2022-23 Undergraduate Catalog

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Requirements for Admission

Students may be considered for admission to the University of Tennessee Southern at the beginning of any academic term; however, prospective students are encouraged to apply as early as possible after completion of the junior year of high school. Residence hall deposits should be made as early as possible to secure a room for residential students. The University will also consider students who have successfully completed high school equivalency exams such as the GED.

Official transcripts must be received by the university from all sources to gain full acceptance status. Transfer students must submit transcripts of all college course work and may be asked to submit high school transcripts and ACT scores.

The American College Test (ACT) or Scholastic Aptitude Test (SAT) must be submitted officially; test battery scores should be sent to the University (ACT College Code 3986; SAT College Code 1449).

Students who do not meet the admission requirements for acceptance are encouraged to resubmit additional scores as available; a new decision may be rendered with the submission of additional academic documentation. Applicants should contact an admission counselor to determine if they may be admitted to the University by the Provost if special circumstances exist. All students who are not admitted initially are encouraged to reapply as transfer students. UTS has long-standing partnerships with Columbia State Community College, Motlow State Community College, and many other institutions in the state of Tennessee and others in the nation. 

For admission to the University of Tennessee Southern, students should submit the following:

Traditional Students

Unofficial transcripts are accepted for provisional acceptance. Official transcripts are required to gain full acceptance to the University:

  • Official copy of ACT or SAT scores
  • High school transcripts

A student who has college credits earned while still in high school (dual enrollment) and has not attended college after high school graduation is considered as a new freshman regardless of the number of hours earned through dual enrollment. 

Transfer Students

Students who have studied at another college or university must apply for transfer admission to the University of Tennessee Southern after completing a minimum of 12 hours.

A transfer student must:

  • have a cumulative GPA of at least a 2.0 GPA and be in good standing with the last college or university attended.
  • submit an official transcript of all previous college work from each institution attended (a high school transcript and ACT may also be required).

Students who complete all the courses listed for a particular Tennessee Board of Regents Tennessee Transfer Pathway and who hold an Associate of Arts or Associate of Science degree from a Tennessee community college or from a senior institution within the state that meets the Transfer Pathway requirements will be admitted with junior standing and will have satisfied the General Education core requirements for the baccalaureate degree, except for courses specifically required for the student’s major.

Students who have not followed an approved Transfer Pathway and who hold an A.A. or A.S. degree, or students holding an applied degree (e.g., A.A.S.) must have their transcripts evaluated on an individual basis by the Registrar's Office; recognized courses will be credited toward graduation.

Students with A.A. or A.S. degrees from OTHER STATES that are designed to transfer to a senior institution must have their transcripts evaluated. Certain academic programs may have special core requirements that the transfer student may be required to complete. The University of Tennessee Southern does NOT transfer grades of “D” or lower except when a student has graduated with an associate (A.A. or A.S) or bachelor’s degree. Students may be asked to provide syllabi, course descriptions, and work samples as required.

International Students

An international student must submit the following to be considered for admission:

  • TOEFL
  • International high school and/or university transcript evaluation (WES, InCred, etc.)
  • ACT/SAT is encouraged for international students whose first language is English.
  • Statement of Financial responsibility (required for 120 to be sent)

International students who show evidence of ability to communicate in English and would benefit from the University of Tennessee Southern’s educational program are encouraged to apply. All international students may be asked to undergo placement testing prior to registration, and based upon performance, may be required to take classes in English as a Second Language (ESL) and/or to participate in UTS’s Intensive English Program (IEP).

The TOEFL, required for all international applicants, should suffice and will be used for placement, unless in the circumstance in which the University may need to ask for more data. TOEFL scores of 70 with sub-scores of 17 or 18 are minimum for placement in college-level courses. The Director of Academic Advising will assist all international students. Inquiries concerning U.S. college studies may be directed to the United States Embassies and Consulates. All international college and high school transcripts must be evaluated by WES or another accredited agency. Consult the Registrar or Director of Academic Advising for additional information.

Re-Admitted Students

Required:

  • Complete Application for Admission form. (Forms may be completed online by visiting www.utsouthern.edu and clicking the Apply button.) 

Former students who are not currently enrolled and who have not been enrolled at the University of Tennessee Southern for at least a semester or a term must complete a re-admission application. Students applying for re-admission must be cleared from any judicial, academic, and financial “holds” before being accepted as a re-admitted student. Re-admission is NOT guaranteed.

Transient Admission

A person currently enrolled in good standing at another college or university may enroll for credit by:

  • applying for admission and
  • presenting to the Registrar a statement from the first institution giving permission to take course work at the University of Tennessee Southern. This person will be classified as a transient student.

Non-Degree Seeking Classification

Individuals who do not wish to pursue a degree may apply as non-degree seeking students. Non-degree status is usually used for applicants who are practicing professionals in the field and who wish to take one or more courses for professional development. Non-degree students may be permitted upon receipt of the following application information:

  • An application for admission 
  • Written permission from the coordinator/director of the program offering the course.

All other courses will be blocked to non-degree-seeking applicants except for the course(s) that have been approved.

Non-degree seeking students who later apply for and are accepted into a degree program may apply a maximum of twelve hours taken as non-degree students toward their degree upon full acceptance to UTS. [Please see steps to admission.]