Admission to the University

This section of the catalog states the admission criteria for unconditional, conditional, and other admission categories. In addition to these criteria, applicants must follow the appropriate admission procedures outlined under the section entitled “Application Procedures.” Southwest Baptist University reserves the right to restrict, deny, or revoke an offer of admission or the admission of any person otherwise eligible for reasons determined to be in the best interest of the institution by the officers thereof. These reserved rights shall be administered in a manner strictly consistent with state and federal non-discrimination laws.

Southwest Baptist University admissions criteria are outlined below.

Freshman Admission

1. An SBU applicant must present one of the following:
   1. An official secondary or home school transcript (with a minimum of six semesters)*
   2. Standardized tests, SBU ACT code: 2368; SAT code: 6664; CLT visit cltexam.com
2. Additionally, students must meet two of these three qualifiers:
   1. 2.50 high school GPA on a 4.00 scale
   2. 21 ACT composite score / 1060 SAT composite score / 68 CLT composite score
   3. Top 50% of high school rank in class
3. Students who choose not to submit a standardized test will be reviewed for test-optional admission and must have a 2.50 high school GPA on a 4.00 scale.
4. In order to help one succeed at SBU the following high school subjects are strongly recommended (13 units): English (4 units), mathematics (3 units), social studies (2 units), natural science (2 units), electives (2 units of foreign language or computer science or 2 additional units from English, mathematics, social studies, or natural sciences).
5. International students may have additional requirements, please see the International Student Admission section.

*To comply with the Higher Education Act, which requires colleges to evaluate the validity of a student’s high school completion, the admissions office requires the submission of official high school transcripts (i.e., from schools with a CEEB code, with a high school seal and/or official signature). For transcripts from schools without a CEEB code, the admissions office will investigate to confirm the school is recognized by the state department of education or home school association. The admissions office may request a copy of the student’s diploma at any point for verification. If the diploma is determined invalid, a GED may be required for admission consideration.

Transfer Student Admission

Southwest Baptist University is in agreement with the principle of the Missouri Coordinating Board for Higher Education “that a student with a clear educational objective should be able to complete a degree program in the shortest possible time, whether the student remains in one institution or transfers to another.”

The nature and standards of courses transferred toward a degree program must correspond closely to courses offered at Southwest Baptist University and may be limited by the college or division involved. Only professional education courses transferred from two-year colleges and from senior colleges having state approved teacher education programs can be used to meet certification requirements.

A maximum of six credits of D credit will be accepted in transfer. Applicants may transfer up to 72 credits from two-year colleges, and these credits will transfer as lower level (1000-2000) courses. NOTE: SBU will accept no more than 90 credits from other institutions toward a degree.

Transfer credits from institutions that are not regionally accredited will be evaluated on a course-by- course basis to determine if it is transferable (no more than 30 credit hours total will be accepted). No grade of D+ or lower will be accepted from an institution that is not regionally accredited.

Transfer students who have been dismissed from a previous institution must seek re-admittance or permission to return to that institution before being considered for admission to Southwest Baptist University.

In addition to the requirements listed in this section, international students may have additional requirements, please see the International Student Admission section.

Transfer Students with the Associate Degree

Transfer applicants who have completed the A.A. degree from a regionally accredited college will be permitted to transfer to SBU with core curriculum requirements met except for Old Testament History (BIB 1013 ), New Testament History (BIB 1023 ), and Spiritual Formation (SPF 2012 ; or equivalent) for the B.A., B.S., B.S.N., B.S.W., and B.A.S. degrees.

Students transferring with an A.S. degree or a professional program (e.g., A.A.S.N. or A.S.N.) will have their transcripts evaluated to determine which core curriculum requirements are met.

Transfer students holding an A.A. or A.S. degree seeking teacher certification must also fulfill the core curriculum requirements prescribed by the SBU Division of Education. (See Division of Education  in the College of Professional Programs .)

Transfer Students without the Associate Degree

Transfer applicants who do not have an associate degree will have each course on their transcripts evaluated for transfer. Students who have fulfilled the 42-credit hour core curriculum block outlined by the Missouri Coordinating Board of Higher Education and certified by the sending institution shall be deemed to have completed all core curriculum requirements except for Old Testament History (BIB 1013 ), New Testament History (BIB 1023 ), and Spiritual Formation (SPF 2012 ; or equivalent).

