Entering the University

Office of Admissions
Mark Bottorff, Director of Admissions
Britt Hall
541-552-6411
admissions@sou.edu
http://www.sou.edu/admissions

Students seeking admission to SOU or who plan to attend SOU full time during the fall, winter, or spring quarter must apply for and receive formal admission. Students planning to take courses without formal admission should read the section entitled Enrollment as a Nonadmitted Student and the Summer Session  section.

Prospective students are encouraged to visit the campus. Admissions staff can make arrangements for visitors to meet faculty, attend classes, and take a guided tour of the grounds and buildings. Campus tours led by student ambassadors are available Monday through Friday at 10 a.m. and 2 p.m. during the academic year and 11 a.m. during the summer months and holiday breaks. Contact the Office of Admissions to check date availability and make a reservation.

Advanced Placement (AP): College Entrance Examination Board (CEEB) Credit

When AP scores are received by the University directly from CEEB, credit may be awarded as indicated below:

*Credit for General Chemistry laboratory is decided on the basis of the students individual record of courses completed and the test score.
**Credit not granted in both, only one or the other, depending on the examination taken.
***Scores apply to both exams.

College Level Examination Program (CLEP) Credit

Admission Procedure

1. Application Form
   
   New students applying for admission to SOU must file an official application with Admissions. Applicants may apply online or download forms from the SOU Web site. The application may also be obtained from most Oregon high schools and community colleges or from the SOU Admissions Office.
    
2. Application Fee
   
   Applications for admission must be accompanied by a $50 application fee (check or money order payable to Southern Oregon University). If applying online, applicants pay the $50 application fee via credit card. The fee cannot be refunded, waived, or transferred to other institutions. A fee deferral is available to qualified individuals; contact Admissions for more information.
    
3. Transcripts
   
   Students applying as freshmen must have their high schools send official transcripts of all coursework beyond the eighth grade. Upon completion of the senior year, students must have their high schools send complete transcripts verifying graduation and the 14-unit subject requirement completion (see High School Course Requirements on page 6).
   
   Students transferring from other collegiate institutions must request that official transcripts of all colleges previously attended be sent to the SOU Office of Admissions. High school records must also be sent if the applicant has fewer than 36 quarter credits of transferable college coursework at the time of application. Documents sent in support of applications become the property of the University and cannot be returned to the applicant.
    
4. Placement Examinations
   
   Students entering as freshmen must submit scores from either the SAT Reasoning Test or the ACT Assessment. Test scores are used for counseling, placement, and establishing admission qualifications. Early arrangements should be made to ensure that test scores reach the Southern Oregon University Office of Admissions in time to be evaluated with the student’s records.
    
5. Measles Immunization
   
   All SOU students are required to submit verification of measles immunization prior to attending classes.
    
6. Notification of Admission
   When all required documents have been received and evaluated, applicants will be informed in writing of the University’s decision.
    
7. General Admission Policies
   
   It is the student’s responsibility to ensure that complete official copies of transcripts from every institution attended are forwarded to the Southern Oregon University Office of Admissions. Failure of an applicant to supply complete college credentials is considered misrepresentation and may result in dismissal from the University.

Admission to Freshman Standing

To be admitted as a freshman, an applicant must:
 

1. Submit an application form and an application fee of $50 and have an official copy of his or her high school transcript and either the SAT Reasoning Test or ACT Assessment scores sent to SOU.
    
2. All applications, transcripts, and test scores are reviewed qualitatively to determine admission. Students applying for admission as freshmen need to graduate from an accredited public or provate high school. Accredited high schools are those that are reviewed and recognized by a regional entity, such as the Northwest Association of Schools and Colleges, as meeting an appropriate level of academic rigor and support.
   
   Applicants who have not or will not graduate from high school must have a minimum score of 410 on each of the five subtests of the Test of General Educational Development (GED) and an overall average score of 550. Post-1996 GED holders must submit a copy of their official high school academic record to confirm completion of at least two years (2 units) of a second language, or they must demonstrate proficiency in a second language.
   
   Students who are graduates of nonstandard or unaccredited high schools or who have been home-schooled must have a combined Math + Critical Reading score of 1010 on the SAT Reasoning Test and a score of 470 on the SAT Writing test, or an ACT composite score of 21 and an ACT writing score of 18. These students must also score an average 470 or above (940 total) on two SAT Subject Tests (Math level I or IIC and another test of the student’s choice). These students must also satisfy the second language admission requirement if they graduated from high school in 1997 or later.
   
