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ADMISSION ADMISSION PROCEDURE Note: The University reserves the right to change fees, as deemed necessary by the Board of Trustees, without prior notice. Application Deadlines READMISSION PROCEDURES ADMISSION POLICIES AND DOCUMENT REQUIREMENTS All documents required for admission review (e.g., transcripts, test scores, or letters of recommendation) must be official, i.e., mailed from the home institution or testing agency directly to the Office of Admissions by the deadline. These documents become the property of the University of South Alabama. The applicant is responsible for making certain that the admission application, processing fee, and all required documents have been received by the appropriate deadline. ADMISSION OF UNDERGRADUATES Academic Requirements: The University does not employ a rigid formula by which admission is determined, and has no fixed requirements for secondary school courses. However, the University’s experience has been that students who have pursued the following pattern of courses in high school generally achieve a level of success markedly greater than those who have not followed such a pattern: English, four units; algebra, two units; precalculus or trigonometry or other higher math, one unit; geometry, one unit; natural science, two units; American history, one unit; world history, one unit; additional academic courses in foreign languages, social studies, natural science, or mathematics, two units; non-vocational electives, three units. Students with Enhanced ACT composite scores of less than 19 (or comparable SAT) may be considered for admission to the Developmental Studies Program (see “Programs Available to the Specially Qualified Student”). Note: Students who take the SAT should contact the Office of Admissions for test score requirements for admission. Documents Required: First Time Freshmen must submit an official high school transcript showing grades earned and courses pursued. (A final official high school transcript showing the date of graduation is required for those who apply before the end of their senior year.) In addition, First-Time freshmen applicants must submit official college entrance examination scores-either the result of the ACT or the Scholastic Assessment Test (SAT Reasoning Test). The Director of Admissions reserves the right to request the student to submit official scores of more than one administration of the ACT or SATI or from both tests (if taken) if deemed necessary. High school students should take the test in the spring of the junior year or early in their senior year so test results will reach the University in ample time for admission review. Applicants must have the scores sent directly to the University from the testing agency by listing the University’s code number as a recipient when registering for the examination (ACT code is 0059; SATI code is 1880) or by completing a score request form from the testing agency. In some instances, the Director of Admissions may require the applicant to submit a recommendation from the high school counselor or principal. High school graduates must submit test scores if their semester of matriculation is within five years of high school graduation or if they have not reached the age of 23. If applying for admission five years after graduation, applicants who have not taken the ACT or SAT need not sit for the examination and may apply under the Special Freshman Admissions category. 2. Freshmen with Previous Credits are students who attended another collegiate institution prior to high school graduation. Academic Requirements: Applicants must satisfy the requirements for First-Time Freshmen applicants and must have earned at least a ‘C’ average on all previous collegiate work attempted. The grade-point average is that computed by the Office of Admissions. Documents Required: Freshmen with Previous Credits applicants must submit all the documents required for First-Time Freshmen as well as an official transcript from each college attended prior to high school graduation. An evaluation of transfer credits will be completed and mailed to students prior to the semester of entry. 3. Early Admission are students who have completed junior year of high school and wish to enroll prior to high school graduation. Academic Requirements: Applicants must be recommended by the high school counselor, have earned at least a ‘B’ average in academic subjects, have scored at least a 25 composite on the Enhanced ACT Assessment (or comparable SAT scores), completed the junior year of high school, and be approved by the Director of Admissions. The exceptional student who has not completed the junior year of high school may be granted special admission consideration. See the Director of Admissions for further information. Documents Required: Early Admission applicants must submit an official high school transcript showing grades through the junior year, official ACT or SAT scores and a letter of recommendation from the school guidance counselor. 