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    Nov 04, 2024  
2013-2014 Georgia Regents University Undergraduate Catalog 
    
2013-2014 Georgia Regents University Undergraduate Catalog [ARCHIVED CATALOG]

Undergraduate Admissions Information


 

Undergraduate Admission Requirements for transfer students seeking program admission to the College of Allied Health Sciences and the College of Nursing

Georgia Regents University offers the unique advantages of outstanding academic programs, a convenient location, flexible class scheduling, and very affordable cost. Our faculty members truly enjoy teaching and sincerely endeavor to assist all students in obtaining their educational goals. We invite students to learn more about the various benefits and opportunities at Georgia Regents University by visiting the campus. Our office hours are from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m., Monday-Friday. Tour reservations and other admissions information are available by calling 706-737-1632 or by visiting our web site at www.gru.edu/admissions.

Admission requirements and application procedures, including information pertaining to application forms, personal interviews and pre-entrance testing are listed within each college’s section of this catalog.

Undergraduate Admission Requirements for Freshmen and transfer students seeking admission to all other Georgia Regents University colleges

Georgia Regents University offers the unique advantages of outstanding academic programs, a convenient location, flexible class scheduling, and very affordable cost. Our faculty members truly enjoy teaching and sincerely endeavor to assist all students in obtaining their educational goals. We invite students to learn more about the various benefits and opportunities at Georgia Regents University by visiting the campus. Our office hours are from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m., Monday-Friday. Tour reservations and other admissions information are available by calling 706-737-1632 or by visiting our web site at www.gru.edu/admissions.

Preparation of Application Materials

To seek admission to the university, a student must file an official application for admission with the Office of Admissions. Students can apply electronically at our web site www.gru.edu/admissions or at www.gacollege411.org.

The application and all supporting documents should be received by the Admissions Office prior to the application deadline. A non-refundable application fee must accompany the application. An applicant who wishes to change his semester of enrollment is required to reapply online and submit another fee. A high school candidate may submit an application for admission after the junior year is completed.

Because additional time is required for processing, international student applicants should apply at least 90 days prior to the beginning of the desired semester.

Students who do not register in the semester for which they are admitted and wish to attend a later semester should reapply with the Office of Admissions. All supporting documents will be transferred to the new file. If one year has expired since the initial application and a student has not yet attended, the student must re-apply and re-submit all supporting documents.

Required Documents

It is the responsibility of the applicant to request that official documents required for admission be sent to the Office of Admissions. Documents that have been faxed or that have been opened by the applicant, such as student copy transcripts or letters, grade reports, diplomas, or graduation lists, are not official. The documents must remain in the original, unopened, sealed and stamped/signed envelope from the Registrar’s Office of the issuing institution. These documents become a part of the applicant’s permanent record and will not be returned. Candidates are considered when all required documents have been received. Notification of acceptance is by mail. The Office of Admissions requires the following:

Official Application Form: A candidate seeking admission must file an official application for admission prior to the specified deadline. An application may be obtained online at www.gru.edu/admissions or at www.gacollege411.org. Care should be taken to answer all questions on the application. An incomplete application will cause delay and may be returned to the candidate.

Application Fee: (Non-refundable): This processing fee is required from all applicants. The application fee is waived for students who provide an approved ACT or SAT I Fee Waiver or NACAC Fee Waiver.

Official Transcript(s) of Courses Completed: A freshman candidate should ask his or her guidance department to send an official copy of the secondary school record. A transfer candidate should ask the registrar from each accredited college attended to send an official transcript of grades (a separate transcript from each college). Documents must be received by the Office of Admissions before the acceptance is final.


Scholastic Aptitude Test (SAT) or the American College Testing Program (ACT) Scores: A freshman candidate is required to submit SAT scores of the College Board or the ACT score of the American College Testing Program. A transfer candidate who has earned fewer than 30 semester hours (45 quarter hours) of transferable credit must also submit SAT or ACT results. The College Board code number assigned to Georgia Regents University is 5336. For information concerning test dates and centers, students should consult their high school or college guidance office.