   *The SAT Writing Section is also required but will not be used in making an admission decision. If you took the SAT before the Writing Section was available, please contact Admissions for options.
    
3. Meet specific course requirements. A general description of the type of courses required in each of the subject categories may be found under High School Course Requirements below.
   
   Students who have not completed the subject requirements must have a combined Math + Critical Reading score of 1010 on the SAT Reasoning Test and a score of 470 on the SAT Writing Test, or an ACT composite score of 21. These students must also score an average 470 or above (940 total) on two SAT Subject Tests (Math level I or IIC and another test in an area in which the student has a subject deficiency). Alternatively, students may elect to take makeup coursework (high school or college level) for specific subject requirements missed in high school.

Note: Part 3 of this section is waived for students who graduated from high school prior to 1985. Students who took the SAT I prior to February 2005 should contact Admissions.

High School Course Requirements

Applicants must satisfactorily (grade of C- or better) complete 14 units (one year equals one unit) of college preparatory work in the following areas:

English (4 units). Includes study of the English language, literature, speaking and listening, and writing with an emphasis on and frequent practice in expository prose during all four years.

Mathematics (3 units). Includes first-year algebra, as well as two additional years of college preparatory mathematics, such as geometry (deductive or descriptive), advanced topics in algebra, trigonometry, analytical geometry, finite mathematics, advanced applications, calculus, probability and statistics, or courses integrating topics from two or more of these areas. (One unit is highly recommended in the senior year; algebra and geometry taken prior to the ninth grade are accepted.)

Science (2 units). Includes a year each in two fields of college preparatory science, such as biology, chemistry, physics, or earth and physical science (one recommended as a laboratory science).

Social Studies (3 units). Includes one year of U.S. history, one year of global studies (e.g., world history or geography), and one year of social studies electives.

Second Language (2 units). Includes one of the following: two years of the same high school level second language; a C- or above in the third year of a high school level language; two terms of a college-level second language with a grade of C- or above; or satisfactory performance on an approved assessment of second language proficiency. Demonstrated proficiency in American Sign Language (ASL) meets the second language requirement.

Special Admission

Students who do not meet the admission requirements may appeal to the Undergraduate Admissions Advisory Committee, which may recommend special admission. Students wishing to pursue this appeal should contact the Office of Admissions.

Proficiency-Based Admission Standards System (PASS)

These admission standards give applicants a better understanding of the academic skills necessary for admission to a public university in the state of Oregon. This complete and accurate assessment of academic skills enables universities to make informed admission decisions. Students in Oregon public high schools may use the Certificate of Initial Mastery (CIM) to meet some of the standards required for admission. However, the CIM is not required for admission. For more information, visit www.ous.edu/pass.

Admission of Transfer Students

Students transferring to SOU from a regionally accredited college or university must show evidence of honorable dismissal from the other collegiate institutions and a cumulative grade point average of at least 2.25 in 36 or more credits of acceptable college work. Applicants who hold an associate’s degree from a regionally accredited institution or an Oregon Transfer Module (OTM) will be admitted with a 2.00 GPA. SOU limits students to a maximum of 12 quarter credits (8 semester credits) of physical education activity and team participation credits that can be used toward meeting the transfer admission requirements. A transfer student with fewer than 36 transferable quarter credits must also meet requirements for freshman standing.

Post-1996 GED holders, as well as applicants who graduated from high school in 1997 or later must also submit a copy of their official high school academic records to prove they have successfully completed with a C- or better a minimum of two years (2 units) of study in a second language. An exception to this requirement will be made for transfers who have completed two terms (8 quarter credits) of a second language at the college level with a C- grade or better or who have achieved satisfactory performance on an approved second language proficiency assessment (ASL is acceptable).

Transfer applicants must submit an application, the $50 application fee, and official transcripts from every institution of higher education attended. Transcripts must be mailed from the prior institutions directly to the Southern Oregon University Admissions Office. Transfer students are also encouraged to visit the campus and contact the Office of Admissions for academic advising.

Transfers should note that a minimum of 45 of the last 60 credits of coursework must be SOU credits to complete a degree. For more specific requirements, see the descriptions of the various degree programs in the catalog. In addition, please refer to Transfer Student Options on page 22 for more information.

