/Institutions/Southern-University-System/json/2022-2023/Southern-University-at-New-Orleans-Academic-Catalog-local.json

/Institutions/Southern-University-System/json/2022-2023/Southern-University-at-New-Orleans-Academic-Catalog.json

Southern University at New Orleans Academic Catalog > General Information > Admission Policies and Procedures

Admission Policies and Procedures

Southern University at New Orleans is open to all persons who are eligible for admission regardless of race, color, sex, religion, age, national origin, disability or veteran status. Eligibility for admission is determined by the Office of Admissions in accordance with policies established by the University and the Southern University Board of Supervisors. Admission decisions are determined in accordance with University regulations and are based upon evidence provided in the application for admission and related documents.

All documents that are submitted to the University become the property of the University and cannot be returned to the student.

Application

Applicants for admission should submit their applications by July 1 for Fall, December 1 for Spring, or May 1 for the Summer Session. Application for admission may be completed online at www.suno.edu or may be requested from the Office of Admissions, Southern University at New Orleans, 6400 Press Drive, New Orleans, LA 70126. A non-refundable application fee of $20.00 ($30.00 for international students) must be paid for an application to be processed.

Freshman Admission

Only traditional high school graduates and non-traditional students i.e., students who have completed the General Educational Development (GED) test, state accredited home school and other students certified by appropriate state agencies as high school graduate and/or its equivalency are eligible for admission. All first-time college students must satisfy the following criteria for admission:

• Completion of the Louisiana Board of Regents high school Core 4 Curriculum AND
• High school overall GPA of 2.0 or greater; AND
• ACT composite score of 20 (minimum 19 in Math and 18 in English subscores) or SAT composite of 1020 or greater; OR
• High school GPA of 2.0 on core courses.
• Prospective students are encouraged to submit official transcripts for previously attended Early Start Programs, Advanced Placement (AP) scores, or College Board Entrance Exams (CEEB) taken while in high school for college credit.

Special considerations will be made for students who do not meet ACT sub scores within a 3 point range in accordance with the Louisiana Board of Regents AA Policy 2.18. Students admitted via Policy 2.18 provisions are required to abide by the University’s implementation plan made available on admission.

First-time college students, who graduate from out-of-state schools or are state accredited home schooled, must meet one of the following minimum admissions criteria:

Criteria 1

• Completion of Louisiana Board of Regents’ high school Core 4 Curriculum, AND
• Minimum high school overall GPA of 2.0 on a 4.0 scale; AND
• ACT composite score of 20 (minimum 19 in Math and 18 in English subscores) or SAT composite of 1020 or greater; OR
• High school GPA of 2.0 on core courses.

Criteria 2 (Students who have <19 but at least 17 units of the required Core 4 Curriculum)

• ACT composite score of 20 (minimum 19 in Math and 18 in English subscores); or SAT composite of 1020 or greater; AND
• Minimum high school overall GPA of 2.0 on a 4.0 scale; AND
• High school GPA of 2.0 on 17-18 units of core courses.

Criteria 3

• Minimum composite ACT score of 23 (SAT score of 1060); AND
• Minimum ACT English score of 18 and Math score of 19 (SAT verbal score of 450 or SAT Math score of 460-470); AND
• Minimum high school overall GPA of 2.0 on a 4.0 scale.

****Non-accredited Home Schools and General Equivalency Degree applicants must provide an official GED/HISET transcript from the state of issuance and meet the requirements as stated under Criteria 3 of the Freshmen Admission Requirements for Southern University at New Orleans.

****ACT Residual tests scores are allowed and testing is available on campus for a non-refundable fee of $25.00. In the event the student does not meet the required scores testing results are non-transferable to other institutions.

Applicants who fall under Criteria 3 are not eligible to take the ACCUPLACER Next Generation (NG) Exam**

Similarly, ACCUPLACER NG tests are available on campus for a non-refundable fee of $25.00.

A minimum score of 250 is required for Mathematics (QRAS) and 250 for English (Writing).

A completed application for admission must be supported by transcripts, ACT scores if under the age of 25, proof of immunizations or request for exemption, and a non-refundable application fee. Transcripts of Louisiana high school graduates after 2004 will be transmitted electronically upon the completion of the admissions applications. All other applicants must request high school transcripts to be sent to the Office of Admissions. Students may be provisionally or conditionally admitted with a seven semester transcript, pending the receipt of the final transcript certifying graduation. Certification of graduation for Louisiana high school graduates will be done by the Department of Education/Board of Regents for students graduating after 2004, all other students are required to furnish certification of graduation immediately upon graduating. However, all requirements must be met within sixty (60) days of the beginning of classes. Note: Only the Director of Recruitment and Admissions for new applicants or the University Registrar for returning SUNO students, may grant provisional or conditional admission. Applicants will be notified after the application and all supporting documents have been received.

