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Home Index Search Directories FaqThe Office of Admissions processes all applications for admission to undergraduate and graduate programs at the University. Inquiries about admission should be addressed to the Director of Admissions, Meisler Hall Suite 2500, University of South Alabama, Mobile, Alabama 36688-0002, or telephoned to (251)460-6141, toll-free number at (800)872-5247, or e-mail at admiss@usouthal.edu. Information is also available via a link on the University’s Home Page on the World Wide Web: http://www.southalabama.edu/admissions/.
Students applying for admission to the University of South Alabama are required to file an application for admission with the $35 nonrefundable processing fee by the deadlines noted. The application is available on the Admissions web site via a link from http://www.southalabama.edu/admissions/appdeadline.html. Note: The University reserves the right to change fees without prior notice, as deemed necessary by the Board of Trustees.
Deadlines, Transcripts, and Test ScoresStudents are urged to apply for admission well before their intended semester of entry. Scholarships and other financial aid and housing are more likely to be available to the qualified student who applies early. All undergraduate applications, including the required official documents, must be received no later than July 15 for fall semester, December 1 for spring semester, and May 1 for summer semester. Documents received by the deadline are guaranteed to be processed before new student orientation and registration. Deadlines for applications and supporting documents for international students are earlier than the deadlines for U.S. Citizens. Refer to the “ International Students” section for details. Scholarship deadlines are significantly earlier and published in the “ Financial Aid” section of the Bulletin.
All documents required for admission review (transcripts, test scores, or letters of recommendation) must be official, i.e., mailed from the home institution or testing agency directly to the Office of Admissions by the deadline. These documents become the property of the University of South Alabama. The applicant is responsible for making certain that the admission application, processing fee, and all required documents are received by the University by the appropriate deadline.
First Time Freshmen must submit an official high school transcript showing grades earned and courses pursued. (A final official high school transcript showing the date of graduation is required for those who apply before the end of their senior year.) In addition, First-Time freshmen applicants must submit official college entrance examination scores-either the result of the ACT or the Scholastic Assessment Test (SAT).High school students should take the test in the spring of the junior year or early in their senior year so test results will reach the University in ample time for admission review. Applicants must have the scores sent directly to the University from the testing agency by listing the University’s code number as a recipient when registering for the examination (ACT code is 0059; SAT code is 1880) or by completing a score request form from the testing agency.
In some instances, the Director of Admissions may require the applicant to submit a recommendation from the high school counselor or principal.
High school graduates must submit test scores if their semester of matriculation is within five years of high school graduation or if they have not reached the age of 23. If applying for admission five years after graduation, applicants who have not taken the ACT or SAT need not sit for the examination and may apply under the Adult Special Freshman Admissions category. (See "Adult Special Admission" section below).Southbound Orientation provides an introduction to the academic, service, and social areas of the University of South Alabama. This mandatory program is offered at the beginning of each semester and prior to class registration. Details are sent to all new students prior to registration. Further information may be obtained from the Office of New Student Orientation, 2600 Meisler Hall, Mobile, AL 36688-0002, telephone (251) 460-7093.
Documents Required: Freshmen with Previous Credits applicants must submit all the documents required for First-Time Freshmen as well as an official transcript from each college attended prior to high school graduation. An evaluation of transfer credits will be completed and mailed to students prior to the semester of entry.
Accelerated College Enrollment Program (ACEP): A limited number of high school seniors from Mobile County, and Baldwin County, Alabama, are offered the opportunity to take one free course at the University during the senior year of high school. The course can be used to satisfy degree requirements at USA, or can be transferred to other institutions.
Academic Requirements: Applicants must be recommended by the high school counselor, have earned at least a "B" (3.0 on a 4.0 scale) average in academic subjects, have scored at least 25 composite on the ACT (1130 SAT), completed the junior year of high school, and be approved by the Director of Admissions.
Documents Required: ACEP applicants must submit an official high school transcript showing grades through the junior year, official ACT or SAT scores and a letter of recommendation from the school guidance counselor. Interested students should contact USA Admissions for application deadlines and information.
