Admission to Athens State University

Admission to any of the undergraduate programs offered by the University is accomplished by completing the appropriate application form, paying any required application fees, and furnishing the required credentials and documentation. Since Athens State University is an upper-division institution, anyone seeking admission must have prior college level credit as documented on official transcripts. More specific requirements for transfer to the University, including requirements under several categories, are detailed in the sections that follow.

Admission to certain programs offered by the Colleges of the University may require submission of additional forms or documentation; see the appropriate College’s section of this catalog for details.

For questions regarding admission, contact the Office of Admissions: (mail) Athens State University Office of Admissions, 300 North Beaty Street, Athens, AL 35611; (phone) 256-233-8130; (email) admissions@athens.edu. Prospective students may also visit the Admissions webpage and apply online at https://www.athens.edu/admissions/. The Office of Admissions is located on the lower-level of the Sandridge Student Center.

Applying for Admission – Degree Seeking

A prospective undergraduate student applying for admission to the University who plans to pursue a degree must complete an admissions application and must meet the requirements in one of the following categories. Regardless of the category of admission, the University reserves the right to determine the applicability of any transfer credit toward the fulfillment of a student’s degree requirements at Athens State University. (See Transfer of Academic Credit for additional details.)

General – Unconditional Admission Requirements

Minimum 36 transferable semester hours prior to term of admission from institutions accredited by an institutional accrediting agency recognized by the U.S. Department of Education; and
Minimum 2.0 cumulative transfer GPA on a 4.0 scale; or received an Associate in Science or Associate in Arts degree from institutions accredited by an institutional accrediting agency recognized by the U.S. Department of Education; and
Eligible to return to previously attended colleges or universities
Submit completed Admissions application and payment of non-refundable application fee; and
Submit official transcript(s) from all previously attended colleges or universities received by Athens State.* Coursework taken from all colleges/universities outside of the United States must be evaluated by a current member of the National Association of Credential Evaluation Services (NACES).

RN-BSN – Unconditional Admission Requirements

Minimum 36 transferable semester hours (may include earned and courses in-progress) prior to term of admission from institutions accredited by an institutional accrediting agency recognized by the U.S. Department of Education; and
Minimum 2.0 cumulative transfer GPA on a 4.0 scale; and
Eligible to return to previously attended colleges or universities; and
Submit current, unencumbered RN License; and
Submit completed Admissions application and payment of non-refundable application fee; and
Submit official transcript(s) from all previously attended colleges or universities received by Athens State.* Coursework taken from all colleges/universities outside of the United States must be evaluated by a current member of the National Association of Credential Evaluation Services (NACES).

General – Conditional Admission Requirements

Minimum 36 transferable semester hours (may include earned and courses in-progress) prior to term of admission from institutions accredited by an institutional accrediting agency recognized by the U.S. Department of Education; and
Minimum 2.0 cumulative transfer GPA on a 4.0 scale; or received an Associate in Science or Associate in Arts degree from institutions accredited by an institutional accrediting agency recognized by the U.S. Department of Education; and
Eligible to return to previously attended colleges or universities; and
Submit completed Admissions application and payment of non-refundable application fee; and
Official or unofficial transcript(s) documenting minimum 26 transferable semester hours (may include earned and courses in-progress) received by Athens State.

Note: A student who is admitted under the conditional admission category will be denied eligibility to enroll in subsequent terms until all regular admissions requirements are met.

Restricted Admission Requirements

A degree-seeking student who does not meet the admission requirements for regular admission (e.g., does not meet minimum GPA, earned hours, general education hours, or is not eligible to return to previously attended college or university) may be granted restricted admission after an individual assessment review by the Director of Admissions. Admissions reviews will only be performed when the following required documents have been submitted.

Submit completed Admissions application and payment of non-refundable application fee; and
Submit a decision appeal letter to the Director of Admissions; and
Submit official transcript(s) from all previously attended colleges or universities received by Athens State; students whose transcripts show courses in-progress will not be reviewed or considered for restricted admission.

Note: Restricted admission students may receive academic restrictions/conditions, may be admitted on academic probation, may be ineligible for financial aid, and/or may be expected to follow a specific plan for academic success. Students who fail to follow the conditions/plan will be denied eligibility to enroll for subsequent terms.