Dual Enrollment/Early Admission

Early Start Program: High school students may enroll in up to two courses in their junior and senior year simultaneously with their high school courses. Upon approval, credit may be used to satisfy high school requirements, and/or used as deferred college credit. Students who have completed the junior year of high school and have maintained the following standards are eligible for early admission to Southern University at New Orleans:

1. Must have maintained a B or better average in all courses pursued during three (3) years or six (6) semesters of high school.
2. Must have made a minimum ACT composite score of 18 or SAT composite score of 980.
3. Must have minimum ACT English sub-score of 18 or Mathematics 19 to enroll in college level course; or SAT English subscore of 25 English or 500 Mathematics.
4. Must be recommended by the Counselor or Principal of the high school attended.

Admission of Transfer Students

Students who plan to transfer to SOUTHERN UNIVERSITY AT NEW ORLEANS are required to submit applications and supporting documents by the application deadline. Applications must be supported by official transcripts of all previous academic work, a completed health form and application fee. Students must list all previous colleges and universities attended in the area indicated on the application. Failure to do so will result in dismissal from the University and cancellation of work completed at SUNO, in addition to the repayment of all federal funds received during the enrollment period.

Transfer Students are Expected to be Eligible to Re-Enter the Institution from which they are Transferring.

The maximum number of hours a student is allowed to transfer is 93 from four year institutions and 64 from 2 year institutions. The extent to which transferable courses passed with a grade of “C” or better, earned at a regionally accredited college or university will be counted toward a degree at SUNO will be determined by the Director of Admissions for new transfer students or the Registrar for re-admitted transfer students, and the college dean or department head of the student's chosen major. Official evaluation of transfer courses will be provided within 72 hrs. after receipt of a completed application and all official transcripts, as documentation is processed in the order in which it is received by the Transcript Evaluator. All credits accepted by SUNO are recorded on the student's official transcript. Credits which are more than ten years old may only be applied toward satisfying degree requirements with the approval of the department chair of the student's chosen major. Students may be required to furnish course descriptions/syllabi of previous work.

Transfer students will be advised in the department of their chosen major. Students desiring to transfer from Regionally Accredited colleges and universities to Southern University with less than 12 semester hours of course work must meet the same requirements as first-time freshmen. Students who transfer 30 semester hour or more are exempt from College Survival Skills and Freshmen Assembly courses.

Transfer students who have earned 18 or more college-level credit hours must:

• Have a transferrable Associate Degree (AA or AS) or higher; OR
• Have a minimum of 18 transferable college-level credit hours, to include completion of both college-level Math AND English with a grade of C or better.
• Have earned a minimum cumulative GPA of 2.0 on all college-level courses.
• Submit an official transcript(s) from all the universities/colleges that have been attended. Transcripts are accepted electronically through the prior institution or from the applicant in an institutionally sealed envelope. Unofficial transcripts will not be considered for enrollment purposes.
• Student must be eligible to return to the institution from which they are transferring.
• Additional required documentation (which can be retrieved from the Office of Admissions) includes:
  • A copy of immunization record or exemption form; &
  • A Transfer Reference Form sheet completed by the Dean of Student Affairs at the applicant’s last institution attended.

Questions concerning transfer credits should be referred to the Office of Admissions at (504) 286-5314.

Admission of International Applicants

Qualified International applicants are considered for admission as freshmen or transfer students. Applicants whose native language is not English are required to submit scores earned on the Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL), a test designed to ascertain proficiency in English, administered at overseas testing centers. A student wishing to take the test should write directly to: TOEFL, Educational Testing Service, Princeton, New Jersey 08540. A minimum score of 173 (Computer based) is required.

Applicants must be advanced in English comprehension and be able to participate in class discussion. First consideration will be given applicants who submit early applications. Scores on the American College Test (ACT) will be required of all freshmen and of transfer applicants not completing 30 hours if under the age of 25. International applicants must also submit notarized affidavits of support.

Transfer applicants must submit official/original foreign transcripts along with an official course-by-course transcript evaluation preferable from the American Association of Collegiate Registrars and Admissions Officers (AACRAO) or other recognized evaluation agency to receive college credit from a foreign college or university. If evaluated transcripts are not submitted at the time of application, students will have to meet the requirements for first time freshmen until such time as the evaluation is complete. Evaluation forms may be received by contacting the Office of Admissions, SOUTHERN UNIVERSITY AT NEW ORLEANS, 6400 Press Drive, New Orleans, LA 70126/(504) 286-5314; or through the AACRAO web site at www.AACRAO.com.