International Baccalaureate Program (IB): Students participating in the International Baccalaureate Program (IB) will be granted credit by the University of South Alabama to those who have achieved a score of "5" or higher on the International Baccalaureate Program examinations. Individual academic disciplines will determine if a higher score is required in a particular course(s). IB Credit with a grade of at least "5" will be awarded as follows:
6 Semester Hours of credit in corresponding Freshman Language Sequence:
French: LG 111 and LG 112
German: LG 151 and LG 152
Latin: LG 101 and LG 102
Russian: LG 171 and LG 172
Spanish: LG 131 and LG 132
Chinese: LGS 121 and LGS 122
Arabic: LGS 106 and LGS 107
Modern Greek: LGS 141 and LGS 142
Japanese: LGS 101 and LGS 102
CLEP: A student can receive up to 32 semester hours of credit from the General Examinations and certain Subject Examinations of the College Level Examination Program (CLEP) as shown below. Official CLEP scores mailed directly from the CLEP division of the Educational Testing Service are required before credit will be awarded.
Documents Required: Transfer student applicants must make certain that official transcripts of all courses for which they have been registered at other colleges or universities are sent directly to the University from each home institution. Students must report colleges where registration was completed even though no credit was earned. Prior enrollment information will be verified by National Student Clearinghouse.
Applicants who have attempted fewer than 30 semester hours or 40 quarter hours of college work must submit college transcripts and high school transcripts and ACT or SAT scores.
Transfer of Credit: The Office of Admissions evaluates all credits to determine the number transferable to the University of South Alabama. Such transferred credit will be applied, after evaluation, to the specific program of the student. The final program evaluation requires approval by the Dean of the College in which the student is accepted or by the Dean’s designated representative. Credits transferable to the University may or may not be applicable, in whole or in part, to a specific program. Transfer students are urged to review all the requirements for a degree as specified in the Academic Policies and Procedures section of the Bulletin.
No credit is given for college-level General Education Development tests, or for courses evaluated as non-credit or remedial at this institution. No more than a combined total of 32 semester hours of credit will be allowed for credit received through the College Level Examination Program (CLEP), Advanced Placement Program (AP), credit by examination, correspondence courses, military service school courses, and other approved non-collegiate-sponsored programs as recommended by the American Council on Education.
A maximum of 64 semester hours may be transferred from a junior or community college. Courses offered by this University with a course number of 300 or higher will not be accepted as a transfer from a junior college unless approved by the appropriate college dean.
No more than 64 semester hours of transfer credit from junior colleges will be accepted. No degree credit will be granted for courses that are identified at the 300 and 400 levels in the University of South Alabama curriculum unless approved by the appropriate college dean.
No credit will be awarded for technical and vocational courses. Courses not generally accepted from a junior/community college may be considered for transfer credit on a selective basis. Such courses must be approved for degree credit by the student’s academic dean based upon the recommendation of the appropriate department chair.
University of South Alabama students at any level of progress toward a degree are restricted, in terms of junior college transfer credit, only by the first and second items above.
The Alabama Articulation Program (also called STARS - Statewide Articulation Reporting System) is a web-based articulation and transfer planning system designed to inform students who attend Alabama Community Colleges about degree requirements, course equivalents, and other transfer information pertaining to specific majors at each state funded four-year institution. STARS provides students, counselors, and educators with accurate information upon which transfer decisions can be made. STARS is the information link between the state’s public two-year and four-year institutions, and can prevent the loss of course credit hours, can provide direction for the scheduling of course work, and can ease the transition from one institution to another. Students who are interested in obtaining a “Transfer Guide” should visit the University of South Alabama Transfer Assistance web site at: http://www.southalabama.edu/transfer/ or contact: University of South Alabama Office of Admissions, 2500 Meisler Hall, Mobile, Alabama 36688-0002, (251)460-6141 or (800)872-5247.
TRANSFER CREDIT FROM MILITARY SERVICE SCHOOLSMilitary service-school courses will be evaluated with reference to the recommendation of the American Council on Education when official credentials have been presented by the student to the Office of Admissions for new students or to the Office of the Registrar for returning or currently enrolled students. Such recommendations, however, are not binding upon the University. In no instance, however, may any of the hours of credit be substituted for specific courses, but they may be substituted for electives.
Students who have successfully completed basic training in the armed forces may receive four semester hours of elective credit and exemption from P.E. by presenting a DD214, DD295, a copy of a Community College of the Air Force transcript, or a certificate of training to the Office of the Registrar for currently enrolled or former students, or to the Office of Admissions for new students.
