ADMISSION PROCEDURE
Application for Admission
Students applying for admission to the University of South Alabama are required to file an
application for admission with the $25.00 non-refundable processing fee by the deadlines
noted.
Application Deadlines
Students are urged to apply for admission well before their intended quarter of entry.
Financial aid and housing are more likely to be available to the qualified student who
applies early. All undergraduate applications, including the required official documents,
must be filed no later than September 10 for Fall Quarter (September 1 for Graduate
Applicants), December 10 for Winter Quarter, March 10 for Spring Quarter, and June 1 for
Summer Quarter. Deadlines for applications and supporting documents for international
students are earlier than the deadlines for U.S. citizens. Refer to the "International Students" section for details.
Scholarship deadlines are significantly earlier and published in the "Financial Aid" section of the Bulletin.
Documents Required for Undergraduate Admission Review:
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 noted above. 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.
- 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 freshman applicants must submit official
college entrance examination scores--either the result of the American College Test (ACT)
or the Scholastic Assessment Test (SATI: 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 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 quarter 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 SATI need not sit for the examination and may apply under the Special Freshman
Admission category.
- 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 quarter of entry.
- Early Admission applicants must submit an official high school
transcript showing grades through the junior year, official ACT or SATI scores and a
letter of recommendation from the school guidance counselor.
- 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 quarter of entry to the university
is at least five years since high school graduation or are at least 23 years of age.
Students who did sit for ACT or SATI, even though they graduated from high school more
than five years prior to the quarter 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.
- GED First-Time Freshman applicants must submit an official
copy of their General Educational Development (high school level) test results.
- 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 40 quarter hours of collegiate work must submit
college transcripts and high school transcripts and ACT or SATI scores.
- Transient Applicants must request the registrar or dean of the
college 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.
- Unclassified Students submit an
official transcript showing their earned baccalaureate, master's, or doctoral degree.
- Audit Students are not required to submit documents with their
application for admission.
Students whose attendance at the University of South Alabama has been interrupted by at
least one quarter must apply for readmission through the Registrar's Office. Please refer to
the sections on Readmission to the University in the "Academic
Policies and Procedures" section.
ADMISSION POLICIES
The University of South Alabama seeks to admit only those students who possess the
intellectual capacity, maturity, previous training, and motivation necessary for success
in its several programs. Some colleges have additional admission requirements pertaining
to submission of standardized test scores and minimum grade-point average. Please see the
appropriate college section regarding additional admission requirements.
- First Time Freshmen -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; 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 SATI may be
considered for admission to the Developmental Studies Program (see "Programs
Available to the Specially Qualified Student" below). Note: Students who take the
SATI should contact the Office of Admissions for test score requirements for admission.
- Freshmen with Previous Credits applicants must satisfy the
requirements noted above 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.
- Early Admission 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 SATI 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.
- Special Freshman Admission applicants who do not satisfy the
requirements for traditional admission may be admitted if satisfactory evidence is
provided that they have the ability to pursue successfully the courses in which they wish
to enroll.
- GED First-Time Freshman applicants are granted admission based
on adequate performance (minimum average score of 50) on high school level General
Education Development test (GED).
Both Special-Freshman admission and GED First-Time Freshman students are
considered degree-seeking students and are subject to all academic regulations.
- Transfer 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. 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 complete successfully a
minimum of one year's work (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.
No credit is given for work in which the grade is below a C, for college-level General
Education Development tests, or for courses evaluated as non-credit or remedial at this
institution. The Director of Admissions evaluates all credits to determine the number
transferable to the University of South Alabama. Such transferred credit will be applied,
after evaluation, to the specific program of the student. The final program evaluation
requires approval by the Dean of the College in which the student is accepted or by the
Dean's designated representative. Credits transferable to the University may or may not be
applicable, in whole or in part, to a specific program.
Transfer students are urged to review all the requirements for a degree as given in the academic regulations section of the Bulletin.
No more than a combined total of 48 quarter 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 96 quarter hours (64 semester hours) may be transferred from junior 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 (48 quarter
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.
- Transient 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).
Transient students 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 quarter if the student should decide to remain in transient
status for more than one quarter. 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.
- Unclassified 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.
- Audit 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.
No more than 96 quarter hours of transfer credit from junior colleges will be accepted.
No degree credit will be granted for courses that are identified at the 300 and 400 levels
in the University of South Alabama curriculum unless approved by the appropriate college
dean.
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.
The Alabama Articulation Program (also called STARS
- STatewide Articulation Reporting System) is a computerized articulation and transfer
planning system designed to inform students who attend Alabama Community Colleges about
degree requirements, course equivalents, and other transfer information pertaining to
specific majors at each state funded four-year institution. STARS in an efficient and
effective way of providing students, counselors, and educators with accurate information
upon which transfer decisions can be made. STARS is the information link between the
state's public two-year and four-year institutions. The STARS database, if used properly,
can prevent the loss of course credit hours, can provide direction for the scheduling of
course work, and can ease the transition from one institution to another. Students who are
interested in receiving a "Transfer Guide & Contract" should contact: Office of Admissions, University of
South Alabama, 182 Administration Building, Mobile, AL 36688-0002, (334)460-6141 or
(800)872-5247.
