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General
Requirements
Requirements for admission to Columbus State University are designed to admit
and place students in a manner that will ensure them a reasonable chance of
success in college. The director of admissions reviews all examination scores
and academic records. Applicants are notified if an interview is required. A
student is considered for admission without regard to race, creed, sex, marital
status, age, or national origin. Application forms may be obtained from the
Admissions Office, (706) 507-8800 or on the CSU
Web.
When more applicants are eligible for admission than can be accommodated in
programs with limited instructional space, such as nursing, applicants with
higher probabilities of success are given preference. In addition, admission to
the Schwob Department of Music major programs and to teacher education programs
is based on criteria beyond those stipulated for entrance to the university.
Refer to the catalog section covering undergraduate academic programs for
admission to specific programs.
The admission appeals committee reviews any application referred by the
director of admissions for thorough study and subsequent recommendation.
Acceptance or denial of admission of each application is determined by the
director of admissions, subject to the right of appeal as provided in the bylaws
of the university and the Board of Regents of the University System of Georgia.
Every applicant must submit a formal application to the Admissions Office
along with a $25 non-refundable application fee. Georgia residents 62 years of
age or older are exempt from this fee. All applicants must provide Social
Security numbers which can be obtained at any Social Security office. As
required under University System policy, a completed certificate of immunization
for measles, mumps, and rubella (MMR) must be received before enrollment. Forms
are available in the Admissions Office.
Admission credentials must be filed before the deadline date listed on the
official calendar in this catalog. Official consideration is given to an
application only after all credentials are received. When an application becomes
ready for action during a peak period of activity in the Admissions Office,
notification may be delayed. Ordinarily, application processing requires from
one to three weeks. Applicants who wish to delay their date of entry to the
university should notify the Admissions Office. After a year has elapsed, a new
application, application fee, and credentials must be submitted.
Students furnishing Columbus State University with false, incomplete, or
misleading information relating to their application or academic record will be
subject to denial or dismissal.
Entrance examinations - An applicant who has less than 30 semester
hours of transferable credit from a regionally accredited college or university
must submit either an official SAT score report produced by the College Board or
an official ACT report produced by the American College Testing Program. An
official score report is secured by placing the Columbus State University code
(5123 for the SAT and 0807 for the ACT) on the appropriate section of the
registration form.
Applicants who last attended high school or college five or more years ago,
as well as applicants seeking admission to certificate programs in criminal
justice or data processing are not required to submit SAT or ACT scores, but
must take placement exams in English, reading and mathematics. These exams are
administered by the Columbus State University
Testing Center, (706) 568-2226, at
no cost to the student.
Official transcripts - Official transcripts of previous academic work
are required. Applicants should request that the high school counselor and the
registrar of each college and university attended mail transcripts to the
director of admissions, Columbus State University. Applicants seeking admission
as entering freshmen and transfer students with less than 30 semester hours of
transferable credit must provide an official high school transcript verifying
the date of graduation and the type of diploma awarded from a regionally
accredited or approved high school. A General Educational Development Test (GED)
certificate will be considered in lieu of a high school transcript for students
whose class graduated five or more years ago. Transcripts received from other
institutions become the property of Columbus State University and will not be
released to the student or a third party.
College Preparatory Curriculum (CPC)
The following curriculum is required for students who attended high school
within the previous five years who plan to enroll in programs leading to the
baccalaureate degree, and must be completed at a high school accredited by a
regional accrediting association or the Georgia Accrediting Commission, or at a
public school regulated by a school system and a state department of education:
- Four units in English including courses in grammar and usage, literature,
and advanced composition
- Four units in mathematics including two courses in algebra and one course
in geometry. The minimum level of algebra accepted is algebra I
- Three units in science including one course in physical science and two
laboratory courses from biology, chemistry, physics, or related areas of
science
- Three units in social science
- Two units in one foreign language emphasizing speaking, listening,
reading, and writing
- Two units of electives in humanities and literature, fine and performing
arts, or any of the above categories
Applicants lacking one or two CPC units will be referred to the Division of
Basic Studies in University College and, if admitted, will be required to
complete learning support course work which will not satisfy core curriculum and
degree requirements.
