Admissions and Transfer

• SAU Admissions Policy
• First-Time Freshman Admissions
  • Unconditional Admission for Beginning Students
  • Conditional Admission for Beginning Students
  • GED, Home School, Private School, and Charter School Student Admission
  • Non-Traditional Student Admission
• Non-Degree Student Admissions
  • ​Auditing Courses
  • High School Concurrent Enrollment
  • High School Dual Enrollment
  • Continuing Education
• International Student Admissions
• Transfer Student Admissions
• Transfer Credit Policies
  • ​Evaluation of Transfer Credit
  • Evaluation of Military Service Credit
  • Transfers with Arkansas Associate’s Degrees
  • State Minimum Transfer Core
• Credit by Examination Policies 
  • ​Advanced Placement Credit
  • International Baccalaureate Credit
  • CLEP Exam Credit
  • Correspondence Credit

SAU Admissions Policy

All students who register for credit classes at Southern Arkansas University must be officially admitted to the University. All questions about the admissions process should be addressed to the Office of Admissions, which receives and processes all undergraduate applications and issues letters of admission to qualified applicants.

First-Time Freshman Admissions

To apply for admission as an undergraduate student at Southern Arkansas University, an entering freshman must submit the following:

1. Application for admission
2. ACT scores
3. High school transcript or GED certificate showing graduation date

After being admitted, an entering freshman must submit the following:

1. Medical immunization forms
2. Other information as requested by the Office of Admissions

An application for a residence hall room, along with a $100 deposit, must also be submitted by those students required and/or choosing to live in campus housing.

Unconditional Admission for Beginning Students

Beginning students who have ACT scores of 19 or higher on the English, mathematics, and reading parts of the ACT examination, and who have graduated from high school, will be admitted unconditionally to Southern Arkansas University.

Any public school student who graduated from a public high school (in-state or out-of-state) after May 1, 2002, must have successfully completed the core curriculum, recommended by the State Board of Education with a minimum grade point average of 2.00 on a 4.00 scale to be eligible for unconditional admission [Act 1290 of 1997 (ACA 6-60-208), amended by Act 520 of 1999].

Core Curriculum Requirements for Unconditional Admission

English: Four units with emphasis on writing skills, not to include courses in oral communications, journalism, drama or debate.

Natural Science: Three units, with laboratories, chosen from physical science, biology, chemistry, or physics. Only one unit may come from a life science.

Mathematics: Four units, including Algebra I and II, geometry, and an advanced math course. It is strongly recommended that students take a math course during their senior year.

Social Studies: Three units, including one of American history (does not include contemporary American history), one of world history (not to include world cultures, world geography, or global studies), and at least one-half unit of civics or American government (not to include courses in practical arts).

Note: These requirements differ slightly from the core curriculum requirements for the Arkansas Academic Challenge Scholarship.

Students not seeking a degree may be admitted at the discretion of the assistant vice president of enrollment services. In addition, any applicant has the right to appeal to the Admissions Appeal Committee.

Conditional Admission for Beginning Students

Beginning students who do not qualify for unconditional admission but who have earned a composite ACT score of 16 or higher or are ranked in the top quarter of their graduating class will be conditionally admitted to Southern Arkansas University. Admitted students that have an ACT composite score below 15 must meet conditional prep status as defined by ACT 1184 of 2011 (Arkansas Code Annotated 6-60-208.) SAU does not admit degree-seeking students using an ability to benefit assessment.

Conditional admission requires completion of 12 semester hours of core academic courses and any necessary remedial courses with a cumulative grade point average of 2.00 within the first 30 semester hours. Failure to do so may result in academic suspension, academic probation, or limiting the course enrollment for subsequent semesters. Core courses are defined as courses required in the General Education block in the SAU Undergraduate Catalog. Students admitted conditionally must successfully complete all developmental courses they are required to take in a regular and consistent manner. Successful completion in a regular and consistent manner means that required developmental courses be taken each semester the student is registered. If two or more developmental courses are required, the student must register for at least two developmental courses during the first semester. For additional information about developmental course placement, see the Advising and Registration section.

GED, Home School, Private and Charter School Student Admission

These students are admitted by virtue of their ACT scores as specified above.

Non-Traditional Student Admission

Students who are 25 years of age or older are admitted regardless of their ACT scores, but they must submit ACT scores to determine whether they must take developmental courses.

