Admission and Attendance

Washburn University welcomes applications from all interested students. As a public institution, the University recognizes a responsibility to serve a variety of educational needs manifested by its student clientele. Prospective students are always welcome to the campus and are encouraged to visit the campus prior to enrollment. The Office of Admissions, Morgan 114, handles all arrangements during students' campus visitations.

ADMISSION REQUIREMENTS

From and after the 2000 Fall term, the following requirements for admission will apply.

DEGREE CANDIDATES

Students who are graduates of accredited high schools and wish to fulfill the requirements for a degree will be admitted as regular classified students. Admission classification will depend upon the student's academic credentials and admission test (ACT) scores.

  1. An Application for Admission must be completed by all first time students and by former students who were not in attendance during the past Spring semester. An Application for Admission can be obtained from the Admissions Office upon request.
  2. Official high school or GED transcripts are required on all degree seeking applicants and transfer students with fewer than 15 hours of college work completed.
  3. Official transcripts of all previous college work must be submitted prior to enrollment by all degree seeking applicants.
  4. Entering freshmen or students who have not attained sophomore standing are required to submit ACT test scores. These results will be used to determine admission status and by your advisor to select the proper courses of study.
  5. Applications for Admission and transcripts shoulder on file by August 1 to allow enrollments on the regular date of August 21. Applicants for Spring 2003 should have applications and transcripts on file by January 1, 2003 to allow enrollment on January 15-17.
  6. ADMISSION CRITERIA
    Priority Admission
    Students meeting one of the following criteria will be granted admission.
    High School GPA > 3.50 on a 4.00 scale
    OR
    ACT Composite Score > 24
    OR
    ACT Composite Score 21, 22 or 23 and High
    School GPA > 2.60 on 4.00 scale
    OR
    ACT Composite Score 18, 19 or 20 and High
    School GPA > 2.90 on 4.00 scale
    OR
    ACT Composite Score 16 or 17 and High School
    GPA > 3.20 on 4.00 scale
    OR
    Conditional Admission
    Students not meeting one of the above standards will be granted admission together with a prescription for freshman success.
    This prescription may include for example:
    1. Mandatory Multi-Session Per Semester Advising. These three or four per semester sessions will include academic assessment, program and degree planning.
    2. Limit on Number of Semester Hours: 12 semester credit hours per semester during their first year. (Exceptions will be made upon approval by the counselor.)
    3. Compulsory Enrollment in the IS 100 - Student Success, Freshman Seminar - Course.
    4. Menu of Courses Available to Students Specific list of General Education Courses High risk course enrollment limited to SIP sections.
    5. Required participation in study skills, career planning, test taking and other seminars offered by CLASS.
    6. Tutorials required as needed.

Part-Time Students
Students taking less than seven hours per semester are exempt from the above standards up to the point they have accumulated 18 hours of university credit.

ACT or ASSET Score
Prospective students who are more than four years out of high school and who do not have an ACT score may use the ASSET test. This test is administered by the Center for Learning and Student Success.

Home School Students
The completion of the ACT test and receipt of the scores by the University is required for admission. An official transcript is also required and will be evaluated on an individual basis by the Director of Admissions for course content and completion.

Priority Admission for Home School Students:
ACT Composite Score > 24
OR
ACT Composite Score 21, 22 or 23 and GED
Score > 50
OR
Conditional Admission
ACT Composite Score > 20 and GED Score > 45 together with a prescription for freshman success
NOT Admitted: ACT Composite Score < 24 and GED < 45.

Graduates of nonaccredited high schools will be evaluated on an individual basis.

GED Students:
Students who are not graduates of a high school may qualify for admission by taking the GED. The University requires receipt of official GED diploma and official ACT report of scores.

Priority Admission for GED Students
ACT Composite Score > 24
OR
ACT Composite Score 21, 22 or 23 and GED
Score > 50
OR

Conditional Admission
ACT Composite Score > 20 and GED Score > 45 together with a prescription for freshman success

NOT Admitted: GED Score < 45

Transfer Students
The Admission criteria apply to transfer students with less than 24 hours of college work. Transfer students with 24 or more hours of college work must meet the existing university standard for academic good standing.

