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 in the Admissions Office or on the web
at
https://www.colstate.edu/future/apply/applications.asp.
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 BA in communication, to the Schwob School 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.
Acceptance or denial of admission for each application is determined by
the director of admissions, and is 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, with the
exception of foreign nationals, must provide Social Security numbers that
can be obtained at any Social Security office (for institutional purposes
only). As required under University System policy, a completed certificate
of immunization for measles, mumps, and rubella (MMR), tetanus and varacella must be
received before enrollment. Hepatitis B is required if you are 18 years of
age or younger at the time of enrollment. Forms are available in the Admissions Office.
Admission credentials must be filed on or 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. Ordinarily,
application processing requires two to four 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 fewer 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 whose high school class graduated five or more years ago, as
well as applicants seeking admission to the certificate program in
criminal justice, are not required to submit SAT or ACT scores, but may
have to 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.
The Admissions Office must approve a student to take these exams before
the student can schedule an appointment with the Testing Center.
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 Office of Admissions, Columbus State University.
Applicants seeking admission as entering freshmen and transfer students
with fewer than 30 semester hours of transferable credit (excluding
non-traditional sources) 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. Transcripts received from
other institutions become the property of Columbus State University and
will not be released to the student or a third party.
General Educational Development (GED). A General Educational
Development (GED) test certificate will be considered in lieu of a high
school transcript for students whose class graduated five or more years
ago. Applicants whose high school class graduated fewer than five years
prior to the semester of enrollment must meet the minimum GED score
requirements as well as all other requirements for traditional freshmen.
The minimum GED scores required of traditional freshmen are 550 in each
area and 2750 overall.
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 whose high school class graduated within the previous five
years are:
- 16 units in the College Preparatory Curriculum (CPC)
- SAT scores
of 450 verbal and 420 math, or ACT scores of 18 English and 17
math*
- Freshman Index of 1940 or higher
* Effective October 1, 2003, all
admission applicants are required to meet higher SAT and ACT scores. Applicants
for Summer Semester 2006, Fall Semester 2006, and
Spring Semester 2007 are required to meet the following: SAT scores
of 460 verbal and 430 math or ACT scores of 19 English and 18 math.
College Preparatory Curriculum (CPC). The following curriculum is required for students whose high school
class graduated within the previous five years and who plan to enroll in
programs leading to the baccalaureate degree. The curriculum 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, one course in
geometry, and one upper level mathematics course.
- Three
units in science including one life science laboratory course and one
physical science laboratory course.
- Three
units in social science including one course focusing on United States
studies, one course focusing on world studies, and one other social science unit
- Two units
in one foreign language emphasizing speaking, listening, reading, and
writing
Applicants
lacking three or fewer CPC units, who reside in the service area, will
be referred to the Department of Basic Studies in University College
(*), if admitted, to complete learning support course work, which will
not satisfy core curriculum or degree requirements.
Applicants who have not completed the College Preparatory Curriculum may
satisfy this requirement by taking the appropriate 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 all required areas will
be considered for admission to Columbus State University. Students
satisfying all but three or fewer CPC units will be referred to the
Department of Basic Studies (*) 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.
*
To be eligible for referral to the Department of Basic Studies,
applicants must reside in one of the following counties in Georgia:
Chattahoochee, Harris, Marion, Meriwether, Muscogee, Stewart, Talbot,
Taylor, or Troup.
**
The CSU
Department of Language and Literature will assess student competence in
foreign language.
Freshman
Index. The Freshman Index is computed by adding the SAT verbal
score and the SAT math score to 500 times the high school academic grade
point average. [(SAT verbal + SAT Math) + (500 x HSGPA)] 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. [(ACT Composite x 42) + 88 + (500 x HSGPA)] The
high school academic grade point average is computed by using the grades
earned in the academic subjects that satisfy the 16 CPC units.
Admission to the Department of Basic Studies. (Please refer to the
University College section for further information.)
An applicant who does not meet the above requirements will be referred
to the Department of Basic Studies in University College (*)
for further screening. The minimum admission requirements to the
Department of Basic Studies are:
- 13 units in the College Preparatory Curriculum (CPC)
- SAT scores
of 380 verbal and 360 math or ACT scores of 14 English and 15 math**
- Freshman Index of 1830 or higher
* To be eligible for referral to the Department of Basic
Studies, applicants must reside in one of the following counties in
Georgia: Chattahoochee, Harris, Marion, Meriwether, Muscogee, Stewart,
Talbot, Taylor, or Troup.
** Effective October 1, 2003,
all admission applicants are required to meet higher SAT and ACT
scores. Applicants for the Department of Basic Studies for Summer Semester 2006, Fall Semester 2006, and Spring
Semester 2007 are required to meet the following: SAT scores of
400 verbal and 380 math or SAT scores of 15 English and 16 math.
Applicants
who either score below 450 on the SAT verbal (18 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 420 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 37.
