Pasadena City College only accepts lower division college level coursework transferred from U.S. institutionally accredited colleges and universities. These courses are evaluated for applicability to the Associate in Arts or Associate in Science Degrees. There is no guarantee that courses taken at another college will be accepted for credit at Pasadena City College. Many factors are considered when evaluating a course for credit such as: accreditation status of the college, course content, educational quality and rigor, level of credit earned and appropriateness of the other college courses to programs offered at Pasadena City College. A passing score on a competency examination administered by Pasadena City College may be required before credit is granted for courses in Mathematics or English taken at other colleges. Transcripts from other accredited colleges are not evaluated until the student has completed 12 units at Pasadena City College. Students may request an evaluation with an Academic Counselor. Official transcripts of all previous college work must be submitted to the Admissions and Records Office.

To graduate from Pasadena City College, a student must complete 60-degree applicable units, earn a C or "Pass" in all courses required for the major, and complete an appropriate General Education pattern (See Catalog sections on Academic Programs). In addition, the student must achieve a minimum of a 2.000 GPA in the 60-degree applicable units required to complete the degree. Grade points accumulated in excess of the 60 required for a degree are not calculated for Pasadena City College graduation purposes. Grade points earned at other institutions, however, may be counted the same as Pasadena City College grade points in awarding scholarships and loans, and determining membership in honor societies.

Please note that the policies for accepting transfer coursework at four-year institutions vastly differ from Pasadena City College. For example but not limited to, only accepting coursework from the (formerly known as) U.S. regionally accredited colleges and universities; requiring a cumulative GPA of all coursework, not just those being used towards earning a degree; required coursework to be taught in a face-to-face modality; and more. Please see an Academic Counselor for guidance on coursework required to transfer to four-year institutions.