Undergraduate Admission:

Website - http://www.lsus.edu/admissions/

LSUS encourages applications from all interested individuals and tries to assure a successful college experience for each student. In order to take full advantage of the University environment, however, the student should meet the standards for regular admission to credit work in degree programs outlined in this section.

GENERAL INFORMATION

The University operates on a two-term plan with additional summer sessions. A qualified applicant may register at the beginning of any term or session. However, complete admission records must be received in the Admissions and Records Office at least 30 days before classes begin in order for the applicant to be notified regarding eligibility for admission.

The University assures equal opportunity for all qualified persons without regard to race, color, religion, gender, national origin, sexual orientation, disability, marital status, pregnancy, sickle cell trait or veteran’s status in the admission to, participation in, or employment in its programs and activities.

ADMISSION PROCEDURE

Basic procedures and requirements for undergraduate admission are described below for several different categories of applicants. Find the description that fits you. Then go to the appropriate paragraph under “Basic Application Procedures.”

Are you

If none of these seems to fit your situation, then visit the Admissions and Records Office or call (318) 797-5061

BASIC APPLICATION PROCEDURES

A student seeking admission or readmission to LSUS may obtain appropriate application forms from the Admissions and Records Office in the Administration Building, or from the website: www.LSUS.edu/admissions.

The student should complete an application and return it to the Admissions and Records Office at least 30 days proceeding the first day of class for the term during which admission is desired. A non-refundable application fee is required for first-time students. Priority admission deadlines are as follows:

Fall Term—July 20
Spring Term--December 15
Summer Term--May 1

Records submitted to the Admissions and Records Office become a part of the student's official file and are not returned to the student or released to a third party. The University may deny admission, readmission, or continued enrollment to persons whose behavior is or may be disruptive, dangerous, or abusive.

Immunization: Before registering, students born after 1956 must provide proof of immunization or immunity to measles, mumps, rubella, and tetanus/diphtheria to the Admissions and Records Office. This policy applies to all students entering LSUS for the first time and all students returning after an absence of one term or more. A copy of the Immunization Policy is provided with the admissions material.

A student may claim exemption from the immunization requirement for medical or personal reasons; however, the University will require the student to leave the campus and be excluded from class in the event of an outbreak of measles, mumps, or rubella. Students claiming exemption will not be permitted back on campus or in class until the outbreak is over or until proof of adequate immunization has been submitted to the Admissions and Records Office.

Selective Service: In accordance with Louisiana Law, male applicants between the ages of 18 and 26 must provide proof of Selective Service registration to enroll past the first term of attendance at LSUS.

  1. The freshman applicant
    1. is required to take the American College Testing (ACT) battery on one of five dates set by the testing agency and have the scores sent to LSUS. These scores are used to determine eligibility for admission and placement of all freshman students at appropriate course levels. Detailed information and registration forms for these tests may be obtained from high school counselors, LSUS Student Development and Counseling Center, or the American College Testing Program, P.O. Box 451, Iowa City, Iowa 52243-0451 or www.ACT.org
    2. should have the high school send official transcripts to the Admissions and Records Office. If the student is a beginning freshman or transfer student with fewer than 12 hours earned who graduated from a Louisiana High School in 2004 or later, the LSUS Admissions and Records Office will request the final transcript from the Board of Regents and the Louisiana Department of Education's Student Transcript System. It will not be necessary for the student to have high school transcripts sent to LSUS. If the student is a beginning freshman or transfer student with fewer than 12 hours earned who graduated from a Louisiana High School before 2004 or from a high school in another state, the student will need to request that the high school send an official transcript to the Admissions and Records Office at Louisiana State University in Shreveport. If the student has taken college level courses, these transcripts must be submitted, also.
    3. who has been home schooled must show satisfactory completion of the G.E.D. A student who has earned a GED will be required to take the placement exams in English and Math or the ACT and submit scores to the Admissions and Records Office prior to being considered for admission.