Applicants who have not graduated from a regionally accredited or approved
high school will be given the opportunity to satisfy the CPC by taking eight SAT
II subject tests and obtaining the required scores as follows:
- English Writing with a minimum score of 520; and
- English Literature with a minimum score of 530; and
- Math Level IC with a minimum score of 500; or
- Math Level IIC with a minimum score of 570; and
- American History and Social Studies with a minimum score of 560; and
- World History with a minimum score of 540; and
- One foreign language test (*); and
- Biology with a minimum score of 520; and
- Chemistry with a minimum score of 540; or
- Physics with a minimum score of 590.
Students who successfully complete the above SAT II tests in required areas
will be considered for admission to Columbus State University. Students
satisfying all but one or two CPC units will be referred to University College
where the remaining deficiencies must be satisfied. The SAT II is administered
through the College Board. An official score report is secured by placing the
Columbus State University code (5123) on the appropriate section of the
registration form.
* The CSU Department of Language and Literature will assess student
competence in foreign language. Contact the Admissions Office at (706) 507-8800
to make arrangements.
Entering Freshmen
Admission to Columbus State University - An entering freshman is one who
has graduated from high school and has not previously attended a regionally
accredited college or university. The minimum admission requirements for
entering freshmen who attended high school within the previous five years are:
- 18 units in the College Preparatory Curriculum (CPC)
- SAT verbal score of 430 or ACT English score of 17
- SAT math score of 400 or ACT math score of 17
- Freshman Index of 1940 or higher
Applicants seeking admission to career associate programs are not held to CPC
requirements. The Freshman Index is computed by adding the SAT verbal
score and SAT math score to 500 times the high school academic grade point
average. Using the ACT, the index is computed by multiplying the ACT composite
score by 42, adding 88, and adding the result to 500 times the high school
academic grade point average. The high school grade point average is computed by
using the grades earned in the academic subjects that satisfy the 18 CPC units.
Admission to University College C
(Please refer to the University College section for further information.) An
applicant who does not meet the above requirements will be referred to the Basic
Studies Division of University College (*) for further screening. The minimum
admission requirements to University College are:
- 16 units in the College Preparatory Curriculum (CPC)
- SAT verbal score of 330 or ACT English score of 13
- SAT math score of 310 or ACT math score of 14
- Freshman Index of 1830 or higher
Applicants who either score below 430 on the SAT verbal (17 on ACT English)
or who have a CPC deficiency in English will be required to take the COMPASS
exam in English and reading. Those who either score below 400 on the SAT math
(17 on ACT math) or who have a CPC deficiency in mathematics will be required to
take the COMPASS exam in math.
Results of the COMPASS exams will determine whether or not the applicant will
be placed into learning support courses in English, reading, and mathematics. To
exempt the English subject area, an applicant must earn a minimum score of 60.
To exempt the reading subject area, an applicant must earn a minimum score of
74. To exempt the mathematics subject area, an applicant must earn a minimum
score of 30. An applicant will be required to complete learning support courses
and meet exit standards in subject areas not exempted.
* To be eligible for referral to University College, applicants must reside
in one of the following counties in Georgia: Chattahoochee, Harris, Marion,
Meriwether, Muscogee, Stewart, Talbot, Taylor, or Troup.
University College exit requirements - All students referred to
University College for further screening and subsequent enrollment must meet
exit requirements before they are eligible to apply to a four-year institution.
These include the completion of all learning support requirements and 30
semester hours of degree level credit with a minimum grade point average of 2.0.
University College students are limited to courses offered by University College
and courses in Areas A through F of the core curriculum.
High School Joint Enrollment/Early Admission
High School Joint Enrollment Program - designed for students who wish to
enroll concurrently in high school and college level courses. Applicants must:
- be recommended by a high school counselor or the principal
- be granted approval by a parent or guardian if the student is a minor
- be enrolled in college preparatory curriculum (CPC) courses which would
lead to completion of all requirements by the end of the senior year in high
school
- have a minimum SAT score of 970 which includes at least 430 on the verbal
portion and at least 400 on the math portion, or a minimum ACT composite
score of 20 which includes at least 17 on the English portion and at least
17 on the math portion
- have a minimum high school academic grade point average of 3.0
Students with a minimum SAT verbal score of 530 or a minimum ACT English
score of 23 who have not completed the final unit of high school English and/or
social studies may be permitted to fulfill these high school requirements with
the appropriate courses at Columbus State University. Additionally, students
with an SAT math score of at least 530 (ACT math score of 22) who have not
completed the final unit of high school mathematics may be permitted to fulfill
this high school requirement with the appropriate course at Columbus State
University. Students should consult with their high school counselor before
applying for admission. Students who enroll in joint enrollment programs offered
by another college or university will not be awarded transfer credit for course
work completed in that program unless they meet the admission standards listed
above.
