Office of Admissions

Britt Hall 242
541-552-6411
Mara Affre, Director

Students who plan to attend SOU full time during the fall, winter, or spring quarter must apply for and receive formal admission. Application procedures are outlined herein. Students planning to take courses without formal admission should read the section entitled Enrollment as a Nonadmitted Student on printed catalog page 9 and the Summer Session section on printed catalog page 28.

Non-Oregon residents pay nonresident tuition and fees. The current tuition and fees schedule for resident and nonresident students is available upon request. Rules governing the nonresident fee may be found under Determination of Residence on printed catalog page 13.

Students interested in federal financial assistance must: (1) apply for admission to Southern Oregon University, and (2) apply for financial aid in accordance with the procedures summarized in the Financial Aid section on printed catalog page 16.

Prospective students are encouraged to visit the campus. Admissions staff can make arrangements for visitors to meet faculty, attend classes, stay overnight in the residence halls, and take a guided tour of the grounds and buildings. Campus tours led by student ambassadors are available Monday through Friday at 10 a.m. and 2 p.m. during the academic year and 11 a.m. during the summer months and holiday breaks. Contact the Office of Admissions to check date availability and make a reservation.

Admission to Freshman Standing

To be admitted as a freshman, an applicant must:

1. Submit an application form and an application fee of $50 and have an official copy of their high school transcript and either the Scholastic Assessment Test I (SAT I) or American College Test (ACT) scores sent to SOU.
   
   
2. Graduate from an accredited or standard public high school (private high school students must graduate from an accredited high school) with a minimum grade point average of 2.75. Those who have not attained this minimum grade point average may be admitted if they have met one of the following requirements:
   

   a. Obtained a combined score of 1010 on the Scholastic Assessment Test I (SAT I) or 900 on an SAT administered prior to April 1, 1995; or
   
   

   b. Obtained a composite score of 21 on the American College Test (ACT).

   Freshman applicants who have not graduated from high school must have a minimum score of 410 on each of the five subtests of the Test of General Educational Development (GED) and an overall average score of 550. Post-1996 GED holders must submit a copy of their official high school academic record to confirm completion of at least two years (2 units) of a second language, or they must demonstrate proficiency in a second language.
   
   Students who are graduates of nonstandard or unaccredited high schools or who have been home-schooled must have a minimum 1010 SAT I or 21 ACT score, as well as an average 470 or above (1410 total) on three SAT II Subject Tests (writing, math level I or IIc, and a third test of the student's choice). These students must also satisfy the second language admission requirement if they graduated from high school in 1997 or later.
   
   

3. Meet specific course requirements in addition to the grade point average and/or test score requirements listed in part 2 above. A general description of the type of courses required in each of the subject categories may be found under High School Course Requirements below.
   
   Students who have not completed the subject requirements have the choice of scoring an average of 470 or above (1410 total) on three SAT II subject tests (writing, math level I or IIc, and a third test of the student's choice). Alternatively, students may elect to take makeup coursework (high school or college level) for specific subject requirements missed in high school, for which they must achieve a passing grade.

For students who graduated from high school prior to 1985, part 3 of this section is waived. Further information is available upon request from the director of admissions.

High School Course Requirements

(Total required units: 14)

English (4 units). Includes study of the English language, literature, speaking and listening, and writing with an emphasis on and frequent practice in expository prose during all four years.

Mathematics (3 units). Includes first-year algebra, as well as two additional years of college preparatory mathematics, such as geometry (deductive or descriptive), advanced topics in algebra, trigonometry, analytical geometry, finite mathematics, advanced applications, calculus, probability and statistics, or courses integrating topics from two or more of these areas. (One unit is highly recommended in the senior year; algebra and geometry taken prior to the ninth grade are accepted.)

Science (2 units). Includes a year each in two fields of college preparatory science, such as biology, chemistry, physics, or earth and physical science (one recommended as a laboratory science).

Social Studies (3 units). Includes one year of U.S. history, one year of global studies (e.g., world history or geography), and one year of social studies electives.

