ADMISSIONS ADMISSIONS UA Fort Smith Admission Policy The admission process at UA Fort Smith seeks to identify prospective students who will be successful in collegiate academic programs. UA Fort Smith welcomes all inquiries regarding admission requirements and the application process. The Admissions and School Relations Office assists all prospective students with the admission process by providing information on admission requirements, placement testing, financial aid, scholarships, and degree programs. The typical student population seeking admission to a university presents a wide range of aspirations, levels of motivation, and capabilities. Each student’s educational goal, previous academic experience, and placement test scores will be evaluated and will serve as the basis for development of an individual educational plan. Some students seeking admission will be unprepared in certain subject areas and will require developmental courses prior to attempting college-level work. Based on the educational philosophy stated above, the following policy statements guide UA Fort Smith’s admission procedures: 1. Specific admission categories shall be established which meet the diverse educational needs of the community. 2. In those cases when, after thorough evaluation, it is determined that a prospective student cannot achieve satisfactory work in college- or developmental-level courses, admission may be denied. 3. Admission to the University does not guarantee admission to a particular degree or certificate program. 4. Students admitted must demonstrate satisfactory progress and the capability and capacity to complete college-level work. 5. No person shall ever be denied admission based on race, color, religion, gender, age, or otherwise qualified students with a disability. UA Fort Smith’s Expectation of Students UA Fort Smith is a learning community committed to academic excellence and to fostering a learning climate that encourages full development of its students. UA Fort Smith students are active partners in the learning process, and they accept final responsibility for their own learning and academic success. The University provides people, programs, services, and facilities that promote student success. In return, the University expects all students to demonstrate learner, University, and community responsibility. LEARNER Responsibilities Academic readiness: Meet reading, writing, and mathematics skills at the college level. Goal setting: Set a learning goal. Periodically evaluate progress toward achieving a personal learning goal. Adjust personal achievement plan or goal, if needed. Study skills: Attend classes regularly and punctually, and turn in all assignments on time. Manage time for study, class preparation, work, and personal commitments; spend two to three hours in out-of-class study for each class hour. Recognize main ideas; take and organize notes from lectures and class discussions. Follow directions and practice active listening. Think critically. Stay current by getting information on missed work and unanswered questions. Create and participate in a variety of student learning groups. Successfully complete multiple choice, essay, and other types of tests. Motivation: Set a learning goal. Show a desire to learn. Commit to act in ways that promote: intellectual growth, acquisition of new knowledge, skills and interests, emotional strength, and physical well-being. Make academic obligations a priority. Respect for self and others: Be alcohol- and drug-free. Be courteous when working with instructors and classmates during classes, labs, or other University activities. Learn a healthy lifestyle. Maintain good personal hygiene. Readiness to learn: Be prepared to acquire and apply new skills and information. Contribute in class by asking questions and offering comments that add to the discussion. Understanding of University operations: Learn and fulfill all requirements for selecting or changing programs of study. Learn and abide by University policies, including those on academic dishonesty and absenteeism. Use the University library, learning assistance center, and other academic support services. Keep records of progress toward meeting course and program requirements. Participate in University programs that foster academic, social, and cultural enrichment. Citizenship: Be tolerant of others, including those with different ethnic, religious, political, and cultural beliefs, and encourage tolerance by others as well. Refrain from and discourage behavior that threatens the freedom and property of others. Help maintain a clean and safe campus. Apply in-class learning to work and community activities. Contribute to the University and community through volunteer services, voting, and meeting obligations fully and promptly. Commit to being a positive contributor to the life of your University and community. ADMISSIONS REQUIREMENTS AND PROCEDURES Required admission documents are kept for one full year. If the student does not enroll after one year, all documents are purged. First-time Entering students Students enrolling in the University for the first time may qualify for admission by one of the following methods: 1. Graduation from high school or 2. Satisfactory completion of the General Education Development (GED) test. Beginning freshmen must submit the following information to the Admissions and School Relations Office prior to registration: 1. A completed Application for Admission. 14 2. An official transcript of high school grades, credits, and date of graduation, or GED scores. 3. Proof of immunization against measles, mumps, and rubella. Immunity can be shown by providing a serological test confirming immunity or having received two doses of measles, one dose of rubella, and one dose of mumps vaccine. 