: All undergraduate majors in the Marieb College of Health & Human Services have a selective-admissions process; some of these programs are designated as limited-access as described above.  Selective admissions requires students to meet certain selection criteria to be considered for admission as a full major. A limited-access program also requires students to meet certain selection criteria to be considered for admissions as a full major; however, there is a limit to the number of students that can be admitted into these programs. As a result of these parameters, some students who meet the selection criteria may not be admitted into limited-access programs as they are very competitive. Learn more about the selective-admissions process.

College of Arts & Sciences:

• BME Music Education
• BA Music - Performance: 
• BMT Music Therapy

See the Bower School of Music website regarding audition information, BSM application and deadlines. Further questions should be addressed to Pam Harkins, Music Program Coordinator.

Lutgert College of Business:

• BS PGA Golf Management: Consult the program website regarding application information and deadlines. Further questions should be addressed to Tara McKenna, Director of the PGA Golf Management program.

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Current FGCU students, classified as non-Florida residents, who seek reclassification must contact the Office of the Registrar.

Residency for Tuition Purposes

Tuition and fees at each institution within the State University System of Florida are set by the Florida Legislature upon recommendation by the State Board of Governors. Enrolled students are charged tuition and fees based on their residency classification as either Florida resident or non-Florida resident. Those classified as Florida residents pay less in fees per credit hour than do those classified as non-Florida residents. 

The requirements for Florida residency status are defined by Florida state statute Section 1009.21. Generally, a person is considered a resident of Florida for the purpose of paying taxes, voting or other legal purposes after residing in the state for a designated length of time. However, state statute requires additional requirements for a student to be classified as a Florida resident for tuition purposes. Most importantly, living in or attending school in Florida will not, in itself, establish legal residence for tuition purposes.

Initial residency classification is determined by the Office of Admissions after applicants have been admitted to the university. All applicants are considered non-Florida residents until they provide proof otherwise. Failure to provide all relevant information and required documentation in a timely manner could result in a non-Florida resident classification for tuition purposes. An online Florida Residency Declaration For Tuition Purposes form is available to provide the necessary documentation as described below. All admitted students will be sent this online link. 

Florida residency for tuition purposes status is only for those residents who reside in the state permanently with established legal domicile in Florida. Permanent Florida residency is demonstrated by the absence of ties to any other state and establishment of a bona fide domicile in Florida. The following information is summarized from the Florida statutes and from policies approved by the State Board of Governors.

To qualify as a Florida resident for tuition purposes, a student must:

Be a U.S. citizen, permanent resident alien, parolee, Cuban national, Vietnamese refugee or other refugee or asylee as designated by the U.S. Immigration and Naturalization Service; and

Have established a legal residence in this state and maintained that legal residence for 12 months preceding the first day of classes of the term in which Florida residency classification is sought. The student's residence in Florida must be as a bona fide domiciliary rather than for the purpose of maintaining a mere temporary residence incidental to enrollment in an institution of higher education, and should be demonstrated as indicated below (for dependent students, as defined by IRS regulations, a parent or guardian must qualify); and

Submit the following documentation (or in the case of a dependent student, the parent must submit documentation prior to the last day of the drop/add period for the term in which resident status is sought; along with a residence affidavit) to the Office of Admissions. At least two of the following documents must be submitted, with dates that evidence the 12-month qualifying period. At least one of the documents must be from the First Tier. As some evidence is more persuasive than others, more than two may be requested. No single piece of documentation will be considered conclusive. Additionally, there must be an absence of information that contradicts the applicant's claim of residency.

First Tier (at least one of the two documents submitted must be from this list):

• Declaration of domicile in Florida (12 months from the date the document was sworn and subscribed as noted by the Clerk of Circuit Court)
• Florida voter registration
• Florida vehicle registration
• Florida driver's license (if known to be held in another state previously, must have relinquished) OR a State of Florida identification card (if evidence of no ties to another state)
• Proof of purchase of a permanent home in Florida that is occupied as a primary residence of the claimant
• Proof of permanent full-time employment in Florida (one or more jobs for at least 30 hours per week for a 12-month period)
• Transcripts from a Florida high school for multiple years (if Florida high school diploma or GED was earned within last 12 months)
• Benefit histories from Florida agencies or public assistance programs

Second Tier (may be used in conjunction with one document from First Tier):

• A Florida professional or occupational license
• Florida incorporation
• Documents evidencing family ties in Florida
• Proof of membership in Florida-based charitable or professional organizations
• Any other documentation that supports the student's request for resident status
• Utility bills and proof of 12 consecutive months of payment
• Lease agreement and proof of 12 consecutive months of payment
• State or court documents evidencing legal ties to Florida

There must not be any contrary evidence establishing residence elsewhere. Documentation of dependent/independent status (copy of most recent IRS tax return). Federal income tax returns filed by resident(s) of a state other than Florida disqualify the student for in-state tuition, unless:

• The student's parents are divorced, separated or otherwise living apart and either parent is a legal resident of Florida, or
• The student becomes a legal resident and is married to a person who has been a legal resident for the required 12-month period, or
• The student is a member of the armed forces on active duty stationed in Florida, or a spouse or dependent, or
• The student is a member of the full-time instructional or administrative staff of a state public school, community college or university in Florida, or a spouse or dependent, or
• The student is a dependent and has lived five years with an adult relative who has established legal residence in Florida

A student who meets any one of the following criteria shall be classified as an independent student for the determination of residency for tuition purposes:

• The student is 24 years of age or older by the first day of classes of the term for which residency status is sought at a Florida institution;
• The student is married;
• The student has children who receive more than half of their support from the student;
• The student has other dependents who live with and receive more than half of their support from the student;
• The student is a veteran of the U.S. armed forces or is currently serving on active duty in the armed forces for purposes other than training;
• Both of the student's parents are deceased or the student is or was (until age 18) a ward/dependent of the court;
• The student is working on a master's or doctoral degree during the term for which residency status is sought at a Florida institution; or
• The student is classified as an independent by the financial aid office at the institution

Evidence that the student meets one of these criteria will be requested by the higher education institution.

A student who does not meet one of the criteria outlined above may be classified as an independent student only if he or she submits documentation that he or she provides fifty (50) percent or more of the cost of attendance for independent, in-state students as defined by the financial aid office at the institution (exclusive of federal, state and institutional aid or scholarships).

The Office of Admissions reserves the right to require additional documentation in order to determine the resident status of any student. If Florida residency status for the purpose of tuition is denied, the student may file an appeal to the Office of Admissions.Back to top

All students admitted as freshmen or transfers must satisfy the foreign language admission requirement. A limited number of undergraduate students not meeting this requirement may be admitted; however, these students must fulfill the requirement prior to completion of the baccalaureate degree.

Admitted undergraduate students must demonstrate competency of foreign language by meeting one of these requirements:

1. Completing a foreign language or American Sign Language course in high school at the 2nd-year level or higher (i.e., Spanish 2, Haitian Creole 2, American Sign Language 2, etc.).

2. Completing a foreign language college course at the elementary 2 level or higher.

3. Obtaining qualifying scores on the AP, AICE, IB and/or CLEP exams. Learn more about the qualifying scores for foreign language in the FGCU Academic Catalog. 

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