Military service-school courses will be evaluated with reference to the recommendation
of the American Council on Education when official credentials have been presented by the
student to the Office of Admissions
for new students, or to the Office
of the Registrar for currently enrolled or former students. Such recommendations,
however, are not binding upon the University. In no instance, however, may any of the
hours of credit by substituted for specific courses, but they may be substituted for
electives.
Students who have successfully completed basic training in the armed forces may receive
six 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.
The Office of Veterans Affairs is located in Room 240 of the Administration Building on
the main campus of the University to facilitate veterans' programs and to provide
counseling and other veterans' services. (See "Student
Activities Section.")
PROGRAMS
AVAILABLE TO THE
SPECIALLY QUALIFIED STUDENT
The University of South Alabama offers a number of opportunities to the specially
qualified student. Several programs enable the student to accelerate course work.
- Students participating in the Advanced Placement Program of the College Entrance
Examination Board will be granted University credit if their score is 3 or higher. No more
than a combined total of 48 quarter 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.
- Students who score a minimum Enhanced ACT English score of 27 or SATI 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.
- A student can receive up to 48 hours of credit from the General Examination and certain
Subject Examinations of the College Level Examination Program (CLEP). The student should
consult with the Office of Admissions Staff for information regarding the minimum scores
to receive credit.
- A student may receive credit for a course by passing a locally prepared examination and
by paying appropriate fees. (See "Credit
by Examination" section of the Bulletin.)
- 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.
- A student in the College of Arts and Sciences, can, after completing 48 quarter hours of
work, choose to shape a major in the Personalized Study Program.
The student must present to the PSP Committee a satisfactory rationale for the proposed
course of study.
- A student who is over the age of 25 may design, with the approval of an academic
committee, an 80 quarter hour interdisciplinary field of study through the Department of Adult Interdisciplinary
Studies.
- The Developmental Studies Program
(DSP) is designed for students who may not have the high-school grades or ACT (or SATI)
scores generally required for college admission but who, according to other criteria,
indicate a potential for academic success in an institution of higher education. The focus
of DSP is the improvement of the communicative skills (especially reading and writing)
that are essential for educational achievement. Additionally, attention will be given to
developing computational skills, oral communication, study techniques, and general coping
strategies necessary for college survival. Acceptances to the program are limited.
- Through the 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.
To be considered for the COMEAP, high school seniors must complete freshman application
procedures, have earned a minimum high school grade-point average of 3.5 based on a 4.0
system as computed by USA, submit an official ACT score of at least 28 composite (or
comparable SATI), and must have demonstrated leadership qualities and motivation toward
the study of medicine.
For questions and applications, contact USA Admissions, 182 Administration
Building, USA, Mobile, AL 36688-0002 or call (800)872-5247 or (334)460-6141.
Orientation provides an introduction to the academic, service, and social areas of the
University of South Alabama. It is offered quarterly just prior to registration, and all
new students (except those who are transient, unclassified or audit-only) are required to
attend. A special evening program is provided for new evening-only students. The fee
charged for Orientation covers costs of materials and meals during the programs. Details
are sent to new students prior to their first registration. Further information may be
obtained from the Office of Admissions,
Administration Building, Room 182, Mobile, AL 36688-0002, telephone (334)460-6141.
The Office of International
Services at the University of South Alabama provides special services and programs for
non-U.S. citizens. One of the functions of the Office of International Services is the
processing of applications for admission submitted by non-citizens. The following are the
specific requirements needed by applicants.
REQUIREMENTS FOR ADMISSION
Application Deadlines All necessary documents must
be received by the established deadline for the quarter the student wishes to enter.
Applications completed after the deadline will be considered for the following term,
unless otherwise requested by the student. Beginning with the conversion to the semester
system in August 1998, deadlines will be earlier; contact the University Admissions Office
for the new deadlines.
Outside the United States:
Fall-June 15
Winter-October 1
Spring-January 1
Summer-April 1
Within the United States
Fall-September 10
Winter-December 10
Spring-March 10
Summer-June 1
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
- English Proficiency.
a. TOEFL. Non-immigrant applicants, whose native language is not English,
must submit a score of 500 or above on the Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL)
for admission. Applicants who hold a baccalaureate or graduate degree from a regionally
accredited United States institution are exempt. Students transferring from post-secondary
institutions (including foreign) are exempt, subject to the following conditions:
1) transfer credits total at least 40 quarter hours (64 semester hours); and
2) completion of English Composition I with grade of "C" or above.