Credit from Accredited Institutions

Advanced standing is granted to students transferring to SOU with acceptable records from regionally accredited institutions. The amount of credit granted depends on the nature and quality of the applicant’s previous work, evaluated according to Southern Oregon University’s academic requirements. The GPA of transferred credits is computed and used only as a basis for admission and is not included in a student’s SOU GPA.

Credit from Unaccredited Institutions

No advanced standing is granted at entrance for work at a non-regionally accredited institution.  After three terms of satisfactory work at SOU, a student may receive credit for course work from unaccredited institutions, but the courses must be equated with courses offered at SOU.

Credit from Two-Year Institutions

SOU accepts credit toward a baccalaureate degree from all college transfer work (up to 124 lower division term credits) completed in Oregon or regionally accredited community colleges in other states. Up to 24 credits of vocational-technical coursework that is applicable in an associate degree or certificate program at an accredited institution may be accepted as elective credit toward the 124 credits. Vocational-technical credits are not utilized in the admission decision.

Special Academic Credit

SOU considers granting credit for credit by examination, the College Level Examination Program (CLEP), Advanced Placement (AP), and International Baccalaureate (IB). Please read Special Academic Credit on page 8 for more information.

Admission to Professional Programs

Admission to SOU does not automatically guarantee admission to its professional programs and schools. Standards of admission and evaluation of transfer credit for such programs often include requirements beyond those stated in the general catalog. Students entering any of these programs or schools must be prepared to undertake the curriculum at their level of entry and to maintain school standards.

Admission of International Students

SOU is committed to diversifying its student body with the addition of students from other countries. Application materials for international students are available at www.sou.edu/admissions/international.

In addition to meeting the minimum English language requirements as outlined in the English Proficiency section below, international students are also required to submit a financial statement and official academic transcripts and to maintain adequate medical insurance. At the time of registration, students may enroll in a comprehensive medical insurance plan for themselves and their dependents through Southern Oregon University. For insurance information, contact the international student advisor at 541-552-6660.

English Proficiency

The Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) is required of students whose native language is not English. A score of 68 Internet-based, 520 paper-based, or 190 computer-based is required of undergraduate applicants, while a score of 76 Internet-based, 540 paper-based, or 207 computer-based is required of applicants to graduate programs. Undergraduate applicants may also meet the English proficiency requirement with a score of 959 on the SAT II English Language Proficiency Test (ELPT) or a score of 5.5 on the International English Testing System (IELTS). A score of 964 on the ELPT or a 6.0 on the IELTS will meet the English proficiency requirement for graduate applicants. Alternatively, both undergraduate and graduate applicants can meet the English proficiency requirement by successfully passing ELS Level 112.

Students whose English does not meet the TOEFL requirement may enroll in the ELS Language Center, the intensive English language program on campus. For more information on ELS Language Centers, visit www.els.com or write to ELS Language Centers, Southern Oregon University, Ashland, Oregon 97520. (See the ELS Language Centers section of this catalog.)

Postbaccalaureate Admission

Students interested in pursuing a second bachelor’s degree or in taking 9 or more credits of graduate coursework without being admitted to a master’s program are classified as postbaccalaureate students. Students who intend to take courses for undergraduate credit only may apply for postbaccalaureate nongraduate status, which allows them to pay undergraduate fees. Students must apply to the Office of Admissions to be admitted to postbaccalaureate status. The minimum cumulative undergraduate GPA required by the Admissions Office is 2.25 (4.0 system).

Graduate Student Admission

Students interested in entering a graduate or licensing program must be admitted under graduate student status at the earliest possible time. Otherwise, courses completed at the University may not apply to the program. The admission process is initiated through the Office of Admissions (541-552-6411). Please see Admission to a Master’s Degree Program on page 163 for admission dates and deadlines.

Regularly Admitted Graduate Students

Students pursuing a master’s degree are considered regularly admitted graduate students. Regular admission is granted once the student has met admission standards (see Graduate Programs). Students must apply to the Admissions Office and to the specific master’s program. They must be in possession of a letter from the school’s graduate coordinator admitting them to the specific master’s program before graduate student status is official.

Residency Policy

In Oregon, as in all other states, instruction fees at publicly supported four-year universities are higher for nonresident students than for resident students.

