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Undergraduate Admissions - Columbus State University

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Academics

Undergraduate Admissions

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 Office 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 Office 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 and soldiers serving on active duty are exempt from this fee. Documentation will be required when the application is submitted. All applicants, with the exception of foreign nationals, must provide Social Security numbers (for institutional purposes only) that can be obtained at any Social Security office . As required under the University System of Georgia policy, a completed certificate of immunization for measles, mumps, and rubella (MMR), tetanus and varicella must be received before enrollment. Hepatitis B is required if the applicant is 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 May 1st for fall semester, November 1st for spring semester, and March 15th for summer term. 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 in writing. 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 SAT/ACT 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 registrar of each college and university attended mail transcripts to the Admissions Office, 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 also request an official transcript from their high school verifying the date of graduation and the type of diploma awarded. 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. Applicants whose high school class graduated fewer than five years prior to the semester of enrollment must meet additional requirements as a traditional entering freshmen.

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:

  • High School Academic Grade Point Average of 2.5
  • 16 units in the College Preparatory Curriculum (CPC)
  • SAT scores of 490 Critical Reading and 460 Math, or ACT scores of 20 English and 19 Math
  • Freshman Index of 2200 or higher

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 College Preparatory Carnegie units in English with emphasis in grammar and usage, literature (American, English, World), and advanced composition
  • Four College Preparatory Carnegie units in mathematics including Algebra I, Algebra II, Geometry, and one upper level mathematics course.
  • Three College Preparatory Carnegie units in science including one life science laboratory course and one physical science laboratory course.
  • Three College Preparatory Carnegie units in social science including one course focusing on United States studies and one course focusing on world studies.
  • Two College Preparatory Carnegie units in one foreign language emphasizing speaking, listening, reading, and writing

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. 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 SAT II registration form.

*The CSU Department of Language and Literature will assess student competence in foreign language.

Freshman Index.  The Freshman Index (FI) is based on a combination of an applicant's SAT I or ACT scores and High School Grade Point Average (HSGPA).  The FI is calculated as:

       SAT I FI = (500 x HSGPA) + SAT I Critical Reading + SAT I Math
       ACT FI = (500 x HSGPA) + (ACT Composite x 42) + 88

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 may be referred to the Department of Basic Studies in University College for further screening. 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 minimum admission requirements to the Department of Basic Studies are:

  • 13 academic units of the Technology / Career Preparatory Curriculum
  • Submit SAT or ACT scores
  • GPA of 2.0 for a College Preparatory diploma or a GPA of 2.2 for a Technical / Career diploma

Applicants who either score below 490 on the SAT Critical Reading (30 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 460 on the SAT Math (19 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 Critical Reading 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 the past 7 years.  An official score report can be obtained by contacting the appropriate test agency (SAT: www.collegeboard.com; ACT: www.act.org).

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 course requirements.  Traditional aged students must also complete 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 and 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. Students admitted to this program must complete all associate degree requirements before they may seek a baccalaureate degree.

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 Critical Reading
     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

Seniors with a minimum SAT Critical Reading 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 a minimum SAT Math score of 530 or a minimum 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 would have met the admission standards listed above at the time of their joint enrollment.

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 Critical Reading 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 GACollege411.  Click on "Apply for Accel".

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, non-refundable application fee
  • Certificate of Immunization
  • Combined SAT Critical Reading and Math score of 1000 which includes the institutional minimum for each area
  • Official transcripts from any conventional public/private high school and colleges attended
  • Supplemental application for home schooled and non-accredited school, which includes a 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

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 have completed any learning support requirements and/or college preparatory curriculum deficiency 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 SAMS Challenge (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 University System of Georgia 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. (See Transfer Student section) To be eligible for continued enrollment, the student must attain a minimum grade point average of 2.0 or higher 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. Provisional admission may affect Financial Aid. Check with the Financial Aid Office to determine how this affects your individual student aid.

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 English 1101 and 1102 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) may result in college credit. Students must provide official score reports before credit will be evaluated. Students with a SAT Critical Reading 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, to include physical education, requirements will be waived.
Professional certification.  A maximum of 12 semester hours of credit for successful completion of recognized certification courses or examinations may be awarded. 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 as 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 at their home institution prior to registering for courses at CSU. Applicants must:

  • Submit a completed application for admission and pay the non-refundable application processing fee
  • Present an official statement signed by the registrar or other designated official of the institution in which the student is enrolled 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.
  • Submit a completed immunization form.

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 who wish to audit courses are required to submit an application for admission, the non-refundable application fee, a high school transcript certifying graduation,  completed immunization form and 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, 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, a minimum computer-based score of 213, or a minimum Internet based score of 79, or
  • An SAT Critical Reading score of 460 or an ACT English score of 19, or
  • Successful transfer coursework of English 1101 and 1102 from a U.S.  accredited institution of higher learning


If the applicant will be attending Columbus State University on an F-1 student visa, a financial guarantee and supporting bank documents are 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 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.

Georgia Residency Requirements

See Definition of Legal Residence under Expenses section of this catalog.
   

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