PLEASE NOTE: GRU uses the re-centered scale of the SAT to determine whether students meet the minimum admissions requirements. All original SAT scores received will be converted to the re-centered scale.

Immunization: All new students, born 1957 or later, enrolling in schools within the University System of Georgia, are required to provide proof of immunization for mumps, measles, rubella, and tetanus-diphtheria or provide a valid reason for exemption. New students born prior to 1957 must show proof of immunization for tetanus-diphtheria or provide a valid reason for exemption. New students born in the United States in 1966 or later and all international students regardless of age must show proof of immunization against or history of varicella (chicken pox). In addition, new students who are 18 years of age or younger at time of matriculation must provide proof of immunization for hepatitis B. This documentation, including dates of all required immunizations and the signature and address of a health care provider, must be submitted to the admissions office prior to registration for classes. Certificate of Immunization forms are available in the Office of Admissions or online at www.gru.edu/admissions. [Failure to meet this requirement will prohibit registration for classes.]
 

Freshman Admissions Requirements

Every applicant for freshman admission must be a high school graduate from a high school accredited by a regional accrediting association (such as the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools) or the Georgia Accrediting Commission, the Georgia Private School Accrediting Commission, or from a public school regulated by a school system and the State Department of Education. High school students who receive a “Certificate of Attendance” do not satisfy the graduation requirements. In addition, the applicant must have completed the Required High School Curriculum (RHSC) in high school. The required 17 RHSC units are listed below:

English: 4 units required
Mathematics: 4 units required
Science: 4 units required.
Social Science: 3 units required; including one course focusing on world studies.
Foreign Language: The same foreign language, 2 units required.

In the determination of eligibility for freshmen admissions, the most important consideration is the Freshman Index. The Freshman Index is determined by a formula which uses two variables: the high school average computed on academic courses, and the SAT (or ACT) scores. The following formula is used to compute the SAT Freshman Index:

Freshman Index = SAT Critical Reading + SAT Math + (High School Academic GPA x 500)

For students submitting ACT scores, the following formula is used to compute the ACT Freshman Index:

Freshman Index = (GPA x 500) + (ACT Composite x 42) + 88
 

Specific requirements are as follows:

Freshman Index > 2140

Test Scores*: SAT Critical Reading score of 430+ and a SAT Math score of 400+

or

ACT English and Mathematics score of >17

Required High School Curriculum (RHSC)
: 17 required units must have been completed in high school.

All students bound by freshmen admissions requirements must take the COMPASS Examination for placement in math.
 

Home Schooled Freshmen: University System of Georgia policy dictates that in addition to SAT I scores and Freshman Index, students must present seventeen specific Required High School Curriculum units or RHSCs to be accepted to a state university. (See prevailing regular freshman admission standards for specific details, above.) These units must be completed in high schools that have been accredited by a regional accreditation association (such as SACS) or the Georgia Accrediting Commission, the Georgia Private School Accrediting Commission, or from a public high school regulated by a school system and the State Department of Education.


For students who have completed their RHSCs in a home schooled program or secondary school that is not accredited by one of the agencies mentioned above, five options are available to validate RHSC units. Students can select the option per subject area that is most suitable for them. For instance, a student who has earned 500 on the SAT I math and critical reading tests can validate RHSCs in English and mathematics in this manner, and provide the items in option one or option two to validate RHSCs in other areas. Files of students who select options two to validate RHSC subjects will be reviewed by the Director of Admissions.

