Undergraduate Admission

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 web.

When more applicants are eligible for admission than can be accommodated in programs with limited instructional space, applicants with higher probabilities of success are given preference. Among these programs are nursing and respiratory therapy. In addition, admission to the Abbott Turner College of Business major programs, 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 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 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 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 - (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, all course work in Area A of the core curriculum, 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 1030 which includes at least 430 on the verbal portion and at least 400 on the math portion, or a minimum ACT composite score of 22 which includes at least 17 on the English portion and at least 17 on the math portion
have a minimum high school grade point average of 3.0

Students with a minimum SAT verbal score of 530 or a minimum ACT English score of 24 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 25 which includes at least 24 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 have a minimum transfer grade point average of 1.9 (1.6 GPA for admission to University College) and complete 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 108 at an English language school (ELS)
A SAT verbal score of 430 or an ACT English score of 18

* 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 Admissions 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.