Non-Degree Student Admissions

An individual who wishes to take college courses for credit but who does not necessarily intend to earn a degree may be admitted to the University as a non-degree student by permission following an interview with the assistant vice president of enrollment services. Non-degree students taking a math or English course must take the ACT or SAT test for placement. Non-degree students who carry a full load are subject to placement in the Academic Opportunities Program.

Non-degree students receive college credit for work successfully completed at SAU, so the non-degree student classification is especially useful for the adult who wishes to take some college work for personal enrichment or job-related benefits. However, if a non-degree student decides to work toward a degree, they must complete a Change of Status Form at the Office of Admissions for conversion to regular student status and satisfy all entrance requirements for a regular student. Students are encouraged to contact an advisor after 24 hours of work as a non-degree student for consultation on whether to change to regular student status.

For all students, criminal history will be considered and evaluated during the application approval process. A background check fee may be required.

Auditing Courses

In order to audit a course, a student must have completed the admission requirements, obtained the approval of the instructor, and made payment of tuition and fees for the course. Although subject to the same regulations as regular students, students auditing a course do not have to take examinations, nor do they receive credit for the course. Students may audit a course after completing it for credit, or they may take a course for credit after previously auditing it.

High School Concurrent Enrollment

Southern Arkansas University supports the idea that exceptional high school students should be given the opportunity to advance their academic careers. One such opportunity is concurrent enrollment, which should be understood to be separate from other opportunities to earn college credit (cross-enrolled). Concurrent enrollment involves courses that are offered for credit at both the University and high school level. The grade received in the coursework is placed on the student’s permanent University transcript. High school students must meet University guidelines. Students should contact their high school and the SAU Admissions Office for details. Guidelines are subject to change as recommended by the Arkansas Division of Higher Education.

High School Dual Enrollment

High school students who meet the prescribed criteria (outlined below) adopted by the Arkansas Department of Higher Education (ADHE) and are recommended by their high school principal or superintendent may enroll in University courses while in high school when the combined enrollments do not exceed a normal academic load.

Each student must meet the ADHE-adopted criteria stated under either I or II below:

1. Presentation of standardized test scores and high school grades:
   1. Score at the 80th percentile or higher on national norms on that portion of the ACT, PSAT, or SAT related to the subject matter area of the course(s) (or have a composite score at the 80th percentile if the subject matter is not related to a portion of one of these tests).
      and
   2. High school grades of either:
      1. A grade point average of 3.50 or higher (on a 4.00 scale) in high school courses in the subject matter. For ninth grade students, courses in the previous two school years shall be included.
         or
      2. An overall grade point average of 3.50 or higher (on a 4.00 scale). For ninth grade students, courses in the previous two school years shall be included.
2. Individual evaluation based on other performance criteria:
   1. Students may be selected through a process determined to be appropriate by their high school principal or counselor and the SAU Office of Admissions and based on performance criteria, which justify waiver of the standardized test scores, and the grade point average criteria contained in I.A. and I.B. above.
   2. To be considered under this program, a student must apply for admission and a letter of recommendation from their high school principal, superintendent, or counselor stating that the student meets all prescribed criteria.

Students applying for admission under provisions in item II above must provide a statement from the superintendent or principal outlining the selection process and performance criteria deemed to justify waiver of the test score and grade point requirements. Southern Arkansas University reserves the right to determine whether the criteria meet the University’s admissions standards.

Continuing Education

The University recognizes the special needs and problems of non-traditional adult learners through a program of on-campus and off-campus night classes, workshops (organized upon request), short courses, and non-credit community service activities. A greatly simplified admissions procedure is available for non-credit students and for non-degree seeking credit students.

Continuing Education Unit (CEU) credit is awarded in University-approved classes and workshops to those who do not register for academic credit. “One CEU is 10 contact hours of participation in an organized continuing education experience under responsible sponsorship, capable direction, and qualified instruction,” according to the Council on the Continuing Education Unit. The CEU is a uniform, nationally recognized unit of measure acceptable to many associations and professional societies, which require continuing education experiences as a certification requisite.

International Student Admissions

Students from outside the United States must submit the following:

1. Evidence that they are academically eligible to attend universities in their own country;
2. Evidence that their ability to read, write, speak, and understand English is sufficient to enable them to profit from their courses;
3. Evidence that they have adequate financial resources for their university education;
4. Evidence that they have and will continue to have adequate medical insurance during their enrollment at SAU.

