2002-2003 Undergraduate Catalog
Indiana, Pennsylvania 15705
Graduates of an accredited four-year high school or holders of a GED equivalency diploma are qualified to apply for admission to IUP. Students who have completed the junior year of high school may file an application any time after July 1.
Requests for applications and catalogs should be addressed to
Office
of Admissions
Indiana
University of Pennsylvania
Sutton
Hall, Suite 117
1011
South Drive
Indiana,
PA 15705
1-800-442-6830
or 724-357-2230
The Admissions Committee, giving equal opportunity to all students, will take the following criteria into consideration when reviewing each application: grades and courses taken, class rank, SAT or ACT scores, high school counselor recommendations, faculty recommendations, extracurricular activities, and other pertinent information that would be helpful to the Admissions Committee in making decisions. SAT or ACT scores are not required for transfers, veterans, applicants who have graduated from high school more than two years before applying, or applicants to the Punxsutawney or Armstrong campuses. However, transcripts from high school and colleges previously attended are required of all applicants.
Although the university does not require a specific number of high school credits in particular subject areas, applicants are strongly urged to take the usual college preparatory program in high school. Applicants should also take any available high school courses in the field of their intended major. Certain majors at IUP require completion of a foreign language at the intermediate level in order to earn a bachelor’s degree. The Admissions Committee does not require an applicant to take a foreign language in high school for admission to these majors; however, it is in the student’s best interest to do so.
Applications are considered by the Admissions Committee on a rolling basis. Under a rolling admissions policy, applications are reviewed as they become complete. Decisions can range from automatic acceptance, to request for additional information, to other alternatives, with a May 1 deadline for tuition deposits.
Early Consideration for Freshmen. Early consideration for Fall entrance will be given to a limited number of freshman candidates who meet prescribed levels of achievement in high school and have submitted junior College Board results of a prescribed level. Applicants desiring early consideration must have a completed application and all transcripts in the Admissions Office by November 15. Early consideration applicants will generally be notified within approximately two weeks of receipt of the application, beginning each October 1.
Academically qualified applicants to the departments of Art, Music, and Theater will be admitted to the university by the Admissions Committee. However, admission to the requested major will be subject to the acceptance by the Department of Art after a portfolio review and by the departments of Music and Theater after an audition. Students will receive information from the Art, Music, and Theater departments concerning auditions and portfolio reviews once they have been accepted to IUP.
Applications for admission will be available after July 1 following the student’s junior year of high school.
All persons expecting to apply for freshman admission to IUP should plan to take the SAT or ACT test during their junior and/or early part of their senior year. The Admissions Committee recommends that students take the tests more than once. The committee considers the highest scores from all tests taken.
Arrangements to take the SAT or ACT tests can be made through the high school principal or counselor, or by writing to the College Entrance Examination Board, Box 592, Princeton, NJ 08540 or American College Testing, P.O. Box 168, Iowa City, IA, 52243 for an information pamphlet and a test registration form.
In order for the test scores to be received by IUP, the applicant should designate IUP on the test registration form (code: 2652) as one of the universities to receive the scores, or the applicant can request that his or her school counselor forward test scores to the Admissions Office.
The applicant should give the completed application form and the nonrefundable $30 application fee payable to IUP to his/her high school counselor or principal. The counselor or principal should mail the application and complete packet of admissions materials to the IUP Office of Admissions, Sutton Hall, Suite 117, 1011 South Drive, Indiana, PA 15705.
The Early Admissions Program permits students to enroll as college freshmen after completing the junior year in high school. Early admission applications must originate with the student’s high school counselor and principal. Admission consideration will be given to those applications which contain a statement indicating explicit approval by the high school principal. Applicants are considered on an individual basis with a minimum requirement of 1100 SAT or 24 ACT and top 10 percent high school rank and/or minimum 3.5 cumulative high school GPA. The university Admissions Committee will exercise the final judgment as to university acceptance after two personal interviews with the applicant. Early admission candidates are required to arrange for two separate interviews with Admissions Committee members as part of the application process.