Second Language (2 units). Includes two years of the same high school level second language, or a C- or above in the third year of a high school level language, or two terms of a college-level second language with a grade of C- or above, or satisfactory performance on an approved assessment of second language proficiency. Demonstrated proficiency in American Sign Language (ASL) meets the second language requirement.

Special Admission

Students who do not meet the admission requirements for freshman standing may appeal to the Special Admissions Committee. The appellant must provide complete academic records, test scores, letters of reference, and a written appeal.

Policy of the Oregon State Board of Higher Education permits only a few students each year to enroll at Southern Oregon University under special admission.

Proficiency-Based Admission Standards System (PASS)

The Oregon University System (OUS) is implementing a new admission process, PASS (Proficiency-Based Admission Standard System), based on student demonstration of academic proficiency in selected academic topics. These admission standards give applicants a better understanding of the academic skills necessary for admission to a public university in the state of Oregon. This complete and accurate assessment of academic skills enables universities to make informed admission decisions. Students in Oregon public high schools may use the CIM to meet some of the standards required for admission. However, the CIM is not required for admission. As PASS implementation progresses, campuses will use these standards in admission decisions, scholarship selections, and placement in freshman courses. PASS will be fully implemented for fall 2005 applicants.

Advanced Placement

Students who have taken an advanced placement course of the College Entrance Examination Board (CEEB) at their secondary school and who have taken Advanced Placement (AP) examinations of CEEB may receive credit for scores of 3, 4, or 5. No credit is given for an examination with scores of 1 or 2. (Please refer to the AP chart on printed catalog page 8 of this catalog.)

Admission of Transfer Students

Students transferring to SOU from an accredited college or university must show evidence of honorable dismissal from the other collegiate institutions and a cumulative grade point average of at least 2.25 in 36 or more credits of acceptable college work. A maximum of 12 credits of physical education activity and/or team participation course credits may be used in computing the transfer GPA for admission purposes. A transfer student with fewer than 36 credits must also meet requirements for freshman standing.

Post-1996 GED holders, as well as applicants who graduated from high school in 1997 or later, must also submit a copy of their official high school academic records to prove they have completed with a passing grade a minimum of two years (2 units) of study in a second language. An exception to this requirement will be made for transfers who have completed two terms (8 quarter credits) of a second language at the college level with a C- grade or better or who have achieved satisfactory performance on an approved second language proficiency assessment (ASL is acceptable).

Transfer applicants must submit an application form, pay the $50 application fee, and submit official transcripts from every institution of higher education attended. Transcripts must be mailed from the prior institutions directly to the Southern Oregon University Admissions Office. Registration is delayed until such records arrive, and students are responsible for the fees and penalties arising from the delay. Students considering transferring to SOU should review the procedures for admission and the policies on transfer of credit in this section. They are also encouraged to visit the campus and contact their major departments or the ACCESS Center to be assigned academic advisors.

Transfers should note that a minimum of 45 of the last 60 credits of coursework must be SOU credits to complete a degree. For more specific requirements, please see the descriptions of the various degree programs in the catalog. In addition, please refer to Transfer Student Policies on printed catalog page 36 for more information.

Credit from Accredited Institutions

Advanced standing is granted to students transferring to SOU with acceptable records from accredited institutions. The amount of credit granted depends on the nature and quality of the applicant's previous work, evaluated according to Southern Oregon University's academic requirements. The GPA of transferred credits is computed and used only as a basis for admission and is not included in a student's SOU GPA.

Credit from Unaccredited Institutions

No advanced standing is granted at entrance for unaccredited work. After three terms of satisfactory work at SOU, a student may receive credit for coursework from unaccredited institutions, but the courses must be equated with courses offered at Southern Oregon University.

Credit from Two-Year Institutions

SOU accepts credit toward a baccalaureate degree from all college transfer work up to 124 lower division term credits completed in Oregon or accredited community colleges in other states. Up to 24 credits of vocational-technical coursework that is applicable in an associate degree or certificate program at an accredited institution may be accepted as elective credit toward part of the 124 credits. Vocational-technical credits are not normally utilized in the admission decision but may be considered on an individual basis.