  2. The transfer applicant
    should request that each college attended mail an official transcript directly to the LSUS Admissions and Records Office, regardless of whether credit was earned there or is desired here. A student who has earned fewer than 12 term hours of college credit must satisfy the requirements listed for Admission from Louisiana Secondary Schools. Any student who fails to acknowledge attendance at each college or university, whether or not credit was earned or desired, is subject to dismissal from the University. A student who is currently enrolled at another university when he or she applies for admission should request that the institution submit a current official transcript now and then submit a final official transcript at the conclusion of the term. Until the final official transcript is received and evaluated, the applicant is considered to be provisionally admitted. Full admission will not be granted until the final transcript has been received and evaluated. The University may grant provisional admission until the fourteenth day of a fall or spring term or the seventh day of the summer term.
  3. The alternate certification applicant
    should request that each college attended mail an official transcript (regardless of whether credit was earned) directly to the LSUS Admissions and Records Office. The final transcript showing the bachelor’s degree earned with a cumulative grade point average of 2.50 or better must be submitted. Any student who fails to acknowledge attendance at each college or university, whether or not credit was earned or desired, is subject to dismissal from the University. A student who is currently enrolled at another university when he or she applies for admission should request that the institution submit a current official transcript now and then submit a final official transcript at the conclusion of the term. Until the final official transcript is received and evaluated, the applicant is considered to be provisionally admitted. Full admission will not be granted until the final transcript has been received and evaluated. The University may grant provisional admission until the fourteenth day of a fall or spring term or the seventh day of the summer term.
  4. The summer only applicant
    must submit a letter of eligibility to continue at the other institution from the dean or registrar at that school. This letter, which replaces official records, must state the total credit previously earned. Such enrollment terminates at the end of that summer term and does not presuppose admission to the University in subsequent terms. A student admitted under these conditions assumes full responsibility for course selection and should seek the guidance of the institution to which credits are to be transferred.
  5. The visiting student
    must submit a letter from the other institution's registrar stating eligibility for continued enrollment at that institution and indicating the total number of credits earned and overall grade point average. Enrollment for visiting students is for one term or summer term only. It does not constitute or presuppose continuing admission to the University. A student admitted under these conditions assumes full responsibility for course selection and should seek the guidance of the institution to which credits are to be transferred.
  6. The audit-only applicant
    should indicate clearly on the application intention to audit only. No official records are required to be submitted. The student admitted for audit-only pays the same tuition and fees as the regularly admitted student. (See also “Auditor” under “UNIVERSITY REGULATIONS.”) Auditors who later wish to enroll for credit must follow the procedures applicable to their status.
  7. Other new applicants
    1. Educational Enrichment Program (EEP) students should indicate clearly on the application intention to enroll as EEP. No records of previous work are required for admission to this non-degree program, providing that the student is at least 25 years of age and that at least three years have elapsed since last enrollment in high school, college, or university. (See also “Educational Enrichment Program.”)
    2. International Students should submit an acceptable score on the Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) with the completed application and complete official scholastic records at least 90 days before the beginning of the term in which admission is desired. (For complete requirements see “Admission of International Students.”)

FRESHMEN ADMISSION

All applicants must meet standards that the University applies to increase students’ chances of academic success. Applicants must submit to the Admissions and Records Office a completed application form, an application fee, immunization records, a high school transcript or G.E.D., and scores on the ACT.

An applicant to LSUS who has acquired fewer than twelve (12) term hours of credit in non-developmental courses must meet the admissions criteria for first time freshmen. This can be a recent high school graduate or any other student who has decided to attend college for the first time.

LSUS has a selective admissions policy for the first time student that is correlated to the age of the student – stringent requirements for recent graduates of high school (i.e., those less than 21 years of age), relaxed requirements for young adults (at least 21 but not older than 24 years of age), and minimal requirements for those students who are 25 years of age and older.

First Time Freshmen – Age Less Than 21
Admissibility is based on high school curriculum, high school GPA, high school class rank, ACT scores, and the need, if any, for developmental course work. Specifically, students needing more than one developmental (remedial) course at the time of enrollment at LSUS will not be eligible for immediate admission.

