Adult and Professional Studies Admissions

Click on any of the following links for information:

• Steps in Applying for Non-Traditional Programs
• Admission Requirements
  • Program for Adult College Education (PACE)
  • Degree Completion Program (DCP)
  • Admissions Deadline (DCP)
• Admissions Appeal
• GED Applicants
• Admission Status
• International Students
• Readmission of Former Students
• Admission of Non-Degree Seeking Students

Friends University is committed to providing a quality liberal arts education in the context of a Judeo-Christian perspective. Undergraduate students are admitted based on their potential for achieving academic success.

Prospective students who wish to apply to Friends University’s non-traditional programs should complete the following steps

1. For an application write to Adult Admissions or call 316-295-5300 or 1-800-794-6945 ext. 5300.
2. Read the Academic Admissions Standards Policy and the Community Life Standards Policy before starting the application.
3. Complete and sign the application.
4. Official transcripts from the high school or college registrar’s office must be mailed directly to Friends University Admissions Processing from each institution.
5. Submit a non-refundable application fee.

For full admission, students must meet the following admissions requirements:

New Students (0-14 college credits) must provide documentation of either a:

1. High School Diploma with a minimum 2.0 cumulative GPA, or a GED with a composite score of 50 (if earned prior to 1/1/02) or an average score of 450 (if earned after 1/1/02).
2. Students with either a high school diploma or a GED who do not meet the minimum GPA or GED test score requirements may be fully admitted with a minimum ACT score of 17.
3. College transcripts from an regionally accredited college with minimum 2.0 cumulative GPA.

Transfer Students (15 or more college credits) must provide college transcripts from a regionally accredited college with minimum 2.0 cumulative GPA.

Note: Transfer Student Credit:  Credit is transferred with the grade earned in the course at the institution where the course was taken. All grades are calculated for a transfer GPA, including courses that might have been deleted from consideration by an “academic fresh start” at the transferring institution. Students should be aware that credits may be transcripted but not counted toward major or graduation requirements. “D” grades in major courses and certain other courses are not accepted toward graduation.

Students with an Associate Degree must provide college transcripts from a regionally accredited college with minimum 2.0 cumulative GPA.

Applicants who do not meet full admission criteria may appeal to be admitted.

Additional admissions criteria required for entry into major field of study.

1. A signed, completed application and a non-refundable application fee.
2. Official transcripts from all institutions attended, sent directly from the institution to the Admissions Processing office at Friends University. If under 23, also need ACT or SAT.
3. If an incoming freshman (less than 15 college credit hours), a high school GPA of 2.0 or above. If an incoming transfer student (15 or more college credit hours), a cumulative grade point average of 2.0 or above for full admission.

1. A signed, completed application and a non-refundable application fee.  Continuously enrolled PACE students must complete a change of program form in place of application.  No application fee is required.
2. Official transcripts from all institutions attended, sent directly from the institution to the Admissions Processing office at Friends University.
3. Completion of university approved English Composition I and II classes with a C or better. **
   
4. A total of 62 or more earned hours.
5. A cumulative grade point average of 2.0 or above.

Applicants for any degree completion program should refer to the respective section of the Catalog for additional admission criteria.

**The College of Adult and Professional Studies will accept all English Composition courses from regionally accredited colleges and universities in the United States.  Additionally, if a student has completed ENGL 111 Composition (or an equivalent) with a grade of ‘D’ and completed ENGL 112 Researched Composition (or an equivalent) with a grade of ‘C’ or better, ENGL 111 will be waived for admission to the College of Adult and Professional Studies.  ENGL Composition requirements for graduation from Friends University will be considered met for students admitted under these conditions.

Degree Completion Program deadline is two weeks prior to the official program start.

Students who seek admission after the deadline may be accepted under Tentative Admit status.  Such status does not guarantee full access to course materials until Full Admit status is attained.

Persons seeking exceptions to stated University policies regarding admissions policies must first confer with the recruitment professional they are working with to gain input on whether their request for exception is appropriate. The prospective student can, at their discretion, make their request in writing for an admission exception to the College Admissions Exception Committee.  The student will be informed in writing of the decision for the requested exception.

1. Applicants with GED composite scores of 50 or more are to be fully admitted. (ACTGED product of 750 or more)
2. Applicants with GED composite scores between 45 and 50 are to be admitted provisionally. (ACT-GED product 495 to 749)
3. Applicants with GED composite scores below 45 are not to be admitted.
4. Applicants who are 23 years or older do not need to take the ACT.