Options:

  1. Submit a high school transcript and subject test scores from the Stanford Achievement, California Achievement Test or Iowa Achievement Test of Basic Skills for each RHSC subject area. Scores greater than or equal to the 50th percentiles of national test takers will validate acceptable proficiency in RHSC subject areas.
  2. Submit a high school transcript and a syllabus for each Required High School Curriculum course completed. In addition, submit chapter, unit or final, cumulative subject tests taken. Provide research papers and/or projects if grades for courses are based on these items rather than examinations.
  3. A score greater than or equal to 500 on SAT I math or 21 on ACT math will validate RHSCs in mathematics. English RHSCs can be validated with a score greater than or equal to 500 on the SAT I critical reading or 21 on the ACT English. In addition, students can validate subject area RHSCs by presenting other standardized tests such as CLEP or SAT II. For SAT II score requirements as put forth by the USG Board of Regents, please see below.
  4. If a student wishes to submit other evidence to validate RHSCs (tests not specifically mentioned above, certifications, etc.), committee members can use their discretion to validate RHSC units.
     
SAT II SUBJECT TEST PROPOSED SCORE
English Literature 530
American History and Social Studies 560
Math IC, or Math IIC 500, or 570
Biology 520
Chemistry 540
Physics 590
World History 540


GRU recognizes that most home-schooled students are amply prepared for college work. For more information on Georgia Regents University’s Home School admission policies, please contact the Office of Admissions.

 

Other Freshman Categories

Life Enrichment Student Admissions Requirements: A life enrichment applicant is one who files a completed application form, has graduated from high school or the equivalent, whose high school class graduated at least five years ago, and has earned no more than 30 transferable semester hours (45 quarter hours) of college credit. Although neither the American College Test (ACT) nor the Scholastic Aptitude Test (SAT) is required of Life Enrichment applicants, the COMPASS Examination will be required for admission consideration. If life enrichment students can provide official SAT critical reading > 500 from a test administration within the past 7 years (or equivalent ACT scores), the COMPASS  English and Reading tests can be waived.

Opportunities for High School Students (College Credit Now)

GRU is committed to providing opportunities to high school students allowing for the enhancement of their high school curriculum through the availability of college offerings prior to high school graduation. There are four different opportunities for academically talented high school students to earn college credit at GRU before graduating from high school under the College Credit Now (CCN) Program at GRU:

Dual Enrollment: A student, while continuing his/her enrollment in high school, enrolls in a course for both high school and college credit.

Joint Enrollment: A student, while continuing his/her enrollment in high school as a junior or senior, enrolls in courses for college credit

Early Admissions
: The student enrolls as a full-time college student following completion of the junior year in high school.

Move on When Ready
: Provides opportunities for high school juniors and seniors to enroll fulltime in postsecondary institutions to earn both high school and college credits simultaneously.

To participate in one of these options a student must be enrolled in a public or private secondary high school that is regulated by a school system and state department of education or accredited by one of the following:

  • A regional accrediting association (such as the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools)
  • The Georgia Accrediting Commission
  • The Georgia Private School Accrediting Council (GAPSAC)
     

Homeschool Students

Homeschooled students may be considered for CCN if they are enrolled in Non-traditional Educational Centers that are recognized by GAPSAC or by state departments of education. Students attending non-accredited home school programs or non-accredited high schools may also be eligible to participate in CCN opportunities if they meet all general admission requirements and have validated their on-track Required High School Curriculum (RHSC) units.
 

 General Admission Requirements

Dual Enrollment, Joint Enrollment, and Early Admissions:

  • Minimum SAT score of 970 (combined Critical Reading and Mathematics sections) or ACT composite of 20. In addition, a minimum verbal score of 530 is needed.
  • Minimum cumulative high school grade point average of 3.0 as calculated by the institution for admission purposes
  • College Credit Now Clearance Form with approval from the high school counselor or administrator and the parent or guardian if the student is a minor
  • Evidence in the transcript that student is on track towards the completion of the USG RHSC requirements and high school graduation.

Move on When Ready

  • Minimum SAT-I score of 600 Math and 600 Critical Reading or 27 English and 26 Math on the ACT
  • Minimum High School Academic GPA of 3.50 on all attempted Required High School Curriculum Courses.
  • Exemption of all Learning Support requirements at Georgia Regents University.
  • For fall semester, April 1st Deadline. For spring semester, October 1st deadline.