1) The Admissions Committee reviews, with care and understanding, each of the several thousand applications that are submitted each year.
2) Decisions on applications are made on a rolling basis.
3) Applicants who are admitted to IUP may be invited to attend a program on campus to receive general information and discuss their academic and career plans with the college dean, faculty representative of their respective major, or other advisors.
4) A $75 nonrefundable tuition deposit is due from all incoming students. This advance deposit payment will be credited toward the applicant’s tuition.
A student who has been attending another institution of higher education and wishes to transfer to IUP must submit an application with the $30 application fee, official transcripts of all postsecondary educational work, and an official high school transcript.
All admissions decisions are made on a rolling basis by the Admissions Committee. Under a rolling admissions policy, applications are reviewed as they become complete. Decisions can range from automatic acceptance, to request for additional information, to other alternatives.
Transfer applications (twelve or more postsecondary, college credits attempted) are reviewed on the basis of college coursework completed. Transfers are required to have at least a cumulative 2.0 GPA on a 4.0 scale (C average) from all schools previously attended for admission to most programs. The teacher certification program requires a minimum 3.0 cumulative GPA from all schools previously attended.
The evaluation of credits from other institutions of higher education is the responsibility of the Office of Admissions and the academic college dean who has jurisdiction over the student’s desired major. Normally, courses considered for transfer are only those taken from institutions which are accredited by the six regional accrediting agencies. Each course is evaluated separately. The evaluation includes a review of the description, semester hours, and grade of each course along with the applicability of the course to the student’s major at IUP. However, only credits transfer, not grade-point average. It has been the policy of the university that only courses with a “C” or higher grade will be accepted, except for two-year associate degree graduates of state-supported community colleges in Pennsylvania. No matter how many credits are transferable, the student must satisfy all of the degree requirements falling into the categories of (1) university requirements, (2) college requirements, and (3) department requirements.
University requirements: Since all students are obliged to fulfill a basic program in Liberal Studies consisting of 53-58 semester credit hours and there is a reasonable degree of flexibility in the Liberal Studies requirements, the transfer evaluator and the college deans will look to this area first for applicable credits for transfer. Most introductory courses are generally equivalent.
Transferring to the College of Education
and Educational Technology
Students who
transfer from other colleges and universities to IUP and the College of
Education and Educational Technology must complete application for Step 1 of
the 3-Step Process, Admission to Teacher Education Program. The appropriate
forms will be sent to students by the College of Education and Educational
Technology after they have been accepted.
Only students who have completed Step 1 of the 3-Step Process are eligible to take Core Education coursework. In some programs, students must meet these requirements to take professional courses as well. Students should consult with the department chairperson and/or program coordinator for their specific program.
Students who do not meet the cumulative GPA of 3.0 are not eligible for admission to the College of Education and Educational Technology. Students should reapply for admission when deficiencies have been met.
Students should direct questions to the department chairperson and/or program coordinator for the selected major.
The university requires that at least 45 semester hours, generally including the last 30 semester hours in a student’s curriculum, must be earned by enrollment in courses at IUP; 15 of these semester hours must be in the student’s major. It should also be noted that for community college graduates a maximum of 60 credit hours are transferable to this institution for the purpose of fulfilling a specific program of study. Excess semester hours, if any, may be transferred but cannot be used for fulfilling the minimum requirements for the degree.
To remain in good academic standing, transfer students must meet the same GPA requirements as those specified for all other undergraduate students. See section entitled “Criteria Governing Continuance at IUP.”
The university accepts semester hours associated with “D” grades only when they are part of a completed associate degree earned at a publicly owned community college in Pennsylvania. These “D” grades will be treated in the same manner as those earned at IUP. This articulation policy was adopted by the Board of State College and University Directors in 1973.
Part-time undergraduate study is available through the School of Continuing Education to any high school graduate or holder of a GED Equivalency Diploma. No SAT scores are required. Note: A TOEFL Score is required as part of the application for an individual whose native language is other than English. Those who are not U.S. citizens must submit a notarized copy of their current visa and I-94 card or alien resident card.