Transfer applicants will be admitted unconditionally to Southwest Baptist University as transfer students if the following criteria have been met:

1. The applicant has earned a minimum of 12 hours of college level work (excluding remedial courses) from a regionally accredited college or university since completion of high school or GED and
2. The applicant has achieved a 2.00 G.P.A. or higher on all college level work.

NOTE: Transfer applicants who do not meet the criteria listed above will be considered for admission under the Freshmen Admission criteria.

International Student Admission

Qualified international applicants are invited to apply for admission to SBU. The following requirements apply to international applicants and U.S. resident aliens whose native language is not English.

Applicants from non-English speaking countries must take the Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL), the International English Language Testing System Academic (IELTS), or the Duolingo English Test. For the TOEFL, the applicant must score one of the following minimums: a 79 on the internet-based test (IBT); or a 213 on the computer-based test (CBT); or a 550 on the paper test. For the IELTS, the applicant must score a minimum of 6.5. For the Duolingo test, the applicant must score a minimum of 100. Scores must be no more than two years old from the date the examination was taken. Exceptions to the required English language proficiency scores will be made in the following instances:

• An applicant is a citizen of any country in which English is the primary language
• An applicant has studied in a country in which English is the primary language or in the U.S. within the past three years and has a good academic record at the school attended.

1. An international credential evaluation from a NACES-approved service (National Association of Credential Evaluation Services) is required for official credentials indicating all secondary work at the cost of the student, and both the evaluation and the official credentials must be submitted to the Office of Undergraduate Admissions with the formal application. An official international credential evaluation should come directly to Southwest Baptist University electronically or through the mail in a sealed envelope. Admissions status cannot be determined until all documents are received. 
2. As part of the admissions process, an international credential evaluation is required reporting prior university study. SBU accepts evaluations from World Education Services (WES), found at www.wes.org or Educational Credential Evaluators (ECE) found at www.ece.org. An official international credential evaluation should come directly to Southwest Baptist University electronically or through the mail in a sealed envelope. Transfer credit will be applied according to information reported on the official evaluation. International students who transfer work to SBU from foreign institutions are responsible for any evaluation fees associated with the transfer of credits. A letter of acceptance will be issued only when an applicant is found eligible for admission.
3. International students must provide an original bank statement demonstrating the ability to afford the cost to attend SBU for 9 months. After receiving SAT or ACT scores and GPA or ECE results, the admissions counselor will be able to provide more information about the student’s cost of attendance.
4. All international students accepted for admission to Southwest Baptist University are required to purchase a 12-month medical insurance policy from a United States based company prior to campus arrival. Once medical insurance is purchased, the student must provide documentation verifying the health policy to the University Health Center. A 12-month medical insurance policy must be maintained while the international student is attending SBU.

A student admitted from another country must carry a full academic load. A full load is 12 academic credits, unless the student needs fewer hours to complete his or her academic program. A student who has qualified on the TOEFL, IELTS or Duolingo is deemed sufficiently proficient in English to carry the minimum of 12 credits.

In order for an applicant to receive a Certificate of Eligibility (Immigration Form I-20), which is required of all foreign applicants entering the United States, the following conditions must be met:

1. The applicant must be formally admitted to the University as a full-time student. This includes a completed application, a nonrefundable application fee of $100 U.S. currency and official transcripts of all academic work (secondary school and above). This process should be initiated at least four months prior to the desired semester of enrollment.
2. A student who has completed collegiate hours must have transcripts evaluated by one of the following agencies: Educational Credential Evaluators (ECE) www.ece.org or World Education Services (WES) www.wes.org. The student must request the course-by-course or detailed report evaluation. The fee for this service varies and must be paid by the student.
3. The applicant must submit an advance deposit in the form of a certified check or bank draft in the amount of one year’s educational and living expenses. This amount will be put on account and will be available for the applicant’s use upon arrival.
4. When these conditions have been met, the Certificate of Eligibility (I-20) form will be issued to the applicant. NOTICE: Under no circumstances should an applicant prepare to arrive in the United States until granted a student visa, final acceptance to Southwest Baptist University, and, where necessary, financial aid.
5. All international students accepted for admission to Southwest Baptist University are required to purchase a 12-month medical insurance policy from a United States based company prior to campus arrival. Once medical insurance is purchased, the student must provide documentation verifying the health policy to the University Health Center. A 12-month medical insurance policy must be maintained while the international student is attending SBU.