International students who have graduated with a GED in the United States or a degree (high school, bachelors, or master’s degree) from an accredited school in the United States or another English-speaking country must meet the same admission requirements as U.S. students. Other English-speaking countries include Anguilla, Antigua and Barbuda, Australia, the Bahamas, Barbados, Belize, Bermuda, Cameroon (West/English-speaking), Canada (except Quebec), the Cayman Islands, Dominica, the Falkland Islands, Fiji, Grenada, Guam, Guyana, Ireland, Jamaica, Liberia, Montserrat, New Zealand, South Africa (English-speaking schools), Saint Helena, Saint Kitts and Nevis, Saint Lucia, Saint Vincent and the Grenadines, Trinidad and Tobago, the Turks and Caicos Islands, the United Kingdom, and the Virgin Islands.

For other international students, the English language requirement of SAU will be met when the applicant has submitted proof of ONE of the following:

1. A score of 61 or higher on the internet TOEFL;
2. A score of 500 or higher on the written TOEFL;
3. A score of 173 or higher on the computerized TOEFL;
4. A composite score of Band 5.5 on the IELTS (International English Language Testing System);
5. Completion of Level 109 at an ELS Language Center or completion of an equivalent intensive English language program from an accredited college or university within the United States;
6. A score of 410 or higher on the SAT Critical Reading component OR a score of 19 or higher on the ACT English.

New international undergraduate students (*except those who have scores of at least 410 on the SAT verbal or 19 on the ACT English) must take the residual ACT prior to registration for classes to assess their English skills for placement purposes. An additional placement exam may also be offered to ensure proper advisement into appropriate English courses.

When international students have been officially admitted to Southern Arkansas University, a Form I-20, properly signed, will be sent to them.

Completed applications must reach the University by July 1 for students planning to enroll for the fall semester, November 1 for those planning to enroll for the spring semester, and April 1 for those planning to enroll for summer sessions. A $50 fee must accompany each application. This fee is non-refundable.

Pre-Payment Policy for International Students

Government regulations and banking practices change as countries attempt to meet domestic and foreign needs in the world economy. Sometimes these changes make it difficult or impossible for students attending SAU to transfer funds in a timely manner to pay for their educational expenses. Any delay results in international students arriving without the ability to pay for their expenses. This situation is unfair both to students and to the University.

Twice each year, the International Student Office will review the situation in each country from which applications are received and will prepare a list of countries that are having difficulty with transfers of funds out of their country. This list will be sent through channels to the president for approval.

If accepted, students coming from countries on this list will be required to prepay one full semester prior to arrival.

Transfer Student Admissions

All entering transfer students are required to submit a formal application for admission. An official transcript from each college attended must also be mailed directly from the institution(s) to the Office of Admissions. Official copies of all transcripts must be on file in the Office of Admissions before a decision on admission can be made. A transfer student with fewer than 24 semester hours may also be required to enroll in GSTD 1002 - Freshman Seminar.

All of the following specific regulations apply:

1. Transfer students must be in good standing with the institution they last attended in order to be eligible for admission to Southern Arkansas University.
2. Transfer students who have attempted 1-14 semester hours must meet the admission standards for beginning freshmen. If they have a cumulative grade point average of less than 1.00 (on a 4.00 scale), their admission is subject to approval of the director of admissions.
3. Transfer students who have attempted 15-29 semester hours must have a cumulative grade point average of 1.50 or higher (on a 4.00 scale) to be considered for admission.
4. Transfer students who have attempted 30 or more semester hours must have a cumulative grade point average of 2.00 or higher (on a 4.00 scale) to be considered for admission.
5. Transfer students must provide transcripts indicating the courses equivalent to ENGL 1113 - Composition I and MATH 1023 - College Algebra have been successfully completed with grades of C or higher, or submit ACT, SAT, Compass, or ASSET scores for placement purposes.
6. Transfer students who are 25 years of age or older are admitted regardless of ACT, SAT, or ASSET scores, but they must still submit ACT, SAT, Compass, or ASSET scores for placement.
7. Applications from transfer students who do not meet the above requirements and have been out of college for at least one year will be reviewed by the Assistant Vice President of Enrollment Services for special consideration. In addition, any applicant has the right to appeal to the Admissions Appeal Committee.

All entering transfer students with fewer than 24 semester hours must provide an official copy of their high school transcript or GED certificate and a copy of each ACT or SAT taken. Federal financial aid may require any transfer student to provide an official high school transcript or GED scores.

