Requirements for Incoming Freshmen

Applicants should submit the following credentials as early as possible. Consult our list of important academic dates for application deadlines.

A completed application for admission along with a $15.00 non-refundable processing fee.
ACT, SAT, ASSET, or COMPASS scores mailed directly to the university from the testing institution or the high school.
A high school transcript mailed directly from the high school, OR GED. A final, eight semester transcript must include date of graduation.
Documentation (required by Arkansas statute) of two doses of immunization for measles-rubeola and rubella if applicant was born after January 1, 1957. The immunizations must have been administered after the applicant's first birthday and after 1/1/68. The second dose can be given 28 days after the first dose.
Proof of registration with the Selective Service (all males between the ages of 18 and 25)

Students enrolling in degree programs at Arkansas State University may present faxed documents (i.e., ACT scores and transcripts) in lieu of official documents for registration purposes during the first week of classes only. Official copies must follow for students to be permitted to register for subsequent semesters and to obtain official transcripts from Arkansas State University. Students who present official documents which are incongruent with faxed documents will face disciplinary action by the university.

Communications concerning admission to the undergraduate programs of the university should be addressed to the Admissions Office, P.O. Box 1630, State University, AR 72467.

Unrestricted Admission

Graduates of state accredited high schools may be admitted with no restrictions if they:
1. have an ACT composite score of 19 or higher and scores of 19 or higher on the English, math and reading sections*
2. a. graduate with an overall GPA of 2.500 on eight semesters
  OR,
  b. Earn an overall GPA of 2.75 on six OR seven semesters.**
3. have successfully completed the state-mandated core.
Students who are graduates of home-schools, non-state accredited high schools, or who receive the GED, may be admitted if their composite ACT scores are 19 or higher and they score 19 or higher on the English, math and reading sections.* Additionally, students who are home-schooled or who graduated from non-accredited high schools must provide transcripts which indicate the equivalent of high school graduation with a grade point average of 2.500. the minimum GED score for unrestricted admission is 570 (for students tested after Jan. 1, 2002).

*or comparable scores on the SAT, ASSET or COMPASS

**Students admitted on six OR seven-semester transcripts must submit evidence of high school graduation by presenting a final, official transcript showing date of graduation. Students admitted on six or seven semester transcripts are eligible for early registration privileges.

Core Curriculum for Unrestricted Admission

ENGLISH - 4 units with emphasis on writing skills, not to include courses in Oral Communications, Journalism, Drama or Debate.
NATURAL SCIENCE - 3 units with laboratories chosen from Physical Science, Biology, Chemistry, or Physics. Only one unit may come from a Life Science.
MATHEMATICS - 4 units including Algebra I and II, Geometry, and an advanced math course. It is strongly recommended that students take a math course during their senior year.
SOCIAL STUDIES - 3 units including one of American History (does not include Contemporary American History), one of World History (not to include World Cultures, World Geography, or Global Studies), and at least 1/2 unit of Civics or American Government (not to include courses in practical arts).

Admission with Restrictions

Students who do not meet the ACT, grade point average criteria and state-mandated core for unrestricted admission may seek admission with restrictions if their high school grade point averages are a least a 2.000. Students who are home-schooled or who graduate from non-accredited high schools must provide transcripts which indicate the equivalent of high school graduation with an overall GPA of 2.000. The minimum GED score for restricted admission is 500 (for students tested after Jan. 1, 2002).

Students admitted with restrictions must take the lowest level remediation required as determined by the ACT scores* and enroll in no more than 15 hours during their first semester of enrollment. Students who are missing state-mandated core will be required to enroll in deficiency areas.

*or comparable scores on the SAT, ASSET or COMPASS

Early Entrance

The university accepts students who are not high school graduates if they have (1) eighteen units of high school credit including three units of English, two units of mathematics, two units of natural science, three units of social science, and not more than two units of activity credit; (2) an overall grade average of 3.25; (3) an ACT composite score of 19 or higher; and (4) a recommendation from the high school principal or superintendent. In addition, the early entrant must submit the credentials required of high school graduates except proof of graduation.

Concurrent Enrollment

Candidates who meet the requirement for unrestricted admission on a six or seven semester transcript, may enroll in university courses prior to graduation when the combined enrollments (high school and college) during any one semester do not exceed normal academic load. To be considered for this program, a student must obtain approval from the Office of Admissions to participate in the program and submit an application for admission to the university.

All students must present evidence that they meet the criteria stated.
Students may meet the criteria for admission through a process submitted by the high school that is based upon performance criteria which justify waiver of requirement of the standardized test score OR the high school grade point average. These criteria are expected to be comprehensive and demonstrate exemplary performance. Arkansas State University reserves the right to determine whether the criteria are equivalent to standardized test scores or high school GPA. (Acceptable criteria might include: scores at the 80th percentile on a recent standardized achievement test, grades in AP or Honors classes, performance in the Arts before a state or regional audience.)

Non-Degree Students

Individuals who wish to pursue courses of special interest without submitting academic credentials may register for a maximum of six hours per semester (or 3 per summer term), accumulating up to 12 semester hours of undergraduate non-degree credit. Thereafter, non-degree students must comply with university admission requirements or obtain a written waiver from the Registrar. CAUTION: Non-degree students should not enroll in courses that are required in the general education program. Courses taken for non-degree credit are not applicable toward a degree unless validated later by the student's meeting all conditions of admission to the university, including remediation requirements.

Non-degree students are required to submit all admission credentials listed under "Admission Procedures" except for ACT scores and high school and/or college transcripts.

Non-degree students are required to meet the same course prerequisites as are other students. Non-degree students are generally not eligible to participate in financial aid programs.

Due to specific enrollment limitations, non-degree students may not register through the university's web registration system.