Resources For
Alvernia provides a smooth transition
Alvernia University understands that transfer students have unique needs. You've already taken college classes elsewhere, or possibly served in the military, and you don't want to start from the beginning again. You don't have to at Alvernia. Whether you’re coming from a four-year institution or a community college, or have military schooling and experience, Alvernia is committed to providing you with personal attention and flexible class schedules that make it easy for you to join Alvernia's community. We consider each student's academic record individually, so most students' previous coursework counts toward an Alvernia degree, which typically means you continue on your educational journey without repeating a step.
- Students Affected by College Closings
Higher education faces immense challenges with a changing landscape, which sadly includes the closure of longstanding institutions that have served communities and generations of students. Guided by our Franciscan core values, Alvernia University is ready to provide a lending hand to students affected by their college or university’s closure. We understand this is a difficult time for students and their families as they decide on their educational future. At Alvernia, we are prepared to provide a smooth transition for both undergraduate and graduate students by offering completion scholarships, expedited admissions and generous credit transfers. Find out more by contacting AU's Assistant Director for Transfer Students Arielle Phillips-Law at Arielle.Phillips@alvernia.edu, call her at 610-796-8207 or email our Admissions Office.- Helping you Navigate the Process
Students seeking to transfer for Traditional Day courses and complete an Undergraduate (Bachelor's) degree should connect with Arielle Phillips-Law and apply for admission to the daytime undergraduate program of choice.
Those wishing to transfer credits to complete a degree in the evenings at an accelerated pace or earn a graduate (Master's or Ph.D.) degree should contact Graduate and Adult Education at 610-796-5178 or gradandadult@alvernia.edu.- Apply Today
For all students, the first step is to apply, which can be done easily online via our Alvernia University Application Portal or The Common Application. Once we have received your application for enrollment, we will guide you along the transfer path, from submitting transcripts to registering for classes.
How Will Your Credits Transfer to Alvernia?
Log in to Transferology to see how your courses will transfer, and contact us with any questions.
Transfer FAQs
- Do I have to transfer into Alvernia University in the fall semester?
No. Alvernia has rolling admissions, so you can apply at any time. We’re happy to welcome you to the Alvernia community beginning in either the fall or spring semester. Contact Associate Director for Transfer Students Arielle Phillips-Law, at 610-796-8207 or email the Undergraduate Admissions Office to discuss your situation.- What kind of grades do I need to transfer to Alvernia?
You’ll need to have a minimum cumulative GPA of 2.5 (higher for some majors) from a regionally accredited two- or four-year institution. A maximum of 75 credits will be accepted in transfer. You must complete a minimum of 45 credits at Alvernia to receive your degree. After you have completed the application process, we’ll review your application for admission and do an official transfer evaluation to determine your academic class level.- How do I know how many credits I will need to complete my bachelor’s degree?
After you have completed the application process, we’ll review your application for admission and do an official transfer evaluation to determine your academic class level.- What does Alvernia University offer me as a transfer student?
Learning for real life, for starters. At the university, preparing you for a career and getting you ready for a successful and rewarding future is a priority. Alvernia offers you a breadth of academic and specialized, career-oriented fields of study with a boundary-free learning approach that gives you choices and options, and is grounded in the real world. Most importantly, you’ll get the training and knowledge needed to land that first job in whatever field you choose, with a degree from a university that employers and grad schools respect.Then there's the caliber of our faculty. They’re more than professors. They’re experts, advisers and mentors, and they’re dedicated—to you. They devote their time and attention to you, to help you acquire the knowledge and skills you need to move into the real world after graduation. Alvernia has an average 12:1 student-faculty ratio, with fewer than 20 students in most classes so you’ll get the individual attention that can make the difference in your future success.
- Will an Alvernia degree improve my job prospects?
Yes. Last year, 96% of Alvernia University graduates found jobs or were accepted into graduate and professional schools after graduation—a testament to the respect employers and other schools have for the value of an Alvernia degree and the quality of our students. In addition, our alumni network and Office of Career Development offer many valuable resources you can use from your very first day on campus.
- Can I live on-campus as a transfer student?
Absolutely, and we hope you do. Alvernia’s student housing is well known for offering a variety of spacious and clean accommodations that make living on campus your best bet. We invite you to come see for yourself! Call the Admissions Office at 888-ALVERNIA (610-796-8269) to talk to our transfer coordinator or schedule a campus visit.- How can I get started?
Apply online by clicking the 'Apply Now!' link on the left. You should also contact any school you've attended previously and request your transcript(s) so that we can evaluate any transferable credits for courses you have already completed. Please note that Alvernia does not grant credit for online courses in laboratory science for major science courses, including those offered in a hybrid format. We look forward to helping you achieve your educational goals and get you on your way to starting in the career of your dreams.
Grad and Adult Transfer FAQs
- Could my credits from a local institute transfer into my degree?
Alvernia does have partnerships with some local institutes, including Berks Technical Institute, PACE Institute, and McCann School of Business, as well as for some EMT and Police Academy programs. Your Enrollment Coordinator will review all your transcripts to see what may apply.- What is Credit for Life Experience (or otherwise known as Prior Learning Assessment or PLA)?
As an adult learner, you may have work or life experience that could be deemed equivalent to college-level learning. This experience can be considered for credit towards an undergraduate degree.- How will my applicable life experience be evaluated?
Your Student Success Coach will work with you and department chairs to determine if a portfolio of work or challenge exam may be appropriate. Alvernia will also except credits for 3rd-party exams, such as CLEP testing.- When will my Credit for Life Experience be evaluated?
At Alvernia, our focus is to help you make a smooth transition back into the classroom or into college classes for the first time. To be your most successful, we encourage focusing on your classwork and acclimating to Alvernia life during your first semester. Your Student Success Coach will then work with you to gather all supporting materials needed for assessment for credits.
Transfer Scholarships
Alvernia has undergraduate transfer scholarships, so please inquire about these - and ask about any other helpful initiatives.
Transfer Partnerships
Alvernia has forged special relationships with some regional schools to make transferring credits even easier.
Many Ways to Get Involved
Alvernia presents endless opportunities for students to gain leadership, problem solving, collaboration and teambuilding skills. Through dozens of campus organizations and activities, students hone lifetime skills essential for any industry or field of study.
Success Stories
Quick-acting MSAT student saves man's life
Jackson Hoover, an MSAT graduate student who transferred to Alvernia after briefly attending two other institutions, twice revived a man who had collapsed following a football game.
Community-college transfer thrives at Alvernia, graduates at age 18
Cora Cox, who enrolled at Alvernia as a 16-year-old, was chosen to speak at Alvernia's 2024 Commencement.
O'Pake Fellow helps make difference in Reading
A Reading resident, Jamal Dancy sees a difference since Alvernia brought the O'Pake Institute for Economic Development and Entrepreneurship into the city.
Virtual Tour
This self-guided tour includes nearly two dozen stops across our locations, featuring 360-degree panorama views, videos and more.
Why Choose Alvernia?
Innovating to Take Education Higher
Alvernia is raising the bar for academic excellence, increasing access to higher education, engaging students in new ways and fueling growth throughout the business community.
Producing Workplace-Ready Graduates
Students develop knowledge and skills outside traditional academic settings, including Thailand and the Amazon rainforest.
Soaring Applications and Visits
Alvernia’s ambitious vision continues to attract students from across the country and globe, with the institution racking up record numbers of applications and visits.
