Admission

1. Transfer credits are subject to a two-stage evaluation process. First, the eligibility of the hours for transfer are evaluated by the Office of Admissions. However, the student is not promised that credits which are found to be eligible for general transfer will count toward the minimum requirements for a degree at the U of A. The second step in the evaluation will be performed by the academic dean's office or department responsible for the program of study, which will determine whether or not the specific hours satisfy degree program requirements.

2. Grades earned at other institutions are not calculated in the student's grade-point average earned at the University.

3. General transfer credit is awarded for courses in which a grade of "C" or higher has been earned. Course work must be applicable to a baccalaureate degree; credit is not granted for course work that is remedial or technical in nature.

4. In the case of course work taken at institutions not fully accredited by a regional accrediting agency, transfer credit may be denied altogether or may be granted provisionally subject to successful completion of specified courses at the University. Normally, credit is provisionally granted only if the institution is a candidate for regional accreditation.

5. No more than 68 semester hours of lower-division (freshman or sophomore level) course work will be accepted. There is no limit placed upon the number of upper-division (junior or senior level) credit hours that may be awarded in general transfer, but a student must complete at least 30 hours in residence to meet graduation requirements (see Requirements for Graduation in this catalog). Please also refer to the appropriate college section of this catalog for any additional transfer policies that may be specified for a specific degree program.

6. The State Minimum Core (SMC). Act 98 of 1989 requires each institution of higher learning in Arkansas to identify a minimum core of general education courses which shall be fully transferable between state-supported institutions. Under guidelines from the State Board of Higher Education, the SMC consists of 35 hours distributed among the following education areas: English, U.S. history or government, mathematics, science, fine arts and humanities, and social sciences. Students transferring credit with grades of "C" or better from the approved SMC of another state-supported institution in Arkansas may expect to have all these hours applied towards their degree at the University of Arkansas. Each college at the University of Arkansas reserves the right to set additional general education or core requirements above and beyond those in a particular 35-hour SMC, however. The evaluation of transfer credit performed by the receiving college dean's office will determine the extent to which courses transferred as part of a SMC will satisfy degree requirements.

Please refer to the appropriate college or school section of this catalog for additional information concerning acceptance into specific degree programs.

Admission of Special (Non-Degree Seeking) Students

Classification as a special student permits enrollment in credit classes (or as an auditor) on a space-available basis; however, special students are not eligible for financial aid, and the University incurs no particular obligation to provide academic advisement

Admission as a non-degree student is not intended to serve as a means of access to regular, degree-seeking status nor is it intended for a person who has earned unsatisfactory grades in previous high school or college course work. Students who have been denied regular undergraduate admission are not eligible for this status.

Special students are subject to the same regulations concerning scholastic probation, suspension, and dismissal as other undergraduate students. Students who have previously been assessed developmental course requirements, high school course deficiencies, or a conditional admission will retain that status as a special student.

Special students must meet course prerequisites, and should be prepared to verify to the department by official documentation that University course prerequisites have been met, if appropriate. Students planning to enroll in any upper-division education courses should verify admission to the Teacher Education Program prior to registration. Special students may not enroll for more than nine hours of courses in a term without approval of the student's academic dean.

Students in special status who wish to be admitted to regular status to pursue a degree at the U of A must apply for admission as a regular student prior to the beginning of the term for which the change of status is requested. All requirements for admission to regular status must then be met. No more than 24 semester hours earned while in a non-degree seeking status will apply to a degree at the University.

When to Apply

How to Apply

1. Visiting students from other colleges or universities who wish to enroll at the University to earn credits which they plan to transfer back to their home institution. It is the student's responsibility to verify with his or her college that courses taken here will be acceptable as transfer credit.

   Application procedure: Submit a completed application, a non-refundable application fee, and a letter of good standing verifying eligibility to return to the home institution.

2. Students who want to take courses of special interest for personal or professional development, but who are not interested in working toward a degree. Applicants in this category are normally expected to have been out of high school for three or more years.

   Application procedure: Submit a completed application and non-refundable application fee. Students who have been out of high school less than three years should submit a transcript verifying that admission requirements have been met.

   The application fee is not required for students 60 years and older.

3. Students who already have a college degree and who want to take credit classes, but not toward another degree at this time. Credits earned under this classification will not count toward a graduate degree.

   Application procedure: Submit a completed application and non-refundable application fee. Students who wish to enroll for successive terms should submit a transcript showing the degree.

4. Concurrent enrollment. Outstanding high school students who wish to take selected University courses while enrolled in high school may apply to the Concurrent Enrollment Program. Applications are individually reviewed by the Committee on Admissions and Transfer of Credit. Requirements include a 3.50 grade-point average or above and ACT or SAT scores at the 80th percentile on national norms or above. Additional information and application materials are available from the Office of Admissions.

   Application procedure: Submit a completed application, a non-refundable application fee, ACT or SAT scores, high school transcript, letter of intent, and a letter of recommendation from the high school principal. Because a pplications require review by the Committee on Admissions, applications should be submitted at least one month in advance of the term, and must be submitted by the application deadlines.

Continued in next document.