Admission Standards

Based on institutional capacity, the number of applicants accepted for admission may be limited, with preference given to those candidates who, in the judgment of University officials, present through their academic and personal qualifications the greatest potential for successful collegiate performance.

Recommended High School Preparation for Admission

• English (three units): courses should emphasize writing skills, literature, and reading comprehension.
• Mathematics (three units): recommended courses should include algebra, geometry, and algebra II.
• Science (three units): courses should include one unit of laboratory science.
• Social Sciences (two units): courses should include one unit of United States history.
• World Language: two years in the same language is recommended.

An online application is accessible on the Admissions website (deadlines are indicated):  https://www.southernct.edu/admissions/first-year. Applications are to be accompanied by:

• a non-refundable $50 Application Fee (Note: Applicants with documented financial hardship may request an application fee waiver per the instructions in the Freshman Application Requirements section of the Southern Admissions website).
• An official copy of the High School Transcript or high school equivalency diploma required.
• An essay
• Official scores from the Scholastic Assessment Test (SAT) or American College Testing Program (ACT) and letters of recommendations are optional for first year applicants.

The University mails all formal acceptance notifications for Fall admission beginning in November of each year. Candidates must confirm their acceptances by May 1 with a non-refundable $200 enrollment deposit. This payment reserves a position in the entering class and is credited toward the applicant’s tuition.

Our advising team will work with you to build your first semester schedule to ensure you start strong. All first-year students, both full-time and part-time, must establish a placement level in English and Mathematics before they can receive a course schedule.

Before taking the English, Mathematics, or World Language placement assessments, please refer to the Academic Placement website to determine whether you can use your standardized test scores or high school record for placement. Most students will need to take the English or Mathematics assessments for placement, and others may also take placement assessments to try to place at a higher level. We strongly encourage you to take them as soon as possible. 

All full-time and part-time matriculated students are required to have properly completed health forms and immunization requirements on file at Student Health Services by August 1st for the Fall semester and January 1st for the Spring semester. The Connecticut State University Student Health Services Form and requirements can be found on the Student Health Services website.

The university reserves the right to deny registration and campus housing to any student not in compliance. 

Students wishing to transfer from other accredited institutions of higher learning must have a minimum 2.5 cumulative grade point average in their college courses.  Other factors may be considered, such as length of time since the student was last enrolled in college, and accomplishments outside of the classroom that demonstrate ability to succeed in college.  A minimum 2.0 Southern GPA (for those who have an enrollment record at Southern). Admission to the University does not guarantee admission to a professional program. Acceptance does not guarantee that the credits transferred will apply to a specific degree requirement. 

An online application is accessible on the Admissions website (deadlines are indicated): 
https://www.southernct.edu/transfer. Applications are to be accompanied by:

• a non-refundable $50 Application Fee (Note: Applicants with documented financial hardship may request an application fee waiver per the instructions in the Transfer Application).
• Official transcripts from all colleges and universities attended, in addition to the final, official high school transcript showing date of graduation. Transcripts from institutions without Regional Accreditation, but are licensed to operate in Connecticut will be reviewed on a case-by-case basis by the Provost or his/her designee. Student copies of transcripts/unofficial transcripts or copies of high school diplomas will not be accepted. Exceptions will not be made.

The University releases all formal acceptance notifications for Transfer admission on a rolling basis in the student Application Portal. All accepted candidates must confirm their acceptances in the Application Portal prior to receiving advising and registration information with full time accepted candidates submitting a non-refundable $200 enrollment deposit. This payment reserves a position in the entering class and is credited toward the applicant's tuition.

Final acceptance is contingent upon successful completion of current semester coursework. If requested proof of degree or requested end of semester grades are not received by the start of the entry term, a registration hold may be placed on a student’s SCSU record prohibiting course registration until the requested documentation is received. University acceptance can be revoked at any time particularly for falsifying application materials or failing to disclose all previously attended institutions and/or coursework during the application process. 

English, Mathematics and World Language placement for transfer students is determined either by previous college work or a placement exam. Transfer students may not use scores on standardized college entrance exams such as the SAT and ACT scores or high school grades for English or Mathematics placement. For more detailed information please review the Academic Placement website.