An international student should apply for admission (including the taking of the TOEFL and the ACT and the filing of all required credentials) at least 90 days prior to the planned date of enrollment at SUNO so as to allow enough time for a letter of acceptance and a SEVIS form I-20 to be sent.

Readmission

A student who desires readmission to the University after an interruption of attendance for any reason must request and complete a readmission application. Students who have been in attendance at other universities/colleges must also have a record of any credits earned since last enrolled at Southern University at New Orleans sent directly to the Office of Records.

Fees: Undergraduate - $20.00 – Graduate - $25.00

Admission of Unclassified/Special/Non-Degree Students

Applicants 25 years or older who desire to take courses and are not pursuing a degree at SUNO, may be admitted upon completing admissions applications as non-degree seeking special students. Students admitted as special students must meet regular admissions requirements to be admitted into a degree seeking student.

Summer Only/Transient Students

Students in good standing at an accredited college or university who are currently enrolled and who wish enroll at Southern University at New Orleans for a semester or summer session may be considered for admission. Such admission will terminate at the end of the semester or summer session and does not assume acceptance by any college/department of the University. Students attending on this basis must submit a letter of good standing from the college or university in which they are currently enrolled, stating the total number of credit hours previously earned. This letter of good standing will be accepted in lieu of an official transcript. Such students are required to take courses on the Southern University at New Orleans Campus only, and are not eligible to receive financial aid or scholarship.

Admission on an Audit Basis

A person who does not desire to earn university credit may enroll as an "Audit" student. No transcript is required for audit enrollment. An audit student must complete an application. Credit for audited courses cannot be obtained during the same semester a student is enrolled in the audit course. The decision should be made at the time of registration. Changes from audit to credit or from credit to audit must be made by the official end of Late Registration as listed in the academic calendar. Students who wish to audit courses must follow the same admissions procedures as credit students.

Admission of Students with Disabilities

Many of the University's educational programs are readily accessible to students with a variety of disabilities and the university is taking further steps to eliminate barriers to program participation by qualified students with disabilities.

Students with disabilities, like all other applicants, are encouraged to visit the campus as early as possible in the application process. Campus tours may be arranged in advance. Applicants who may need and are eligible for auxiliary aids (such as readers and interpreters) should apply for vocational rehabilitation benefits through their home parishes as early as possible.

The University will treat confidentially all inquiries from students with disabilities. Any documentation voluntarily provided by students with disabilities will in no way be used in evaluating the applicant's file for admission but will be used only to assist the student. Students with questions or special needs may communicate with the Office of Recruitment and Admissions, Southern University at New Orleans, 6801 Press Drive, New Orleans, LA 70126 or directly with the Services for Students with Disabilities at (504) 286-5335 or 284-5457 (fax).

Admission of Veterans

Veterans applying for admission or re-admission to Southern University at New Orleans must meet the University’s admissions requirements. Veterans desiring to receive advance standing for military credit must submit an official transcript evaluated by Army/American Council on Education Registry Transcript System (AARTS).

Advanced Standing Admission

Southern University at New Orleans subscribes to the concept that individuals possessing knowledge equivalent to that attained in a specific course should be advanced to a level that affords a continuous challenge. There is no requirement as to where and how such knowledge was acquired. The University offers advanced standing by credit examinations taken while students are not enrolled, APP - The Advanced Placement Program of the College Board; and CEEB - The College Board Examination Board Achievement Tests.

The advanced Placement Program (APP) of the College Board gives high school students an opportunity to qualify for one or two courses in each of sixteen possible subject areas by obtaining a score of 3 or higher on APP examinations. Students who have completed these tests should have their scores sent to the Office of Admission. The Advancement Placement Program Examination (APP) is the final examination for a nationally standardized course offered in a limited number of secondary schools under the auspices of the CEEB Advanced Placement Program. The objective of APP is to allow students to begin work toward college credit while still in high school. Students should check with their high school principal or counselor as to the availability of the APP examinations in their school. The APP is offered once a year during MAY at participating high schools.

The College Entrance Examination Board (CEEB) Achievement Tests are part of the CEEB Admissions Testing Program. Each year there are several national administrations of the CEEB Achievement Tests. Students should plan to take the specified tests at national testing centers during their senior year of high school, at an early testing date in order that scores may be reported to the University by June 1. Further information concerning the CEEB Achievement Tests may be obtained from the College Entrance Examination Board, Box 592, Princeton, NJ 08540.

