Transfer Student Admissions | University of Silicon Valley

Transfer Students

Bring your progress with you. At USV, we make it simple to transfer your credits and continue your journey in Silicon Valley.

How to Apply

No portfolios. No letters of recommendation. Just three straightforward steps:

1 Complete the Online Application

Submit your online application.

11 Send Your Official Transcripts

From all colleges and universities you’ve attended (high school or GED transcripts also required).

First-Time Students: high school transcripts.
Transfer Students: high school and college transcripts

111 Speak with an Admissions Advisor

Your advisor will guide you through credit transfer and placement.

Start Your Application

Request More Info

Transfer Credit Evaluation

USV awards transfer credit based on course comparability and program requirements. Key criteria include:

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Undergraduate transfer courses must have a minimum grade of C; graduate-level transfers require a B.

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“P” (Pass) grades may be accepted if clearly equivalent to C or better (undergrad) or B or better (graduate).

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No credit awarded for work experience, physical education, ESL, or preparatory courses.

•

Foreign transcripts must be evaluated and translated by a NACES or AICE member.

•

Coursework older than 10 years is reviewed case-by-case.

•

Courses must be equivalent in level, content, and credit hours to USV courses.

•

Undergraduate transfer courses must have a minimum grade of C; graduate-level transfers require a B.

•

“P” (Pass) grades may be accepted if clearly equivalent to C or better (undergrad) or B or better (graduate).

•

No credit awarded for work experience, physical education, ESL, or preparatory courses.

•

Foreign transcripts must be evaluated and translated by a NACES or AICE member.

•

Coursework older than 10 years is reviewed case-by-case.

•

Courses must be equivalent in level, content, and credit hours to USV courses.

•

Undergraduate transfer courses must have a minimum grade of C; graduate-level transfers require a B.

•

“P” (Pass) grades may be accepted if clearly equivalent to C or better (undergrad) or B or better (graduate).

•

No credit awarded for work experience, physical education, ESL, or preparatory courses.

•

Foreign transcripts must be evaluated and translated by a NACES or AICE member.

•

Coursework older than 10 years is reviewed case-by-case.

•

Courses must be equivalent in level, content, and credit hours to USV courses.

•

Undergraduate transfer courses must have a minimum grade of C; graduate-level transfers require a B.

•

“P” (Pass) grades may be accepted if clearly equivalent to C or better (undergrad) or B or better (graduate).

•

No credit awarded for work experience, physical education, ESL, or preparatory courses.

•

Foreign transcripts must be evaluated and translated by a NACES or AICE member.

•

Coursework older than 10 years is reviewed case-by-case.

•

Courses must be equivalent in level, content, and credit hours to USV courses.

Transcript Submission

Official transcripts must be sent directly to the Registrar’s Office within 14 days of your term start:

University of Silicon Valley
Attn: Registrar’s Office
191 Baypointe Pkwy
San Jose, CA 95134

Electronic transcripts: send through Parchment or request your school to email directly to registrarsoffice@usv.edu

Placement Assessments

Placement tests help us ensure you’re set up for success. Tests are available online or on-campus, and may be waived with qualifying ACT/SAT scores or transfer credits.

Subjects & Passing Scores:

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English – 70% (all students)

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Mathematics – 75% (engineering) / 65% (non-engineering) online; 70% paper-based

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Music Theory – required only for Digital Audio Technology students (treble/bass clef literacy, rhythm, notation)

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English – 70% (all students)

•

Mathematics – 75% (engineering) / 65% (non-engineering) online; 70% paper-based

•

Music Theory – required only for Digital Audio Technology students (treble/bass clef literacy, rhythm, notation)

•

English – 70% (all students)

•

Mathematics – 75% (engineering) / 65% (non-engineering) online; 70% paper-based

•

Music Theory – required only for Digital Audio Technology students (treble/bass clef literacy, rhythm, notation)

•

English – 70% (all students)

•

Mathematics – 75% (engineering) / 65% (non-engineering) online; 70% paper-based

•

Music Theory – required only for Digital Audio Technology students (treble/bass clef literacy, rhythm, notation)

👉 Engineering students with lower scores may be placed into MATH116 or MATH003 depending on results.

Math Test Topics

Exponents and polynomials, equations, functions and graphs, exponential/logarithmic functions.

English Test Format:

Multiple-choice grammar and sentence clarity

Multiple-choice reading and vocabulary

One-page written essay (choose from three topics)

Multiple-choice grammar and sentence clarity

Multiple-choice reading and vocabulary

One-page written essay (choose from three topics)

Multiple-choice grammar and sentence clarity

Multiple-choice reading and vocabulary

One-page written essay (choose from three topics)

Multiple-choice grammar and sentence clarity

Multiple-choice reading and vocabulary

One-page written essay (choose from three topics)

All Applicants Must Submit:

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Official college transcripts

•

Official high school transcript, GED, or equivalent (Ability-to-Benefit not accepted)

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ACT or SAT scores (recommended, not required) — may be used to waive placement tests

•

Official college transcripts

•

Official high school transcript, GED, or equivalent (Ability-to-Benefit not accepted)

•

ACT or SAT scores (recommended, not required) — may be used to waive placement tests

•

Official college transcripts

•

Official high school transcript, GED, or equivalent (Ability-to-Benefit not accepted)

•

ACT or SAT scores (recommended, not required) — may be used to waive placement tests

•

Official college transcripts

•

Official high school transcript, GED, or equivalent (Ability-to-Benefit not accepted)

•

ACT or SAT scores (recommended, not required) — may be used to waive placement tests

Why Apply to USV?

At USV, you’ll join a community of creators, coders, and innovators taught by faculty with real industry experience. You’ll graduate with:

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A professional portfolio that proves your skills

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Industry connections built through collaboration

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The confidence to launch your career in creative and technology fields

•

A professional portfolio that proves your skills

•

Industry connections built through collaboration

•

The confidence to launch your career in creative and technology fields

•

A professional portfolio that proves your skills

•

Industry connections built through collaboration

•

The confidence to launch your career in creative and technology fields

•

A professional portfolio that proves your skills

•

Industry connections built through collaboration

•

The confidence to launch your career in creative and technology fields

The USV Difference

USV students take 3 courses per term instead of the traditional 4. That means:

Deeper learning

You’ll dive deeper into each subject, with more time to absorb concepts, apply them in projects, and build lasting mastery that goes beyond memorization.

Higher Success

With improved retention and a healthier pace, students are more likely to graduate on time and enter the job market prepared with real skills and strong portfolios.

Better Balance

Fewer concurrent courses means less stress and more focus. You’ll have room to manage school, work, and life — without sacrificing academic performance.

Where theory meets creation.

Students Don’t Just Learn — They Ship. Every project has stakes. Every creation has an audience. Every graduate leaves with a portfolio that proves they can build the future.

FOUR STUDIOS

USV Productions

Films, music, podcasts, immersive media.