Radford University
Undergraduate Catalog
for 1999-2000
ADMISSIONS
It is the policy of Radford University to admit students whose ability, preparation and character indicate potential for success in the programs of study offered. Radford University does not discriminate with regard to race, color, sex, sexual preference, disability, age, veteran status, national origin, religion or political affiliation in the administration of its educational programs, activities, admission or employment practices.
Admission to Radford is selective and based on a review of each applicant's
academic qualifications. Applicants are encouraged to apply well in advance
of the term in which they wish to attend.
The university selects those students who present the strongest qualifications
in scholastic achievement, aptitude for achievement in the professional
or specific field of study for which the applicant seeks training, and performance
in extracurricular activities. Character and potential to contribute to
the university community are important criteria as well.
(For more information, follow the link above to the
Admissions Office Home Page.)
Admission of Freshmen
Specifically, students are selected on the basis of: (a) their high
school records (course of study, grade average and rank in class); (b) Scholastic
Assessment Test I (SATI) results of the College Entrance Examination Board
or American College Testing (ACT) results, (c) an optional student essay,
and (d) evidence of interest and motivation as supplied through related
criteria.
Students will be considered for admission when they have completed 21 units
of high school work. It is recommended that these units include: four units
of English; three in college preparatory mathematics; two in laboratory
science, two in a foreign language; and two in social studies, including
American history. Virginia residents are encouraged to complete the Advanced
Studies Diploma. It is strongly recommended that prenursing students complete
units in both biology and chemistry.
Students who, for reasons beyond their control, have not graduated from
an accredited high school may be considered for admission provided they
pass the High School Equivalency Test administered by the State Board of
Education or the General Education Development Certificate (GED). Additional
material may be requested by the Admissions Office.
Students of very unusual academic ability may be considered for admission
before they have completed the full program of high school studies. Such
students must have completed their junior year and must have a B average
or above. They must take the Scholastic Assessment Test I given by the College
Entrance Examination Board or the American College Testing (ACT) and present
documents from their high school and parents supporting early admission.
Students may receive credit for college courses taken to meet high school
requirements. These credits may be applied toward a Radford University degree
program. An official college transcript must be provided in order for credit
to be awarded.
College Board Test
The Scholastic Assessment Test I (SATI) given by the College Entrance
Examination Board or the American College Testing Program (ACT) test is
required of all freshman applicants for admission to Radford. This test
should be taken in the spring of the junior year in high school and not
later than December of the senior year.
Students who score 670 or higher on the verbal section of the Scholastic
Assessment Test I (SATI) will be exempt from ENGL101, Introduction to Expository
Writing. They will receive three hours of credit for this course and will
begin general education coursework in the "Communication" area
(see General Education Program requirements)
with ENGL 102, Reading, Writing, and Research Skills.
An information bulletin may be obtained from the high school guidance counselor
or by writing to the College Entrance Examination Board, Box 592, Princeton,
NJ 08540 or Box 1025, Berkeley, CA 04701. The web site for College Board
is www.collegeboard.org.
Application for Admission
A student desiring to enter Radford University should request an application
from the Office of Admissions,
Radford University, Radford, VA 24142, or apply
online. Students will be notified of action taken on their application
after it is complete. A complete application includes:
- An official application completed and returned with a non-refundable application fee.
- An official transcript of high school work completed.
- Official results of Scholastic Assessment Test I or American College Testing Program.
Students who are offered admission as residence hall students must submit
a resident contract and a room reservation deposit. This deposit will be
credited toward the university expenses for students who enroll or may be
refunded if requested in writing before May 1.
Students who are offered admission as commuter students must submit an off-campus
student contract.
Students desiring to live on campus may indicate a roommate preference. Except for individuals meeting specific conditions (see below), new freshmen must live on campus.
All students must submit complete medical history forms to the Health Services Center before enrolling.
INTERNATIONAL BACCALAUREATE POLICY
Radford University recognizes the advanced level of academic preparation
demonstrated by the International Baccalaureate. Students entering Radford
University with an IBCertificate will be awarded 6-8 semester hours of credit
for each course completed at the Higher Level with a score of four through
seven. Students who complete the IBDiploma may receive up to 30 semester
hours of credit and be considered to have attained sophomore standing.Credits
granted for individual IBcourses or completion of the IBDiploma are shown
as transfer hours on the official Radford University transcript and are
included in the hours completed toward a degree.
ADVANCED PLACEMENT AND COLLEGE LEVEL EXAM PROGRAM
Radford uses the College Level Examination Program (CLEP) subject exams
and College Board Advanced Placement Tests to award graduation credits.
The Advanced Placement Tests are given in May of the student's junior or
senior year in high school.
