UNDERGRADUATE ADMISSION

GENERAL APPLICATION PROCEDURES

 Mississippi University for Women will consider for admission all qualified applicants.  MUW does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, age, sex, disability, or national origin.
 An application for admission must be submitted by all applicants. Official transcripts must be submitted from each institution attended. All students must show proof of two doses of measles vaccines and one of rubella. Both measles vaccines must have been given after a student’s first birthday. There are exemptions from the measles vaccination which include: (1) born before January, 1957; (2) physician documentation of measles or blood test of immunity to measles (rubeola) and (3) documented life-threatening allergic reaction to this particular vaccine.
 *Any student who drops out of the University for more than two semesters must resubmit proof of immunizations.
  International students must meet the same requirements. The Health Department requires a chest x-ray on all international students upon admission.
 

ADMISSION PLANS
 For specific requirements for admission to the Division of Nursing, see "Admissions Plans - Nursing Programs" in this catalog.

  FRESHMAN ADMISSION
 The school course requirements set forth below are applicable to students graduating from high school beginning with the spring of 1996 and are subject to change in accordance with the Institutions of Higher Learning.

   High School Course Requirements
   (College Preparatory Curriculum)
English: 4 Units--Courses must require substantial communication skills (i.e., reading, writing, listening, and speaking).
Mathematics: 3 Units--Algebra I, Algebra II, and Geometry. A fourth course in higher level mathematics is highly recommended.
Science: 3 Units--Biology, advanced biology, chemistry, advanced chemistry, physics, and advanced physics or any other science course with comparable rigor and content. One Carnegie Unit from a physical science course with content at an introductory level may be used. Two of the courses chosen must be laboratory-based.
Social Studies: 3 Units--United States history (1 unit), world history (1 unit with substantial geography component), government (1/2 unit), and economics (1/2 unit) or geography (1/2 unit).
Advanced Electives: 2 Units--Foreign language, world geography, 4th year laboratory-based science, or 4th year mathematics. One unit must be in foreign language or world geography.
Computer Applications: 1/2 Unit--The course should include use of application packages, such as word processing and spreadsheets. The course should also include basic computer terminology and hardware operation.  This requirement may be met through course work or through a statement of competency from the high school.
Eighth Grade Units--Algebra I or first-year foreign language taken in the eighth grade will be accepted for admission provided course content is the same as the high school course.

   Regular Admission
 Regular admission will be granted to the following:
    1. All students completing the College Preparatory Curriculum (CPC) with a minimum of a 3.2 high school GPA on the
        CPC;
    2. All students completing the College Preparatory Curriculum (CPC) with (a) a minimum of 2.5 high school GPA on the
        CPC and a score of 16 or higher on the ACT or (b) holding a class rank in the upper 50% and a score of 16 or higher on
        the ACT;
    3. All students completing the College Preparatory Curriculum (CPC) with a minimum of a 2.0 high school GPA on the CPC
        and a score of 18 or higher on the ACT (Composite);
    4. All students satisfying the NCAA standards for student-athletes who are "full qualifiers" under Division I guidelines.

  Admission with Deficiencies
 Applicants who fail to meet Regular Admission Standards may be screened for admission. The ACT is not necessarily a requirement in this admission category. These students will enter the "Academic Placement Program" (counseling and testing) which will be held on campus prior to the beginning of the summer session. Such counseling will include institutional consideration of student interests, special skills, experiences and other non-cognitive factors in the evaluation process. After counseling, students may take a screening test (ACCUPLACER) to assist the institution in its admission decision. Students successfully passing the screening test will receive "Full Admission" to the summer or fall term and are encouraged to participate in the year-long Academic Support Program.

   Summer Developmental Program
 Students who fail to successfully complete the placement program requirements for fall admission may enroll in the Summer Developmental Program. This is an intensive nine-week program that concentrates on those high school subject areas (writing, reading, mathematics) that are most applicable to success in first-year college courses. The program totals 12 credit hours which do not count toward graduation. Students must enroll for the entire program. Students who successfully exit this summer program will receive "Full Admission" to the fall term with mandatory participation in the Academic Support Program during their freshman year. Students who fail to exit the Summer Developmental Program are ineligible for further enrollment at MUW until they successfully complete the Summer Development Program and/or meet the Transfer requirements. These students are counseled to explore other post-secondary opportunities, including those offered by community colleges. Developmental studies are only offered during the summer session.