Readmission of Previous Athens State Students Admission Requirements

A degree-seeking student who has previously attended Athens State University, is currently in good standing, and is returning after an absence of two or more semesters (excluding summer term) will be required to:

Complete a Readmission Application and submit electronically to registrar@athens.edu.
If the returning student has attended another college or university during the absence from Athens State University, official transcripts must be provided to the Office of Admissions (admissions@athens.edu).

A student seeking reinstatement to the University after serving an academic suspension of any length must schedule and complete a mandatory counseling session with a success coach from within the Student Success Center. Students will not be allowed to register until the counseling session is complete. Formerly suspended students will be required to:

Complete a Readmission Application and submit electronically to registrar@athens.edu.

If the returning student has attended another college or university during the absence from Athens State University, official transcripts must be provided to the Office of Admissions (admissions@athens.edu).

Military Readmission Policy

Students returning from active military duty may be readmitted per the readmission provisions in the Higher Education Opportunity Act of 2008 (Section 484C of the HEA) and implementing regulations in 34 CFR Section 668.18: A student can be promptly readmitted, providing he or she withdrew to fulfill a U.S. military obligation, was not dishonorably discharged from the uniformed services, and the cumulative length of absence and of all previous absences from undergraduate studies due to military service did not exceed five years. These students will be restored to the educational status they had prior to military duty, without the loss of academic credits earned, scholarships or grants awarded, or tuition and other fees paid prior to the commencement of military duty per Alabama Code S3 31-12-3.

Students are encouraged to submit a Readmission Application and military documentation.

Permanent Resident Students Admission Requirements

In addition to meeting the requirements for one of the above admission categories, a Permanent Resident Student applying for admission as a degree seeking student must provide:

A copy of their Permanent Resident Card

International Students Admission Requirements

F-1 Visa International Student: In addition to meeting the requirements for one of the above admission categories, an F-1 Visa International student applying for admission as a degree seeking student must provide:

Official copies of transcripts from each college/university attended in the United States, and/or an official copy of the course-by-course evaluation performed by an evaluation agency that is a member of NACES for any college credit taken outside of the United States; and
Official documentation of the completion of TOEFL with a minimum score of 500 (pBT), 62 (iBT) or 173 (cBT) if transferring from outside the United States; or Duolingo score of 90; and
Official documentation showing proof of health and life insurance while in the United States; and
A letter from a banking institution verifying financial status; and
Copies of visa, I-94, and current I-20; and
A completed Affidavit of Support form; and
A completed Transfer Clearance form for students that are transferring from another college.
Students must agree to be enrolled in an approved degree-seeking program that can accommodate residency requirements at full-time status each semester.
F-1 students must agree to enroll in twelve hours each semester with on-campus requirements for at least nine hours.
F-1 students are required to meet Academic Standard Requirements (https://www.athensedu.org/pdfs/policies/Operating/Academics/Standards-Academic-Performance.pdf)
F-1 students must meet with their Primary Designated School Official at the beginning of each semester and provide a copy of their class schedule.

Note: All documentation must be received at least 30 days prior to the semester of enrollment.

Non-Resident International Student: An international student who is staying in their home country and taking online courses at Athens State University. In addition to meeting the requirements for any admission categories, student must provide:

Official copies of transcripts from each college/university attended in the United States, and/or an official copy of the course-by-course evaluation performed by an evaluation agency that is a member of NACES for any college credit taken outside of the United States; and
Official documentation of the completion of TOEFL with a minimum score of 500 (pBT), 62 (iBT) or 173 (cBT) if transferring from outside the United States; or Duolingo score of 90.

Applying for Admission – Certificate Seeking

An individual who wishes to pursue completion of one of the undergraduate-level certificate programs offered by Athens State may be admitted as a certificate-seeking student and should limit enrollment to courses required for the certificate, or prerequisites for these courses. Individuals admitted as certificate-seeking students are not eligible for financial aid.

Certificate Seeking Admission Requirements

Submit completed Admissions application and payment of non-refundable application fee; and
May require official transcript(s) from all previously attended colleges or universities.

Applying for Admission – Non-Degree Seeking

An individual who does not intend to pursue one of the degree or certificate programs offered by the University may be admitted as a non-degree seeking student to pursue a limited goal. An individual applying as a non-degree seeking student must complete an admissions application, and may be required to submit official transcripts depending on the goal type (see below). All attempted coursework is recorded on the Athens State transcript and earned credits may be transferable. Some non-degree seeking student types are eligible for financial aid (see below).

