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Application Process

Time Limit for Application

Application materials and credentials will be retained by the Office of Admission for one year past the semester for which the application is made.

Application Materials

Materials submitted for application are confidential. Students should not request copies of transcripts, test scores, or letters of recommendation from the Office of Admission or the Office of the Registrar.

Meningitis Vaccination

Texas legislation mandates that every new student and new transfer under the age of 22 to any Texas university, regardless of living on campus or off campus, will be required to have a Meningitis Vaccination sometime within the 5 years prior to the first class day and at least 10 days prior to the first class day. In addition, HSU requires every new incoming student under 22 years of age provide proof of the meningitis vaccine prior to registering for classes. (A returning student following a break in enrollment of at least one fall or spring semester is also considered a new student.) Exceptions to this law would be:

  1. The student is enrolled only in online or other distance education courses; or
  2. The student is enrolled in a continuing education course or program that is less than 360 contact hours, or continuing education corporate training; or
  3. The student is enrolled in a dual credit course which is taught at a public or private K-12 facility not located on a higher education institution campus; or
  4. The student is incarcerated in a Texas prison.

A student is not required to submit evidence of receiving the Meningitis Vaccine if the student submits to HSU:

  1. An affidavit or certificate signed by a physician who is duly registered and licensed to practice medicine in the U.S., stating that in the physician’s opinion, the vaccine would be injurious to the health and well- being of the student; or
  2. An affidavit signed by the student stating that the student declines the vaccine for reasons of conscience, including a religious belief. Students must use the official Texas Department of State Health Services (DSHS) form. It may be ordered electronically. The form is then mailed from DSHS to the student, and it may take up to two weeks to receive it. It must be completed, notarized and provided to Hardin-Simmons University Office of Admission. It is the student’s responsibility to complete the DSHS form and have it notarized. The site to request the form is: https://corequest.dshs.texas.gov/

The latter exemption does not apply during a disaster or public health emergency, terrorist attack, hostile military or paramilitary action, or extraordinary law enforcement emergency declared by a Texas Department of State Health Services authority and is in effect for the location of the university the student attends. Texas law states that acceptable evidence of your Meningitis Vaccination must include:

  1. Student’s name and date of birth.
  2. Month, day, year the vaccine was administered.
  3. Signature or stamp of the physician or his/her designee, or public health personnel; OR
  4. An official immunization record generated from a state or local health authority (as from the Texas Public Health Department); OR
  5. An official record received from school officials, including a record from another state.
  6. The student has to have received the vaccine or a booster during the 5-year period preceding the first day of class.

The vaccine can be obtained through the health department, some pharmacies, and perhaps some private physicians. It is important you consult your physician regarding the need for the Meningitis Vaccine to prevent bacterial meningitis

Criminal Record/Activity

Previous criminal activity may influence admission to the university. The application requests information about past criminal activity. The effect of such past activity depends on its nature and the program. The university may refuse continued admission or terminate admission for students who become involved in criminal activity while at HSU. Misrepresenting past or present criminal activity may result in immediate termination from the university.

International Student Graduate Admissions

In addition to meeting the graduate admission requirements outlined in the degree program sections of the graduate catalog, international student applicants to HSU must also meet the following requirements:

1. Official Undergraduate Transcripts in English. Undergraduate transcripts must be original documents or clear photocopies of all academic work attempted.
          a. If undergraduate course work is completed at a university outside the U.S., an applicant will need to submit an official international credential evaluation to HSU.
          b. HSU does not require an international transcript evaluation for applicants who received an undergraduate degree from a U.S. based university.

2. Graduate Application Fee. A non-refundable $50.00 USD application fee is due for all graduate international admission applications. This fee can be paid through in the application profile anytime prior to being admitted.

3. English Proficiency Exam Test Score. International Admissions to the university requires the international student to demonstrate the English language proficiency needed to succeed in their college study in the United States. English language proficiency is achieved by meeting one of the following criteria:

          a. Minimum satisfactory score on one of the following English proficiency exam tests:
               i. TOEFL – 79
               ii. IELTS – 6.5 (may not have a band lower than 5)
               iii. Duolingo – 95
               iv. PTE (Pearson Test of English): 58
               v. CAE (Cambridge English: Advanced): 176

          b. International student graduated from a U.S. based University that is accredited and maintained an overall 3.0 GPA in their undergraduate coursework.

          c. International student is from one of the following English speaking countries: Anguilla, Antigua, Australia, Bahamas, Barbados, Belize, Bermuda, British Guyana, Canada (except Quebec), Cayman Islands, Dominica, Grenada, Jamaica, New Zealand, South Africa, St. Kitts and Nevis, St. Lucia, St. Vincent, Trinidad & Tobago, Turks & Caicos, United Kingdom, Virgin Islands.

          d. The English proficiency requirement may be waived at the discretion of the Enrollment Services department for students who previously studied in the U.S., completed a U.S. accredited ESL program, or completed other secondary or post-secondary academic programs that were instructed in English with satisfactory scores. International students may be interviewed and tested by HSU staff to demonstrate they have the English language proficiency needed to succeed in their college study in the United States.

4. Immigration Requirements. In order to study in the United States, international students must complete the following immigration requirements in order to obtain an F-1 visa (student visa) and attend HSU at the Abilene campus:

          a. Copy of valid passport.

          b. Completed Statement of financial backing. Before a Form I-20 can be issued an official statement from family or sponsor indicating ability and willingness to assume all financial responsibilities while in the United States, including official bank statements and/or other requested substantiation of available resources. All documents must be valid within 6-months and officially notarized.

          c. Form I-20. Once a Form I-20 is received from HSU, the international student will need to pay their I-901 fee and schedule a visa international at a corresponding U.S. Embassy in order to receive their F-1 visa.

          d. F-1 Visa. Once approved for an F-1 Visa from a U.S. Embassy, the international student should proceed with making an enrollment deposit, registration of classes, making travel plans, and completing housing and international student arrival items.

          e. Enrollment Deposit. In order to secure their admission at HSU, each international will need to pay a non-refundable five-hundred-dollar enrollment deposit ($500 USD) with the Business Office prior to their registration.

5. Additional International Student Requirements.

          a. Student Health Form. International students are required to receive the Meningitis, MMR immunizations and also a TB screening when studying at HSU. Admitted international students must submit a student health form that is filled out by their health care provider online through MedProctor prior to their arrival to the HSU campus.

          b. International Student Health Insurance. To meet U.S. Department of State guidelines and protect our international students, HSU requires all international students to be enrolled in the HSU group policy through the International Medical Group (IMG). HSU will automatically enroll international students in the HSU group plan with IMG each fall and spring semester and place an insurance charge on the student’s account.

          c. International Student Orientation. U.S. Department of State guidelines require international students to report to a Designated School Official (DSO) in the HSU Office of Global Engagement and are required to attend a mandatory international student orientation prior to the fall and spring semesters. Additional documentation and completion of immigration paperwork is required at the mandatory international student orientation each semester. 

Professional Teacher Certification

A student desiring to obtain a professional certification (one requiring graduate leveling work or a master’s degree) must apply for graduate study and receive the approval of the dean of the Kelley College of Business and Professional Studies or the university certification officer.

Second Master’s Degree

A student may transfer a maximum of six hours from a previously completed master’s degree toward a second master’s degree (consult section on transfer work in this catalog). Official transcripts of both undergraduate and graduate work are required. The student must complete a minimum of 60 hours on the two degrees.