Special Academic Credit

SOU considers granting credit for: credit by examination, the College Level Examination Program (CLEP), Advanced Placement (AP), and International Baccalaureate (IB). Please read Special Academic Credit on printed catalog page 9 for more information.

Admission to Professional Programs

Admission to SOU does not automatically guarantee admission to its professional programs and schools. Standards of admission and evaluation of transfer credit for such programs often include requirements beyond those stated in the general catalog. Students entering any of these programs or schools must be prepared to undertake the curriculum at their level of entry and to maintain school standards.

Admission of Foreign Students

SOU is committed to diversifying its student body with the addition of students from other countries. Application materials for foreign students are available from Admissions.

The Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) is required of students whose native language is not English. A score of 520 is required of undergraduate applicants, while a score of 540 is required of graduate applicants. An official minimum score of 959 on the SAT II English Language Proficiency Test (ELPT), may substitute for a TOEFL of 520, as will completion of level 6 in the American Language Academy (ALA). An official minimum ELPT score of 964 may substitute for a TOEFL of 540.

Foreign students are also required to submit a financial statement and official academic transcripts, in addition to maintaining adequate medical insurance. At the time of registration, students may enroll in a comprehensive medical insurance plan for themselves and their dependents through Southern Oregon University. For insurance information, contact the foreign student advisor at 541-552-6660.

Students whose English does not meet the TOEFL requirement may enroll in the American Language Academy, the intensive English program on campus. For more information, write: American Language Academy, Southern Oregon University, Ashland, OR 97520 (see American Language Academy on printed catalog page 160).

Postbaccalaureate Admission

Students interested in pursuing a second bachelor's degree or in taking 8 or more credits of graduate coursework without being admitted to a master's program are classified as postbaccalaureate students. Students who intend to take courses for undergraduate credit only may apply for postbaccalaureate nongraduate status, which allows them to pay undergraduate fees. (Nonresident undergraduate fees may be higher than nonresident graduate fees, depending on the number of credits taken during a particular quarter.) Students must apply to the Office of Admissions to be admitted to postbaccalaureate nongraduate status. The minimum cumulative undergraduate GPA required by the Admissions Office is 2.25 (4.0 system).

Graduate Student Admission

Students interested in entering a graduate or licensing program must be admitted under graduate student status at the earliest possible time. Otherwise, courses completed at the University may not apply to the program. The admission process is initiated through the Office of Admissions (541-552-6411). Please see Admission to a Master's Degree Program on printed catalog page 173 for admission dates and deadlines.

Advanced Placement (AP): College Entrance Examination Board (CEEB) Credit

Regularly Admitted Graduate Students

Students pursuing a master's degree are considered regularly admitted graduate students. Regular admission is granted once the student has met admission standards (see Admission and General Regulations in the Graduate Studies section on page 173). Students must apply to the Admissions Office and to the specific master's program. They must be in possession of a letter from the school's graduate coordinator admitting them to the specific master's program before graduate student status is official.

International Graduate Students

Students whose native language is not English must provide the Office of Admissions and the graduate coordinator with proof of an official TOEFL score of 540 or higher if they are planning to take graduate courses.

Enrollment as a Nonadmitted Student

Any person over the age of eighteen who has not been admitted to Southern Oregon University and who wishes to enroll in no more than 8 credits during an individual term may enroll as a nonadmitted graduate or undergraduate student. (Foreign students with F-1 visas must be cleared through the foreign student advisor before they register as nonadmitted students.) Nonadmitted students are not required to submit transcripts, test scores, or pay an application fee. They are not admitted to pursue a degree program or to attend the University full time. The nonadmitted student category permits students to enroll in Southern Oregon University classes on a space-available basis. The forms necessary for this type of enrollment are available through the Registrar's Office.

Admission of Senior Citizens

Unless the class is taken for credit, persons at least sixty-five years of age may attend classes free of charge on a space-available basis.