Applicants whose high school class graduated five or more years ago may
be exempt from the COMPASS exam in English and reading if they have
scored 500 or above on the verbal portion of the SAT or 21 or above on
the English portion of the ACT within 7 years of enrollment. To be
exempt from taking the COMPASS math exam, applicants must score 500 or
above on the math portion of the SAT or 21 or above on the math portion
of the ACT within 7 years of enrollment. An
official score report can be obtained by contacting the Educational
Testing Service.
Department of Basic Studies exit requirements. All students
referred to the Department of Basic Studies in University College for further screening and subsequent
enrollment must meet exit requirements before they are eligible to apply
to a four-year University System of Georgia 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. Department of Basic Studies students
are limited to courses offered by University College and courses in
Areas A through F of the core curriculum.
Admission to Career Associates Programs. Columbus State
University offers two career degree programs: Associates of Applied
Computer Science, Associates of Criminal Justice. Applicants seeking
admission to a career associate program are not held to CPC
requirements. However, applicants must have graduated from an accredited
high school and meet the regular CSU SAT/ACT score requirements.
Joint Enrollment/Early Admission
The High School Joint Enrollment Program is 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 total score of 970 or a minimum ACT composite score of 20
- meet
Entering Freshman test score requirements for SAT verbal and math or
ACT English and math
- have a
minimum high school academic grade point average of 3.0, based on CPC
units
- be in
his/her junior or senior year of high school
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
is 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 total 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
academic grade point average of 3.0, based on CPC units
Accel
Program. The Accel Program is for students classified as high school
juniors and seniors at accredited public or private high schools in the
state of Georgia and is operated in all school terms except summer. The
program allows students to pursue postsecondary study while receiving
dual high school and college credit for courses successfully completed.
Courses pursued by students under this program must come from the
approved course directory and only in the areas of the core graduation
requirements for college preparatory students: English, mathematics,
social studies, science, and foreign language. The program pays for
tuition, mandatory fees and provides participating students with a book
allowance, in keeping with the benefits provided by the HOPE program.
Credit hours paid by the Accel Program for the student will count toward
the limit of postsecondary hours paid by the HOPE program. For more
information about the Accel Program, visit the Georgia Student Finance
Commission�s website at
www.gsfc.org/main/publishing/templates/comm_template.cfm?doc_id=497.
Alternative Requirements for
Home-Schooled Students and Graduates of
Non-Accredited High Schools
Home-schooled students and graduates from non-accredited high schools
who wish to attend Columbus State University must submit the following
documents:
- Application
for Admission along with $25 application fee
- Certificate of immunization
- Combined SAT verbal and math score of 1000 which includes
institutional minimum for each area
- Official transcripts from any conventional public/private high school and colleges
attended
- Home School Credit Evaluation Table
- Letter from primary teacher certifying completion of high school and date of high
school graduation to provide documentation that the student has met the home
school requirements
- Two letters of recommendation from non-family members (ex. previous
employer, clergy, etc.) to demonstrate social skills.
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
transferable credit must satisfy all requirements for admission as entering
freshmen. Transfer students who have earned 30 or more semester hours of
transferable credit (excluding non-traditional sources) 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
all 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 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. Provisional admission is
granted on a case-by-case basis. Not all transfer students are eligible
for provisional admission. 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 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. Regardless of the total
number of semester credit hours allowed in transfer, a minimum of 36
semester hours must be taken in residence at Columbus State University
after the student has qualified as a junior.
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. 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.
Students may view their academic record showing transfer course work
online by visiting ISIS.
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. Students with a SAT Verbal score of 650
or above and a writing sample approved by the Department of Language and
Literature will be placed into ENGL 1102. Students will receive credit
for ENGL 1101 by registering for ENGL 1101X their first term of
enrollment. Courses taken by examination are identified on the student's
academic record by an X following the course designation.
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.
Students must provide a copy of their DD 214/295 or a military
transcript for an evaluation of transfer credit. Wellness requirements
will be waived.
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.
Students whose secondary education was conducted in a language other
than English may be awarded up to nine semester hours of foreign
language credit toward a BA degree. Students who think they may qualify
for this credit should contact the chair of the Department of Language
and Literature.
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.
This student must be advised prior to registration at their home
institution. 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 consecutively 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 U.S.
students. In addition, a guarantee form demonstrating the financial
ability to attend Columbus State University, professional transcript
evaluation of all non-US accredited institutions, 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 paper-based score of 550 or a minimum computer-based score of
213
- An SAT
verbal score of 450 or an ACT English score of 18
- Other
evidence of English proficiency as determined by International
Admissions Staff
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 web at
https://www.colstate.edu/future/apply/applications.asp.
Readmission Requirements
Former students who wish to enroll in Columbus State University after an
absence of one year or more must submit an application for re-entry to
the Admissions Office. Students who have registered at other
institutions must request that official transcripts of records be sent
to the Admissions Office. 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.
Residency Requirements
See Definition of Legal Residence under Expenses section of this catalog.
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