Exceptions for Outstanding Scores

Students who do not necessarily meet all of the above admission criteria but who demonstrate very high academic abilities through their SAT or ACT scores may be permitted to enroll in college credit now courses under the following conditions:

  • 700 on the SAT I Mathematics test (or 31 on ACT Mathematics) to enroll in college courses that require advanced mathematical ability
  • 700 on the SAT I Critical Reading test (or 31 on ACT English) to enroll in college courses that require advanced verbal ability

Acceptance of Transfer Credit for Dual Enrollment, Joint Enrollment and Early Admission Students

Freshman seeking admission to a USG institution can expect that the college credit earned at a COC accredited institution prior to high school graduation will be considered as transfer credit if the prospective student meets the USG institution’s regular admission requirements.

Transfer Student Admissions Requirements

An applicant who has previously attended a regionally accredited institution of higher education and who is not classified as a Life Enrichment student is considered a transfer student. Transfer students are divided into two categories as listed below:

  1. Fewer than 30 transferable semester hours: Meet prevailing freshman admissions requirements.
  2. 30 transferable semester hours: These students must have at least a 2.1 transferable gpa or greater.  Students with 30 or more transferable semester hours, but  lack College Algebra or Mathematical Modeling will take the  COMPASS Examination in math.

The transfer applicant whose only attendance has been at a regionally accredited technical college in a “Non- College Transfer Program” is considered a freshman applicant and must satisfy freshman admission requirements.

Evaluation of Transfer Credit: An evaluation of accepted transferable credits is made by the Office of Admissions. A complete transfer evaluation report will be mailed to the student once he or she is accepted by the university and all official transcripts have been received from each college previously attended. The basic policy regarding the acceptance of courses by transfer is to allow credit for courses completed with satisfactory grades in other regionally accredited colleges, provided the courses correspond in content to courses offered at Georgia Regents University. Additional validation will be required for courses taken at another institution that were previously completed with a penalty grade at Georgia Regents University. In addition, credit earned at accredited technical colleges may not transfer unless the credit was earned in a designated college transfer program.

Advanced Placement Credit and Credit by Examination

Advanced Placement: A qualified student who has taken college-level work in secondary schools may receive academic credit. Examinations used to determine advanced placement are the Advanced Placement Test of the College Entrance Examination Board and The Achievement Tests in English Composition and intermediate Mathematics (Level 1). A final determination of credit is made after results have been evaluated by the university.

Credit by Examination: College credits are traditionally earned through attendance in scheduled classes. However, some courses allow credit by examination. A student currently enrolled who presents satisfactory evidence that he or she is qualified in a particular subject may receive credit for a course by an examination approved by the appropriate instructional department, or through the College Level Examination Program (CLEP). Satisfactory evidence may be, but is not limited to, work experience, non-credit courses, course work taken at non-accredited institutions, or military courses. There is a $5 per credit hour fee for credit by departmental examination.

Courses in which a student is or has been enrolled may not be challenged, and courses which require demonstrations and application of skills (practical, laboratory sciences, and courses requiring field work or performance, for example) may be challenged only with the permission of the chairperson of the department offering the course.

Credit by examination is listed as such on the transcript along with the course number, title, and hours of credit; however, no grade is assigned and the credit is not included in computing the Grade Point Average. Credit by examination is limited to 10 semester hours in a discipline and 30 semester hours in the university.

A current list of tests available for credit by examination for courses offered at Georgia Regents University may be found on the Office of Admissions website.

Prior Education and Training

In addition to acceptance of transfer credit from other regionally accredited institutions, Georgia Regents University accepts ACE Guide transfer credit recommendations for military training that are appropriate degree preparation. For more information, see the Transfer Equivalency Guide (located on the drop-down menu under the Resources Tab on the undergraduate Admissions web page) and click on Military Experience. In some instances, standardized examinations can be substituted for course requirements. For a list of examinations, subjects and minimum scores, select Credit by Examination (also located on the drop-down menu under the Resources tab). Currently, a student can receive no more than 30 total semester hours of credit by examination.