All full-time and part-time matriculated students are required to have properly completed health forms and immunization requirements on file at Student Health Services by August 1st for the Fall semester and January 1st for the Spring semester. The Connecticut State University Student Health Services Form and requirements can be found on the Student Health Services website.

The university reserves the right to deny registration and campus housing to any student not in compliance. 

Early College at Southern provides academically qualified high school students with the opportunity to earn college credit by taking courses at their high school or at Southern on a seat available basis. To be eligible, students must be in their junior or senior year of high school, have a minimum 3.0 grade point average (GPA) or B average, and/or be recommended by their high school counselor. Students accepted to the Early College program may earn dual credit for approved courses; grades are issued on both their high school transcript and college transcript at Southern.

Students enrolled in the Early College program are considered part-time non-matriculated students (i.e. not enrolled in a degree-seeking program).  However, students have access to many of the same services on campus as matriculated students but are not eligible for on-campus housing or financial aid.  Early College students may enroll in up to two courses each fall/spring or one course during a summer intersession. Prior to attempting 30 credits, a non-matriculated student must apply and be accepted to a degree or certificate program (i.e. matriculate) to continue their studies at Southern on either a part-time or full-time basis.

Early College students may apply through the Office of First Year Admissions. Contact the Early College Office (https://www.southernct.edu/early-college) for further information about our Early College program.

Eligibility

The Fresh Start program is available to former students who apply to return to Southern Connecticut State University (SCSU) and are eligible for academic forgiveness. This option can only be used once.

Program Benefits

Eligible students can reset their grade point average (GPA) while retaining credit for any previously passed course with a grade of C- or higher. Fresh Start can improve the GPA but may reduce the total earned credit hours towards a degree.

Application Criteria

To qualify for Fresh Start, students must meet the following criteria:

1. Submit a complete transfer admissions application.
2. Have a cumulative GPA below 2.0 at the time of application.
3. Have earned fewer than 60 credits at SCSU at the time of application.
4. Have not been enrolled in a degree program at SCSU for at least one semester (fall, spring, or summer).
5. Demonstrate more recent evidence of satisfactory academic performance or changed work habits through one of the following:
• Enroll in classes at SCSU as a non-matriculated student and earn a recent term GPA or overall GPA of 2.0 or higher.
• Submit a transcript from another regionally accredited college or university showing a recent term GPA or overall GPA of 2.0 or higher.
• Provide a statement of personal growth or professional achievement, along with at least one recommendation letter from an employer or personal reference. A personal interview may be required.

Important Financial Aid Information

Fresh Start does not alter a student’s overall attempted credits for determining continued financial aid eligibility. Students may need to complete the Satisfactory Academic Progress (SAP) Appeal to regain financial aid eligibility. For questions about aid eligibility, contact financialaid@southernct.edu. 

The Honors College is a small, dynamic learning community of exceptionally motivated, high-achieving students. The Honors College features small class sizes that encourage seminar-style discussions, faculty mentors that work with students inside and outside of the classroom, a cutting-edge curriculum, and a transdisciplinary course of study that examines knowledge from multiple perspectives. 

Admission to the Honors College is competitive. Inquiries are invited from interested freshmen and transfer students. Qualified students who do not enter the program as first semester freshman may have some Honors Foundations courses waived, as determined by the Director. For more information, see Degree Requirements for Honor's College or contact the Honors's College Office.

Admissions Standards

International students must meet the appropriate academic requirements and, in addition demonstrate proficiency in the English language through one of the following:

• Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL), score of 525 required
• Internet-based TOEFL minimum score of 72
• International English Language Testing System (IELTS), score of 6 required
• Duolingo English Test minimum score of 100
• Scholastic Assessment Test (SAT), ACT or both, as required by Admissions Office
• Completion of ELS 112 Level or higher in the English for Academic Purposes Curriculum

All prospective international students should contact the Office of International Education at (203) 392-6756.

Application Procedure

There is a co-admission process between the Office of Admissions and the Office of International Education (OIE).

Applicants must submit application, all official academic records, foreign transcript evaluations, examination scores, and certificates to Admissions. One letter of recommendation is also required for new first-time freshmen applicants.

The International Student Profile Form and supporting financial documentation must be sent to the OIE. All materials for initial students must be received by May 1 for Fall semester entry, and by October 1 for Spring semester. All material for transfer students within the U.S. must be received by June 1 for Fall semester entry, by November 1 for Spring semester.

