Admissions Policies and Procedures

Undergraduate

Graduate

Admission Policies - Undergraduate Programs

Admission to Harding University is determined on an individual basis. Each candidate is evaluated based on academic preparation and potential. Only students who appear capable of success at Harding are accepted for admission. Also, because of Harding’s rich heritage as a Christian university, students of the highest moral caliber are sought. An interview is not a requirement for admission, but is strongly recommended to ensure that there is a good match between the student’s interests and talents and Harding’s academic and non-academic offerings.

As stated earlier and more fully in the Nondiscrimination Statement, Harding does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, creed, national origin, sex, age, veteran status, religion or disability in its admission policies.

Pre-admission Course Requirements: High school graduates should have completed at least 15 solid units in academic subjects. Specifically, an applicant should have completed 4 units of English, 3 units of mathematics (taken from general math, geometry, algebra, trigonometry, precalculus or calculus), 3 units of social studies (taken from civics, American history, world history or geography), and 2 units of natural science (taken from physical science, biology, physics or chemistry). Students planning to major in any area of health care are strongly encouraged to take one or more chemistry courses while in high school. Although not required for admission, two years of foreign language is recommended. The additional units may come from any academic area.

High School Graduates: Generally, students who attain a 3.0 high school grade point average or higher on a 4.0 grading scale and an ACT composite score of 19 or a SAT combined critical reading and math score of 980 (900 prior to March 2016) qualify academically for unconditional admission.

Students who do not meet these requirements must be reviewed by the Admissions Committee. Here ACT/SAT scores and academic records are considered; high scores in one area may offset low scores in the other. Early application is encouraged to ensure individual consideration.

Home -School: The same requirements for high school graduates apply for students who are home-schooled. Prospective students who are home-schooled must submit transcripts, ACT/SAT test scores and references.

Transfer Students: Transfer students with a 2.0 grade point average or higher are considered for unconditional admission. Those with lower averages are reviewed individually and may be granted conditional admission with the appropriate academic standing.

• Transfers who have enrolled elsewhere full time (12 or more hour in a term) and have earned 14 or more hours of credit after high school graduation that are acceptable by Harding including developmental coursework are not required to submit ACT/SAT scores or high school transcripts.
• Transfers who enroll elsewhere at most one term full time or at most two terms part time (fewer than 12 hours in a term) are eligible for freshmen scholarships commensurate with final high school GPA and ACT or SAT test scores.

Non-High School Graduates: Prospective students who did not graduate from high school may apply for admission and attach a complete statement regarding educational background and qualifications. Those who have earned a General Education Development (GED) Certificate and meet the other admission requirements are considered by the Admissions Committee.

Early Entrance: Students may be accepted for admission without finishing high school if they are 17 years old at the time of enrollment, have completed 12 solid units, have an ACT of 24 or a SAT combined critical reading and math score of 820 (1090 prior to March 2016), have a 3.0 high school grade point average or higher on a 4.0 grading scale, have good references, and have the approval of the Admissions Committee.

Since early entrance may affect some financial aid options, interested students should contact the financial aid office before enrolling.

Dual Enrollment Program: High school students who have completed 12 solid units, have a 3.0 high school grade point average or higher on a 4.0 grading scale, and have an ACT composite score of 19 or a SAT combined critical reading and math score of 700 (900 prior to March 2016) may be approved for dual enrollment in college courses.

High school students desiring to enroll in a Harding class while in high school must be preapproved each semester through the Registrar’s Office. The student must earn at least a “C” in all courses to continue dual enrollment and must maintain a 2.0 grade point average. Registration may be restricted for students failing to provide all official transcripts.

Registration is limited to a maximum of 8 hours per term. Academic policies apply as though the student were a freshman.

Post-baccalaureate Students: A student who has completed a bachelor’s degree will be considered post-baccalaureate until admitted into a graduate program.

International Students: International students with English as their second language can meet the admission requirements for the university by 1) achieving the minimum required ACT or SAT for admission as an undergraduate, or 2) completing an undergraduate degree from another accredited American college or university, or 3) achieving the minimum score on a nationally recognized test of English language proficiency, such as the TOEFL or IELTS. A score older than two years cannot be used for admission. The minimum scores acceptable for admission to the university are 550 on the paper-based TOEFL, 70 internet based TOEFL, and 6.0 on the IELTS. Individual programs may have more stringent minimum requirements.