Transient Student Admissions Requirements

A transient student is a degree candidate at another institution who is granted the privilege of temporary enrollment at Georgia Regents University. To apply for admission as a transient student applicants must:

  1. File a completed application form.
  2. Submit a letter of permission confirming good standing from the registrar of the college in which enrolled or matriculated. In addition, applicants are requested to submit a transcript from their home institution. Applicants can be admitted to Georgia Regents University as transient students only if they are currently eligible for re-admission to their home institution.

Transient students will be required to adhere to the same academic standards that govern regularly enrolled students. They may renew their status for additional enrollment periods for a maximum of two semesters per calendar year. For an exception of a third semester, they must submit written approval from their home institution and complete a new application for the Georgia Regents University Admissions Office at least 30 days prior to the scheduled registration for the third enrollment period.

If financial aid is needed, transient students must approach the home institution’s Financial Aid Office to request a consortium agreement for financial aid purposes.
 

Additional Degree Admissions Requirements

An Additional Degree applicant is classified as a student who has successfully completed a baccalaureate degree at a regionally accredited institution and wishes to pursue a second undergraduate degree at Georgia Regents University. To apply as an Additional Degree student, applicants must:

 

  1. File a completed application form.
  2. Submit official transcripts from all colleges attended.

Once the applicant has been accepted, a transfer evaluation of credit will be completed by the Office of Admissions for those courses that are pertinent to the desired program.
 

Non-Degree Admissions Requirements

A non-degree applicant is classified as a student interested in enrolling at Georgia Regents University for credit without pursuing a college degree. The non-degree student may be a transient student (see above), post-baccalaureate, postgraduate, or audit student. A candidate for this type of limited enrollment seeks instruction in particular courses for personal or professional purposes, or for completion of degree requirements at another institution.

Applicants holding a baccalaureate degree or graduate degree from a regionally accredited college and wishing to enroll in undergraduate courses as a non-degree student must request that an official transcript be sent to the admissions office from the college or university which awarded the highest degree.

Each applicant for admission as anon-degree student must:

  1. File a completed application form.
  2. Provide evidence of satisfactory past academic work at the secondary or post-secondary level.
  3. Satisfy all other admission requirements as determined by the Office of Admissions.

Senior Citizens Admission Requirements

Georgia residents 62 years of age or older are eligible to enroll in units of the University System free of charge on a space available basis. Senior citizens from Aiken and Edgefield Counties qualify for the contiguous county tuition waiver and pay in-state tuition and fees. Senior citizens who pay tuition are not required to register on a space available basis.
 

Former Student Readmission Requirements

Students who have attended any other college or university since their last enrollment at Georgia Regents University, regardless of how long they have been away from GRU, must re-apply through the Office of Admissions. In addition, they must provide the Office of Admissions with official transcripts of all college work attempted since their last enrollment in Georgia Regents University. Failure to provide required transcripts may result in loss of credit or dismissal from Georgia Regents University.

Students who have not enrolled in Georgia Regents University or attended any other college or university for three consecutive semesters must apply for readmission through the Office of Admissions using the online application process following the published deadlines.
 

Georgia Regents University-Paint College Cross-Registration

Georgia Regents University and Paine College offer cross-registration for students who want courses that are not offered at the student’s home institution during a given semester or for students who have schedule conflicts that may be resolved by cross-registration.

Students who are enrolled at one institution for the equivalent of at least six semester hours of course work, may enroll for three or more semester hours of course work at the other institution. Courses for cross-registered students from Paine College are offered on a space available basis, after the registration period for Georgia Regents University students.

Students should submit applications for cross-registration, official transcripts, and immunization forms to the other institution following the published deadline at least two weeks prior to the scheduled registration date. Applications are available from the Registrar’s Office at Georgia Regents University. Students will pay all fees required of a full-time student at their home institution. Students wishing to register for an overload must satisfy the overload requirements of their home institution.

International Students: Special Requirements

Students who are not U.S. citizens or permanent residents should complete the International Application for Admissions In addition to satisfying the regular requirements for admissions, these students must provide documented evidence of adequate financial support to meet educational and personal expenses.