Admission from Louisiana Secondary Schools
To be admitted, a first time freshman who is less than 21 years of age and who has graduated from a Louisiana high school must meet the following:

  1. Completion of the Regents’ high school core curriculum (currently TOPS core curriculum) of 16.5 course units:
    • English I, II, III, IV
    • Mathematics: 3 units to include Algebra I (one unit) or Applied Algebra 1A and 1B (two units); Algebra II; Geometry, Trigonometry, Calculus, or an approved math substitute
    • Sciences: 3 units to include Biology; Chemistry; Earth Science, Environmental Science, Physical Science, Biology II, Chemistry II, Physics I, Physics II, or Physics for Technology (one Unit)
    • Social Sciences: 3 units to include Civics (one unit) or Civics and Free Enterprise (one unit combined); American History; World History, Western Civilization, or World Geography
    • Humanities: 3 units to include 2 units in the same foreign language and one unit in fine arts survey
    • Computer Science: ½ unit in Computer Science, or Computer Literacy, or Business Computer Applications
  2. And one of the following:
    • High school GPA of 2.0 or greater OR
    • High school graduation rank top 50% of class OR
    • ACT composite score of 20 or greater
  3. And need no more than one developmental course by having one of the following:
    • An ACT English score of 18 or greater OR
    • An ACT Mathematics score of 18 or greater

Admission from Out-of-State High Schools or Home-School Programs or G.E.D.
Freshmen students who are less than 21 years of age and who have graduated from out-of-state high schools or were home-schooled or received a G.E.D. must meet one of the following minimum admissions criteria:

OR

First Time Freshmen – Age 21- 24
Adult students who are at least 21 years of age but not older than 24 years of age may be admitted to LSUS under one of the following options:

Option #1 Meet the minimum admissions requirements listed above for freshmen students, that apply based on whether the student graduated in-state or out-of-state, was home-schooled, or received a G.E.D.

Option #2 Enroll as a non-matriculating (not eligible for federal financial aid) student until achieving a GPA of 2.0 on 12 or more term hours of non developmental course work.

Option #3 Enroll as a part-time student taking 6 hours or less in fall/spring term or 3 hours or less in the summer until achieving a GPA of 2.0 on 12 or more term hours of non developmental course work.

First Time Freshmen – Age 25 Years And Older
A first time freshman who is an adult aged 25 years and older is not required to meet the Board of Regents minimum admissions criteria for first-time freshmen. However, if a student has completed a GED or graduated from high school, he or she must take the University’s placement tests in mathematics and English and must have high school transcripts sent to the Admissions and Records Office. If a student has not completed a GED or graduated from high school, he or she must provide satisfactory evidence of a composite score of 18 on the ACT or a satisfactory score on another national examination such as the SAT together with proof of relevant education, training and experience.

OTHER TYPES OF ADMISSION

Admission by Transfer
Regardless of age, students who have accumulated at least 12 term hours of college credit in non developmental course work may transfer to LSUS if they meet all transfer requirements. To be admitted from another regionally accredited college or university, a transfer student must meet the following:

Transfer students who have not accumulated at least 12 term hours of college credit in non developmental course work may transfer to LSUS if they meet all requirements or Admission from Louisiana Secondary Schools.

Students who are registering for the first time at LSUS, have had less than successful work at previous institutions, and have not been enrolled in a college or university for three consecutive years may wish to consider the academic bankruptcy provisions in this catalog. (See “Academic Bankruptcy Policy” under “SCHOLASTIC REGULATIONS.”)

Applicants for transfer must submit official transcripts of all previous college or university work, regardless of whether or not credit was earned. The University is guided in its decision regarding acceptance of credit from institutions not regionally accredited by recommendations of selected institutions in the states in which the schools are located. Courses on such a transcript may be denied credit altogether, in which case the transcript is held merely as evidence that the student has studied the subject. Applicants may be given the opportunity, usually through advanced standing or departmental examinations, to validate some or all credit.

