I'm a prospective/incoming transfer student

Bringing Your Credits to MSU

When you send your transcripts to MSU, we evaluate your coursework and determine if and how it transfers.

Transfer MSU is where we store information about transfer courses. You can search:

By institution. This feature allows you to browse courses already approved by a specific school.
By MSU courses. This feature helps you find equivalent courses at another institution.
By University Requirement. This list is for students who have never attended MSU.

If you don’t see a course listed, it simply means it still needs to be evaluated.

While transfer guides from other schools can be helpful, Transfer MSU is the most up-to-date resource. If you’re planning to transfer, we strongly encourage you to use this tool to plan ahead and avoid surprises.

Important Things to Know

Send official transcripts from every institution you’ve attended.
Send official test scores (e.g., AP, IB, etc.), even if your previous institution already awarded credit.

Key policies (from the MSU Academic Programs Catalog):

Up to 60 community college credits can be applied toward your bachelor’s degree.
Residency requirement: no more than 10 of your last 30 credits may be transferred without prior approval (usually reserved for study abroad seniors).
Only courses with a 2.0 or higher are eligible for transfer.
Psychology credits: At least 15 of the 31 required PSY credits must be taken at MSU.

Michigan Transfer Agreement (MTA)

If you’re transferring from a Michigan community college, consider completing the Michigan Transfer Agreement (MTA).

Students who earn the MTA designation will have MSU’s general education requirements waived.

Important: if your MTA does not include algebra, you will still need to complete algebra for the psychology major.

Check with your current institution for details about completing the MTA.

Apply to MSU

Ready to get started? Your first step is applying to Michigan State University. You will declare psychology as your major during the application process.

Choose Your Degree: BA or BS in Psychology

All psychology students choose between a Bachelor of Arts (BA) or Bachelor of Science (BS).

Both degrees prepare you for careers and graduate school. There’s no “better” option—just the one that fits you best.

BA in Psychology may be a good fit if you:

Enjoy writing, discussion, and big-picture thinking.
Are interested in people, culture, and social systems.
Want more flexibility to explore minors, study abroad, or multiple interests.

BS in Psychology may be a good fit if you:

Enjoy biology, math, or science courses.
Are interested in research or lab work.
Are considering pre-health paths (pre-med, pre-PA, etc.).
Want to explore areas like neuroscience or cognition.

What matters most: choose the path where you’ll stay engaged and do your best academically.

Compare Degree Requirements

You’ll also have the opportunity to talk through this decision with an advisor before enrolling during New Student Orientation (NSO).

After You’re Accepted

Congratulations! We’re excited for you to join us!

Once you’ve been admitted (and especially after you’ve committed), here are your next steps:

Attend Admitted Student Day (spring) to explore campus and connect with the department.
Send your transcripts along with any dual enrollment credits and/or test scores (e.g., AP/IB scores) to MSU. Learn more here
Check your MSU email regularly.
Complete your New Student Orientation (NSO) online modules. These are typically available in May. These modules are required before you can:
- Meet with an academic advisor.
- Enroll in your first-semester courses.
- Once completed, you’ll receive instructions to schedule your advising appointment.
- Tip: Schedule early to have the best selection of courses.

You can meet with any PSY advisor. Feel free to review advisor bios and choose someone who feels like a good fit.

Prepare for Your Advising Appointment

Your first advising appointment is all about getting you set up for a strong start.

Before your meeting:

Email your advisor an unofficial copy of your transcripts.
Jot down questions.
Think about what interests you (inside and outside of psychology).
Check on your incoming credits. Order a fresh copy of your official transcripts if you have earned additional credits since you applied.
Reflect on possible career ideas (even if they’re vague). Be sure to tell us if you’re considering pre-health (like pre-med) so we can guide you toward the right courses from the start.

Your First Year at MSU

As a transfer student, you’re arriving with experience, and that’s a strength. To help you hit the ground running, we encourage you to:

Build connections with faculty, staff, and peers.
Explore hands-on opportunities like research and internships.
Join student organizations or psychology-related groups.
Attend events that introduce you to new opportunities and connections.

Use our Timeline to help you set some goals for your first year.

Tools & Resources

We’ve put together resources to help you navigate your first year and beyond.