4. Official ACT or SAT student profile report or COMPASS evaluation scores. Placement scores are current for four years. A student who scores less than 19 in an area of the ACT must undergo further testing using COMPASS which is available at the University. All new, degree-seeking students entering UA Fort Smith begin with Admissions. Additionally, Colleges may have specific admission requirements. NEW STUDENT ORIENTATION (NS0) All first-time entering University students (and transfer students with fewer than 12 credit hours) will attend a New Student Orientation. This half-day program gives students the opportunity to register for courses online and learn about the policies and procedures of the University and the registration process. These programs are scheduled throughout the registration periods. Students may call 788-7120 or visit the Admissions and School Relations Office, Upper Level, Smith-Pendergraft Campus Center, to register for a New Student Orientation. Conditional Enrollment Students must score an ACT composite of 19 or above to be admitted unconditionally to the University. Students scoring an ACT composite of 18 or below are admitted conditionally to the University. Conditional admission requires demonstration of satisfactory progress for continued enrollment. Students who graduated from high school or received a GED after May 1, 2002, will be evaluated for conditional/unconditional admission pursuant to Act 1290 of 1997, as amended by Act 520 of 1999 by the General Assembly of the State of Arkansas. The law requires that public school students must have successfully completed the college core curriculum with a 2.00 (on a 4.00 scale) GPA for unconditional admission to UA Fort Smith. The college core curriculum from high school consists of: 4 – Units of English with emphasis on writing skills, not to include courses in oral communication, journalism, drama, or debate. 3 – Units of natural science with laboratories, chosen from physical science, biology, chemistry, or physics. Only one unit may come from a life science. 4 – Units of math, including algebra I, algebra II, geometry, and a higher-level math course. 3 – Units of social studies, including one of American history, one of world history, and at least one-half unit of civics or American government. Act 1290 also requires any private school, home school, or GED student who graduates after May 1, 2002, to have achieved a composite score of 19 on the ACT or the equivalent score on the SAT or COMPASS for unconditional admission to UA Fort Smith. Students who have not completed the requirements for Act 1290 and who are conditionally admitted to UA Fort Smith will be required to complete any necessary developmental courses along with 12 hours from the specified degree plans with a 2.00 (on a 4.00 scale) GPA within the first 30 hours. Once this requirement has been met, the student’s status will change to “unconditional.” TRANSFER STUDENTS Students who have previously attended other accredited colleges and universities may qualify for admission by submitting the following documents to the Admissions and School Relations Office: 1. A completed Application for Admission. Falsifying any part of the Application for Admission and/or failing to report previous college work can prevent a student from receiving federal financial aid and/or being admitted to the University. 2. Proof of immunization against measles, mumps, and rubella. Immunity can be shown by providing a serological test confirming immunity or having received two doses of measles, one dose of rubella, and one dose of mumps vaccine. 3. ACT, SAT, or COMPASS scores or previous college course work demonstrating acceptable 15 reading, English, and math placement must be submitted by degree-seeking students. Testing requirements for the nondegree-seeking student will be determined during the admission process. 4. Transcripts: a.) Students seeking a degree from UA Fort Smith must provide official transcripts from all colleges/ universities attended (sent directly to the Records Office or submitted in an official, sealed, school envelope). For initial registration, students using unofficial transcripts may be advised. Students advised with unofficial transcripts must complete a Transfer Waiver Form and provide current (printed within the last 30 days) unofficial transcripts from each college/university attended. Institutions documented on another institution’s transcript will be considered unofficial. A hold will be placed on a student’s account that prevents future enrollment and the release of official transcripts if all official transcripts are not received by the October 1/March 1 deadline. b.) Transient students (i.e., students actively enrolled in another institution who wish to enroll at UA Fort Smith for one semester) and transfer students not seeking a degree must provide an official or unofficial transcript from the last school attended and any transcripts/ documentation demonstrating completion of required pre or corequisites. Students advised with an in-progress pre or corequisite must show documentation of the work and are required to sign a Transfer Waiver Form stating that a final passing grade will be submitted to the Records Office by the Friday before the semester begins. Transient students who are enrolled and plan to enroll for the next consecutive term must meet requirements of a transfer student seeking a degree from UA Fort Smith and provide official transcripts. c.) Foreign college and university transcripts must be evaluated by an academic credential evaluation service before courses can be articulated as transfer work. UA Fort Smith recommends World Education Services. Please visit their website at www.wes.org for more information. Students should be prepared to submit course syllabi as they may be required for transfer work to be articulated. Students must have a 2.00 (on a 4.00 scale) cumulative GPA on all previous course work to be eligible for admission to UA Fort Smith. Transfer students academically suspended from their last institution will not be allowed to enroll at UA Fort Smith until they are considered for re-enrollment at that institution. Students must be in good financial and disciplinary standing. Any transfer student who has been dismissed from a program for reasons other than