The current rules and amendments used to determine residency seek to ensure that only bona fide Oregon residents are assessed the resident fee. Please see www.sou.edu/admissions/residency for the latest version of the residency policy (Oregon Administrative Rules, Chapter 580, Division 10, Board of Higher Education).

Western Undergraduate Exchange

Britt 201
541-552-6411
http://www.sou.edu/admissions/wue

The Western Undergraduate Exchange (WUE) program enables students in fourteen participating states to enroll in designated programs at selected public colleges and universities at special tuition rates. Tuition for WUE students is regular in-state tuition of the institution the student will attend, plus 50 percent of that amount.

The following states are participating in the WUE program: Alaska, Arizona, California, Colorado, Hawaii, Idaho, Montana, Nevada, New Mexico, North Dakota, Oregon, South Dakota, Utah, Washington, and Wyoming.

Students who would like to attend SOU under the WUE program should complete the optional short-answer and essay section on the application for admission. All SOU BA/BS programs are eligible for the WUE.

Enrollment as a Nonadmitted Student

Nonadmitted undergraduate students:

Any person seventeen or older with a standard (unmodified) high school diploma from an accredited high school or GED who has not been admitted to Southern Oregon University and who wishes to enroll in no more than 8 credits during an individual term may apply on-line as a nonadmitted undergraduate student.  Nonadmitted applicants with a standard (unmodified) high school diploma from an accredited high school or GED are not required to submit transcripts, test scores, or pay an applicaiton fee.  Nonadmitted applicants must meet all applicable course pre-requisites and be able to demonstrate the ability to succeed in college level coursework. They are not admitted to pursue a degree program or to attend the University full time.

Any person seventeen or older who is a graduate of a non-standard or unaccredited high school, or a home-schooled student who has not been admitted, should contact the Enrollment Services Center for further information.  (Foreign students with visas must be cleared through the foreign student advisor before they register as nonadmitted students.)

The nonadmitted student category permits students to enroll in Southern Oregon University classes on a space-available basis no earlier than two weeks before the beginning of the term.  The forms necessary for this type of enrollment are available on-line: Applying to SOU for Non-Admitted Status.  Nonadmitted student applications will be reviewed on a case by case basis.  The course instructor and the University have the discretion to preclude a student from participating in a course as a nonadmitted student due to lack of sufficient academic preparation or ability. Students under the age of seventeen or still enrolled in high school should consult with the Pre-College Programs for options regarding taking University coursework.

Nonadmitted graduate students:

Any person with an undergraduate degree from a regionally accredited institution who has not been admitted to Southern Oregon Univesity and who wishes to enroll in no more than 8 credits during an individual term may enroll as a nonadmitted graduate student.  (Foreign students with visas must be cleared through the foreign student advisor before they register as nonadmitted students.)  Nonadmitted applicants are not required to submit transcripts, test scores, or pay an application fee. They are not admitted to pursue a degree program or to attend the University full time.

The nonadmitted student category permits students to enroll in Southern Oregon University classes on a space-available basis no earlier than two weeks before the beginning of the term.  The forms necessary for this type of enrollment are available on-line: Applying to SOU for Non-Admitted Status.  The course instructor and the University have the discretion to preclude a student from participating in a course due to lack of sufficient academic preparation or ability.

Admission of Senior Citizens

Unless the class is taken for credit, Oregon residents who are at least sixty-five years of age may attend classes free of charge on a space-available basis.

New Student Programs

Each fall term, new students are invited to campus to participate in a comprehensive, required orientation program before classes begin. The activities are designed to help new students get acquainted with faculty, administrators, and student leaders. Students also become familiar with various SOU services, clubs, organizations, and other extracurricular activities. Most importantly, students are introduced to the standards and expectations of the University as they are welcomed into the SOU community. A similar but abbreviated orientation program is offered for students who are admitted other terms.

Special Academic Credit

Advanced Placement

Students who have taken an advanced placement course of the College Entrance Examination Board (CEEB) at their secondary school and who have taken Advanced Placement (AP) examinations of CEEB may receive credit based on their scores. No credit is given for an examination with scores of 1 or 2. Scores must be received directly from CEEB for the student to be awarded credit.