Conditional Student Admission

Students who do not meet the minimum criterion for admission may be accepted with conditions. An applicant must be a graduate of an accredited or approved high school* or present an acceptable secondary certificate (e.g., the GED or HiSET). Admittance with conditions as a degree-seeking student may be based on a further review of high school course work, standardized test scores, GPA, rank in class, and recommendations from appropriate personnel in their school, church, and community.

Conditions will be detailed in writing from the admissions office on the campus where the student is applying.

Applicants who are admitted conditionally will have a document concerning the specific conditions of their admittance placed in their advisee file. Conditionally admitted applicants may be directed to take designated courses, or participate in specified programs, to help them succeed at SBU. Conditionally admitted students must complete the prescribed course of study.

Special Student Admission

Persons who have not yet earned a high school diploma or certificate may be eligible for the following special programs established by the University to meet the needs and interests of otherwise qualified applicants.

Non-Degree Seeking Students

The applicant is required to submit an official high school transcript or the GED and may take up to 12 credits (except in English and mathematics) of college level work without having to take the ACT or SAT examination. These students will be classified as Special Students. If non-degree seeking students desire to take more than 12 credits, they must apply for admission to Southwest Baptist University.

Dual Credit

Dual credit courses enable high school students to receive both high school and college-level credit simultaneously. High-performing students are provided an affordable opportunity to experience college- level courses during high school. Dual credit courses are offered on the high school campus and online. Applicants must submit the dual credit application, which includes recommendations from officials at their schools and approval from their parents/guardians. Applicants are admitted on the basis of academic standards that are the same as those required for unconditional admission to the University. Interested applicants should contact the Dual Credit Director for further information. Southwest Baptist University accepts core curriculum dual credit courses completed by students at other regionally accredited institutions. The University does not guarantee acceptance of non-core curriculum courses. These courses will be reviewed on an individual basis by the division involved.

Dual Enrollment

High school students meeting SBU’s admission requirements are invited to enroll in regularly scheduled courses. Participating students will be considered as official part-time students and are required to abide by all University policies and regulations. Dual enrollment students may take up to six college credits per semester and accumulate a maximum of 24 college credits while participating in this program. Interested high school students must submit the dual enrollment application form, which includes recommendations from officials at their schools. Interested applicants should contact the Office of Admissions for further information.

Early Admission

Under unusual circumstances, a superior high school student may request entrance to the University as a regular, full-time student before high school graduation. If the applicant has not completed all requirements for graduation from high school, the following must be presented:

1. An official sixth-semester transcript, including the applicant’s class rank
2. An ACT score, SAT score, or CLT score, forwarded to SBU
3. A letter from the applicant, stating the reasons for seeking early admission
4. A letter from the parents of the applicant, stating consent to the early admission

Application Procedures

The following application procedures are required for all undergraduate applicants who wish to enter Southwest Baptist University. (Admission criteria are stated above.)

1. File a completed Application for Admission. This form should be accompanied by a $30 non- refundable application fee. Notification of acceptance is on a rolling basis dependent on the campus/program applying. An application file is considered complete when all credentials have been received, credentials may vary by campus/program applying.
2. Request that an official secondary or home school transcript (with a minimum of six semesters)* be sent to SBU.
3. Request the official transcript for any college work completed (including dual credit).
4. For first-time freshmen- take the American College Test (ACT), the Scholastic Aptitude Test (SAT) or the Classical Learning Test (CLT) and have score reports sent to the Office of Admissions. SBU’s ACT code is 2368; its SAT code is 6664. The Application for Admission may be submitted before taking the test. Students may choose not to submit one of these tests and be evaluated for test-optional admission.

*To comply with the Higher Education Act, which requires colleges to evaluate the validity of a student’s high school completion, the admissions office requires the submission of official high school transcripts (i.e., from schools with a CEEB code, with a high school seal and/or official signature). For transcripts from schools without a CEEB code, the admissions office will investigate to confirm the school is recognized by the state department of education or home school association. The admissions office may request a copy of the student’s diploma at any point for verification. If the diploma is determined invalid, a GED or HiSET may be required for admission consideration.

Upon admission, the following steps are required before a student will be allowed to enroll. Additional requirements may be required dependent upon the campus/program you are applying. Notification and documentation (as applies) for each step will be sent after the previous step is completed.