The exempted transfer students ARE subject to the USA 010 examination and the proficiency
examination discussed below.
b. English Proficiency Examination. All international students, regardless of
TOEFL score, must sit for the English Proficiency Examination during the International
Student Orientation with the following exceptions. Students holding J-1 visas and those
holding baccalaureate or graduate degrees from regionally accredited United States
post-secondary institutions are exempt. Permanent Residents who submit transcripts from
regionally accredited United States secondary or post-secondary institutions with at least
two full years of course work are also exempt. All transfer students must take the exam.
However, transfer students with 40 quarter hours (twenty-eight semester hours) of
transferable credit, including English Composition I, may be recommended, not required, to
take English as a Second Language course work.
- Standardized Tests. Permanent residents of the U.S. must
submit an acceptable score on the ACT or SAT examination, unless they have one year or
more of documented post-secondary education, graduated from high school 5 or more years
previously, or apply on the basis of the GED. Those attending on non-immigrant visas are
not required to submit these tests for admission unless required by the major department.
- Financial Statement. Non-immigrants must provide proof that
sufficient finances are available to undertake their entire course of study.
- Photograph. All applicants must submit one recent passport
size photograph.
- In-state Tuition. Resident aliens should refer to pages 17-18
for the policies governing in-state tuition.
Notification
Students are notified of admissions decisions as soon as all required documents are
received. The I-20 or IAP-66 form is mailed to students with the letter of admission.
Students wishing to postpone their arrival to a later quarter 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: Students
transferring to the University from foreign post-secondary institutions must submit a
detailed course syllabus from which to evaluate transfer credit. English Composition
courses may transfer if all course work in the curriculum is in English, subject to a
competency examination. Forty quarter hours (twenty semester hours) of transferable credit
are required before English Composition is considered for transfer. Advanced Placement
credit is available from a number of worldwide sources; contact the Office of
International Services for details. Students may secure a professional evaluation of
academic credentials at their own expense. Course-by-course professional evaluation is
required of transfer students accepted into the College of Education and students applying
to the professional component of any program in the College of Allied Health Professions.
(See the Additional Information for all International Students section below.)
Graduate Applicants
- International Application for Admission. The
International Application for Admission must be completed and signed by the applicant. A
non-refundable $25.00 application fee, payable through a U.S. bank, must accompany the
application. Applications received without the $25.00 application fee will not be
processed.
- Academic Records. Complete and certified
academic records of all secondary and post-secondary education attempted must be
submitted. Whenever possible, the records must be forwarded directly from the issuing
institution to the University of South Alabama. Copies must be certified by an official of
the government or school (e.g., registrar or dean). Notarized copies are not accepted.
- English Proficiency.
a. TOEFL. Non-immigrant applicants, whose native language is not English,
must submit a score of 525 (graduate) or above on the Test of English as a Second Language
(TOEFL) for admission. (Specific programs may have more stringent English proficiency
requirements.) Applicants who have completed two years of postsecondary education from a
regionally accredited United States institution are exempt.
b. English Proficiency Examination. All international applicants,
regardless of TOEFL score, must sit for the English Proficiency Examination during the
International Student Orientation. Non-immigrant applicants exempt from the TOEFL
requirement are exempt from the English Proficiency Examination, as well. English as a
Second Language course work may be recommended for graduate applicants, but not required.
- Standardized Tests. Standardized test
requirements for the various academic programs are listed in the appropriate sections of
this Bulletin. All test scores must be official copies sent directly from the testing
service which administered the examination.
- Recommendation Letters. Two original
letters of recommendation are required of all non-immigrant applicants. The letters should
be written by persons familiar with the applicant's academic qualifications and ability to
undertake the proposed course of study.
- Financial Statement. Non-immigrants must
provide proof that sufficient finances are available to undertake their entire course of
study. Applicants for graduate assistantships should contact the appropriate department
directly for information and assistantship applications.
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.
Students wishing to postpone their arrival to a later quarter
must notify the Office of International Services in writing. Students who have previously
attended USA and who did not register for the quarter in which they were accepted, but who
wish to register for the same graduate program in the same academic year
must update their admissions through the Office of the Registrar.
First-time students who did not register for the quarter for which they were accepted but
who wish to register for the same graduate program in the same academic year must submit
written requests to update their applications to the Office of International
Services. The address is given at the end of this section. 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.
Additional Information for all International Students
Non-immigrant and International Student Fees: All international
students with non-immigrant visas are considered non-residents for tuition purposes and
will be assessed a non-resident fee and an international student fee each quarter.
Permanent residents with more than one year in that status are charged the international
student fee but may qualify for in-state tuition rates.
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 quarter 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 who do
not have adequate sponsor-provided coverage must purchase the University's international
student health insurance policy at registration.
Address inquiries and questions to:
Office of International
Services
Faculty Court South, Room 3
University of South Alabama
Mobile, Alabama 36688-0002
(334)460-6050 (334)414-8213 Fax
email: bhinson@jaguar1.usouthal.edu
www.usouthal.edu/intnatsrv/usa-oi~1.html