Credit by Examination

Regularly enrolled full-time undergraduates with exceptional proficiency in an academic subject offered by the University may take an examination to receive university credit toward degree requirements. Credit by examination is not available for practicum or field experience courses, nor is it available for Special Studies, Research, Workshop, Reading and Conference, Seminar, or other similarly titled courses. A maximum limit of 24 term credits may be earned. Credit by examination does not count as resident credit.

To challenge a course by examination, a student must obtain the approval of the instructor, advisor, and department chair; apply to the registrar (applications are available in the Enrollment Services Center); and pay the credit by examination fee. The application will be denied if the student has previously: a) received credit for the course at this or another college; b) challenged the course and received an NP; or c) completed courses at a higher level of competency (e.g., a student registered in or having completed a second year language may not earn credit by examination in the first-year language).

The examination may be a standardized test or a thorough, comprehensive examination on the entire course. The comprehensive exam is prepared by members of the teaching faculty who normally teach the course being challenged. Results of the course challenge shall be recorded as P (grade C- or above) or NP on the student’s transcript and will not be used to compute the grade point average.

Students seeking credit for 100- and 200-level second-language coursework are granted the following exception to the Credit by Exam policy: students who place in a course beyond 101, enroll in the course within one year of taking the placement exam, and complete the higher level course with a B or better may receive credit for the lower level courses. Students must apply for credit within one term of completing the higher level course. The placement exam itself will not meet BA language requirements.  In addition, students who place in the 300-level of Spanish may take an additional written exam to place into SPAN 312, 322, 323, or 412. Students who place into one of those courses and successfully complete it with a B or better may purchase credits for SPAN 310 and 311.

International Baccalaureate

SOU evaluates IB test scores much in the same way it evaluates AP scores. Students must have official test scores sent to the Office of Admissions. SOU may award credit to students who receive a 5 or higher on any Higher Level IB examination. No credit is awarded for Subsidiary Level exams. For more information, please contact Admissions at 541-552-6411.

College Level Examination Program

Southern Oregon University allows credit for College Level Examination Program (CLEP) exams (see chart on page 8). Exams are conducted at SOU’s Medford Campus. Call 541-552-8100 to schedule an exam or to request more information. This credit is subject to the following guidelines:

1. Students may earn as many credits through CLEP as they are able to successfully pass, providing the examination does not duplicate credit previously earned. In instances where an exam offers multiple course credit (Freshman College Composition, for example), students will be permitted to take the exam to earn CLEP credits solely for the coursework not previously taken.
2. A student is allowed only one attempt in each course to acquire credit through CLEP. Students who have taken but not passed a course may subsequently attempt to acquire credit in the course through CLEP. If they fail, they can acquire credit only by repeating the course. If the student fails the examination, it is not recorded on the student’s academic record.
3. Students who have taken CLEP examinations prior to entering Southern Oregon University may transfer their credit. They must have passed the examination with a score at or above the minimum level accepted by the University, and the University must approve the examinations for credit.

Military Credit

Southern Oregon University generally grants credit for some military education experiences as recommended by the American Council on Educations Guide to the Evaluation of Educational Experiences in the Armed Services and in accordance with SOU and Oregon University System policies regarding transfer credits. Students may request evaluation of credits earned through the Community College of the Air Force, Defense Language Institute, or military education. Students must submit official copies of college transcripts or a Certificate of Completion from the Defense Language Institute. An official copy of the students DD 214, DD 295, SMART, or AARTS transcript is required for military education and occupational credits.

Correspondence Credit

SOU accepts up to 60 credits of extension study, 24 of which may be by correspondence from regionally accredited institutions. For further information about special credit programs, contact Admissions at 541-552-6411.

Accelerated Baccalaureate Degree

The University offers the Accelerated Baccalaureate Degree Program for those students who have the motivation, maturity, time-management skills, and academic strengths necessary to finish a degree in three rather than four years. Advantages of the program are earlier entry into the job market, a focused undergraduate program as preparation for graduate school, and financial savings on one full year of tuition and fees.

The following areas participate in the Accelerated Baccalaureate Program: anthropology, business, chemistry, communication, computer science, criminology and criminal justice, economics, English and writing, health and physical education, history, international studies, language and culture, mathematics, physics, and sociology. For more information, see the Accelerated Baccalaureate Degree Program section in this catalog, or visit www.sou.edu/3yeardegree.