ACT-GED Product is the ACT composite score multiplied by the GED composite score. An adjusted scale is used for students submitting SAT scores.

Full Admission: Students who have met the stated academic standards.

Provisional Admission: Provisionally admitted students will be referred for appropriate assistance and other academic and student support services. They may be required to enroll in specified courses to assist them in achieving academic success.

Conditional Admission: Students who do not meet the specified academic standards for full or provisional admission will be denied admission to the University. These students may appeal this decision by submitting a letter requesting an exception. Persons seeking exceptions to stated University policies regarding admissions policies must first confer with the recruitment professional they are working with to gain input on whether their request for exception is appropriate. The prospective student can, at their discretion, make their request in writing for an admission exception to the College Admissions Exceptions Committee.  The student will be informed in writing of the decision for the requested exception.

Tentative Admissions: In some circumstances, students who have not submitted all official documents (including an eight-semester high school transcript) may be admitted tentatively. Any financial aid, for which the student is eligible, will not be disbursed until the requirements for admission are completed. If complete and acceptable transcripts have not been received by the Enrollment Services Office no later than four weeks after classes begin, the student will be: 1) administratively withdrawn and 2) obligated for the cost of attendance during this tentative admission as established in the published refund policies.

An international student application may be attained through the Friends University Admissions Office or via the Internet at www.friends.edu. The applicant should airmail or express mail the following to the Friends University Admissions Office:

1. Application for Admission and non-refundable application fee.
2. Completed and signed Declaration of Support along with the most recent bank statement on the applicant’s account. A letter, signed by the applicant’s bank manager on bank letterhead, must also be provided, which specifies the name of the account holder and the current balance. This document should show that the applicant will have sufficient financial support for at least the first year of school. Costs that must be considered include tuition, books, fees, housing, health insurance and living expenses.
3. Official High School Transcripts.
4. Official College or University Transcripts if the applicant has U.S. post-secondary education experience.   If post-secondary experience is non-U.S., student must provide an official transcript evaluation from a NACES accredited service (www.naces.org) and the official transcript from the foreign institution.
5. Official TOEFL or ACT/SAT score.  TOEFL score not necessary if home country has English as official language.

Students transferring from another SEVIS university within the United States must complete items 1-6 above as well as a “Transfer Request Form.” This form is completed by the previous university’s international student advisor. This form verifies that the student has the immigration status necessary to transfer. The transfer process is complete once the student enrolls in class and Friends University registers this enrollment in SEVIS. The student must also sign their new transfer I-20 no later than 15 days within the start of the program.

For a prospective F-1 visa student from outside the United States, there is a requirement of a one time fee to be paid to the United States Department of Homeland Security. This fee must be paid BEFORE applying for an F-1 visa at a United States embassy/consulate and/or before entering the United States. For more detailed information, please visit the Student and Exchange Visitor Program at www.ice.gov/sevis.

All international students must have a high school equivalency cumulative grade point average (CPGA) of 2.0 on a 4-point scale to be admitted.

Native speakers of English from a country in which English is a national language will not be required to submit a TOEFL score.

Non-native speakers of English who have graduated from high school where the language of instruction is English will not be required to submit a TOEFL  score. The Director of Admissions has the right to waive the TOEFL requirement for students presenting a grade of B or better in an introductory composition class from a regionally accredited U.S. college or university.

The following is a list of TOEFL (Internet based) score requirements. Please remember that an acceptable ACT/SAT score can be used to be fully admitted instead of a TOEFL score.

• All other international students will need an Internet-based TOEFL score of 63 to be fully admitted.
• An international student with an Internet based TOEFL score between 62 and 52 will be provisionally admitted.
• An international student with an Internet based TOEFL score between 51 and 39 will be reviewed on an individual basis by the Admissions Committee and the International Student Advisor for consideration for admission. Additional documentation of English proficiency may be requested.
• An international student with an Internetbased TOEFL score below 39 will not be admitted to the University.

Students wishing to take coursework at another institution, while studying at Friends University, may do so on a guest basis. To be a guest student, an international student must maintain at least half-time enrollment with Friends University and must maintain a full course of study. Authorization to be a guest student must be granted through the International Student Advisor.