Admission Procedure

1. Application Form and Deadlines

   New students applying for admission to SOU must file an official application with the Office of Admissions. The application may be obtained from most Oregon high schools and community colleges or from the SOU Admissions Office. Applicants may also apply online or download forms from the SOU Web site. Students applying for fall term should file all materials with Admissions by August 30. For those planning to enter at other times, all forms and records should be received by Admissions at least two weeks prior to the beginning of the term.

2. Application Fee

   Applications for admission must be accompanied by a $50 application fee (check or money order payable to Southern Oregon University). If applying online, applicants may pay the $50 application fee via credit card or by mailing a check or money order to the Admissions Office. The fee cannot be refunded, waived, or transferred to other institutions.

3. Transcripts

   Students applying as freshmen must have their high schools send official transcripts of all coursework beyond the eighth grade. High school seniors may apply after October 1 for the subsequent fall term. Upon completion of the senior year, students must have their high schools send complete transcripts verifying graduation and the 14-unit subject requirement completion (see High School Course Requirements on page 7).

   Students transferring from other collegiate institutions must request that official transcripts of all colleges previously attended be sent to the SOU Office of Admissions. High school records must also be sent if the applicant has fewer than 36 credits of transferable college coursework at the time of application. All records should be in the Office of Admissions no later than two weeks before the applicant expects to enter SOU. Documents sent in support of applications become the property of the University.

4. Placement Examinations

   Students entering as freshmen must submit scores from either the Scholastic Assessment Test I (SAT I) or the American College Test (ACT) before registration. Test scores are used for counseling, placement, and, in some cases, establishing admission qualifications. Early arrangements should be made to ensure that test scores reach the Southern Oregon University Office of Admissions in time to be evaluated with the student's records.

5. Measles Immunization

   All SOU students are required to submit verification of measles immunization prior to attending classes.

   Students who decline immunization for medical or religious reasons will be admitted. They must, however, be cleared through the Student Health and Wellness Center.

6. Notification of Admission

   When all required documents have been received and evaluated, the director of admissions informs the applicant of the University's decision.

7. General Admission Policies

   It is the student's responsibility to ensure that complete official copies of transcripts from every institution attended are forwarded to the Southern Oregon University Office of Admissions. Failure of an applicant to supply complete college credentials is considered misrepresentation and may result in dismissal from the University.

   The University assumes no responsibility for applicants who come to the campus before they are notified of acceptance.

New Student Programs

Each fall term, new students are invited to campus to participate in a comprehensive, mandatory orientation program the week before classes begin. The activities are designed to help new students get acquainted with faculty, administrators, and student leaders. Students also become familiar with various SOU services, clubs, organizations, and other extracurricular activities. Most importantly, students are introduced to the standards and expectations of the University as they are welcomed into the SOU community. A similar but abbreviated orientation program is offered for students who are admitted other terms.

Special Academic Credit

Advanced Placement

Please see Advanced Placement under Admission to Freshman Standing on page 7.

Credit by Examination

Regularly enrolled full-time undergraduate students with exceptional proficiency in an academic subject offered by the University may take an examination to receive university credit toward degree requirements. Credit by examination is not available for practicum or field experience courses, nor is it available for Special Studies, Research, Workshop, Reading and Conference, Seminar, or other similarly titled courses. A maximum limit of 24 term credits may be earned. Credit by examination does not count as resident credit.

To challenge a course by examination, a student must obtain the approval of the instructor, advisor, and department chair; apply to the registrar (applications are available at the Registrar's Office); and pay the credit by examination fee. The application will be denied if the student has previously received credit for the course at this or another college, has previously challenged the course and received an NP, or has completed courses at a higher level of competency (e.g., a student registered in or having completed a second-year language may not earn credit by examination in the first-year language).

The examination may be a standardized test or a thorough, comprehensive examination on the entire course. The comprehensive exam is prepared by members of the teaching faculty who normally teach the course being challenged. Results of the course challenge shall be recorded as P (grade C- or above) or NP on the student's transcript and will not be used to compute the grade point average.

Students seeking credit for 100- and 200-level second-language coursework are granted the following exception to the Credit by Exam policy: students who place in a course beyond 101, enroll in the course within one year of taking the placement exam, and complete the higher-level course with a B or better may receive credit for the lower number courses. Students must apply for credit within one term of completing the higher-level course.