1. Submit a $200 non-refundable enrollment deposit.
2. If applying for the Bolivar campus, complete and return the New Student Housing Request OR the Off-Campus Housing Form (see Off-Campus Housing section of this catalog to determine eligibility).
3. If applying for the Bolivar campus, sign and return the Student Principles and Expectations. All admitted Bolivar undergraduate applicants are required to sign that they have read and agree to adhere to the University’s rules and uphold all expectations.
4. Submit appropriate health records. Immunization records must be forwarded to the Office of Admissions prior to enrollment. In most cases, these records may be obtained from a doctor’s office.
5. Admitted applicants must submit a final official transcript from their high school, reflecting senior year credits, grades, final class rank, and statement of graduation.
6. If in progress when college transcripts were submitted, a final college transcript must be received.

Appeals Related to Admission

Appeals regarding admission to Southwest Baptist University are to be submitted in writing to the Director of Undergraduate Admissions. All decisions made by the Admissions Committee are final and will be communicated to the applicant in writing.

Disclosure of Disabilities

Admitted applicants who seek special academic provisions while enrolled at Southwest Baptist University are required to file a disclosure of disability statement to the Accessibility Coordinator. The Disclosure of Disability form, along with external documentation of the disability, should be submitted to the Accessibility Coordinator. Scheduling of classes, arrangement of housing in accessible facilities, and providing special academic assistance may require advance planning by the University.

Course Placement and Exam Information

Students will be placed in English Composition I (ENG 1113 ) and Algebraic Reasoning and Modeling (MAT 1243 ) regardless of standardized test scores, unless recommended by an advisor to take a more advanced or foundational course of action.

Credit by Examination

Applicants may receive course credit through opportunities that existed at their high school and/or through examination. The examination and/or high school credit opportunity must be equivalent to a course taught at Southwest Baptist University.

Advanced Placement Examinations (AP)

The Advanced Placement Examination is a national system of credit by examination. The student must submit a request to the College Board for an official AP grade report to be sent directly to the Registrar’s Office at Southwest Baptist University. When the official report is received, the Registrar will record the hours on the student’s transcript. (Note: Copies of the AP grade report will not be accepted.) Applicants may receive course credit on an Advanced Placement Examination as follows:
 

*Proof of extensive lab work is required. This may be in the form of a letter from the high school instructor, a completed lab notebook, or samples of graded lab work.

British A Level Examinations

1. Advanced standing may be awarded for A level examinations for the General Certificate of Secondary Education with a grade of A, B, or C.
2. The examinations must be administered by an examinations board that is recognized for university entry in the United Kingdom.
3. The total credit for each examination may not exceed 6 semester hours, and total advanced standing credit awarded may not exceed 20 semester hours.
4. Certified copies of the examination transcript must be on file in the Registrar’s office.
5. Examinations in the sciences must include a laboratory component.
6.  Examinations in foreign language must include a conversation component.

International Baccalaureate

Students enrolled at SBU who earned qualifying scores for Higher Level (HL) and/or Standard Level (SL) examinations will receive credit as outlined below:

1. Official transcripts must be issued by the International Baccalaureate North American Office and be on file in the Registrar’s office. Credit will be evaluated on an individual course basis.
2. Contact the Registrar to inquire about an exam not listed below.
3. Students who transfer in science credit will need to have the laboratory work reviewed by a faculty member in the Division of Natural Sciences. Qualifying examinations in the sciences that do not include an extensive laboratory component will receive credit for the equivalent lecture, but will not receive lab credit.

College-Level Examination Program (CLEP)

To be eligible to receive credit by examination, applicants must not have earned more than 90 hours of university credit and may not have received university credit or any credit for any course within the academic discipline covered by the exam. Students may receive a maximum of 32 hours of credit by examination for a bachelor’s degree or 16 hours for an associate degree. The CLEP exams that have been approved for SBU equivalency are listed below.

+ Biology CLEP examinees should contact the Natural Sciences Division Head regarding proof of extensive lab work before registering for the exam.

Seal of Biliteracy

The Seal of Biliteracy is a credential granted by high schools to certify a student’s proficiency in a language other than English. Students may request credit at SBU for their Seal of Biliteracy by submitting official documentation to the Registrar’s Office. Credit granted will be 4-8 hours.

Divisional Examinations

Divisional examinations are tests prepared by professors on campus. Each divisional test is approximately two hours in length and is comparable to a comprehensive final examination in the course for which it is designed. Students wishing to take divisional examinations should contact the respective division head. There is a $30 fee for administering the examination. Upon successful passage of the examination, the student must pay $40 per credit hour transcription fee to the Accounting Office (Cashier), and then the Registrar will record the hours on the student’s transcript.