failure to maintain satisfactory academic progress is not eligible for admission to the University for a period of five years from the date of dismissal. After five years, admission may be considered. Transfer students admitted to UA Fort Smith in good academic standing are subject to the same minimum academic standard requirements as continuing students. Transfer students admitted to UA Fort Smith on academic probation will be evaluated at the end of their first semester of enrollment. Acceptance Credits The amount of credit granted for transfer courses depends upon the nature and quality of the applicant’s previous work, evaluated according to the academic requirements for the University and the following provisions: 1. Transfer credit will be officially evaluated after a completed Application for Admission and final official transcripts have been received. Official transcripts must include complete records of the courses taken and must be submitted to the Records Office. Institutions must be accredited by an appropriate regional accrediting agency in order to receive credit. 2. Transfer credits are subject to a two-stage evaluation process. First, the Records Office will complete an initial evaluation of the transfer credit for the institution. Credits found to be eligible for general transfer may not always apply to a specific degree program. Second, the College responsible for the program of study will evaluate the transfer credits that will satisfy degree program requirements. 3. Grades earned at other institutions are not calculated in the student’s grade point average 16 earned at the University. Colleges within the University may review grades for admission into specific programs. 4. When a course is taken at another institution and is repeated, whether at the other institution or UA Fort Smith, the most recent grade is included for graduation purposes. In either case, the grade received at this institution is included in the student’s GPA. 5. Transfer credit is awarded for courses in which a grade of “C” or higher has been earned. Any appeal for exception to this policy must be submitted in writing to the provost prior to the first day of class. To apply toward graduation requirements, course work must be applicable to a degree. Credit is not granted for remedial course work. 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 that shall be fully transferable between state-supported institutions. The required 35 hours of credit will transfer and apply toward the degree. Each College at UA Fort Smith reserves the right to set additional general education or core requirements above and beyond the 35-hour core requirements. 7. The maximum number of hours transferable to a bachelor degree is 68 semester hours of lower- level (1000-2000) courses. The number of upper- division transferable courses will vary by College and program. 8. Transfer credit is posted at the level at which it is earned. students Students who have previously attended UA Fort Smith at any time are considered readmitted students. Students returning after a full academic year in absence must submit the following documents: 1. A completed Application for Admission. Falsifying any part of the Application for Admission and/or failing to report previous college work can prevent a student from receiving federal financial aid and/ or being admitted to the University. 2. Proof of immunization against measles, rubella, and mumps. Immunity can be shown by providing a serological test confirming immunity or having received two doses of measles, one dose of rubella, and one dose of mumps vaccine. The records of students who have not attended the University for 5 years have been purged and new immunization records are required. 3. Official transcripts from all colleges/universities attended (sent directly to the Records Office or submitted in an official, sealed school envelope). The records of students who have not attended the University for 5 years have been purged and new transcripts are required. See additional information under transfer students. Once all official documents have been received and reviewed and the admission process is complete, readmitted students will receive a letter of admission instructing them to meet with Student Advisement. The students will declare a major and an academic advisor will determine if they need to be referred to a faculty advisor or if they may register at Student Advisement. Concurrent/Dual Enrollment High School Students In accordance with Act 1097 of 1991, a student enrolled in a secondary or home school may enroll at UA Fort Smith if he or she has successfully completed the eighth grade and demonstrates an ability to benefit from college-level courses. Interested students must submit the following documents: Requirements 1. A completed Application for Admission. 2. A current high school transcript. 3. A participation agreement form, submitted each term, signed by the student, his or her parents, and the school principal (or designee), stating that the student has approval to enroll. Students enrolling for summer terms do not have to obtain the high school’s permission to take courses. 4. ACT, SAT, or COMPASS scores indicating placement into college-level courses. Policies and guidelines for the concurrent/dual admission program are available from the Admissions and School Relations Office. Students must meet the requirements stated in the policies. Conditions 1. Students may not enroll in developmental courses. 2. Students will not be eligible to participate in institutionally or federally funded financial aid programs. 17 3. Students attending UA Fort Smith under this policy must maintain a 2.00 (on a 4.00 scale) GPA each semester. Students failing to achieve the required GPA will be denied further enrollment until such time as they qualify under first-time entering admission requirements. 