The California State University is home to a large number of transfer students, many of whom entered the system from one of the California Community Colleges. In fact, the CSU enrolled 53,216 transfer students in fall 2025, with 92% of new undergraduate transfers coming from California Community Colleges.
To support potential transfer students and make sure they experience a smooth transition, the CSU offers two main transfer pathways: the Associate Degree for Transfer (ADT) and the Transfer Success Pathway (TSP). Both are designed to help students move seamlessly from community college to a CSU and avoid common transfer challenges like:
- Taking extra classes that do not align with the transfer plan.
- Delaying graduation because of not meeting academic requirements.
- Waiting too long to start planning.
- Not being admitted their CSU of choice.
What are CSU transfer pathways?
CSU transfer pathways are structured routes that help students transfer from community college to a CSU campus. They help students transfer on time, shorten their path to a four-year degree and answer questions like:
- Which classes should I take?
- Which CSU campuses should I aim for?
- Will my community college classes align with my chosen major?
- Am I on track to transfer on time?
The Two Main CSU Transfer Pathways
1. Transfer Success Pathway (TSP)
The
Transfer Success Pathway is a dual admission program for eligible students entering the California Community Colleges for the first time. Students in the TSP program enter into an agreement with the CSU and receive guaranteed admission to the degree program and campus of their choice—but must meet all TSP requirements and transfer to the CSU within three years.
Students also receive personalized support and guidance from CSU representatives to create a transfer plan while still at a community college. They may also complete an ADT as part of the TSP program.
The TSP program may be the best fit for students who:
- Are starting at the California Community Colleges for the first time.
- Want to plan to transfer to the CSU as early as possible.
- Like the idea of built-in transfer support and advising.
2. Associate Degree for Transfer (ADT)
The
Associate Degree for Transfer is a two-year community college degree that is fully transferable to the CSU and requires no more than 60 semester units or 90 quarter units. These California Community Colleges Associate in Art for Transfer and Associate in Science for Transfer degrees guarantee priority admission for transfer students who meet the CSU's minimum eligibility requirements.
Transfer students who earned an ADT will be able to earn two degrees—an associate's degree and a bachelor's degree—with only 120 units if they transfer into a program at the CSU that's similar to the one they completed at the California Community Colleges.
The ADT may be the best fit for students who:
- Are already attending the California Community Colleges.
- Want a structured academic route to the CSU that includes an associate's degree.
- Are planning to transfer in a similar major.
Which Pathway is Right for You?
- Are starting at the California Community Colleges for the first time.
- Want to plan to transfer to the CSU as early as possible.
- Like the idea of built-in transfer support and advising.
| - Are already attending the California Community Colleges.
- Want a structured academic route to the CSU that includes an associate's degree.
- Are planning to transfer in a similar major.
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The CSU Transfer Planner
No matter which transfer path a community college student is following, they can use the
CSU Transfer Planner to aid the process. Using the tool, students can:
- Explore CSU campuses, programs and transfer-admission requirements.
- Save degree programs of interest.
- Log community college coursework, track general education progress and compare current GPAs to the transfer-admission requirements.
- Discover career options and which majors lead to those career paths.
What Students Should Do Next
Students interested in transferring from a community college to the CSU should start by taking these next steps:
- Decide which pathway will best help with the transfer process by looking at the ADT, the TSP and other transfer options.
- Explore the different CSU campuses and their major programs.
- Use the CSU Transfer Planner to track interesting majors, community college coursework and transfer goals.
- Meet with a community college counselor or CSU representative to develop a transfer plan.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the difference between the Transfer Success Pathway program and the Associate Degree for Transfer?
ADTs provide priority admission consideration and guarantee graduation with 60 semester units in a CSU degree program (major) similar to the ADT earned at the California Community Colleges. A TSP agreement guarantees admission provided the student meets the requirements of the TSP agreement with a CSU.
Can I apply for TSP if I took dual enrollment classes in high school?
Yes. Taking dual enrollment coursework while in high school does not disqualify you from the Transfer Success Pathway. You are still considered eligible as long as you have not earned college credit after completing high school or earning a GED.
Can I pursue both the TSP and ADT at the same time?
The TSP is designed for students entering community college with no prior college credit. Once you earn college credit beyond the eligible exceptions, TSP may no longer apply. However, you may also complete an ADT as part of the TSP program.
Does the ADT guarantee admission to the CSU campus I want?
Not necessarily. The ADT guarantees priority admission to a CSU campus, but not to a specific campus or major. If you have a verified AA-T or AS-T degree and meet the CSU's upper-division transfer admission eligibility requirements, but you haven't been admitted to the CSU of your choice because that campus doesn't have enough space, you will be redirected to an alternate campus. The TSP though provides a guarantee of admission to a specific campus and degree program for eligible students.
How many total units do I need to earn a bachelor's degree through the ADT?
If you transfer into a CSU program that is similar to the one in which you earned your ADT, you can earn both your associate's and bachelor's degrees with only 120 total units.
What if hardships prevented me from attending the CSU directly after high school?
The TSP was specifically designed to help students who were prevented from attending the CSU in the past by academic, financial or personal hardships. Students who haven't earned any college credit after high school graduation (the summer immediately following graduation excluded) are eligible to sign a TSP agreement in the next enrollment cycle.
What is the CSU Transfer Planner?
The CSU Transfer Planner is an online tool that helps students log their community college coursework to ensure they are on track to transfer to the CSU. Students can also use the tool to explore CSU campuses, degree programs, transfer-admission requirements and career options.
| Who it's for | Students entering the California Community Colleges for the first time who have not earned any college credit after completing high school or a GED | Students earning an AA-T or AS-T at the California Community Colleges |
| Admission guarantee | Guarantees admission to a specific CSU and degree program | Guarantees priority admission to a CSU, but not a specific campus or degree program |
| Transfer timeline | Students must meet all TSP requirements and transfer to the CSU within three years | Students complete an associate's degree in no more than 60 semester units or 90 quarter units (typically two years) before transferring |
| Degrees earned | Bachelor's degree at the CSU, though students may also earn an ADT at the California Community Colleges | Associate's degree at the California Community Colleges and bachelor's degree at the CSU
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Learn more about transferring to the CSU.