How does University of Hawaii evaluate transfer credits from other colleges?

The University of Hawaiʻi generally evaluates transfer credit course by course, using the accreditation of your previous college, the level and content of each class, and how well it matches UH requirements. Credits from regionally accredited colleges are the most likely to transfer, and many lower-division general education courses can apply if they are comparable to UH offerings. Major-related courses may transfer as direct equivalents, as department electives, or sometimes not at all if the content does not align closely enough.

In practice, UH first determines whether the credit is transferable to the university, then whether it satisfies a specific degree requirement. A class might transfer and still not fulfill your major or general education requirement automatically. For example, a biology course could come in as elective biology credit unless the department decides it matches the required UH course.

General education credit often transfers more smoothly when the course is similar in scope, credits, and academic level. Lab sciences, English composition, math, and introductory social science courses are often easier to match than highly specialized or vocational classes. Developmental or remedial courses usually do not transfer for degree credit.

For major courses, the academic department usually has the final say, especially for upper-division work. Syllabi, course descriptions, and sometimes assignments may be requested if a class is not already in UH’s transfer database. That is especially common for courses from out-of-state schools or for specialized classes.

If you are looking at a specific UH campus, the evaluation can vary somewhat by campus and program because degree requirements differ. UH Mānoa, for instance, may evaluate how courses fit differently than UH Hilo or UH West Oʻahu, even if the credits themselves transfer.

An official transfer credit evaluation usually happens after you apply and submit final transcripts, but you can often get a strong preview by checking transfer databases and speaking with admissions or the department for your intended major. That matters most for courses you hope will satisfy major prerequisites, not just count as electives.