Note: Any student wishing to change from non-degree seeking to degree- or certificate-seeking must fill out a new application and must meet the admission requirements as specified in the previous sections.

Provisional Certificate in a Teaching Field Admission Requirements

(Currently Employed Teachers only, formerly Alternative Baccalaureate-level Certificate “ABC”)

Employed teachers seeking admission to complete coursework needed to meet requirements for the provisional certificate in a teaching field issued by the Alabama State Department of Education must provide documentation of employment and teaching subject to permit course registration. Financial aid may be available to eligible students that are admitted under this category.

Submit completed Admissions application and payment of non-refundable application fee; and

Submit official documentation form Alabama State Department of Education and/or school where employed specifying provisional eligibility and teaching subject being pursued.

Level 3 Certification – “Master’s Equivalent Technical Education 3” Admission Requirements

(Currently Employed Vocational/Technical Teachers only)

Employed technical education teachers seeking admission to complete coursework needed to meet requirements for the Master’s Equivalent Technical Education 3 Certificate are not eligible for financial aid.

Submit completed Admissions application and payment of non-refundable application fee; and

Supporting documentation from Alabama State Department of Education specifying required courses.

Teacher Certification Development Admission Requirements

(Persons who have a current teaching certification but need additional coursework to develop or maintain certification)

Individuals seeking admission to complete coursework needed to maintain or develop a current teaching certification are not eligible for financial aid. Official transcripts are required to ensure coursework is not repeated.

Submit completed Admissions application and payment of non-refundable application fee; and
Supporting documentation or a written statement specifying required courses; and

Official transcript(s) from all previously attended colleges or universities received by Athens State.

Recertification Admission Requirements

(Persons who have an expired teaching certification and need coursework for teaching recertification)

Individuals seeking admission to complete coursework needed to fulfill teacher recertification for renewal of an expired certification may be eligible for financial aid. Official transcripts are required to ensure coursework is not repeated.

Submit completed Admissions application and payment of non-refundable application fee; and
Documentation of expired teaching certification and supporting documentation or a written statement specifying required courses; and
Official transcript(s) from all previously attended colleges or universities received by Athens State.

Personal Enrichment/Professional Enhancement Admission Requirements

A person who wishes to attend Athens State University for personal enrichment or professional enhancement will generally be limited to 6 semester hours per term. A person wishing to take course(s) for personal enrichment or professional enhancement must either show completion of any required prerequisites on official transcripts or receive approval to enroll in the course(s) from the College with oversight for the course(s). Students admitted for personal enrichment/professional enhancement are not eligible for financial aid.

Submit completed Admissions application and payment of non-refundable application fee.

Transient/Visiting Student from Another Institution Admission Requirements

A student seeking a degree and in good standing at another college or university can take courses at Athens State for one semester as a transient student.

Complete a Transient Student Authorization form available through the Office of Admissions webpage.
Submit an official transient letter, form, and/or official transcripts from the appropriate representative at the home institution:
- Documenting the student is in good standing at the home institution;
- Indicating the semester of attendance and specific course(s) to be taken at Athens State; and
- Verifying the student has appropriate prerequisites for the Athens State course(s), and/or confirming that the student accepts responsibility for the outcome if prerequisites cannot be verified.

Note: Financial Aid Recipients
Federal Regulations prohibit federal aid from being paid to a student at more than one school for the same period of time. However, Financial Aid funds paid at Athens State may reflect total hours enrolled at two institutions via a Financial Aid Consortium Agreement. The Financial Aid Consortium Agreement form can be found on the Financial Aid forms webpage: https://www.athens.edu/admissions/financial-aid/forms/.

Not all institutions participate in consortium agreements. A consortium agreement does not make payment to other institutions on the student’s behalf, but does allow financial aid to be calculated and paid to the student based on total hours of enrollment for all participating institutions in the agreement.

The Athens State student should contact the Athens State Office of Student Financial Aid for additional information on the Consortium Agreement process (256-233-8122, or email finaid@athens.edu).

Transient students are responsible for submitting a request for official transcripts to be sent directly to the home institution upon completion of the course(s) at Athens State (subject to the transcript requirements of the home institution).

An F-1 international student who wishes to attend Athens State as a transient student must also have a transfer clearance sheet from the current international student advisor.