Transfer Student Services

Community College Students

On their path to a bachelor's degree, many students choose to start their higher education journey at a local community college. With several community colleges in the area, CSU is the next stop for many local community college students. The resources on this page will provide you with helpful information needed to make the transition from a local two-year, in-state institution to Cleveland State University.

Associate of Arts/Associate of Science General Education Waiver

CSU has agreements with Cuyahoga Community College, Lakeland Community College, and Lorain County Community College that waive most general education requirements for students who complete selected associate degree programs. These agreements acknowledge the value of your associate degree and are intended to encourage seamless transfer and a smooth transition to junior standing and study in upper-division courses. Complete one of the approved associate degree programs below, then transfer to CSU secure in the knowledge that your lower-division general education requirements are done. 

Associate of Arts Degree

  • Cuyahoga Community College
  • Lakeland Community College
  • Lorain County Community College 

Associate of Science Degree

  • Cuyahoga Community College 
  • Lakeland Community College
  • Lorain County Community College

Combine this with one of our pathway programs below to get on the quickest path to graduation with your bachelor’s degree! Talk with a counselor/advisor at Tri-C or CSU to find out more. 

CSU Bound/UP Express

CSU offers three programs designed to provide students with a structured transfer experience! These programs make transferring to CSU from Lakeland Community College and Lorain County Community College a seamless experience. Students will have guaranteed admission to CSU when all requirements are met. You also have access to take up to three classes tuition-free at CSU during your time at your community college as well as access to all events, facilities, and advisors that CSU has to offer!

Dual Admission

CSU is proud to partner with our local community colleges (Cuyahoga Community College, Lakeland Community College, and Lorain County Community College) to provide students an opportunity to take courses at community college while also simultaneously taking courses at CSU. This gives students an opportunity to seamlessly continue their education from an associate to a bachelor’s degree. Normally, students who have junior standing or above are not allowed to take courses at the two-year institution after matriculating at Cleveland State. Dual Admissions allows this to occur. 

Partnership Programs

CSU currently has Partnership Programs with Cuyahoga Community College, Lakeland Community College, and Lorain County Community College. These programs are intended to help students seamlessly obtain a CSU bachelor’s degree right from their local campus!

Click on your school’s link below to find out more about your school’s Partnership Program.

Pathways

These are four-year academic plans that detail which courses should be taken at a state community college over the first two years and then subsequently detail which courses should be taken over the last two years at CSU. Please select 'Pathways Index' to be taken to a list of all current pathways.

Transfer Guides

These guides are a useful resource for students who will eventually transfer to CSU. They provide a listing of CSU’s General Education Requirements and their equivalent course numbers at each respective school. This way, you can start working toward fulfilling CSU’s requirements before officially making the transition.