Transfer applicants who have been suspended from another college or university within the previous twelve months are not eligible for admission to the University until the suspension has expired. Credits earned in colleges and universities accredited by regional accrediting associations are accepted by the University. Credits earned in some non-accredited institutions are accepted on a limited basis. The dean of the college offering the degree determines the extent to which accepted credits are applied toward a degree. Evaluations of courses will not be made in advance of receipt of the completed application and official transcripts from each college and university attended. Not more than one-half the credit required for a degree may be accepted from a two-year college (except one within the LSU System) unless specifically authorized by the student's dean. Courses taken at the freshman and sophomore levels at two-year colleges (courses at the 100 and 200 level) may not be counted for transfer credit in upper-level courses (any course numbered 300 and above). Information regarding articulation agreements between LSUS and area community colleges is available on the Board of Regents website: www.regents.state.la.us/ under Louisiana Postsecondary Education Statewide Student Transfer Guide and Articulation System. For an explanation of the granting of credit for examination scores, correspondence and extension work, and military service experiences, see “Maximum Use of Credits” under “UNIVERSITY REGULATIONS.” Validation may be required for credits earned more than ten years ago.

Alternate Admission
Applicants who do not meet these requirements may do one of the following:

Admission Exceptions
Students who do not meet the admissions criteria listed above may be considered for a limited number of admission exceptions. The Admissions and Records Office will notify students who qualify for these exceptions.

Early Admission
Superior students may gain admission to the University before graduating from high school, though such admission does not constitute the award of a high school diploma. Early admission requires:

An applicant for early admission must file the required records by July 15 to be considered for the fall term or by December 1 for the spring term.

Readmission of Former Students
Former students who were not registered at LSUS for the preceding regular term must apply for readmission (no application fee is required). A student who has registered at another college or university since enrollment at LSUS must request that those institutions submit official transcripts directly to the LSUS Admissions and Records Office, regardless of whether credit was earned. Failure to submit transcripts by the 14th day of a spring or fall term or the 7th day of a summer term may result in cancellation of registration.

To be eligible for readmission, the student must have earned an overall 2.0 average both at LSUS and at all other colleges and universities. However, the University may readmit on probation a student who was on probation when last attending LSUS.

Educational Enrichment Program
The Educational Enrichment Program (EEP) admits students without requiring records of their previous academic work, provided that the student is at least 25 years of age and that at least three years have elapsed since they were enrolled in a high school, college, or university.

A student in this non-degree program may register for a maximum of nine hours of credit during a fall or spring term, and six during a summer term, and may earn a maximum of 24 hours of credit. The student who wishes to continue after earning credit for 24 hours must submit complete academic records before a decision is made regarding admission to a degree program.

The student enrolled in the Educational Enrichment Program is subject to University regulations as set forth in this catalog.

A student in the Educational Enrichment Program is not enrolled in a degree program and thus is not eligible for Veterans Administration benefits or other forms of financial aid.

Provisional Admission
An applicant who does not have complete admission documents on file at the time of registration may be granted provisional admission pending receipt of complete and satisfactory records. Upon the receipt of all the required records of a provisionally admitted student, the admissibility of the student will be determined, and the registration of a student who does not meet the admission requirements will have his/her registration cancelled. A student admitted provisionally whose required records are not received within 14 days after the first class day for a spring or fall term, or within 7 days for a summer session will have his/her registration cancelled. A student without complete records is not eligible for financial aid or veteran's benefits. No official or unofficial records of a student's enrollment while at LSUS will be released until all records are received. An individual whose registration is canceled may not continue in any class registered for provisionally.

Admission of International Students
A superior international student may apply for admission as a freshman or a transfer student. Freshmen international students must have completed a recognized secondary program comparable to U.S. high school graduation and have academic records comparable to those required to meet the Admissions from Louisiana Secondary Schools requirements. International applicants transferring from institutions in or out of the United States must have completed a recognized secondary program and meet Admissions by Transfer requirements. All foreign credentials must be submitted in English to the Admissions and Records Office and submitted to the American Association of Collegiate Registrars and Admissions Officers for an evaluation. Additional information concerning the evaluation process and the associated fees can be obtained online at http://www.aacrao.org/credential/index.htm. An applicant whose native language is not English must submit an acceptable score (minimum score of 500 on the paper administered test, 173 on the computer-based version) on the Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL), which is administered by the Educational Testing Service in the United States and at many overseas testing centers. A student who wishes to take the test should write directly to TOEFL, Educational Testing Service, Box 6151, Princeton, New Jersey 08541-6151 or visit www.toefl.com. International applicants must indicate the availability of sufficient funds to meet all costs while studying at the University. A complete educational background report is required The application, complete official scholastic records, TOEFL score, and other required documentation must be in the Admissions and Records Office at least 90 days before the beginning of the term in which admission is desired. If complete documents are not on file by this deadline, the application will be considered for the next scheduled registration period. A non-refundable fee of $20 must accompany the application.