Specific exceptions to this policy are limited to students who qualify and are accepted into the ESL Bridge Program and students who are assessed by an approved representative of Harding and judged to have satisfactory English skills. Students accepted into the ESL Bridge Program must successfully complete all program requirements within one year to remain enrolled at Harding. Other students granted an exception are required to enter the University’s intensive English as a Second Language (ESL) program. Other than specified Bible and COMM 101 classes, these students are not permitted to take classes outside the ESL curriculum as detailed in the catalog until they have passed the ESL classes with a grade of “C” or higher, and scored high enough on the TOEFL or IELTS to either qualify for the ESL Bridge Program or be fully admitted to Harding. See ESL policies for more information.

Admission Procedures - Undergraduate Programs

The Office of Undergraduate Admissions provides comprehensive assistance to prospective stu­dents. For an application packet and other in­for­ma­tion, contact the Office of Undergraduate Admissions by mail at Harding University, Box 12255, Searcy, AR 72149-5615; by phone at 1-800-477-4407 (toll free); by fax at (501) 279-4129; or by e-mail at admissions@harding.edu. En­roll­ment at Harding is limited, so early application is encouraged.

On-line Application: The application for admission can be completed on-line at www.harding.edu/admissions. All supporting documents can be printed or submitted at the website as well.

Admission Fees: There is a non-refundable application fee of $50 and a housing deposit of $130 (refundable if canceled by May 1 for the fall semester, Oct. 1 for the spring semester, and April 1 for summer sessions). Both are required before acceptance to Harding University will be granted and may be paid with one check. Students may call the Office of Undergraduate Admissions to pay with a credit card. Commuting students will not need to pay the $130 housing deposit.

Reference Forms: Two reference forms included in the application packet must be com­plet­ed in order for a student to be considered for admission. The academic reference form should be given to a principal, guidance counselor, teacher or some other academic officer. The character reference form should be completed by a minister, youth minister or long-time friend of the family. These references also can be completed on-line at the website.

Transcript(s): Copies of academic credentials must be placed on file. Students entering college for the first time must have an official high school transcript sent directly to the Office of Undergraduate Admissions. Students who make early application should request that these be sent at the end of the junior year, followed by a complete transcript after graduation. Official high school transcripts are often requested through the guidance counselor, registrar, or principal’s office.

Trans­fer students and students with dual enrollment credit must have official complete transcripts sent by the registrar of each institution previously attended. Registration may be restricted for students failing to provide an official transcript.

ACT/SAT Scores: Entering freshmen must submit either ACT or SAT scores as entrance examinations. Scores notated on a transcript cannot be considered official, so scores must be sent directly from ACT or SAT. Transfer students with fewer than 14 hours of credit must also submit these scores.

The ACT and SAT are administered nationally at testing centers at high schools and colleges multiple times during the school year; dates and locations are listed on the ACT and SAT Web sites. Students who wish to apply for scholarships should take the ACT/SAT at one of the earlier test dates. Information and application for the exams may be obtained from high school guidance counselors or principals, or on-line from ACT or SAT.

Dual Enrollment Credit: Dual enrollment is defined as simultaneous enrollment at the secondary (high school) and collegiate level. High school students must request official transcripts be sent from each institution (high school and college) attended.

Readmission Procedures: Students who have previously attended Harding and are re­turn­ing are not required to make application through the Office of Undergraduate Admissions. They apply instead through the Office of Student Life. This office will process the re­ad­mis­sion form and send appropriate notification.

If a student has attended another college or university since last enrolling at Harding, an official transcript of that work must be sent to the registrar at Harding.

Admission Policies - Graduate and Professional Programs

Admission to a graduate or professional program at Harding is handled by each separate program. See each catalog section for program-specific admission information, or visit the Graduate and Professional Programs website.

International Students: International students with English as a second language who have not previously completed an undergraduate degree from an accredited American college or university must meet a minimum score on a nationally recognized test of English language proficiency, such as the TOEFL or IELTS. Such a score must not be older than two years. TOEFL scores acceptable for admission to the university are 550 (paper-based test), 213 (computer-based test) or 79 (Internet-based test). Individual programs may have more stringent minimum requirements. Specific exceptions to this policy are limited to students who are assessed by an approved representative of Harding and judged to have satisfactory English skills. The students granted these exceptions are required to enter the University’s intensive English as a Second Language (ESL) program. Students will not be permitted to take classes outside the ESL program until they have passed the ESL classes with a grade of “C” or higher, and have earned a TOEFL score of 550 or higher (or an equivalent combined score of 79 on the IBT) or a 6.0 on the IELTS. See ESL policies for more information.

McNair Scholars Application Fee Waiver: The Ronald E. McNair Post-Baccalaureate Achievement Program, funded by the U. S. Department of Education, is designed to provide effective preparation for doctoral study for low-income, first generation, and underrepresented undergraduate students. A student who has successfully participated in the McNair Scholars Program may apply for an admissions application fee waiver.