  EARLY ADMISSION
 Gifted high school students who desire to enter college prior to high school graduation must meet one of the following criteria:
    1. Earn a 3.2 or better grade point average on at least fifteen courses in the College Preparatory Curriculum and submit
        written recommendation by the high school principal or guidance counselor, OR
    2. Earn a 3.5 or better grade point average on those College Preparatory Curriculum courses attempted, an ACT Composite
        score of 25 or better, and submit written recommendation by the high school principal or guidance counselor.

In either case, the applicant must be screened and must pass the ACCUPLACER at the level required for admission to the fall term in order to enroll.

  HOME SCHOOL
 Home-taught students who present an ACT Composite score of 20-24 (or SAT equivalent) and a portfolio or transcript showing evidence of completion of the College Preparatory Curriculum may be screened and, if the results of the screening so direct, may participate in the Summer Developmental Program. Those students who present an ACT Composite of 25 or higher and a portfolio or transcript showing evidence of completion of the College Preparatory Curriculum may be admitted under the Regular Admission guidelines for entering freshmen.

  DUAL ENROLLMENT
 High School students who have a 25 ACT/1140 SAT are eligible to enroll in classes during the regular academic year and receive college credit while still in high school.

  GENERAL EDUCATION DEVELOPMENT (GED)
 Students with a General Education Development Certificate of High School Equivalency must present a GED composite score equal to the fiftieth percentile. In such cases, the applicants may be directed toward the appropriate level of admission based upon on-campus screening.

  TRANSFER ADMISSION
 Students from other regionally accredited colleges or universities may be admitted to MUW if they have maintained a 2.0 or better cumulative grade-point average on all transferable course-work attempted AND they have met one of the following criteria:
        1. A 2.0 or better grade-point average on the following 24 semester hours:
              6 semester hours of English composition
              3 semester hours of college algebra or above
              6 semester hours of laboratory science
              9 semester hours of transferable electives
       2. Submission of official high school records showing that the student initially met the Regular Admission Requirements for
           entering freshmen.
       3. Completion of an associate or baccalaureate degree from a regionally accredited institution.

  Official transcripts must certify that at the next registration the student’s grades are acceptable to re-enter the college from which the student is transferring. Due to academic performance at another college or university, a student may be admitted to MUW on academic probation as determined by an evaluation of transfer credits. Transcripts from each college attended should be sent to the Admissions Office when work has been completed prior to entering MUW. All students must earn at MUW at least 25% of the semester hours required for a specific program to qualify for an undergraduate degree.
  Graduates of accredited junior colleges who transfer to Mississippi University for Women will be required to earn at least 50% of the semester hours required for a specific degree at a senior institution (including 25% of the semester hours at MUW) before becoming eligible for any degree, regardless of the number of hours accepted in transfer from the junior college.

  NON-TRADITIONAL STUDENT ADMISSION
 Non-traditional students (those without previous college attendance who are 21 years of age or older and who do not meet regular admission requirements as an entering freshman or transfer student) may be admitted as a non-degree-seeking student and register for up to 12 semester hours credit during a semester.
  Students admitted as “non-traditional” are not eligible for Title IV Federal Student Assistance until passing 12 MUW credit hours with a “C” average, or meeting the regular admission standards including the ACT/SAT score requirement. Regular admission status may be attained upon completion of 12 semester hours with a 2.0 grade-point average; credit earned while a “non-traditional” student may then apply toward a degree.
 *If entering the nursing program the ACT/SAT is required.

INTERNATIONAL STUDENT ADMISSION
  At Mississippi University for Women, we value the perspectives international students bring to the campus. The number of international students continues to increase as students find the MUW environment supportive of their needs.
  Applicants for admission must provide either original or true certified copies of transcripts, diplomas, and certificates of all previous secondary and post-secondary academic studies. Transfer students are required to provide course descriptions or syllabi so transfer credit can be determined. This documentation must be certified and translated into English. We recommend World Education Services, Inc., P.O. Box 745, Old Chelsea Station, New York, NY 10113-0745, Phone: 212-966-6311 or 800-937-3895, Fax: 212-966-6395, e-mail: info@WES.ORG for evaluation of international transcripts. If a student does not meet transfer requirements, then his or her high school records must be evaluated. The United States Office of Immigration requires that applicants show proof to meet the cost of studying prior to the issuance of the I-20 form. The cost includes non-resident tuition, fees, room, meals, books, health insurance, and estimated expenses.

