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Undergraduate Catalog 07-08
Revised May 2007
Admission to West Chester University
West Chester University welcomes applications from qualified residents of Pennsylvania, other U.S. states, and international students. The University evaluates its applicants on the basis of scholarship, character, and potential for achievement in the programs to which they apply. The University operates on a modified rolling admissions policy, whereby applicants with the strongest academic credentials are given priority processing and notified as quickly as possible of their status. Other applicants are evaluated as their files become complete and may have final decisions deferred until later in the processing cycle, depending upon their individual academic profile. All decisions are communicated to applicants in writing. Qualified students of any age from all racial, religious, ethnic, and socio-economic backgrounds are welcome at West Chester. Studies may be pursued on a full- or part-time basis.
General Requirements for Admission of Freshmen
1. Graduation, with satisfactory scholarship, from an approved secondary school or approval by the Credentials Evaluation Division of the Pennsylvania Department of Education.
2. Either a satisfactory score on the SAT of the College Entrance Examination Board (CEEB) or satisfactory scores on the tests given in the American College Testing Program (ACT). Applicants who graduated from high school more than five years ago do not need to submit test scores.
How and When Freshmen Should Apply
For application materials please write or call the Office of Admissions, West Chester University, West Chester, PA 19383, 610-436-3411 (or toll-free at 877-315-2165), e-mail ugadmiss@wcupa.edu, or visit our Web site at www.wcupa.edu.
Freshmen for the fall semester are urged to begin the application process early in their senior year of high school. Applicants for the spring semester should complete an application by December 1. However, if enrollment limits are met before these dates, admissions will be closed.
Candidates will receive notification from the assistant vice president for admissions and enrollment services as soon as possible after decisions are reached.
Freshmen who are denied admission on the basis of academics will not be permitted to enroll as a nondegree student at the University but will be encouraged to consider a junior or community college as an alternative.
In exceptional circumstances, students with superior academic qualifications and unusually mature personal development are admitted as freshmen upon completing their junior year of secondary school. Students who, in the opinion of their guidance counselors or high school principal, warrant consideration for early admission may obtain more information from the assistant vice president for admissions and enrollment services. Early admission applications should be submitted in accordance with deadlines recommended for freshmen.
Information about the SAT and ACT may be obtained from high school guidance counselors. It is the student's responsibility to ensure that all required test scores are forwarded to the Office of Admissions.
The University awards credit for courses taken through the Advanced Placement Program offered by the College Entrance Examination Board. Test scores of three or better are required and credit may be applied toward advanced placement in the University and/or requirements for graduation. Students are encouraged to submit their scores to the Office of the Registrar as early as possible to be scheduled appropriately for their first semester. Visit the undergraduate admissions Web site (www.wcupa.edu/_admissions/sch_adm/) for more information on advanced placement credits.
Individuals who have been enrolled in any postsecondary institution after graduation from high school and/or have attended West Chester University on a nondegree basis must apply as transfer students. Applicants whose secondary school credentials would not warrant admissions consideration as freshmen must complete the equivalent of one full academic year prior to attempting a transfer. A minimum cumulative grade point average (GPA) of 2.00 is required for transfer consideration. However, the University's modified rolling admissions policy gives priority to applicants with the strongest academic credentials. In addition, some academic departments have established prerequisite course work and specific grade point average requirements for admission. Special consideration is awarded to graduates of Pennsylvania community colleges and to students transferring from other universities in the Pennsylvania State System of Higher Education. Specific information may be obtained from the Office of Admissions.
Transfer applicants for the fall semester should begin the application process early in the preceding spring semester, preferably by May 1. Spring semester applications should be completed by November 15. If enrollment limits are met before this time, admissions will be closed.
Application Procedures for Students Transferring from an Accredited Institution
1. File an application, available from the Office of Admissions or through the Web at http://www.wcupa.edu. Please follow all instructions and submit required materials.
2. See that the assistant vice president for admissions and enrollment services receives:
a. An official transcript from all institutions attended. If preliminary transcripts are submitted, the student must see that final transcripts are filed at the end of the semester.
b. Mid-term grades, if the student is currently enrolled elsewhere and is applying to West Chester for the following semester.
3. If a student has completed less than 30 semester hours of credit, he or she must supply SAT or ACT scores and an official high school transcript.
If a student is accepted, admission is contingent upon successful completion of current course work with at least a C average as documented by transcripts of all work attempted or completed.
Transfer students should read "Maintenance of Academic Standards" in the "Academic Policies and Procedures" section of this catalog.
Transcripts will be evaluated and course/credit equivalencies will be determined by the Office of the Registrar in accordance with the policies of the department to which the student seeks admission. After the student has been admitted, he or she should work out an acceptable program of study in close consultation with an adviser in the major department. If the student would like to appeal the transfer equivalency determinations, the student should speak with his or her major adviser.
Transfer applicants who are denied admission on the basis of academics will not be permitted to enroll as a nondegree student without the approval of the Office of Admissions. Such approval may be rendered in the event of extenuating circumstances and only under certain agreed-upon conditions in accordance with University policy.
The Board of Governors of the Pennsylvania State System of Higher Education (PASSHE) adopted an Academic Passport Policy effective January 1999. The goal of this policy is to facilitate transfer to PASSHE universities from Pennsylvania community colleges and other PASSHE universities.