Before registering at LSUS, it will be necessary for the student to present to the Vice Chancellor for Student Affairs verification of an adequate health insurance plan to cover hospital, medical, surgical, major medical, and repatriation expense protection or its equivalent. .

First consideration is given applicants who supplement their academic records with scores earned on College Entrance Examination Board tests or other recognized tests and who apply early.

DEVELOPMENTAL EDUCATION PROGRAM

Regardless of the student's admission category, the University may require enrollment in certain developmental courses indicated by test scores and other criteria. Any student may elect to take non-degree-credit courses in English, mathematics, or study skills.

At LSUS, persons in one of the following categories are placed in developmental courses as described below:

  1. Persons who have 17 or less on the English ACT must take English 005.
  2. Persons who have 17 or less on the Mathematics ACT must take Mathematics 007.

A student must take the required developmental courses during the first term enrolled. The student may also enroll in standard (degree credit) courses but must not later drop developmental courses while continuing in any standard course.

A student must continue enrolling in the mandated developmental course until successfully completing it. Meanwhile, the student should not take any standard course for which the academic adviser judges the student as not yet ready.

The faculty adviser records the courses prescribed in the student information system at the end of the advising session for registration.

ACADEMIC EXCELLENCE PROGRAM FOR HIGH SCHOOL STUDENTS

Academically superior high school students who have completed their freshman, sophomore, or junior year may enroll in regular freshman classes at LSUS to experience the intellectual, cultural, and social atmosphere of a university. Students may take up to eight semester hours in a summer term and one course in a fall or spring semester. Upon admission as freshmen, students may use credits earned in this program to satisfy degree requirements.

A completed application must be approved by the high school principal or counselor and submitted along with a high school transcript to the College of Liberal Arts no later than one month prior to the beginning of the semester or summer term. In addition, the applicant must:

Applications and additional information about the program may be obtained from high school principals and counselors or from the College of Liberal Arts at LSUS.


CORRESPONDENCE OR INDEPENDENT STUDY

A student wishing to take correspondence courses or independent study should contact either the Division of Continuing Education and Public Service at LSUS (318-797-5311) or the Office of Independent Study, E 106 Pleasant Hall, Louisiana State University, Baton Rouge, Louisiana 70803 (504 388 3171).

For information about acceptance of credit, see “Credits for Correspondence and Independent Study Courses” under “UNIVERSITY REGULATIONS.”

LOUISIANA RESIDENCE STATUS

The residence status of an applicant or student is determined by the Admissions and Records Office in accordance with LSU System regulations and is based upon evidence provided in the completed application for admission and additional required documents.

Resident students are those who have had their domicile in the state of Louisiana continuously for at least one full year immediately preceding the first day of classes of the semester or term for which residence classification is sought. A "domicile" is the true, fixed, and permanent home at which the individual remains when not called elsewhere for special or temporary purposes, and the place to which the individual returns after an absence. Factors considered in establishing residence classification include the residence of a dependent's parents; tax returns and other financial information, particularly when emancipation is claimed; former domicile in Louisiana; location of the source of the student's income; and the state in which the student is registered to vote.

Persons who are transferred to the state by their employer or regularly do business in Louisiana may be eligible for a waiver of nonresident fees and should contact the Admissions and Records Office for further information.

Students who are members of the armed forces or dependents of members of the armed forces must submit a Verification of Temporary Residence available from the Admissions and Records Office.

An international student on a student visa is classified a nonresident. Residence status is not determined for students who are auditing classes only. Individuals who come to the Shreveport area from out-of-state just to attend the University will be considered nonresidents until demonstrating that their previous domicile has been abandoned and a Louisiana domicile established.

LSUS has available non-resident tuition exemptions for students from out-of-state who meet the criteria. Students do not need to apply for these exemptions. They will be awarded by the Admissions and Records Office on a first come-first served basis. Students will be notified if they are awarded an exemption.



Last Revised February 23, 2006