4. A high school freshman, sophomore, or junior may enroll in a maximum of six semester hours each fall and spring term as well as six hours each summer term. 5. A high school senior may enroll in a maximum of nine semester hours of credit each fall and spring term as well as six hours each summer term. Any student wishing to take more than the maximum allowed must appeal to the dean of enrollment management. The student must provide no less than two letters of recommendation from high school teachers, counselors, or principals, stating why he or she should be allowed to enroll in more hours. 6. Students who withdraw from high school or home school will not be allowed to reenroll in UA Fort Smith until they qualify under first-time entering admission requirements. Students www.uafortsmith.edu/future/internationalstudents An “international student” is one whose citizenship is in another country and is applying for an I-20 from UA Fort Smith to obtain a student (F-1) visa. International student applications, requests for information, and questions should be referred to the international student advisor, Upper Level, Smith- Pendergraft Campus Center. Admission requirements include: 1. A completed International Student Application for Admission signed by the applicant. 2. A completed Health Data Form. This form must be signed and stamped by a licensed physician. Proof of immunization against measles, mumps, and rubella is required, including one dose of rubella, two of measles, and one dose of mumps vaccine. 3. Official academic records: * Submit secondary school transcripts indicating graduation. All academic records must be originals or certified copies in a sealed envelope from the institution. Copies must be certified (both signed with the seal/stamp affixed) by a school official. Notarized copies will not be accepted. In addition, an official English translation must be provided. * Submit official transcripts from all previous colleges and universities or a letter stating full-time attendance if the last school was an intensive language institute. All foreign transcripts must have a course by course evaluation by an academic credential evaluation service before courses will be articulated as transfer work. World Education Services is used for this service. * All prospective students are required to submit SAT or ACT scores. Students may be required to take the COMPASS on campus for additional placement purposes. No fax, photocopy, or unofficial copies will be accepted. 4. Complete the Declaration and Confirmation of Financial Resources Form and provide evidence that sufficient funds are available to meet University costs and personal living expenses. UA Fort Smith requires that a student must be prepared to finance his or her stay in the U.S. without help from the University. Each student must provide in English: * A letter verifying assistance from the party providing the student’s financial support. This letter should state willingness to provide financial assistance for the student’s school and personal living expenses. The total USD amount required to cover these expenses should be stated in the letter. * Certification from the sponsor’s bank on official bank letterhead stationery signed and stamped by a bank official and other supporting documents regarding the sponsor’s financial position to cover costs for one academic year of attendance. Proof guaranteeing the funds specified in the letter from the bank must accompany the bank’s letter. E.g. bank statement for checking, savings, certificates of deposit, mutual stock, or bond funds; and/or other accessible funds or account bearing the bank official’s original signature and the banking seal are required. Note: Student should not plan to finance his or her educational program by income from employment. An international student is not permitted to work in the US unless permission first has been granted by the United States Immigration and Customs Enforcement. 18 5. English fluency: This requirement may be waived for citizens of the British Isles, Ireland, Australia, New Zealand and Canada (except Quebec). This fluency may be proved by: * A score of 500 on the paper-based, 173 on the computer-based or a 61 on the Internet-based TOEFL (Test of English as a Foreign Language, institution code 6220); or * Passing two standard English composition courses at an accredited postsecondary institution in the United States with a “C” or better; or * Graduation from an accredited high school in the United States and placement on the reading and writing portion of the COMPASS/ACT exam; or * Other means of proving English fluency as determined and approved by the dean of enrollment management. 6. Placement in courses: All students must take a placement exam upon arrival to determine enrollment in appropriate courses. ACT and SAT scores may be used for placement and are valid if the University has received an official copy of the scores. 7. Students are required to obtain medical insurance through UA Fort Smith before enrolling in classes. When all of the admission documents have arrived in the International Student Office at UA Fort Smith and, if the student meets the admission requirements, an acceptance letter and Form I-20 (Certificate of Eligibility) will be mailed to the student. The application deadline for the fall semester is June 15 and for the spring semester is November 10. UA Fort Smith scholarships and loans are not available to international students. In order to come to the United States for study, a student must obtain a passport from his or her government and a visa from the U.S. Embassy. There is also a I-901 fee that must be paid. Care must be taken to observe all regulations of the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services, including the requirement that the student must be enrolled full time (12 or more credit hours, only three of which may be considered distance learning). Please contact the International Student Office if transferring from another U.S. institution. Pre- Post-Baccalaureate students This category is for non-degree seeking students who have previously completed a college degree or for students who are taking limited credit classes for personal enrichment. Students in this category are not eligible for financial aid. Admission requirements include: 1. A completed Application for Admission. 