Early Admission - designed for students who wish to enroll in college
full-time following the completion of the junior year in high school. Applicants
must:
- be recommended by a high school counselor or the principal
- be granted approval by a parent or guardian if the student is a minor
- have completed the junior year in an accredited or approved high school
- have satisfied all college preparatory curriculum (CPC) requirements with
the exception of one unit each in the English, social studies, and
mathematics subject areas
- have a minimum SAT score of 1100 which includes at least 530 on the verbal
portion and at least 530 on the math portion, or a minimum ACT composite
score of 24 which includes at least 23 on the English portion and at least
22 on the math portion
- have a minimum high school grade point average of 3.0
Post-Secondary Options - Students who meet the requirements of the
high school joint enrollment program or the early admission program and are
enrolled in an accredited public high school may apply for the post-secondary
options program. This program is designed to allow high school students the
opportunity to take college courses to satisfy high school requirements while
also earning college credit. Students participating in this program will have a
portion of their matriculation fees paid by the State Department of Education,
but will be responsible for the balance of the tuition. Students should consult
with their high school counselor before applying for admission.
Transfer Students
To be considered for admission, transfer students must be eligible to return
to the institution last attended. Applicants must submit official transcripts
from all colleges and universities previously attended. Transfer students who
have earned fewer than 30 semester hours of transfer credit must satisfy all
requirements for admission as entering freshmen. Transfer students who have
earned 30 or more semester hours of transfer credit must have a minimum transfer
grade point average of 2.0 and meet all learning support requirements.
Transfer students who have not completed a course in computer applications
will be required to demonstrate competence in the basic use of computers by
successfully completing the Computer Competency Exam or by completing a computer
applications course at Columbus State University. Computer competency must be
demonstrated within one year of admission. Additionally, courses taken at
previous institutions to satisfy deficiencies in CPC requirements will not
transfer for credit in baccalaureate programs.
All students transferring 45 or more semester hours who have not passed both
parts of the Regents� Test are required to take the test their first semester
of enrollment. Students who do not comply with this regulation will be required
to enroll in Regents' Test remedial courses.
Admission on probation - A student on academic exclusion or suspension
from another institution who otherwise satisfies transfer admission requirements
will be considered for admission to University College on academic probation
after meeting the required exclusion period. To be eligible for continued
enrollment, the student must attain a minimum grade point average of 2.0 for the
probation semester.
Provisional admission - When all required transcripts have not been
received in the Admissions Office, provisional admission may be granted for one
semester upon receipt of a transcript from the last institution attended. This
transcript must show that the student is eligible to return to the last
institution. No evaluation of transfer credit will be completed until all
official transcripts are received in the Admissions Office.
Transfer Credit
The university makes every effort to transfer credit for academic work
completed at other institutions. In general, courses completed with a passing
grade at a regionally accredited college or university will transfer. Credit is
allowed for freshman English courses if the grade in each course is C or better.
Recognition for placement in advanced courses will be given for previous work
that is substantially equivalent to, and at the same level as, prerequisites at
Columbus State University. Not more than a total of 65 semester hours may be
transferred from two-year colleges. Regardless of the total number of semester
credit hours allowed in transfer, a minimum of 30 semester hours must be taken
in residence at Columbus State University after the student has qualified as a
junior.
Credit earned for courses completed in an associate degree program at
Columbus Technical Institute or other COC accredited technical schools may be
transferable. Contact the Office of the Registrar for specific information.
Requests for transfer credit will be considered for persons who have gained
admission as transfer students and will be based on official transcripts
supplied by colleges previously attended. The Admissions Office will mail
admitted students an official evaluation of their transferable college work. For
use in satisfying requirements for a degree, all work evaluated as valid
transfer credit is subject to approval by the dean or chair of the academic unit
which offers the degree sought. Quarter hours are converted to semester hours by
using the formula of one quarter hour equals two-thirds of a semester hour.
