Transferring University of Phoenix credits to Arizona State University

Arizona State University sets its own transfer credit policies for incoming credits. Whether University of Phoenix credits transfer to ASU depends on ASU’s evaluation of each course under ASU’s published policy.

University of Phoenix has been continuously accredited by the Higher Learning Commission (HLC), hlcommission.org, since 1978. HLC reaffirmed that accreditation in 2023. That record may support the accreditation review step where ASU requires recognized institutional accreditation from a sending institution. It does not guarantee that any specific University of Phoenix credit will transfer to ASU.

ASU may limit how many transfer credits can apply toward a degree. They may also require students to complete a minimum number of credits at the receiving institution.

These rules can affect the transfer outcome even when individual courses are accepted.

Students should ask how many transfer credits can be applied, whether the limit varies by program and how accepted credits would count toward the intended degree. A credit accepted as an elective may not reduce the same requirements as a credit accepted as a direct equivalent.

Who decides whether credits transfer to ASU?

ASU decides whether credits transfer to ASU.

University of Phoenix can provide transcripts, course descriptions, syllabi and accreditation documentation. ASU determines whether those credits are accepted and how they apply to an ASU degree program.

A University of Phoenix course may be accepted as a direct equivalent, accepted as elective credit, applied to general education requirements or denied. The outcome depends on ASU’s transfer policy, course-level review, grade requirements, credit limits, residency requirements and program fit.

ASU transfer credit policy

Students considering transfer to ASU should review ASU’s current transfer credit resources before applying.

ASU’s transfer process may consider the sending institution’s accreditation, the course content, the level of the course, the credit hours and the grade earned. ASU may also evaluate whether the course fits the student’s intended ASU degree program.

Past course evaluations, if available through ASU transfer tools, may help students estimate how similar courses have been reviewed. They should not be treated as a guarantee of a future transfer outcome.

How HLC accreditation fits into ASU review

University of Phoenix has been continuously accredited by the Higher Learning Commission (HLC), hlcommission.org, since 1978. HLC is a recognized institutional accreditor, and the University’s record can be verified through HLC and DAPIP.

If ASU’s transfer review requires recognized institutional accreditation from the sending school, the University of Phoenix HLC record may be relevant to that review.

Accreditation is only one part of the process. ASU still evaluates individual courses under its own standards.

What documentation to prepare

Students preparing to transfer University of Phoenix credits to ASU should gather documentation before submitting a transfer request.

Useful documents may include official University of Phoenix transcripts, course syllabi, catalog descriptions, learning objectives and accreditation information for HLC and DAPIP.

Syllabi can be especially important for course-level review. They may show course topics, assignments, assessments, readings, credit hours and learning outcomes. This information can help ASU evaluate whether a University of Phoenix course is comparable to an ASU course or requirement.

Lower-division and upper-division courses

Lower-division and upper-division courses may be reviewed differently, depending on the receiving institution’s transfer policies.

In addition, courses intended to satisfy general education requirements, major requirements or elective credit may be evaluated through different review processes.

For example, a course being considered for a major requirement may require additional review by the relevant academic department, while general education or elective courses may be evaluated through a different process. Students should not assume that credits will transfer automatically.

ASU decides how each course is evaluated and how any accepted credit applies to the intended degree program. Students should ask ASU which courses require additional documentation or department review.

Requesting a preliminary evaluation

Students considering ASU should ask whether a preliminary or pre-admission credit evaluation is available for their situation.

A preliminary evaluation may help students understand which University of Phoenix credits are likely to be reviewed, how accepted credits may be categorized and what degree requirements may remain.

Students who are still enrolled at University of Phoenix may want to ask ASU about transfer review before completing additional coursework. That can help them understand whether remaining courses are likely to support their intended ASU degree plan.

A preliminary evaluation may not be final or binding. ASU’s official transfer evaluation controls the final outcome.

If ASU denies or limits credits

If ASU denies or limits University of Phoenix credits, students should ask for the reason in writing.

The denial may be based on course content, grade, credit limits, residency requirements, program fit or missing documentation. If the denial appears to be based on accreditation, students can provide the HLC Statement of Accreditation Status and the DAPIP record.

If the denial is based on course equivalency, students may need to provide a fuller syllabus, catalog description or explanation of how the University of Phoenix course matches the ASU course or requirement.

Using University of Phoenix credits for specific ASU requirements

Some students may want to use University of Phoenix credits to satisfy a specific Arizona State University requirement rather than transfer toward an entire degree. For example, a student may want a course to fulfill a prerequisite, general education requirement, elective or major requirement. In these situations, ASU will evaluate the course based on its transfer policies and the intended degree program. Students should ask ASU how the course would be reviewed and whether additional documentation, such as a syllabus or catalog description, is needed.

Preparing an ASU transfer request

University of Phoenix credits may be reviewed by ASU, but ASU decides whether they transfer and how they apply.

Students can prepare by reviewing ASU’s transfer policy, gathering official and unofficial transcripts and course documentation, verifying University of Phoenix accreditation through HLC and DAPIP, and asking ASU how credits would apply to the intended degree program. University of Phoenix students and alumni can request official transcripts through the University’s transcript request process and access academic catalogs, course descriptions and other academic resources through the University website. Accreditation information are publicly available through HLC and DAPIP.

University of Phoenix does not guarantee that any credit will transfer to ASU.

Sources

13. [1] Arizona State University. Transfer Credit Policy and Equivalency Guide. https://transfer.asu.edu. Accessed June 2026.

14. [2] Higher Learning Commission. Statement of Accreditation Status. https://hlcommission.org. Accessed June 2026.

15. [3] U.S. Department of Education. DAPIP. https://ope.ed.gov/dapip. Accessed June 2026.

16. [4] University of Phoenix. Transfer Credit Policy. https://www.phoenix.edu. Accessed June 2026.