Transfer students must submit an official transcript from each college previously attended. To be official, transcripts must be sent directly from each school to the Admissions Office at Washburn University. If the student has fewer than 24 college hours and is degree seeking, he/she must also submit ACT scores that are not more than five years old. In addition, students transferring with fewer than 24 hours of college credit must submit an official copy of their high school transcript.

An application, all transcripts, and test scores should be on file in the Office of Admissions at least seven days before the beginning of the term for which admission is desired. Applications received after the above deadline will be considered on a provisional basis. Those students unable to meet the minimum admissions standards due to unusual circumstances may be considered on a case-by-case basis by the Director of Admissions. Transfer students desiring additional information should call 785-231-1030. A cumulative 2.0 G.P.A. (C=2.0) is the minimum required on all transferable course work of transfer students seeking admission to the University. Credits and grades earned in courses which are not acceptable from a transfer school will not be counted in the final grade point average or total hours earned at Washburn.

Washburn will accept college-level courses from other recognized colleges and universities for transfer credit as defined by "Transfer Credit Practices of Designated Educational Institutions," published annually by the American Association of Collegiate Registrars and Admissions Officers. This publication divides schools into four categories and credit is given according to the type of institution as follows: courses taken at AG schools are transferred to Washburn with full credit within the University guidelines; courses taken at AP schools may be transferred to Washburn only after the student involved has completed 15 semester hours of 2.00 or better work at Washburn and if courses are determined to be equivalent to Washburn courses. No credit is given for categories N and NP.

Transfer students who have completed a baccalaureate degree at an accredited institution of higher education are considered to have satisfied general education requirements, and are therefore not required to meet Washburn's specific general education requirements. This includes all aspects of the general education degree requirements, such as EN 300 Junior Composition, PE 198 Lifetime Wellness, the math requirement and the general education distributions.

Transfer students who have completed associates degrees prior to 1995, and who completed at least two hours of physical education as part of their associates degree program, are granted waiver of the PE 198 Lifetime Wellness requirement.

At least 60 hours of the 124 hours required for the baccalaureate degree must be taken at a 4 year college or university.

Provisional Status
Provisional Status for enrollment may be extended to students who have been unable to submit complete credentials by the beginning of the semester for which they have requested admission. Students enrolled in this status must have all credentials on file in the Admissions Office no later than the end of their first semester of enrollment at Washburn. Students whose files are still incomplete at that time or who, upon evaluation of credentials submitted, do not meet minimum admission requirements will not be allowed to enroll for a subsequent enrollment period. In accordance with federal regulations, students on provisional status may not have any federal financial aid disbursed to them until all credentials have been received and evaluated to determine whether they meet satisfactory academic progress requirements.

  1. Academically dismissed former students must submit a Petition for Academic Reinstatement to the Dean of Students if they wish to be considered for enrollment in the fall.
  2. Non-degree seeking individuals or non-credit community auditors are required to submit an application only.

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NEW STUDENT REGISTRATION

New freshmen that have been admitted to Washburn will be able to register for their fall classes on one of the following days: June 12, June 27, or July 11, 2003. This program includes campus tours, programs for students and parents, academic advising, and enrollment. Check-in begins at 1:00 p.m. and the day concludes by 4 p.m.

New transfer students who have been admitted to Washburn will be able to register for their fall classes on one of the following days: June 18 or July 16. Check-in begins at 5:00 p.m. and academic advising and registration for classes should finish by 8:00 p.m.

For further information, contact the Admissions Office, (785) 231-1030 or (800) 332-0291, Morgan Hall 114.