Radford University will allow credit for scores on the CLEP subject examinations
and Advanced Placement Tests. (See link above to chart.)
INTERVIEWS
While interviews are recommended, they are not generally required to
evaluate a student's qualifications for admission. Students planning to
visit the campus are encouraged to write or phone for an appointment from
8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday. During the fall and spring semesters,
the Admissions Office is open on selected Saturdays from 9 a.m.-noon, but
interested students should call in advance for an appointment (800) 890-4265,
(540) 831-5371, (540) 831-5128 V/TDD). Campus tours usually are available
throughout the academic year at 10 a.m., noon and 2 p.m. Monday through
Friday and 10 a.m., 11 a.m. and noon on Saturday. The office is closed on
Saturday during the summer months.
RETENTION AND GRADUATION RATES
Of the full-time bachelor's degree-seeking students who enrolled at
the university in the fall of 1997, 74.4 percent returned for fall 1998.
The six-year graduation rate for the 1992 entering class was 58 percent.
The most current information is available at the Office of Admissions.
APPLICATION OF SPECIAL STUDENTS
Students meeting one of the following conditions will be considered
special students and must be granted approval through the Office of Admissions.
Most special students must submit an application form with a nonrefundable
fee.
Rising High School Senior: A high school student with a "B" average or above and who has taken the Scholastic Assessment Test I may be admitted following the completion of the junior year to take courses if the student has the prerequisite requirements. These courses may be applied toward a Radford University program upon graduation from high school.
Special Non-Degree: A student who wishes to register for undergraduate courses must be granted approval through the Admissions Office. An undergraduate Special Non-Degree Student application form must be submitted. In some cases, students may be required to provide transcripts before permission to register for classes is granted. Enrollment is for one semester only, and permission is needed for each additional semester of enrollment. Students desiring to switch to a degree-candidacy status are cautioned that hours earned while in the special non-degree student status may or may not apply to a degree program, depending on the degree requirements. For additional information, contact the Program Coordinator at (540) 831-5371.
International Students: For information about application procedures
and other policies relating to international students, see International
Student Information.
TRANSFER STUDENTS
Students wishing to transfer to Radford University from an accredited
college or university should send an application form and the nonrefundable
application fee to the Admissions Office. Transcripts from all previous
colleges attended must be sent whether or not transfer credit was earned.
Concealment of previous attendance at a college or university is justification
for cancellation of admission. If the student has been out of school for
any extended period of time, other than for school breaks, a letter of activities
must be submitted with the application.
A transfer student must have at least an overall 2.0 (on a 4.0 scale) grade
point average on all work attempted to be considered for admission. Credits
earned with a grade lower than "C" will not transfer to Radford.
Radford University does not give transfer credit for education courses completed
at two-year colleges. A minimum of 25 percent of the semester hours required
for a degree must be taken at Radford University. In addition, 50 percent
of the semester hours required for a major must be taken at Radford University.
As a minimum, 120 semester hours are required for graduation.
Students wishing to transfer into the Nursing Program must indicate this
major preference on the application for admission. To be considered for
upper division nursing, transfer students must also submit a nursing application
to the School of Nursing before Dec. 15.
Second Bachelor Degree Student
A student who holds a baccalaureate degree from a U.S. institution and
who wishes to take undergraduate work toward a second baccalaureate degree
in another major must have official transcripts of work completed from all
colleges attended sent to the Admissions Office.
Second bachelor's degree students must complete all requirements for
the second degree. A minimum of 25 percent of the semester hours required
for the second degree must be taken at Radford University.These hours must
be beyond the minimum number of hours required for the first degree.
State Policy on Transfer
To encourage the transfer of students from the Virginia Community College
system to Radford University, the State Policy on Transfer has been embraced
by Radford University effective Fall 1993. Students admitted to Radford
who have earned an Associate Degree from a Virginia community college based
on a baccalaureate-oriented sequence of courses, will be considered to have
satisfied Radford's general education requirements. The transfer degrees
accepted as satisfying General Education at Radford University are the Associate
of Arts, Associate of Science, and the Associate of Arts and Science.
Transfer credit evaluations are performed by the Registrar's Office.Questions concerning transfer credit may be directed to this office.
Community college students completing the TRANSFER MODULE will receive
credit toward completion of Radford's general education requirements. No
courses with grades of "D" will transfer to Radford University.
Refer to the Radford University Transfer Guide (copies available
from the Office of Admissions)
for more detailed information concerning the State Policy on Transfer.
Disciplinary or Criminal Offenses
Undergraduate, graduate and students seeking readmission who have disciplinary
problems at their previous institution or who have a criminal record will
be reviewed by the Special Admission Committee.
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