Applications are available from the Part-time Studies Program and must be submitted with documentation directly to the School of Continuing Education by August 15 for the fall semester and December 15 for the spring semester. A $30 application fee is required. Applications submitted after established dates are not guaranteed consideration.
Transfer students may also apply to the School of Continuing Education for part-time study and must submit official transcripts for all previous college work attempted. An overall 2.0 GPA is required.
A student in the Part-time Studies Program is limited to a semester enrollment of no more than 11 semester hours and must apply for formal admission to a degree program before 30 IUP semester hours have been earned. Applications for degree candidacy must be filed by the midterm point of the fall or spring semester preceding candidacy. Specific requirements for GPA and IUP credit vary by degree program. The minimum credit criteria to apply for consideration for degree candidacy are as follows:
|
High School Diploma or GED |
15 IUP semester hours |
2.0 GPA |
|
|
|
|
|
Veteran (DD-214 required) |
9 IUP semester hours |
2.0 GPA |
|
|
|
|
|
Transfer (with 12 or more semester hours) |
9 IUP semester hours |
2.0 GPA |
|
|
|
|
|
Transfer (with 11 or less semester hours) |
15 IUP semester hours |
2.0 GPA |
Note: A student who has applied and has been admitted by the Office of Admissions to a branch campus is not eligible to apply to the School of Continuing Education.
Program for Visiting High School Students
IUP permits the
exceptional high school student to preview university life and earn regular
college credit on a limited nondegree basis. The student must have completed
the sophomore year with a minimum of a “B” average and have the written support
of the high school principal or guidance counselor. The parameters of the
student’s enrollment are defined in consultation with the appropriate high
school official and are limited to a maximum of 9 semester hours per semester.
For further information, contact the School of Continuing Education.
The Post-Baccalaureate Studies Program provides access to undergraduate courses to individuals who have an earned baccalaureate degree. Students may be seeking a second bachelor’s degree, an additional teacher certification, or personal enrichment. Students may enroll on a full- or part-time basis based on personal preference and availability of coursework.
Applications are available from the School of Continuing Education. A completed application and official transcripts of all previous undergraduate coursework must be submitted for review by August 15 for fall semester and December 15 for spring semester. Applications not submitted by established dates are not guaranteed consideration. A $30 application fee is required. The fee is waived for graduates of IUP.
Second Baccalaureate Degree
A student with an
earned baccalaureate degree who wishes to complete the requirements for a
second or subsequent bachelor’s degree must make application and submit
official transcripts indicating degree(s) awarded. The student must complete a
minimum of thirty additional IUP credits beyond those earned in his/her initial
bachelor’s degree and meet the requirements for graduation established by the
academic department and college in which the new degree is to be earned. It is
not possible to receive two or more baccalaureate degrees simultaneously.
However, a student may complete one or more secondary majors while earning the
primary degree.
Teacher Certifiation
A student with an
earned nonteaching baccalaureate degree who wishes to complete the requirements
for Instructional Level I certification must
apply as a second bachelor’s degree student. A minimum cumulative GPA of 3.0 is
required for consideration for admission. To earn Instructional Level I, the
student must satisfactorily complete the prescribed courses in an IUP degree
certification program at a minimum cumulative GPA of 3.0 and successfully pass
the PRAXIS I exams (PPST) with a minimum score established by the Pennsylvania
Department of Education. Each exam may only be taken twice.
A currently Pennsylvania-certified teacher who wishes to add a new area of certification may apply to the School of Continuing Education under the category teacher certification. Individuals admitted to an additional teacher certification will follow an individually planned and approved course of study.
Students are required to complete a Student Health Form documenting immunization status. See Health Services information in section “Student Programs and Services.
Graduate students wishing to return to the university must contact the Graduate School at 724-357-2222 for specific instructions. School of Continuing Education students should contact the School of Continuing Education at 724-357-2292.
All other undergraduate students who have withdrawn from the university, or were not enrolled during the previous regular semester, must complete an Application for Readmission available in the Office of the Registrar, Clark Hall, or by calling 724-357-2377. During evening or weekend hours, you may call this same number and leave your name and address and a form will be promptly mailed to you. The readmission deadline for the spring semester is December 1 and for the fall semester is July 20.