The Office of Veterans Affairs is located in Room 2300 of the Meisler Hall Building on the main campus of the University to facilitate veterans’ programs and to provide counseling and other veterans’ services. (See “ Student Activities Section.”)
UNDERGRADUATE CREDIT FROM FOREIGN INSTITUTIONS:Academic Requirements: Students must be in good standing at the current institution and have the approval of their registrar or dean to enroll at USA.
A transient student must accept full responsibility in meeting course prerequisites and having the necessary preparation to take the course or courses desired.
Enrollment as a transient student in no way implies future admission as a regular student to the University of South Alabama.
Documents Required: Transient applicants must request the registrar or dean of the college or university in which they are currently enrolled to complete the University’s Transient Form or write a letter of good standing for the applicant and mail it directly to the University.
If the student should decide to remain in transient status for more than one term the student must submit the University’s Transient Student Form and a Readmission Application (available from the Registrar's Office ) by the specified deadline (see “ How to Apply for Readmission” section of the Bulletin) each semester. Should a transient student decide to transfer to the University of South Alabama, the student would be required to apply in the same manner as a transfer student and submit complete transcripts from each college or university attended.
Audit students wish to take courses, but not receive credit.The Office of International Services at the University of South Alabama provides special services and programs for non-U.S. Citizens and is responsible for the processing of applications for admission submitted by non-citizens. The following are the specific requirements needed by the applicants.
REQUIREMENTS FOR ADMISSIONAll documents submitted as part of the application process become the property of the University of South Alabama and will not be copied for or released to the student or any other institution.
Undergraduate Applicants
1. International Application for Admission - The International Application for Admission must be completed and signed by the applicant. A nonrefundable $35.00 application fee, payable through a U.S. bank, must accompany the application. Applications received without the $35.00 processing fee will not be processed.
2. Academic Records - Complete and certified academic records of all secondary and postsecondary education attempted must be submitted. Whenever possible, the records must be forwarded directly from the issuing institution to the University of South Alabama. Copies must be certified by an official of the government or school (e.g., registrar or dean). Notarized copies are not accepted.
3. English Proficiency
A.
TOEFL - Nonimmigrant applicants, whose native language is not English, must submit a score of 173 (61 on newly formatted Internet-based TOEFL exam) or above on the Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) for admission. Applicants who hold a baccalaureate or graduate degree from a regionally accredited United States institution are exempt. Students transferring from postsecondary institutions within the United States are exempt, subject to the following conditions:
1) transfer credits total at least 96 quarter hours (64 semester hours); andThe exempted transfer students ARE subject to the proficiency examination discussed below.
In addition the TOEFL may be substituted with the following:
1) SATI Verbal score of 510
2) ACT English score of 19
3)
Ordinary/Advanced Level English examinations from the United Kingdom with a score of "A", "B" or "C/A-E".
4)A minimum IELTS score of 5.5.
B.English Proficiency - Additionally, all international students with TOEFL scores between 150 (52 on newly formatted Internet-based TOEFL exam) and 170 (60 on newly formatted on-line TOEFL exam) are conditionally admitted to the University of South Alabama and placed directly into the Department of English as a Second Language and assigned an ESL advisor. All students in this category must take the English Placement Examination and depending on their performance, a determination will be made as to how many ESL courses each student will be required to complete.
C.English Proficiency Examination - All international students, regardless of TOEFL score, must sit for the English Proficiency Examination during the International Student Orientation with the following exceptions. Students holding J-1 visas and those holding baccalaureate or graduate degrees from regionally accredited United States postsecondary institutions are exempt. Permanent Residents who submit transcripts from regionally accredited United States secondary or postsecondary institutions with at least two full years of course work are also exempt. All international transfer students must take the exam.
4. Standardized Tests - Permanent residents of the U.S. must submit an acceptable score on the ACT or SAT examination, unless they have one year or more of documented postsecondary education or graduated from high school 5 or more years previously, or apply on the basis of the GED. Those attending on nonimmigrant visas are not required to submit these tests for admissions unless required by the major department.
5. Financial Statement - Non-immigrants must provide proof that sufficient finances are available to undertake their entire course of study.