NEW STUDENT ORIENTATION

New students should attend New Student Orientation in August, beginning just prior to the start of fall classes. All admitted students will receive specific information in June. Activities begin on August 12th with residence hall move-in and a campus picnic, and concludes on August 17th before classes begin on the 18th. The Orientation program continues with social activities and educational sessions geared toward helping students make an easy transition to college life at Washburn. For further information, contact the Admissions Office at (785) 231-1030, or (800) 332-0291, in Morgan Hall 114.

PROGRAM ADMISSION

Admission is required in the following programs:

College of Arts & Sciences

Bachelor of Education
Master of Education
Master of Psychology

School of Business

Bachelor of Business Admin.
Master of Business Admin.

School of Applied Studies

Physical Therapist Assistant
Radiation Therapy Technology
Radiologic Technology
Medical Records Technology
Mental Health
Respiratory Therapy

School of Nursing

Bachelor of Science in Nursing

While program admission is required for degree candidacy some courses in these areas may be taken by non-degree candidates with approval of an advisor from the area.

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AUDITING CLASSES

Students who wish to attend classes but do not wish to receive credit may audit classes. Students in this category must have the approval of the instructor at the time they enroll and must pay the same fees as credit students. Audited courses are not assigned grades and students are not required to turn in class assignments or write examinations. Students enrolled in an audited class may not convert to a credit status after the first week of class. Students may not change a class from credit status to audit after the third week of classes.

SPECIAL STUDENTS

Only students who do not intend to become candidates for a degree at Washburn may be permitted to enroll for credit in undergraduate courses as students in special status. Students accepted under this category are required to file a completed application for admission, but need not submit high school and/or previous college transcripts. Special students who desire to become degree candidates must file applications and meet all requirements for regular admission.

65 AND OVER TUITION-FREE AUDIT PROGRAM

Kansas residents 65 years of age and over may audit credit courses at Washburn University without paying University tuition, University fees, or activities fee charges. Being able to audit a course is subject to availability of class space and to the enrollment of a specified minimum number of fee paying students. The costs of materials and/or textbooks are the responsibility of the auditor.

Auditors are not required to prepare homework assignments or take examinations. They may participate in classroom discussion and laboratory and field work. No college credit will be awarded for courses, thus no transcripts will be generated. Auditors are expected to follow University rules and regulations regarding parking, library privileges, and other appropriate university regulations.

Auditors must be at least 65 years old on or before the first day of the semester/term in which the class is taught and need to be prepared to have their birth date verified by showing a driver's license or birth certificate when they register. Registration forms will be processed only after the majority of fee paying students have enrolled which enables the identification of classes that have space available.

Auditors may register through the University Registrar's Office, MO 115. Registration instructions are available in the Class Schedule Bulletin for each semester/term under the title of "65 Years of Age and Over Audit Program".

HIGH SCHOOL SENIORS

Opportunity to accelerate an educational program while in secondary school is given and a student may take courses on campus before graduation. Upon the written authorization of the high school principal or high school counselor, students with a 3.0 average or better may enroll in day or evening classes for which he/she is qualified. The student is limited to a maximum of two courses (6 credits) per semester. A Request to Enroll application may be obtained through the local high school guidance office or the Washburn Admissions Office and should be submitted to the Admissions Office, along with a completed Non-Degree Seeking application, 15 days before enrollment. Students below high school senior standing or not presenting a 3.0 grade point average must also have permission of the departmental chairperson prior to enrollment.

REGISTRATION AND ENROLLMENT

The University does offer the opportunity for advance Tele-registration for the next semester/term to students who are currently enrolled. Please see the Class Schedule Bulletin for each semester/term for advance tele-registration dates, instructions, and regulations.

At the beginning of each semester new students and students who did not advance Tele-register may complete the enrollment process during Enrollment. The time/date at which each student is to report for advising and registration is listed in the Class Schedule. Enrollment is not complete until satisfactory arrangements have been made for the payment of charges and the official statement of charges is cleared with the cashier in the Business Office. During the first week of classes students may enroll or make schedule changes with the consent of their faculty advisors. New enrollments and schedule changes at the beginning of the second through the third week of classes require instructor and faculty advisor signatures. No student may enroll after the third week of semester classes. See specific dates in each semester Class Schedule.

