Transfer Days Orientation Program

The Transfer Days Orientation Program, provided by Illinois State University, is specific to transfer students to help them become acquainted with the campus, learn about academic requirements, and assist with the overall transition to ISU. This program is an integral part of helping transfer students make a smooth transition to Illinois State and all transfer students are strongly encouraged to attend one of the Transfer Days. While ISU offers many dates for Transfer Days, the earlier you can attend the better. By attending an early Transfer Day, you will have a better chance of registering for the classes you need on the days/times you prefer.

Visit the Transfer Days Orientation Program website for more information, dates, frequently asked questions and more.

Transfer Academic Advising Appointment

An important part of the Transfer Days Orientation Program is meeting with a School of Communication academic advisor. If you are an admitted transfer student with a declared major in Communication and need to make an advising appointment for your Transfer Day, call the School of Communication Advising Center at (309) 438-7080. There are several important goals to accomplish during a transfer advising appointment:

• Go over the advising process in the School of Communication
• Review the requirements of your Communication major
• Review any remaining University requirements for graduation
• Learn how to navigate iCampus
• REGISTER for classes for the upcoming semester

You should do the following tasks to prepare for your advising appointment:

• Activate your University Identification Number (UID) and your University Login ID (ULID). Visit the Transfer Days Frequently Asked Questions website for information on how to do this (along with other helpful information).
• Send your updated transcripts to the Office of the University Registrar.

Click here for more information about academic advising in the School of Communication.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

The following FAQs address some of the questions specific to transfer students. For more extensive FAQs, visit the School of Communication Advising FAQ page.

How many credit hours can I transfer to Illinois State University?

Illinois State University accepts a maximum of

• 70 semester hours from a two-year institution (i.e., community college)
• 90 semester hours from a four-year institution
• 90 semester hours from a two-year and four-year institution

How do I know what classes transfer from my community college to ISU?

Students can use the Transfer Course Guides to see which classes will transfer to ISU from any community college in Illinois. The Transfer Course Guides show you the classes the community college offers in one column and how each class transfers to ISU in another column. Some classes may transfer to ISU as a direct course equivalent, while others may transfer as major electives, non-majors electives, or no credit.

Do classes from a community college count as Senior College Level hours?

All courses from community colleges transfer to ISU as 100-level credit, regardless of the course number at the community college. Illinois State requires students to take 42 credit hours at the Senior College Level to graduate. Senior College Level includes all courses at the 200- and 300-level.

I have questions about housing, financial aid, the Student Recreation Center, parking, etc. Where can I get answers for these questions?

You can find information about any resource, department, program, etc. on ISU’s campus by searching the Search/A-Z Index. A link for Search/A-Z can be found at the top of every ISU website.

What classes fulfill the Bachelor of Arts and Bachelor of Science degree requirements?

As a Communication major, you have the choice to fulfill a Bachelor of Arts (B.A.) or a Bachelor of Science (B.S.). You only need to fulfill one type of degree requirement for graduation. To complete a B.A. degree, students must complete LAN 115 (second year, part one) of a foreign language. To complete a B.S. degree, students must take an additional math, science, or technology course from an approved list beyond the general education requirements. You can find the list of approved B.S. courses in the Undergraduate Catalog under “Academic Policies.”

Do I have to take foreign language as a Communication major? If so, how do I know what foreign language class I am ready for?

Communication students must complete up through LAN 112 (first year, part two) of a foreign language in order to fulfill the College of Arts and Sciences foreign language requirement. Students that completed three years of the same foreign language in high school are exempt from the foreign language requirement. For students that are unfamiliar with a language or have not taken a foreign language for a few years, we typically recommend that they start with LAN 111 and work up to LAN 112. To be sure you are starting at the correct foreign language level, we encourage you to take the free online placement exams offered by the Languages, Literatures, and Cultures Department. To access the placement test you need, click on the language you are interested in at the top of the page, then click on the “Online Placement Tests” link on the left hand side to being the exam.

How do I get an override into COM 110?

If you need to complete COM 110 in the fall or spring semester at ISU, you will need to request an override for the class through University College Advising. Follow these steps to request an override:

1. Go to the University College Advising website (http://ucollege.illinoisstate.edu/advising/)
2. Once on the Advising page, you should see “Override Requests” on the right-hand side. Click on “COM 110” link.
3. Fill out COM 110 override request form and click “Done.”

After submitting your override request, you will receive an email from University College with further instructions regarding your override. It may take a few weeks to process all override requests.

As a Communication major, do I need to have a minor?

Journalism majors (all sequences) are required to have a minor to complete their plan of study. For all other Communication majors, declaring a minor is optional; however, this is dependent on your Catalog year. If you are in an older Catalog year (generally 2008-2010 and before) check with your advisor to see if a minor is required for you to graduate.

Can you double major or minor within the School of Communication?

No, a student cannot have a major and a minor in the School of Communication. A minor or second major is designed to allow a student to focus on a completely different area of study.