6. Photograph - All applicants must submit two recent passport size photographs.
Students are notified of admissions decisions as soon as all required documents are received. The I-20 or DS-2019 form is mailed to students with the letter of admission.
Students wishing to postpone their arrival to a later semester must notify the Office of International Services in writing. If an I-20 or DS-2019 form has been mailed to the school, the complete form must be returned to the University before a new form is issued.
Transfer Credit from Foreign Institutions - Students transferring to the University from foreign postsecondary institutions must submit a detailed course syllabus from which to evaluate transfer credit. Advanced Placement credit is available from a number of worldwide sources: contact the Office of International Services for details. Students may secure a professional evaluation of academic credentials at their own expense. Course-by-course professional evaluation is required of transfer students accepted into the College of Education and students applying to the professional component of any program in the Pat Capps Covey College of Allied Health Professions.
(See the section below entitled " Additional Information for all International Students".)
1. International Application for Admission - The International Application for Admission must be completed and signed by the applicant. A nonrefundable $35.00 application fee, payable through a U.S. Bank, must accompany the application. Applications received without the $35.00 application fee will not be processed.
2. Academic Records - Complete and certified academic records of all secondary and postsecondary education attempted must be submitted. Please note consolidated marksheets are not accepted. Whenever possible, the records must be forwarded directly from the issuing institution to the University of South Alabama. Copies must be certified by an official of the government or school (e.g., registrar or dean). Notarized copies are not accepted.
3. English Proficiency
A.
TOEFL - Nonimmigrant applicants, whose native language is not English, must submit a score of 197 (71) or above on the Test of English as a Second Language (TOEFL) for admission. (Specific programs may have more stringent English proficiency requirements.) Applicants who have completed two years of postsecondary education from a regionally accredited United States institution or a minimum IELTS score of 5.5 are exempt.
B.English Proficiency Examination - All international applicants, regardless of TOEFL score, must sit for the English Proficiency Examination during the International Student Orientation. Nonimmigrant applicants exempt from the TOEFL requirement are exempt from the English Proficiency Examination, as well. English as a Second Language course work may be recommended or required for graduate applicants.
4. Standardized Tests - Standardized test requirements for the various academic programs are listed in the appropriate sections of the Bulletin. All test scores must be official documents sent directly from the testing service which administered the examination.
5. Recommendation Letters - Two original letters of recommendation are required of all nonimmigrant applicants. The letters should be written by persons familiar with the applicant’s academic qualifications and ability to undertake the proposed course of study.
6. Financial Statement - Nonimmigrants must provide proof that sufficient finances are available to undertake their entire course of study. Applicants for graduate assistantships should contact the appropriate department directly for information and assistantship applications.
7. Narrative Statement of Purpose - A narrative Statement of Purpose written by applicant is required. Three original letters of recommendation written by persons familiar with the applicant's academic qualifications and ability to undertake the proposed course of study are also required.
Notification: Students are notified of the Graduate Dean’s admission decision as soon as all required documents are received and the Graduate Dean has received a recommendation from the appropriate graduate program. The I-20 or DS-2019 form is mailed to students with the letter of admission.
Students wishing to postpone their arrival to a later semester must notify the Office of International Services in writing. Students who have previously attended USA and who did not register for the semester in which they were accepted, but who wish to register for the same graduate program in the same academic year must update their admissions through the Office of International Services. First-time students who did not register for the semester for which they were accepted but who wish to register for the same graduate program in the same academic year must submit written requests to update their applications to the Office of International Services. The address is given at the end of this section. If an I-20 or DS-2019 form has been mailed, the complete form must be returned to the University before a new form is issued.
Additional Information for all International Students Nonimmigrant and International Student Fees - All international students with nonimmigrant visas are considered nonresidents for tuition purposes and will be assessed a nonresident fee and an international student fee each semester. Permanent residents may qualify for instate tuition rates.Deposits - A tuition and living expenses deposit may be required of a student before an I-20 or DS-2019 is issued. This decision is based upon exchange regulations and fee receipt history of specific countries.
Orientation - New international students are required to participate in an orientation program prior to their first semester at the University. The orientation program welcomes students to the University, introduces them to staff and students, and familiarizes them with academic procedures and the community.
Medical Insurance - The University requires all international students on nonimmigrant visas to maintain medical insurance coverage. Students must purchase the University’s international student health insurance policy at registration.
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