Non-Traditional Sources of Credit
The registrar will evaluate records of work completed through non-residential
settings. From any combination of the sources listed below, correspondence
courses, and extension work, the credit which may be used to satisfy degree
requirements is limited to 60 semester hours toward a baccalaureate degree and
30 semester hours toward an associate degree. Deans of colleges and department
chairs determine the applicability of all evaluated credits toward degree
requirements. Examples of non-traditional sources of credit include:
Standardized tests - Successful completion of the general examinations
and subject examinations offered by the
College Level Examination Program
(CLEP). Students must provide official score reports before credit will be
evaluated.
Military service experience - A maximum of 12 semester hours of credit
for successful completion of work in military service schools is awarded for 12
consecutive months or more of active duty service. Credit for PELM 1205 is
included in the 12 semester hours. Students will receive one credit hour for
every six months of military reserve duty up to a maximum of two semester credit
hours. Students must provide a copy of their DD 214/295 or a military transcript
for an evaluation of transfer credit.
Professional certification - A maximum of 12 semester hours of credit for
successful completion of recognized certification courses or examinations. The
professional certification courses or examinations must relate directly to the
program or course of study the student is pursuing. Credit is granted on an
individual basis with the determination of the appropriate number of hours of
credit accepted toward a degree and the relevancy of the work to the degree
program requirements made by the dean of the college awarding the degree.
Columbus State University credit examinations - To demonstrate
educational achievement attained outside the traditional classroom, students may
arrange to take credit examinations. Examinations are available for some courses
in the core curriculum. Deans and department chairs may also approve the
preparation of examinations for credit in other courses offered in their
departments. Instructions for arranging credit examinations are available in the
dean's office of the college offering the course. Courses taken by examination
are identified on the student's academic record by an X following the course
designation. A grade of K indicates the examination was passed; W indicates the
examination was not taken or was not passed. In determining the enrollment
status of students receiving veterans' benefits, credit-by-examination courses
are not counted in hours taken.
Transient Students
A student who has taken work in an accredited or approved college or
university and is eligible to re-enroll at that institution may apply for
temporary admission at Columbus State University as a transient student.
Applicants must:
- submit a completed application for admission and pay the application
processing fee.
- present an official statement signed by the registrar of the institution
last attended approving enrollment as a transient student. The student must
be eligible for enrollment at the previous institution the same semester
admission is sought at Columbus State University.
When there is doubt about the qualifications of an applicant seeking
admission as a transient student, the university may require the applicant to
comply with all regulations for the admission of transfer students. Transient
status is approved for one semester only. Applicants who wish to attend Columbus
State University for more than one semester must follow application procedures
for transfer students.
Audit Students
Applicants wishing to audit courses are required to submit an application for
admission, the application fee, and a high school transcript certifying
graduation, and must pay all regular fees. Audit students are not required to
take entrance examinations. Credit will not be granted at a later time for
courses in which a student was registered as an audit student. Class
participation and assignment requirements are left up to the instructor.
Post-Baccalaureate Students
An applicant who has a baccalaureate degree from an accredited institution
may enroll under the classification of post-baccalaureate student by submitting
an official transcript from the institution that conferred the baccalaureate
degree. The core curriculum and Regents' Test regulations do not apply to
students in this category. Students pursuing an additional baccalaureate degree
must satisfy degree requirements and must complete a minimum of 30 semester
credit hours in residence at Columbus State University.
International Students and Non-Native Speakers of English
International students must provide all credentials required of native
students. In addition, a guarantee form demonstrating the financial ability to
attend Columbus State University, proof of health insurance, and an acceptable
level of proficiency in the English language are required. All applicants whose
native language is not English must provide one of the following:
- Official results of the Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL)
showing a minimum score of 550*
- Official results of the Michigan Test showing a minimum score of 75*
- Evidence of completion of level 107 at an English language school (ELS)
- A SAT verbal score of 430 or an ACT English score of 17
* An international student with a minimum TOEFL score of 523 or a minimum
Michigan Test score of 70 will be considered for admission to University College
and, if admitted, will be eligible to apply for admission to the university
after successful completion of ESL courses and other learning support courses,
if required.
Application forms and detailed procedures for enrolling as an international
student can be obtained from the Admissions Office at Columbus State University
or on the CSU
Web.
Readmission Requirements
Former students who wish to enroll in Columbus State University after an
absence of one year must submit an application for re-entry to the director of
admissions. Students who have registered at other institutions must request that
official transcripts of records be sent to the director of admissions.
Procedures for students academically ineligible to enroll following the
completion of the last semester at Columbus State University are found in the
Undergraduate Academic Regulations section under the heading academic standing.
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