No transfer students may disregard their academic records at other institutions they have previously attended. All records should be evaluated before registering at SAU, or the students will have to accept the consequences of enrolling in duplicate courses or failing to enroll in required courses. Please see the Transfer Credit section of the catalog for more information on the transfer evaluation process.

Transfer Credit Policies

Academic course credits transferred from institutionally accredited colleges and universities and accepted by Southern Arkansas University will be posted to the student’s SAU transcript. Only courses with an earned grade of C or higher will be accepted for transfer credit. Transfer course credit will not be included in calculating the student’s cumulative SAU grade point average.

Institutional (formerly described as regional) accreditors:

• Accrediting Commission for Community and Junior Colleges (ACCJC) Western Association of Schools and Colleges
• The Higher Learning Commission (HLC)
• Middle States Commission on Higher Education (MSCHE)
• New England Commission of Higher Education (NECHE)
• Northwest Commission on Colleges and Universities (NWCCU)
• Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges (SACSOC)
• WASC Senior College and University Commission (WSCUC)

Evaluation of Transfer Credit

All transfer work will be evaluated by the dean of the appropriate college and the Office of the Registrar. Courses taken at a lower-division level, which are offered at the upper-division level at SAU, cannot be accepted for degree credit unless validated satisfactorily. The validation procedure to be used for particular courses will be determined by the appropriate dean. Validated courses will be accepted at the level at which credit was earned and not at the level at which the course was validated. Upper-level credit is not awarded for courses taken at a lower level. In some majors, additional upper-level hours will be required to meet the 40-hour requirement for upper-level credit. For a course to count towards graduation requirements, proof of its validation must be on file in the Office of the Registrar by the last day to register for classes during the semester or summer term of graduation. Any hours remaining after the residency requirement for the SAU campus has been met must be completed at an accredited senior institution. Students transferring from two-year collegiate institutions (including SAU Tech) may transfer a maximum of 68 semester hours towards their SAU graduation requirements.

Evaluation of Prior Credit and Training for Military Service Members

It is the policy of this institution that an evaluation of previous education and training for service members and dependents will be conducted, appropriate credit granted, and if applicable, the institution’s duration in the course will be shortened proportionately and the Veteran’s Administration and the student will be so notified. VA credit will be given for prior training for veterans and eligible programs.

Military educational experiences (MOS and Service Schools) will be evaluated upon receipt of a Joint Services Transcript (JST) by the Office of the Registrar. The student asking for the evaluation must be currently enrolled at SAU. Credit is awarded in accordance with recommendations set forth by the Guide to the Evaluation of Educational Experiences in the Armed Services published by the American Council on Education (ACE). For further information, contact the Office of the Registrar at (870) 235-4031 or va@saumag.edu.

Transfers with Arkansas Associate’s Degrees

ACT 182 of 2009 was passed by the Arkansas General Assembly to make the AA, AS and AAT degrees fully transferable among higher education institutions in Arkansas. Arkansas institutions offering approved associate degrees for transfer under ACT 182 are listed on the Arkansas Division of Higher Education website (www.adhe.edu). These degrees from Arkansas institutions include credits fulfilling the state minimum general education core, providing for the seamless transfer of credit hours for the degree holders. Except for additional requirements related to the student’s major or university regulations, no additional lower division general education courses will be required. An advisor from the major or program will assist students with their continued course of study.

This agreement does not address specific degree requirements, such as major or minor courses, outside of the general education component. Students planning to transfer should choose elective courses based on the specific degree requirements at the institution from which they expect to receive the baccalaureate degree. Transfer students holding the AA, AS, or AAT with a cumulative grade point average of 2.00 or higher on a 4.00 scale will be accepted for transfer subject to the following conditions:

1. Remedial course grades will not be computed in the cumulative grade point average for purposes of admission to a four-year institution.
2. Courses taken to satisfy the associate of arts degree requirements must have a grade of C or higher to transfer to a four-year institution.
3. Degree and program requirements (catalog rights) for students who transfer from a two-year institution to a four-year institution under this agreement will be determined in the same manner as if their initial enrollment had been at the four-year institution.
4. Calculation of the overall grade point average for purposes of graduation and awarding of honors is left to the discretion of the institution granting the degree or award.