4. Special Freshman Admission are students who graduated from high school at least five years prior to the semester of entry or who have reached the age of 23, and did not sit for the college entrance examinations (ACT or SAT). Academic Requirements: Applicants who do not satisfy the requirements for traditional admission may be admitted if satisfactory evidence is provided that they have the ability to successfully pursue the courses in which they wish to enroll. Documents Required: Special Freshman Admission applicants must submit an official high school transcript for admission consideration. Applicants for admission as Special Freshman students should be high school graduates whose semester of entry to the university is at least five years since high school graduation or are at least 23 years of age. Students who sat for the ACT or SAT, even though they graduated from high school more than five years prior to the semester of entry or are at least 23 years of age, must apply as First Time Freshmen regardless of when they graduated from high school or of their age. 5. GED First Time Freshman took the General Education Development test (GED) and did not graduate from high school. Academic Requirements: Applicants are granted admission based on adequate performance (minimum average score of 50) on high school level General Education Development test (GED). Documents Required: GED First Time Freshman applicants must submit an official copy of their General Educational Development (high school level) test results. Both Special Freshman Admission and GED First Time Freshman students are considered degree-seeking students and are subject to all academic regulations. 6. Transfer students have attended a college or university after high school graduation, regardless of the time spent in attendance or credit earned. Academic Requirements: Applicants are granted unconditional admission if they have earned a cumulative average of at least ‘C’ (2.00) on all work attempted. Under certain conditions, a student with less than the requisite 2.00 average, who shows promise of success may be granted probationary admission. (Note: The grade-point average used is that computed by the University of South Alabama.) Students who were not admissible after high school are required to successfully complete a minimum of 30 semester hours or 40 quarter hours at another institution before being considered as transfer applicants. Applicants must be eligible to attend the institution in which they were last enrolled. Documents Required: Transfer student applicants must make certain that official transcripts of all courses for which they have been registered at other colleges or universities are sent directly to the University from the home institution. Students must report colleges where registration was completed even though no credit was earned. Applicants who have attempted fewer than 30 semester hours or 40 quarter hours of college work must submit college transcripts and high school transcripts and ACT or SAT scores. Transfer of Credit Transfer Credit for English Composition: No credit is given for course work in English Composition in which the grade is below a ’ C.’ No credit is given for college-level General Education Development tests, or for courses evaluated as non-credit or remedial at this institution. No more than a combined total of 32 semester hours of credit will be allowed for credit received through the College Level Examination Program (CLEP), Advanced Placement Program (AP), credit by examination, correspondence courses, military service school courses, and other approved non-collegiate-sponsored programs as recommended by the American Council on Education. A maximum of 64 semester hours may be transferred from a junior or community college. Courses offered by this University with a course number of 300 or higher will not be accepted as a transfer from a junior college unless approved by the appropriate college dean. A transfer student from a collegiate institution not accredited by the appropriate regional association may request an evaluation of transfer credits from the student’s academic dean after completing one year (32 semester hours) of work at the University of South Alabama. No degree credit will be accepted by the College of Education from any collegiate institution unless that institution has regional accreditation. The University of South Alabama does not grant credit for experiential learning. 7. Transient students are visiting students and wish to attend the University for one term and return to the home institution. Academic Requirements: Students must be in good standing at the current institution and have the approval of their registrar or dean to enroll at USA. A transient student must accept full responsibility in meeting course prerequisites and having the necessary preparation to take the course or courses desired. Enrollment as a transient student in no way implies future admission as a regular student to the University of South Alabama. However, all work taken at the University of South Alabama will count toward the student’s Grade-Point Balance (GPB). Documents Required: Transient applicants must request the registrar or dean of the college or university in which they are currently enrolled to complete the University’s Transient Form or write a letter of good standing for the applicant and mail it directly to the University. If the student should decide to remain in transient status for more than one term the student must submit the University’s Transient Student Form and a Readmission Form (available from the Registrar’s Office) by the specified deadline (see “How to Apply for Readmission” under the “Academic Policies and Procedures” section of the Bulletin) each semester. Should a transient student decide to transfer to the University of South Alabama, the student would be required to apply in the same manner as a transfer student and submit complete transcripts from each college or university attended. 8. Unclassified applicants are students who have earned at least a baccalaureate degree and wish to take additional undergraduate courses, but not for degree purposes. Academic Requirements: Applicants are admissible if an official transcript showing evidence of the baccalaureate, master’s or doctoral degree is received. Note that unclassified students are eligible to enroll in undergraduate courses only and are not working toward a degree. Students seeking a second undergraduate degree should apply as Transfer students. Documents Required: Unclassified students submit an official transcript showing their earned baccalaureate, master’s, or doctoral degree. 9. Audit students wish to take courses, but not receive credit. Academic Requirements:
Students are admissible if a completed application for admission and the $25 application fee are submitted to the Office of Admissions by the published deadlines. No other documentation is required. Audit students pay the same tuition and fees as credit students. NOTE: Transient, Unclassified and Audit students are not eligible to be considered for financial aid since they are not enrolled in degree seeking programs. TRANSFER CREDIT FROM JUNIOR COLLEGES Courses not generally accepted from a junior/community college may be considered for transfer credit on a selective basis. Such courses must be approved for degree credit by the student’s academic dean based upon the recommendation of the appropriate department chair. University of South Alabama students at any level of progress toward a degree are restricted, in terms of junior college transfer credit, only by the first and second items above. Alabama Articulation
Program (STARS) TRANSFER
CREDIT FROM MILITARY SERVICE SCHOOLS Students who have successfully completed basic training in the armed forces may receive four semester hours of elective credit and exemption from P.E. by presenting a DD214, DD295, a copy of a Community College of the Air Force transcript, or a certificate of training to the Office of the Registrar for currently enrolled or former students, or to the Office of Admissions for new students. PROGRAMS
AVAILABLE TO THE SPECIALLY QUALIFIED STUDENT 1. AP
Credit: Students participating in the Advanced Placement Program of the College Entrance Examination Board will be granted University credit with a score of ‘ 3’ or higher. No more than a combined total of 32 semester hours of credit will be allowed for credit received through the Advanced Placement Program (AP), College Level Examination Program (CLEP), credit by exam, correspondence courses, military service, or any other credit combination.
2. English Composition I Exemption: Students who score a minimum Enhanced ACT English score of 27 or SAT verbal score of 550 will be exempt from taking English 101. Official scores should be mailed to the Office of Admissions for exemption to be granted. 3. CLEP: A student can receive up to 32 semester hours of credit from the General Examinations and certain Subject Examinations of the College Level Examination Program (CLEP) as shown below. Official CLEP scores mailed directly from the CLEP division of the Educational Testing Service are required before credit will be awarded.
Computer Science and Foreign
Language CLEP credit is awarded based on USA departmental recommendations.
The University reserves the right to change the CLEP minimum scores and
credit awarded based on recommendations by the College Board and
University research. 5. Military Service/ROTC Credit: A student may receive Military Science or Aerospace Science placement credit for prior military service or Junior ROTC training. Contact the Department of Military Science or the Department of Aerospace Studies for details. 6. PSP: A student in the College of Arts and Sciences, can, after completing 32 semester hours of work, choose to shape a major in the Personalized Studies Program. The student must present to the PSP Committee a satisfactory rationale for the proposed course of study. 7. Adult Interdisciplinary Studies: A student who is over the age of 25 may design, with the approval of an academic committee, a 54 semester hour interdisciplinary field of study through the Department of Adult Interdisciplinary Studies in the School of Continuing Education and Special Programs. 8. The Developmental Studies Program (DSP) is designed for students who may not have the high-school grades or ACT (or SAT) scores generally required for college admission but who indicate a potential for academic success in an institution of higher education. The program emphasizes improvement of basic skills essential for college achievement. Students admitted to the University through Developmental Studies complete courses in study skills, writing, prealgebra, elementary algebra, and intermediate algebra. Mathematics courses require a placement test. Classes are small and tutoring is provided. Acceptances to the program are limited. DSP courses are also open to University students who are not admitted to the program. For more information, call (251)460-7155 9. The ESSENCE Program provides freshmen the opportunity to participate in activities designed to assist with their transition to the University. Program components include living together on campus; eating together; learning the ropes of college success in CP 100, New Student Seminar; building community; peer advising; faculty mentoring; and tutoring. For more information, call (251)460-6185. 10. College of Medicine Early
Acceptance Program: Qualified high school seniors are selected for acceptance to the University