The prescribed method for demonstrating English proficiency is the Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL). The TOEFL is required for freshman, non-native English speaking applicants who completed secondary school outside the U.S. Secondary School System or who completed high school within the U.S. Secondary School System. The TOEFL is also required of transfer applicants who lack credit for College Composition I (ENGL 1101). A minimum total score 45 on the reading, listening and writing sections of the Internet-based TOEFL is required for admissions consideration. In addition to the TOEFL, international students must provide official SAT I scores. The test scores should be forwarded directly from the testing agencies to the Office of Admissions.


Students who state on their application for admission that their native language is other than English are required to take the TOEFL as described above. Placement in the first semester English classes is based on the reading, listening and writing sections of the Internet-based TOEFL as follows. A minimum score of 45 (reading, listening and writing sections) is required for consideration for admission to Georgia Regents University.

Internet-based TOEFL greater than 78:  Placement in English 1101.
Internet-based TOEFL of 75 to 78: Placement in English 1101Z, a special section of Freshman English for non-native speakers.
Internet-based TOEFL of 45 to 74: Placement in English 0091 and Reading 0091.

International students interested in admission into a health science program at Georgia Regents University should review the individual program website for TOEFL requirements as they are different from the requirements listed above.

All international, post-secondary transcripts must be forwarded to a credential evaluation agency for a “course by course” evaluation. Official evaluations (sent directly to Georgia Regents University) are accepted from Josef Silny & Associates, Inc., World Education Services (WES) and Educational Credential Evaluators, Inc. (ECE). The official credential evaluation is required before an application for admissions can be processed.


For eligibility for resident tuition fees, see the paragraph on International Students in the Waivers section.

Because additional processing time is required for international students, they should submit the application and all supporting documents at least 90 days prior to the desired semester of entrance. The Certificate of Eligibility (Form I-20) cannot be forwarded to the student until an offer of acceptance has been extended from Georgia Regents University.

Admission Decisions at Georgia Regents University

Undergraduate applications to Georgia Regents University are considered on an individual basis. After all required data have been received, the student will be notified by letter of the action taken. Although the University System of Georgia sets certain minimum standards for admission, the individual institutions retain the right to impose additional requirements. Accordingly, the university reserves the right to refuse admission to any applicant who, in its judgment, is not qualified to pursue work at Georgia Regents University. Such a decision may be based on a variety of factors: social maturity, character, or intellectual potential as indicated by previous academic work and appropriate examinations.

Verification of Lawful Presence in Georgia and the United States Pursuant to Acceptance at Georgia Regents University: In accordance with Board of Regents Policy 4.1.6 which states: A person who is not lawfully present in the United States shall not be eligible for admission to any University System institution which, for the two most recent academic years, did not admit all academically qualified applicants (except for cases in which applicants were rejected for non-academic reasons). Lawful presence must be verified prior to acceptance to Georgia Regents University.
 

Undergraduate Admissions Decision Notification

Undergraduate applicants will be notified by letter as to the conditions of acceptance. Included in the same mailing will be orientation and registration information and the assigned department for advising. Students accepted on an unofficial or incomplete transcript must submit a final and official transcript before the admission is final. If this information has not been received by the day of registration, students may register on a conditional basis for one semester only. Registration for the succeeding semester will not be permitted unless the required document has been received. Under certain conditions, the university may release admissions decisions to high schools and colleges.

The university is an affirmative action/equal opportunity educational institution in that no person shall, on the grounds of gender, race, color, creed, religion, age, national origin or handicap, be excluded from participation in, or be otherwise subjected to discrimination in any educational program, activity or facility. Georgia Regents University is committed to an effective affirmative action policy. GRU strives to recruit, admit and educate a cross-section of qualified men and women representing the socio-economic, racial and cultural diversity of Georgia. This commitment is in keeping with our moral, legal and social responsibility and with the highest ideals and principles of American higher education.