The last day a student may enroll for the summer sessions are specifically stated in the Summer Class Schedule. The dates vary according to the length of the session.

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ATTENDANCE

The value of a college education is enhanced by full participation and attendance in class activities. Because classroom activities are intended to assist the students in the learning experience, it is expected that they will attend class sessions whenever possible. There are certain kinds of class sessions in which it is impossible to carry on the work of the class unless the student is present. For this reason, each member of the faculty has the prerogative of establishing specific attendance regulations which, in the instructor's opinion, are best suited to the course. There is no University wide attendance policy.

An instructor, after due notice to the student, may request withdrawal of the student from a course because of nonattendance. In such cases the grade of F is recorded after the eighth week of a semester or the midpoint of a summer session or short term class.

AUTHORIZED ACADEMIC LOAD

Normally, the maximum number of hours permitted is 20 per semester. Correspondence, extension, and evening courses taken concurrently are counted as a part of the total load. A freshman is limited to 17 credit hours per semester except upon approval by the faculty advisor and the appropriate Dean. Superior Juniors and Seniors, with the approval of their faculty advisor, may petition the Dean to carry 21 or more hours.

For summer sessions, the maximum number of hours permitted concurrently is 9, provided that no more than 6 are taken in the same 5-week or shorter term. Superior students may petition the appropriate Dean for permission to enroll in more hours. Normally the term superior will be construed to mean a cumulative grade point average of at least 3.0.

Students are defined to be full-time in the fall and spring semesters if they are (1) undergraduates enrolled in at least 12 credit hours, (2) graduate students enrolled in at least 9 hours, or (3) law students enrolled in at least 10 hours.

Students are defined to be half-time in the fall and spring semesters if they are not full-time and are (1) undergraduates enrolled in at least 6 hours, (2) graduate students enrolled in at least 5-7 hours, or (3) law students enrolled in at least 5 hours. Students may be granted an exception and receive a scholarship or grant designated to go to full-time students if during their final semester prior to graduation they need less than 12 hours to complete their degree.

During the summer session, any student enrolled in at least 6 hours is considered full-time, while students enrolled in at least 3 but fewer than 6 are considered half-time.

WITHDRAWALS

A student who wishes to withdraw from any course must secure and complete an official Schedule Change Form and present the form to the Office of the University Registrar. The University Registrar's Office will enter the withdrawal into the database, sign the form, and then the student must take the remainder of the form to the Business Office for review of charges. The student will be given a copy documenting these transactions. Withdrawal is not official until this procedure has been completed in both the Registrar and Business Offices.

A student who wishes to withdraw from the University must complete an official Schedule Change Form. A signature may be required from the Financial Aid Office. The University Registrar's Office will enter the withdrawal into the data base, sign the form, and then the student must take the remainder of the form to the Business Office for review of charges. The student will be given a copy documenting these transactions. Withdrawal is not official until this procedure has been completed in both the University Registrar and Business Offices.

Failure to withdraw officially results in the recording of "F" grades. Students should withdraw in person. Only under exceptional circumstances may a student withdraw in writing through the mail or by telephone. Written documentation must follow any telephone contact.

For semester courses a student may withdraw through the second week with no recorded grade. From the third through the eleventh week a "W" is recorded for any dropped course. Beginning with the start of the twelfth week, there are no withdrawals, and a grade will be assigned for the course.

Specific dates for withdrawal in the summer are listed in the Summer Class Schedule. The dates vary according to the length of session. Withdrawal procedures/ regulations are the same as stated above.

Similar date/deadlines for short term courses will be listed in the Class Bulletin according to the respective semester/ term.

For information on medical withdrawals, see Refunds under Student Support Services Page. Complete withdrawals from the University for non-medical reasons follow the same policies and deadlines as course withdrawals.

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