Entering Freshmen
     1. A completed international admission application.
     2. Official composite score of 18 on the ACT or 850 on the SAT I test.
     3. Official TOEFL score of 525 (paper based) or 197 (computer based).
     4. Official final high school transcript or leaving certificate.
     5. Letter of financial backing with supporting documentation.

Transfer Students
     1. A completed international admission application.
     2. 2.0 or better cumulative grade-point average on all course-work attempted at other regionally accredited colleges or
         universities.
     3. Official TOEFL score of 525 (paper based) or 197 (computer based).
     4. Letter of financial backing with supporting documentation.
     5. Signed International Student Health Agreement.
     6. Health records reflecting two vaccinations and chest x-ray.

  *AND ONE OF THE FOLLOWING:
     1. 2.0 or better grade-point-average at U.S. colleges or universities in the following 24 semester hours:
           6 semester hours of English composition
           3 semester hours of college algebra or above
           6 semester hours of laboratory science
           9 semester hours of transferable electives
     2. 15 or more transferable hours at a university outside the U.S.
     3. Official final high school transcript or leaving certificate and official composite score of 18 on the ACT or 850 on the SAT
         I test.
     4. Associate or baccalaureate degree (or the equivalent) from a regionally accredited institution.

International students do not have to submit the TOEFL score if:
     1. They are graduates of a U.S. high school and submit appropriate ACT or SAT scores.
     2. They have completed six semester hours of sophomore level English courses at an accredited U.S. college or university.
     3. They have earned a bachelor’s degree or higher from an accredited U.S. college or university.
     4. They are citizens of a country where English is the first language.
     5. They have graduated from a high school, college, or university where English is the language of instruction.

Evaluation of Transfer Credit from Foreign Universities
 Students are required to provide course descriptions, syllabi, or class notes to the Office of the Registrar so applicability of transfer work can be determined. This documentation must be certified and translated into English. We recommend World Education Services, Inc., P.O. Box 745, Old Chelsea Station, New York, NY 10113-0745, Phone: 212-966-6311 or 800-937-3895, Fax: 212-966-6395, web site: http://wes.org, e-mail: info@WES.ORG for evaluation of international transcripts.

Cost*
 The United States Office of Immigration requires that applicants show proof to meet the cost of studying prior to the issuance of the I-20 form. The cost includes non-resident tuition, fees, room, board, books, insurance, and estimated miscellaneous expenses. This cost does not include transportation to or from MUW.

*Cost subject to change.

RESIDENCY FOR ADMISSIONS
 In most cases students are not considered residents of Mississippi unless they have established residency (off campus) in the state for a continuous period of at least twelve months immediately preceding their admission. Students under the age of 22 are usually considered residents of the state in which their parents reside.

READMISSION WARNING
 All students are responsible for knowing whether they are eligible to continue in the University. An ineligible student who nevertheless registers in the University shall be dropped (see "Probation and Suspension" in the catalog). See Division of Nursing section for additional information regarding readmission to the nursing major.
 

ADMISSION PLANS - NURSING PROGRAMS

 Applicants to the Division of Nursing are advised that upon completion of degree requirements the Board of Nursing may, "in its discretion, refuse to accept the application for licensure of any person who has been convicted of a criminal offense under any provision of Title 97 of the Mississippi code of 1972, as now or hereafter amended, or any provision of this chapter." This includes a person who:
     (a) Has committed fraud or deceit in securing or attempting to secure such license;
     (b) Has been convicted of a felony, or a crime involving moral turpitude or has had accepted by a court a plea of nolo
           contendere to a felony or crime involving moral turpitude;
     (c) Is addicted to or dependent on alcohol or other habit-forming drugs or is a habitual user of narcotics, barbiturates,
          amphetamines, hallucinogens, or other drugs having a similar effect.

         (State of Mississippi, Nursing Practice Rules & Regulations, 1996, p. 8.)