2. ACT, SAT, or COMPASS scores or previous college course work demonstrating acceptable reading, mathematics, and English placement. 3. Official or unofficial transcripts documenting completion of required pre- or corequisites. 4. A student may be non-degree seeking for a maximum of 15 hours. At that time the student must test in math, if required. Noncredit Enrollment This category includes those students enrolling only in noncredit classes offered by the Center for Lifelong Learning. DENIAL OF ADMISSION If a student is denied admission and feels he or she has additional information to share in the evaluation process, the student may submit a written petition to the dean of enrollment management. The dean will review the merits of the situation and issue a written response to the student within seven working days. Such student petitions must be submitted at least 10 working days prior to the first day of classes. Any student who has been previously dismissed from a program offered by the University for reasons other than failure to maintain satisfactory academic progress is not eligible for readmission to the University for a period of five years from the date of dismissal. After five years, readmission may be considered based upon criteria deemed appropriate by the University. Placement In accordance with Arkansas Code 6-61-110, first-time entering students will be placed into reading, writing, and mathematics courses according to placement scores. The purpose of the placement test is to identify existing skills and knowledge, thereby placing students in courses in which they may reasonably expect to achieve academic success. Other students may be required to test, depending upon specific circumstances, as determined by an advisor. 19 The primary methods of assessment are the ACT or the COMPASS. Additional assessment instruments may be used. The admissions officer who interviews the prospective student shall make the final determination as to which tests should be taken by the student. Test scores must be current (within the past four years). When more than one score is available, the highest score will take precedence. A minimum skill level must be obtained before a student can be admitted. Students who are admitted but score below required levels on the various components of the ACT or COMPASS will be required to complete developmental education course work. Students who are placed into developmental reading, writing, or math must enroll in all required course work and will be limited to 12 hours the first semester. Students who place into developmental reading, writing, and math will be required to take SAS 0203 On Course for Success. After successful completion of one semester of required developmental courses (grade of “C” or better in each course), students must enroll in additional required developmental courses each semester until they successfully complete all developmental course work. UA Fort Smith adheres to the guidelines established by the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, section 504. This act states that an institution must make reasonable accommodations for otherwise qualified students with a disability. Students are asked to make their disability known prior to the testing date so that the appropriate provision can be made. CITIZENSHIP Admission to UA Fort Smith is limited to citizens of the United States, resident aliens, and foreign students who possess an appropriate visa. In compliance with the federal Hope Scholarship, all UA Fort Smith students must provide a valid Social Security number and may be required to provide a Social Security card prior to or during enrollment unless attending under an appropriate visa. Records The Arkansas Department of Health pursuant to Act 141 of 1987 requires that all full-time students and students housed on campus MUST provide the University with: (1) Proof of immunization against measles, mumps, and rubella. Immunity can be shown by providing a serological test confirming immunity or documentation of having received two doses of measles, one dose of rubella, and one dose of mumps vaccine. (2) An authorized exemption for medical, religious or philosophical reasons. Official, signed exemption forms must be presented to the institution. The forms are available from the Immunization Section of the Arkansas Department of Health, 4815 W Markham, Mail Slot 48, Little Rock, AR 72205. Exemptions must be renewed each year. It is the student’s responsibility to obtain the forms and approval from the Arkansas Department of Health. Immunization records can be obtained from (1) the student’s family physician, (2) the student’s public school records, (3) the student’s military records, or (4) the county health department. A hold will be placed on a student’s record until the required documents are received. Immunization records presented for admission become part of the student’s permanent record and the property of UA Fort Smith and are not reissued. aCTS - Arkansas Course http://acts.adhe.edu The Arkansas Course Transfer System (ACTS) contains information about the transferability of courses within Arkansas public colleges and universities. Students are guaranteed the transfer of applicable credits and the equitable treatment in the application of credits for the admissions and degree requirements. Course transferability is not guaranteed for courses listed in ACTS as “No Comparable Course.” Additionally, courses with a “D” frequently do not transfer and institutional policies may vary. ACTS may be accessed on the Internet by going to the ADHE website and selecting Course Transfer. Student Success Rates UA Fort Smith is committed to full compliance with the regulations cited in the Student Right to Know Act. Information regarding graduation rates and transfer- out rates are available in the Institutional Effectiveness office in the Fullerton Administration Building. 20