Admission to Certification Programs

Southern University at New Orleans offers Alternative Post Baccalaureate for Certification in Education. The Alternative Post Baccalaureate Certification in Education is offered to students who have completed a baccalaureate degree from an accredited institution and would like to pursue certification in Education. Acceptance is granted through the College of Education and Human Development Certification-Only Program Alternate Path to Certification; however, applicants must also apply to the University by submitting an undergraduate application and application fee. Applicants must request three (3) official transcripts from the degree granting institution upon seeking enrollment to SUNO. One official copy must be received in the Office of Admissions (or Office of Records for returning students), and two must be submitted to the College of Education.

Student Residence Requirements

Adopted July 27, 1973

Revised May, 1997

Because residence classification is an important part of fee determination, admission regulations and other policies of colleges and universities, it is important that colleges and universities have fair and equitable regulations which can be administered consistently, respecting the interests of both the students and the taxpayers of Louisiana. It is the responsibility of the student to provide the colleges and universities with such evidence as deemed necessary to establish residence status.

The residence status of an applicant is determined in accordance with Board regulations and is based upon evidence provided in the application for admission and related documents. Residence status is determined by the Office of Recruitment and Admissions after the completed application for admission has been submitted.

Policies and procedures governing the criteria for establishing resident status and eligibility for non-resident fee exemptions can be picked up or by writing the Office of Admissions.

Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA) of 1974

Federal Law 92 – 380

The Family Education Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA) afford you certain rights with respect to your education records. They are:

1. The right to inspect and review your education records within 45 days of the day the University receives a request for access.

   You should submit to the University Registrar written request that identify the record(s) you wish to inspect. The University official will make arrangements for access and notify you of the time and place where the records may be inspected. If the records are not maintained by the University official to whom the request was submitted, he or she will advise you of the correct official to whom the request should be addressed.

2. The right to request the amendment of your education records that you believe are inaccurate or misleading.

   You may ask the University to amend a record that you believe is inaccurate or misleading. You should write the University Registrar, clearly identify the part of the record you want changed, and specify why it is inaccurate or misleading.

   If the University decides not to amend the record as requested by you, the University will notify you of the decision and advise you of your right to a hearing regarding the request for amendment. Additional information regarding the hearing procedure will be provided to you when notified of the right to a hearing.

3. The right to consent to disclosures of personally identifiable information contained in your education records, except to the extent that FERPA authorizes disclosure without consent.

   One exception which permits disclosure without consent is disclosure to school officials with legitimate educational interests. A school official is a person employed by the University/Southern University System in an administrative, supervisory, academic or research, or support staff position (including law enforcement unit personnel and health staff); a person or company with whom the University has contracted (such as an attorney, auditor, or collection agent); a person serving on the Board of Supervisors; or a student serving on an official committee, such as a disciplinary or grievance committee, or assisting another school official in performing his or her tasks.

   A school official has a legitimate educational interest if the official needs to review an education record in order to fulfill his or her professional responsibility.

   Upon request, the University discloses education records without consent to officials of another school in which you may seek or intend to enroll.

4. The right to file a complaint with the U.S. Department of Education concerning alleged failures by this University to comply with the requirements of FERPA. The name and address of the office that administers FERPA is:

   Family Policy Compliance Office

   U.S. Department of Education

   600 Independence Avenue, SW

   Washington, DC 20202-4605

NOTE: A complete copy of University policy regarding FERPA is available in the Registrar’s Office.

Under this Act, Southern University at New Orleans College assumes that all students are independent. Parents of dependent students must prove such dependence through the presentation of the latest 1040 form filed with the IRS before they will be granted access to any student record of their dependent. The Act provides that certain information, designated as directory information, concerning the student may be released by the college unless the student has informed the college that such information should not be released.

Withholding Directory Information

The Southern University at New Orleans does not normally disclose Directory Information. However, at its discretion, it may provide directory information in accordance with the provision of the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act of 1974, as amended, to include: your name, address, e-mail address, telephone listing, date and place of birth, dates of enrollment, schedule of classes, college in which enrolled, classification, major degree(s) earned, awards, participation in officially recognized activities and sports, weight and height of members of athletic teams, and the most recent previous educational agency or institution attended by you.

To request non-disclosure of Directory Information, you should complete a form in the Registrar’s Office (ADM 212). It will remain in effect until canceled in writing by you. Please allow five working days for processing.