Requests for readmission for academically dismissed students or first-semester and transfer students who withdraw from the university voluntarily during their first semester of full-time enrollment will be forwarded to the Office of the Dean of the college in which the student was enrolled at the time of dismissal or of total university withdrawal for a decision on the student’s readmission.
All outstanding financial obligations to the university must be met before the Application for Readmission will be processed. Due to enrollment restrictions, requests for readmission to Nursing or the College of Fine Arts will be forwarded for approval by a representative from that department or college.
Readmitted students who have not been enrolled for two years or more may petition their college dean for application of the Canceled Semester Policy. Students who have not been enrolled for more than five years may petition their college dean to return under the Fresh Start Policy. Students must pay fees and attend classes before a designated semester will be canceled or the fresh start policy will take effect.
Once your application for readmission has been approved, you will be sent instructions on how and when to register.
As a student readmitted to IUP, you are encouraged to complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) to determine your financial aid eligibility. Your financial aid eligibility will be based on your financial need, as determined by the FAFSA, and on your prior academic record.
If you have previously attended a postsecondary school or schools other than IUP, a Financial Aid Transcript must be completed by this previous school and sent to the IUP Financial Aid Office.
The summer school program at IUP is designed to meet the needs of many students. Courses, workshops, and seminars are offered in the liberal arts, teacher education, and other fields of study.
Continuing university students, including newly admitted freshmen, who wish to accelerate their program of studies will find both Liberal Studies and special courses in all fields of study. Students from other colleges and universities may take courses at IUP; however, they are advised to first ensure that their home institution will transfer such credits earned at IUP.
Teachers-in-service will find courses in the summer program to serve a variety of needs. They may enroll to qualify for permanent certification, take refresher courses in their field of specialization, or take courses for the purpose of extending their certification to a new field.
The summer school program at IUP is designed to meet the needs of many students. Courses, workshops, and seminars are offered in the liberal arts, teacher education, and other fields of study.
Continuing university students, including newly admitted freshmen, who wish to accelerate their program of studies will find both Liberal Studies and special courses in all fields of study. Students from other colleges and universities may take courses at IUP; however, they are advised to first ensure that their home institution will transfer such credits earned at IUP.
Teachers-in-service will find courses in the summer program to serve a variety of needs. They may enroll to qualify for permanent certification, take refresher courses in their field of specialization, or take courses for the purpose of extending their certification to a new field.
The Summer Sessions Schedule can be viewed at the website www.iup.edu/summer. Contact the Scheduling Center, Clark Hall (toll-free number: 888-800-3190), for more information.
Attendance at summer sessions undergraduate school is open to all students but does not constitute admission or readmission for continuing registration in the fall and/or spring semesters. IUP students with less than a 2.0 cumulative GPA must receive approval from their dean’s office before attending summer courses. Non-IUP students who desire admission must obtain an application through the Office of Admissions or the School of Continuing Education, as appropriate. Students who desire readmission for the fall semester must apply to the Registrar’s Office by the preceding July 20 and by December 1 for the spring semester.
The American Language Institute (ALI) offers several noncredit, intensive English programs for international students and visitors from beginning through advanced levels each semester.
The English for Academic Purposes Program (EAP) is for applicants seeking to prepare themselves for study at any U.S. college or university. Enrollment in fall and spring semester is for fourteen weeks (20 hrs per week). Midsemester admission is possible with the approval of the director. In summer semester, programs are offered for ten weeks. Students are placed at beginner, intermediate, or advanced levels by proficiency tests at the start of each program. An institutional TOEFL is administered at the conclusion of each semester.
The ALI also offers two less intensive programs: English for Specific Purposes (ESP) for graduate students entering specialized fields and English for Visitors (EV) for visiting professionals who seek improvement in English while experiencing life in the U.S. Special part-time credit programs can be arranged.
Cocurricular social and cultural programs are offered to all students.
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