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Transfer Information for all Transfer Students

If you are thinking of transferring into La Sierra University's Honors Program, below are the classes that—if possible—you should have taken before you transfer.  If you have not taken all these classes, it is completely alright! That just means that you will need to take a course in the missing area in addition to the courses you will be taking with the rest of your cohort.  Units transferred in are usually from general education courses. If they are from your major, however, 8 units maximum can be transferred in and used for both major and Honors requirements.

Assembling a Portfolio

All students in the Program develop a portfolio consisting of their best work throughout the Program.  Several courses focus on revision and analysis of these portfolios.  Ideally, transfer students will include papers from the courses they end up transferring into the program.  Save all of your papers from all of your college classes.  It will save time later.

Transferring Sophomores from other Colleges or Universities

Sophomores transferring into the La Sierra University Honors Program should, ideally, have completed the following courses:

  • A laboratory-based physical or life science course.
  • A modern or ancient language through the Beginner's III level (e.g., three quarters or two semesters of language).  Many students test for competency in a language, although be sure to distinguish between "placement" exams, which carry no credit, and "credit" exams, which are more expensive but result in actual course credit.
  • College Algebra, a college-level statistics course, or a mathematics course beyond the College Algebra level (i.e, Trigonometry or Calculus).
  • One year of Freshman English or composition, or one semester or quarter of an Honors English or composition course.  Note that whereas Loma Linda University School of Medicine accepts the one quarter or semester of Honors English, some medical schools require an entire year's sequence.
  • You are encouraged to meet with the Honors director in order to discuss optoins for transferring in courses.

Transferring Juniors from other Colleges or Universities

Juniors transferring into the La Sierra University Honors Program should, ideally, have completed the following courses:

  • A laboratory-based physical or life science course.
  • A course dealing with identity, citizenship, globalization, and/or cultures and their contexts (consult the Honors director if you have questions about a particular class; many, but not all, social science courses may fulfill this requirement)
  • A course in art appreciation or history.
  • A course in religion (not a practics course, i.e., not a course focusing on practical ministerial training but a course focusing on theology, phenomenology, or Biblical studies)
  • A modern or ancient language through the Beginner's III level (e.g., three quarters or two semesters of language).  Many students test for competency in a language, although be sure to distinguish between "placement" exams, which carry no credit, and "credit" exams, which are more expensive but result in actual course credit.
  • College Algebra, a college-level statistics course, or a mathematics course beyond the College Algebra level (i.e, Trigonometry or Calculus).
  • One year of Freshman English or composition, or one semester or quarter of an Honors English or composition course.  Note that whereas Loma Linda University School of Medicine accepts the one quarter or semester of Honors English, some medical schools require an entire year's sequence.
  • You are encouraged to meet with the Honors director in order to discuss optoins for transferring in courses. 

Information for Current La Sierra University Students Transfers from University Studies

Current La Sierra University students can switch over to Honors from the General education track: "University Studies." Current students are able to apply to the Honors Program up the 3rd quarter of his/her junior year. This will provide the student with enough time to get his/her graduation contract in order and complete the Honors Scholarship project.

Students transferring from University Studies will need to submit two letters of recommendation like students transferring from another university. Please check the application deadlines to ensure you are accepted before the quarter you wish to enter the program.

Freshmen or Sophomores Transferring from La Sierra University's "University Studies" General Education Program

Freshmen or sophomores transferring to the Honors Program should, ideally, have completed or are in the process of completing some of the following courses:
  • A laboratory-based course from Theme IV-A or IV-B
  • Lifetime Fitness (PEAC 120)
  • Modern or ancient language through Intermediate I level (e.g., four quarters or three semesters of a modern language). Note that many students may be able to test for competency in a modern foreign language.
  • College Algebra
  • ENGL 111, 112, 113 or ENGL 124
If you are planning on transferring several months in the future, you may want to consult the Honors Director about options for fulfilling the Global Cultures in Context requirement (consisting of a class dealing with global cultures or societies, along with an international experience and accompanying essays and analysis). Note that you should talk to the Honors Director before participating in an international experience (e.g., Adventist Colleges Abroad, Honors Semester, Student Missions) if you would like it to fulfill this requirement.

Juniors Transferring from La Sierra University's "University Studies" General Education Program

Juniors transferring to the Honors Program should, ideally, have completed the following courses:
  • A laboratory-based course from Theme IV-A or IV-B
  • A course from Theme I or II-B
  • A Theme III-A or III-D course
  • Lifetime Fitness (PEAC 120)
  • Modern or ancient language through Intermediate I level (e.g., four quarters or three semesters of a modern language). Note that many students may be able to test for competency in a modern foreign language.
  • College Algebra (MATH 121)
  • Calculus I (MATH 131) or Statistics I (MATH 251)
  • ENGL 111, 112, 113 or ENGL 124
If you are planning on transferring several months in the future, you may want to consult the Honors Director about options for fulfilling the Global Cultures in Context field experience requirement (consisting of an international experience and accompanying essays and analysis). Note that you should talk to the Honors Director before participating in an international experience (e.g., Adventist Colleges Abroad, Honors Semester, Student Missions) if you would like it to fulfill this requirement.
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