and to the University of South Alabama College of Medicine. Candidates selected for the program enter the Health Pre-Professions Program at USA; their curriculum will include core requirements for the selected baccalaureate program and prerequisites for matriculation in medical school. Students participating in the College of Medicine Early Acceptance Program must meet program requirements during their tenure as undergraduates to continue in the program. Upon successful completion of the baccalaureate degree and COMEAP requirements, students enter the University of South Alabama College of Medicine. 11. Honors Program: Qualified high school seniors and transfer students may apply for acceptance into the University of South Alabama Honors Program and the University of South Alabama. Curriculum requirements for participants in the USA Honors Program include enhanced sections of required core courses, specialized honors courses, a senior Honors Project, and requirements for the selected baccalaureate degree. To continue in the Honors Program, participants must maintain specified grade-point averages and be making satisfactory progress in completing Honors Program requirements. Honors courses are uniquely noted on the student’s transcript and completion of the Honors Program is recognized at the graduation ceremony and on the diploma. For additional information on the USA Honors Program see page 29 of this Bulletin. Eligible applicants include high school seniors with a minimum ACT score of 27, or SAT equivalent, and an overall high school grade-point average of 3.5 on a 4.0 scale as computed by the University, or transfer students who have completed no more than 32 semester hours with an overall grade-point average of 3.5 (4.0 system) or higher. Successful applicants will also have demonstrated high personal motivation, curiosity, diverse interests and leadership ability in both academic and extracurricular activities. For questions contact the Honors Program Office at (251)461-1637. Application forms and guidelines for both the University of South Alabama and the USA Honors Program can be requested from USA Office of Admissions, 182 Administration Building, University of South Alabama, Mobile, Alabama 36688-0002 or by calling (800)872-5247 or (334)460-6141. Honors Program information and application guidance may also be obtained on the web at www.southalabama.edu/honors 12. Accelerated College Enrollment Program: A limited number of high school seniors from Mobile County, Alabama, are offered the opportunity to take one free course at the University during the senior year of high school. The course can be used to satisfy degree requirements at USA, or can be transferred to other institutions. To be considered for the ACEP, students must satisfy the Early Admission Requirements which are outlined previously in this Admissions/Enrollment Services section. Interested students should contact USA Admissions for application deadlines and information. ADMISSION OF
GRADUATE STUDENTS 1. Graduate Students*—students pursuing post-baccalaureate degrees. 2. Graduate Transfer Students*—students pursuing post-baccalaureate degrees who have attended graduate school at another institution and wish to have that credit considered for transfer to the University. 3. Non-Degree Graduate Students*—students who have earned at least a baccalaureate degree who wish to take graduate courses but do not wish to pursue a degree. 4. Graduate Transient Students*—applicants who wish to enroll for one semester to complete graduate work for transfer to the parent institution. COMPUTER EQUIPMENT REQUIREMENT To assist students who are not comfortable using a computer, the University recommends (and in some programs requires) completion of Computer Science 150 for academic credit. In addition, the University provides free student use of a library of online computer training courses (NETg) that a student may take at any time, at their own level of proficiency and pace, and in any place that they have Internet access. Students may take as many NETg courses or parts of courses that they desire while enrolled at USA. All students in USA residence halls may contract for Internet access in their own rooms. ORIENTATION
FOR NEW STUDENTS INTERNATIONAL
STUDENTS REQUIREMENTS FOR
ADMISSION Outside the United States:
Within the United States:
All documents submitted as part of the application process become the property of the University of South Alabama and will not be copied for or released to the student or any other institution. Undergraduate Applicants
Notification Students wishing to postpone their arrival to a later semester must notify the Office of International Services in writing. If an I-20 or IAP-66 form has been mailed, the complete form must be returned to the University before a new form is issued. Transfer Credit from
Foreign Institutions (See the Additional Information for all International Students section below.) Graduate Applicants
Notification:
Students are notified of the Graduate Dean’s admission decision as soon as all required documents are received and the Graduate Dean has received a recommendation from the appropriate graduate program. The I-20 or IAP-66 form is mailed to students with the letter of admission. Deposits - An advance tuition and living expenses deposit may be required of a student before an I-20 or IAP-66 is issued. This decision is based upon exchange regulations and fee receipt history of specific countries. Orientation - New international students are required to participate in an orientation program prior to their first semester at the University. The orientation program welcomes students to the University, introduces them to staff and students, and familiarizes them with academic procedures and the community. Medical Insurance - The University requires all international students on non-immigrant visas to maintain medical insurance coverage. Students must purchase the University’s international student health insurance policy at registration. Address inquiries and questions to: Office
of International Services
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