Students transferring from another school of nursing must provide a letter verifying eligibility for readmission to the nursing program from which they are transferring.

  ASSOCIATE OF SCIENCE IN NURSING PROGRAM
 Admission to the Associate of Science in Nursing Program is competitive and is based on applicants' ACT and overall and MUW QPA. Applicants for admission to the fall semester will be considered on or about June 1. Applicants must submit completed application form, transcripts verifying transfer credit and if applicable an official copy of their ACT score.

  Regular Admission
Freshmen
    A. All students must meet the admission requirements of the University.
    B. To be eligible for consideration for admission, all students must have at least an 18 ACT enhanced score (15 ACT if taken
        prior to October 1, 1989), have completed Anatomy (with lab), Physiology, and College Algebra with a minimum grade
        of C, and have an MUW and overall 2.0 QPA on all courses attempted.
    C. Science courses may only be repeated once. After the second failure to make a "C" or above, the student is ineligible for
        admission to the program.

Transfer Students
    A. Students transferring from other institutions must meet the transfer requirements of the University.
    B. To be eligible for consideration for admission, transfer students must have at least an 18 ACT enhanced score (15 ACT if
        taken prior to October 1, 1989) and have completed Anatomy (with lab), Physiology, and College Algebra with a
        minimum grade of "C" or above, and have a QPA of 2.0 on all courses including a "C" or above in any nursing course
        transferred. If the transfer is within the University, the same requirements must be met.
    C. Science courses taken prior to or after admission may be repeated only once. After the second failure, the student is
        ineligible for admission to the program.

Advanced Placement Option Admission
    A. Students must meet the admission or transfer requirements of the University.
    B. To be eligible for consideration for admission, all students must have at least an 18 ACT enhanced score (15 ACT if taken
        prior to October 1, 1989), have completed Anatomy (with lab), Physiology, Microbiology (with lab), College Algebra,
        Human Growth and Development, English Composition I, and Nutrition with a minimum grade of "C", have an MUW and
        overall 2.0 QPA on all courses attempted, have a current Practical Nurse's License and have worked at least one year in a
        clinical setting as a licensed practical nurse.
    C. Biological Science courses taken prior to admission may be repeated only once. If the student fails to make a "C" on the
        second attempt, the student is ineligible for admission to the program.
 
Special Admission
    A. All regular admission requirements of the University must be met.
    B. Students making less than the required ACT may be considered for admission after completing a minimum of twelve (12)
        semester hours with an MUW and/or overall quality point average of 2.0 on all courses attempted. These twelve hours are
        to include the completion of Anatomy (with lab), Physiology, and College Algebra with a grade of "C" or above.
    C. Advanced Placement students making less than the required ACT may be considered for admission in the program after
        completing the prerequisites for the advanced placement option with a grade of “C” or above and an MUW and overall
        QPA of 2.0.  Advanced Placement prerequisites include twenty-four semester hours.

  BACHELOR OF SCIENCE IN NURSING PROGRAM
 Admission to the nursing major is competitive and occurs at the junior level.  To be considered for admission to the junior year:
    A. Students must meet the admission requirements of the University.
    B. Students must have:
         1. A composite ACT score of 21 enhanced (18 if taken prior to October 1, 1989), an overall and/or MUW quality point
             average of 2.0, and completion of all prerequisite courses with no less than a “C”.
                 OR
         2. If students do not have a composite score of 21 enhanced (18 if taken prior to October 1, 1989) on the ACT, the
             requirements are an overall quality point average of 2.5 and completion of all prerequisite courses with no less than a
             “C”.
    C. Students must successfully complete all nursing prerequisites designated for the first four semesters of the curriculum.
    D. Physical and biological science courses may be repeated only once.  After the second failure to make a “C” or better in a
         physical or biological science course, the student is ineligible for admission to the program.
    E. Students must complete an application for summer placement during early (January) spring semester.
 
Decisions regarding admission to the junior year for the Generic Program are based on the candidate’s ACT and cumulative quality point average with special attention given to grades achieved in the natural, behavioral, and social science courses, and college algebra.  Decisions regarding admission to the Advanced Placement option are based on the candidate’s ACT score and cumulative quality point averages.

ADMISSION DATES
 Decisions regarding admission to the nursing major are made during the month of January.