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.
As stated 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. 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 or superscore of 19, an SAT combined critical reading and math score of 990, or a CLT score of 64 qualify academically for unconditional admission.
Students who do not meet these requirements must be reviewed by the Admissions Committee. Here ACT/SAT/CLT 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, and ACT/SAT/CLT test scores.
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 .
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ACT/SAT/CLT scores and high school transcripts are not required for transfer students who meet the following two requirements:
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Have earned 14 or more hours of credit after high school graduation. Only hours that are acceptable by Harding, including developmental coursework, will be counted.
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And, have enrolled elsewhere for at least two full time semesters (12 or more hours in each semester) or have enrolled elsewhere for at least three semesters.
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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/SAT/CLT 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 a 3.0 high school grade point average or higher on a 4.0 grading scale, have an ACT of 24 or a SAT combined critical reading and math score of 1160 or a CLT score of 76, 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 990 or a CLT score of 64) may be approved for dual enrollment in college courses through the Bison Prep program.
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 a grade of C or higher 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/SAT/CLT score for admission as an undergraduate, or 2) completing an undergraduate degree from another institution within the United States accredited by an agency nationally recognized by the US Department of Education or the Council for Higher Education Accreditation, 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 70 on the TOEFL iBT and 6.0 on the IELTS. 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 score of 70 on the TOEFL iBT or a 6.0 on the IELTS.
In addition, an International ADVANCE Program (IAP) is offered for high proficiency ESL students to receive experience in university-level academic classes and acquire academic credit while continuing to work on their English skills. This is a two-semester program that allows ESL students who are admitted to the University with a score of 61 on the TOEFL iBT or 5.5 on the IELTS to take two or three University classes while receiving language and academic support. See ESL Program and International ADVANCE Program for more information.
Admission Procedures - Undergraduate Programs
The Office of Undergraduate Admissions provides comprehensive assistance to prospective students. Students and parents can call our office at 1-800-477-4407. Enrollment at Harding is limited, so early application is encouraged.
Online Application: The application for admission can be completed on-line at www.harding.edu/admissions/admission-requirements. All supporting documents can be printed or submitted at the website as well.
Admission Fees: A $50 application fee should accompany the Application for Admission. Additionally, a $250 enrollment fee is charged post admittance at the stage of commitment to enroll. These fees apply to all full-time undergraduate application types, including but not limited to: first-time freshman (boarding or non-boarding), transfer students, and international students. The application fee is to be paid online upon submission of the online Application for Admission or by credit card or check if applying in-person. The application fee is nonrefundable and is designed to cover the cost of application processing. The enrollment fee covers all First-Year Experience (FYE) costs and activities. This includes Bison Bound (student orientation), Impact (welcome weekend), and other FYE events and resources. The enrollment fee will be refunded if a student cancels their commitment to enroll on or before May 1 for the fall semester, October 1 for the spring semester, or April 1 for the summer sessions.
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 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/CLT Scores: Entering freshmen must submit either ACT, SAT, or CLT scores as entrance examinations.
The ACT/SAT/CLT examinations 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/SAT/CLT Web sites. Students who wish to apply for scholarships should take the ACT/SAT/CLT 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/SAT/CLT.
Concurrent Enrollment Credit: Concurrent enrollment is defined as enrollment in a course that simultaneously counts as credit at both the high school and college levels. Students who attend a high school that formed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with Harding University are eligible to receive this type of credit from Harding. High school students must request official transcripts be sent from each institution (high school and college) attended.
Dual Enrollment Credit: Dual enrollment occurs when a high school student enrolls in a for-credit course awarded at the college level. Elective credit counted toward the requirements for a high school diploma is awarded at the discretion of each individual high school as recorded on its respective transcript. 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 Studies website.
International Students: International students with English as a second language who have not previously completed an undergraduate degree from an institution within the United States accredited by an agency nationally recognized by the US Department of Education or the Council for Higher Education Accreditation must meet a minimum score on a nationally recognized test of English language proficiency, such as the TOEFL or IELTS. The minimum score acceptable for admission to the university is 79 on the TOEFL iBT (or an equivalent IELTS score). Scores must not be older than two years prior to the date of application to the university. 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 score of 79 on the TOEFL 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.
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