State Minimum Transfer Core

The following material applies to students who may wish to transfer from SAU to another state institution. Act 98 of 1989 (Arkansas Code 6-61-218) provides that the State Board of Higher Education “shall establish in consultation with the colleges and universities a core of courses which shall apply toward the general education core curriculum requirements for baccalaureate degrees at state supported institutions of higher education and which shall be fully transferable between state institutions.” The courses listed below constitute SAU’s State Minimum Core.

Students who transfer from SAU to another institution should note that courses not listed may not be transferable to other state institutions. Transfer credit also cannot be guaranteed by SAU when the total number of hours from any of the five designated categories exceeds the number listed for that category. Other institutions within Arkansas are required to accept only 35 hours from SAU’s general education core.

The following additional restrictions apply with regard to the State Minimum Core:

Institutions may require additional general education courses for specific majors.

For example, institutions may require students majoring in math, engineering, science, and business to take higher math courses as part of the State Minimum Core.

Likewise, institutions may require students majoring in math, engineering, science, education, and health-related professions to take higher or specific science courses as part of the State Minimum Core.

State Minimum Core 

Credit by Examination Policies

No more than fifteen (15) hours credit toward the associate degree and no more than thirty (30) hours credit toward the baccalaureate degree will be accepted, including Advanced Placement (AP), International Baccalaureate (IB), CLEP, correspondence courses, or departmental examination.

Advanced Placement Credit

A student must complete all admission requirements and register for resident credit before Advanced Placement (AP) credit may be reflected on the student’s transcript. An official score report for Advanced Placement must be on file with the Southern Arkansas University Testing Center before credit can be awarded.

A student who earns the minimum score (chart below) on a particular Advanced Placement subject examination will be awarded credit for the course for which the Advanced Placement test is to be substituted. The equivalent course name, number, and hours credit will be placed on the student’s transcript. A grade of CR (“credit”) will be assigned for the course, which will not impact the student’s GPA.

Advanced Placement credit will not be granted for courses not included in the below chart, as those courses do not have equivalent college-level courses offered at SAU.

International Baccalaureate Credit

A student must complete all admission requirements and register for resident credit before International Baccalaureate (IB) credit may be reflected on the student’s transcript. An official score report for International Baccalaureate credit must be on file with the SAU Office of Testing before credit can be awarded.

A student who earns the minimum score (chart below) on a particular IB subject examination will be awarded credit for the course for which the IB test is to be substituted. The equivalent course name, number, and hours credit will be placed on the student’s transcript. A grade of CR (“credit”) will be assigned for the course, which will not impact the student’s GPA.

CLEP Exam Credit

Southern Arkansas University permits students believing that they are competent in an area, regardless of where or how competency was acquired, to challenge the CLEP Subject Examinations. SAU will accept only CLEP Subject Examinations, which have been approved for credit by the Academic Affairs Committee. SAU does not accept credit for any CLEP General Examinations.

The advisor, department chair, and the dean of the college in which the student is majoring, as well as the chair of the department and the dean of the college in which the course is offered, must approve CLEP credit. A student must meet all prerequisites for a course before attempting CLEP credit in that course. CLEP credit is not awarded for courses in which the student is currently enrolled or courses which the student has already attempted; attempted is defined as having received a grade in the course according to the University’s grading system, including A, B, C, D, F, CR, NC, I, W, WN, WF, or XF.

Official test transcripts from CLEP must be on file in the SAU Office of Testing before credit can be awarded. A student who has earned a scaled score equal to or greater than the cut-off score on a particular CLEP examination will be awarded credit for the course for which the CLEP test is to be substituted. The equivalent course name, number, and hours credit for the course will be placed on the student’s transcript. A grade of CR (“credit”) will be assigned for the course, which will not impact the student’s GPA. A student must have completed all admission requirements and register for resident credit before CLEP credit may be reflected on their transcript. CLEP credit is not considered residence credit.

Correspondance Credit

Students may receive approval for credit by correspondence (provided that such courses are offered through regionally-accredited colleges or universities) when both the appropriate college dean and the vice president for academic affairs agree that special needs or unusual circumstances exist. The advisor, department chair, and dean of the college in which the student is majoring, as well as the chair of the department and the dean of the college in which the course is offered, must approve correspondence credit. Correspondence credit will not be accepted if the student has previously failed the course in residence, by extension, or by correspondence.

A maximum of 12 consecutive credit hours may be earned by correspondence and/or extension, after which the student must earn at least six semester hours in residence. Students who have one or more correspondence courses in progress may not register for a full class load in a summer session or a regular semester without the written permission of the vice president for academic affairs.