Pennsylvania community college students who have earned the associate of arts degree (A.A.) or the associate of science (A.S.) degree in a transfer program containing a minimum of 30 credits of liberal arts courses for the A.S. and 45 credits of liberal arts courses for the A.A. degree with a 2.00 GPA or above are considered to have an Academic Passport. Students completing 12 credits or more from another PASSHE university with a minimum 2.00 GPA are said to have an Academic Passport as well. The transfer-credit provisions described in the Academic Passport are extended to community college students without an associate degree who transfer 12 or more credits to a PASSHE institution. In addition, West Chester University is extending the transfer-credit provisions to all transfer students from accredited institutions, effective January 1999.
The Academic Passport policy states
Up to a maximum of 45 general education credits and liberal arts course credits shall be used to meet lower-division university general education requirements, even if the receiving university does not offer the specific course being transferred or has not designated that course as general education. A course-by-course match shall not be required.
Transfer credit not applied to general education will be applied to major requirements and other degree requirements.
Please note: Students must meet the admissions standards for their selected program of study, and enrollment limitations may restrict the number of students who can be accommodated.
Specifics of this policy can be obtained from the Office of Admissions or the Office of the Registrar.
Students are urged to apply early and submit transcripts from transfer institutions as soon as possible so that students have maximum information on course equivalency and which requirements have been met.
University Policies for Students Transferring from a Nonaccredited Institution
Applicants from collegiate institutions (including community colleges and junior colleges) that are not accredited by one of the six regional associations in the United States will be considered for admission if the applicant's cumulative index is 2.00 (C) or better. High school credentials may be requested.
The evaluation of courses listed on transcripts from an institution not accredited by one of the six regional associations will be made by the student's major department in consultation with the faculty dean and transfer credit analyst. All evaluations are subject to review by the provost and academic vice president.
Students from foreign countries may be considered for degree admission if, in addition to satisfying the general requirements, they also demonstrate proficiency in English. Standardized test scores from one of the following must be submitted with the application: Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL), SAT, or American College Test (ACT). Non-native English speakers are encouraged to submit the TOEFL; a minimum score of 550 is required for the written exam, 80 for the Internet-based score, and at least 213 for the computer-based test.
International students are admitted for both the fall and spring semesters. Applications for the fall must be submitted to the Office of Admissions by May 1, while applications for the spring semester should be submitted by August 1. All students are required to submit an application fee. Accepted students must be able to verify their ability to fully meet all educational and living expenses before any immigration documents can be issued. Because of the amount of time it takes for a student visa to be secured, international applicants are encouraged to complete the admissions process well in advance of the May 1 and August 1 deadlines.
Insurance Requirements for International Students
International students at West Chester University are required to carry adequate health and accident insurance. Insurance must be effective for all periods of time the student has been authorized to be in the United States by an immigration document issued by West Chester University.
Health and accident insurance policies must be purchased through a company that sells insurance in the United States. West Chester University has set minimum coverage standards which must be met by all insurance policies. Information about the minimum standards are available at the Office for International Programs, 610-436-3515.
To assure compliance with the insurance requirement, all international students must come to the Office for International Programs by September 1 of each academic year. There students may obtain information as to the amount of insurance required and the means of obtaining coverage to meet the insurance requirement.
Physical Examination Requirements
Applicants are not asked to submit a report of medical history until they have been accepted for admission and have committed to enroll. The form for the necessary health examination, which will be mailed to students, must be completed by a physician and returned to the University Health Center prior to the start of classes.
West Chester University will make every effort to assure students with disabilities access to all classes required for their program of study and will endeavor to remove all obstacles to a fulfilling, comprehensive university experience.
Students should contact the Office of Services for Students with Disabilities in Room 105 Lawrence Center to arrange suitable accommodations. Additional information can be obtained by calling 610-436-2564.
An individual may pursue a second baccalaureate degree at West Chester University after earning the first baccalaureate degree either at West Chester University or another institution. Such an individual must apply for admission through the Office of Admissions as a transfer student.
Admission of College Graduates Seeking Certification
College graduates who wish to obtain teaching certification should consult with the Teacher Education Center, 610-436-3090.
Readmission of Former Students
Students who have withdrawn from, or who for other reasons have not matriculated at, West Chester for two or more consecutive semesters are classified as "inactive" and must request an application for readmission from the Office of Admissions. After an absence of only one semester, students wishing to return need to contact the Office of the Registrar and their department advisers. Students applying for readmission who have attended any institutions of higher learning since leaving West Chester must request those institutions to forward transcripts of their records to the Office of Admissions, West Chester University, West Chester, PA 19383.
Readmitted students who have a disability that they previously did not disclose but wish to do so should contact the Office of Services for Students with Disabilities (OSSD) at 610-436-2564. These students will be informed of the appropriate documentation to submit as well as the assistance and support services available to them. Students who believe that their disability had an effect on their previous course work at the University and wish to have this fact considered should include that information in their personal statement. They also may wish to seek the support of the OSSD in the readmission process.
Readmitted students are bound by the requirements in general education, major, minor, and cognate areas at the time of readmission, except where permission is granted by the respective department concerning departmental requirements.
Students intending to enroll in student teaching in the first semester of readmission must file an application for student teaching with the individual departments at least four months before their expected readmission. See also "Student Teaching" in the section entitled "Academic Affairs."
All readmission applications, including all supporting documents, should be filed by August 1 for the fall semester and December 1 for the spring semester.