Transcripts

All international transcripts must be evaluated by an evaluation company accredited by the National Association of Credential Evaluation Services (NACES). For a list of these evaluation companies, go to the NACES website.

Southern Connecticut State University (SCSU) is a participant in the New England Board of Higher Education Tuition Break Program (NEBHE). Residents of other New England states (MA, ME, NH, RI, VT), along with residents of the state of New Jersey (NJ), New York (NY), and Pennsylvania (PA) may enroll at the Connecticut resident tuition rate plus 50 percent, which is less than the out-of-state student rate. Full-time students may be enrolled in any degree program to receive the discounted tuition rate; all part-time students are charged the in-state rate regardless of their residency. Detailed information regarding the NEBHE rate can be found herre: https://inside.southernct.edu/onestop/bill-payment/tuition-fees.

For more information regarding NEBHE, contact:
SCSU Office of Undergraduate Admissions
phone (203) 392-5644
e-mail admissions@southernct.edu.

Students who previously attended Southern Connecticut State University may apply to return to the university to continue their studies. If approved for readmission, students will return in the current catalog year with their previous academic standing still in effect. The readmission options below outline the appropriate application pathway:

• The Transfer Application is for students who left Southern, earned credit at another institution, and would like to transfer back to the university.
• The Readmission Application is for all other returning students who did not attend another institution and would like to be reinstated to their last approved program of study.

Note: Dismissed students may register part-time as non-matriculated students at Southern but must achieve a cumulative GPA of 2.0 or higher prior to attempting 30 credits as a non-matriculated student, to return to good standing and apply for readmission to their last program of study.

The College of Education represents the Educator Preparation Provider (EPP) at Southern Connecticut State University. The College, alone and in partnership with other Colleges on campus offer programs that lead to teacher certifications in the state of Connecticut.  The College is accredited by the Council for the Accreditation of Educator Preparation (CAEP). The admission standards below apply to all bachelor’s degree programs that prepare students for teacher certification. 

Application Procedure

Candidates seeking admission to the Bachelor's Degree programs apply through Undergraduate Admissions (https:// https://www.southernct.edu/admissions) and declare their intended program. 
In their sophomore year, students apply to the College of education, to be formally admitted to their teacher preparation program. For more information, visit https://www.southernct.edu/education. 

Admissions Requirements

1. Be admitted to SCSU to one of the Bachelor’s degree programs leading to CT certification.
2. Complete the program admission pre-requisite courses (varies by program).
3. Submit the basic skills test scores in Reading, Mathematics, and Writing (Praxis® Core) to satisfy the State of Connecticut competency examination requirement or meet the requirements for a waiver.  Scores must be within last five years.
   a. Candidates who do not achieve a satisfactory score will be required to participate in Academic Support Plans
   b. Students qualify for a Praxis® Core waiver if (1) they have an SAT score no less than 530 on the mathematics portion, and no less than 540 on the evidenced based reading and writing, or (2) an ACT score of 21 or higher on the Reading subtest and no less that  21 on the mathematics subtest.
4. Have a minimum of 2.7 cumulative GPA for all undergraduate courses.
5. Submit the COE admission essay demonstrating a proficiency in English as part of the application.
6. Pass the department admission committee interview.

Any of the requirements, 4-6 above, may be waived by the Dean of the College of Education, if justified by unusual extenuating circumstances, and recommended by the respective academic department.

Applicants to certification programs may register for no more than two courses in professional education before they have received official notification of admission to the certification program by the College of Education. Only two professional education courses taken before admission to the College of Education may be applied toward a program of study.

Visiting and non-degree seeking students without a prior bachelor's degree or higher are considered undergraduate non-matriculated students and the following policies apply:

• Students are eligible to register part-time only or less than 12 credits in the fall and spring semester.
• Departments have the right to exclude non-matriculated students from courses offered, but when permitted, students must meet any course prerequisites needed to register.
• All courses are applied to the undergraduate transcript.
• All students are subject to the academic policies of the university.
• All courses are billed at the undergraduate rate.
• Non-matriculated students are not eligible for financial aid or on-campus housing.
• Non-matriculated students must apply and be accepted to a degree or certificate program (i.e., matriculate) prior to attempting 30 credits.