International Baccalaureate

SOU evaluates IB test scores much in the same way it evaluates AP scores. Students must indicate that they would like official test scores sent to the Office of Admissions. SOU may award credit to students who receive a 5 or higher on any Higher Level IB examination. No credit is awarded for Subsidiary Level exams. For more information, please contact Admissions at 541-552-6411.

College Level Examination Program

Southern Oregon University allows credit for College Level Examination Program (CLEP) exams (see chart on this page). Exams are conducted at SOU's Medford Campus. Call 541-552-8100 to schedule an exam or to request more information. This credit is subject to the following guidelines:

1. Students may earn as many credits through CLEP as they are able to successfully pass, providing the examination does not duplicate credit previously earned for work done elsewhere.
   
   
2. A student is allowed only one attempt in each course to acquire credit through CLEP. Students who have taken but not passed a course may subsequently attempt to acquire credit in the course through CLEP. If they fail, they can acquire credit only by repeating the course. If the student fails the examination, it is not recorded on the student's academic record.
   
   
3. Students who have taken CLEP examinations prior to entering Southern Oregon University may transfer their credit. They must have passed the examination with a score at or above the minimum level accepted by the University, and the University must approve the examinations for credit.

Military Credit

Southern Oregon University generally grants credit for some military education experiences as recommended by the American Council on Education's Guide to the Evaluation of Educational Experiences in the Armed Services and in accordance with SOU and Oregon University System policies regarding transfer credits. Students may request evaluation of credits earned through the Community College of the Air Force, Defense Language Institute, or military education. Students must submit official copies of college transcripts or a Certificate of Completion from the Defense Language Institute. An official copy of the student's DD 214, DD 295, or AARTS transcript is required for military education and occupational credits.

Correspondence Credit

SOU accepts up to 60 credits of extension study, 24 of which may be by correspondence from accredited institutions. For further information about special credit programs, contact Admissions at 541-552-6411.

Registration

Office of the Registrar
Britt Registration and Records Center
541-552-6600
Michael Corcoran, Registrar

SOU students may register via SISWeb at www.sou.edu/sis, or in person at the Registration Center in Britt Hall.

The fall and winter/spring editions of the class schedule contain complete information
about dates for priority preregistration, open registration and schedule adjustment, late registration, advising services, adding/dropping, and course offerings.

College Level Examination Program (CLEP) Credit

Change of Registration

Students Changing Registration

Students may continue to register and add classes to their schedule through the first week of the quarter. After the first week of the term, students cannot add classes via SISWeb. To register late, students will need to submit an add form to the Registration Center with the instructor's signature of consent.

Students may drop classes via SISWeb through the fourth week of the term. From the fifth week of the quarter through the Monday of dead week, students may withdraw from classes by submitting a drop form to the Registration Center. Students may change the grading option (P/NP) through the seventh week of the term in person at the Registration Center.

Instructors Changing Registration

Instructors may cancel the course registration of a student when there is justification, provided the instructor's department chair or school dean concurs. This includes the right of an instructor to cancel the course registration of a student for disciplinary reasons at any time, again with the concurrence of the instructor's department chair or school director.

Students who do not attend the first two regular class meetings at the beginning of the term and who have not given the instructor prior notice of absence may be administratively dropped from that class by the instructor. For classes or labs that meet only once a week, the instructor may drop a student if he or she does not attend the first regular class or lab meeting without giving the instructor prior notice.

Withdrawal from the University

Students in good standing are entitled to honorable dismissal at any time through Monday of the last week of classes. Students withdrawing after the end of the fourth week and through Monday of the last week of classes receive a WP (Withdrawn - Passing) or a WF (Withdrawn - Failing) in each of their courses. Students who leave campus after Monday of the last week of classes are responsible for grades in all courses. Students who want to completely withdraw may do so in person or via SISWeb. The effective date of withdrawal is the date the withdrawal form is submitted to the Office of the Registrar. Refunds are prorated accordingly.