EFFECTIVE FOR 2012-2013 INTERNATIONAL STUDENT APPLICANTS:  (Cabinet approval 2.12.2012)

An international student application may be attained through the Friends University Admissions Office or via the Internet at www.friends.edu. The applicant should airmail or express mail the following to the Friends University Admissions Office:

1.  Application for Admission and non-refundable application fee.  Timeline for international students: 60/30/15 days

• 60 Days - Application received prior to program start date.
• 30 Days - All admissions supporting documents and deposits received to admit applicant to Friends University prior to program start date
• 15 Days - Applicant arrives and sets a meeting with the International Student Advisor, Designated SEVIS Officer (DSO) prior to program start date.
• International students with an F1 visa who are already in the United States attending another institution may have a shorter timeline for application and documentation, however they need to report to the International Student Advisor (DSO) at least 15 days prior to the program start date.

2.  Financial Documents

• Completed and signed Financial Pledge form.
• Proof of sufficient financial support to cover the first year of school.  Estimated cost of $35,500 includes:  tuition, books, fees, housing, health insurance and personal expenses.
• Deposit of $5000. to be applied towards one year medical insurance, tuition and other deposits/fees.
• The remaining balance of one semester tuition is due prior to enrollment nad must be cleared through Student Account Services before enrolling in classes.

3.  English Proficiency

• Native speakers of English from a country in which English is a national language will not be required to submit a TOEFL score.
• Non-native speakers of English who have graduated from high school where the language of instruction is English will not be required to submit a TOEFL  score. The Director of Admissions has the right to waive the TOEFL requirement for students presenting a grade of B or better in an introductory composition class from a regionally accredited U.S. college or university.
• The following is a list of TOEFL (Internet based) score requirements. Please remember that an acceptable ACT/SAT score can be used to be fully admitted instead of a TOEFL score.
  • All other international students will need an Internet-based TOEFL score of 63 to be fully admitted.
  • An international student with an Internet based TOEFL score between 62 and 52 will be provisionally admitted.
  • An international student with an Internet based TOEFL score between 51 and 39 will be reviewed on an individual basis by the Admissions Committee and the International Student Advisor for consideration for admission. Additional documentation of English proficiency may be requested.
  • An international student with an Internetbased TOEFL score below 39 will not be admitted to the University.

4.  Education Documents

• If secondary or post-secondary experience is non-United States, applicant must provide an official transcript to a NACES accredited service (www.naces.org) for evaluation.  Secondary schools need U.S. equivalency, graduation date and GPA.  Post-Secondary schools need U.S. equivalency, course-by-course evaluation, number of earned credits and CGPA.  The official evaluation from a NACES accredited service must be sent directly to Friends University. 
• If secondary or post-secondary experience is in the United States, an official transcript from the institution must be sent directly to Friends University.
• All international students must have a minimum cumulative grade point average or 2.0 on 4.0 point scale to be admitted.

5.  Government Documents

• SEVIS I-901 fee must be paid BEFORE applying for an F-1 visa at a United States embassy/consulate and/or before entering the United States.  For more detailed information, please visit the Student and Exchange Visitor Program at www.ice.gov/sevis.
• After receipt of the letter of admission from Friends University, international students transferring from another United States school must complete and sign a Transfer Request Form.  This form verifies that the student has the immigration status necessary to transfer.
• Initial F1 Visa international students and transfer students must report to the International Student Advisor (DSO) within 15 days of the program start date.

6.  Health Documents

• Acquire Friends University sponsored health insurance.
• Comply with the Friends University Health and Wellness office prevention and immunization requirements before living in on-campus housing or attending class.

International students wishing to take coursework at another institution, while studying at Friends University, may do so on a guest basis.  To be a guest student, an international student must maintain full-time enrollment with Friends University and must maintain a full course of study.  Authorization to be a guest student must be granted by the International Student Advisor (DSO). 

Students who wish to reactivate their admission after interrupting their enrollment at Friends University for one or more enrollment terms must complete an application form. Any student returning after a two-catalog year absence becomes subject to the Catalog and program requirements in effect at the time of their re-entry.

Prior coursework completed in all majors within the College of Adult and Professional Studies will be reviewed and a determination made by Program Directors or designee for currency.  Additional coursework may be required as deemed by the Program Director. 

Students who have been academically dismissed from another institution will not be considered for admission to Friends University until at least one semester without enrollment at any college has been completed.

Special Status:  Students who are not seeking an undergraduate degree at Friends University, but who wish to continue personal and professional development may be admitted to CAPS degree completion elective courses or general education undergraduate courses.  A maximum of 16 semester hours may be accumulated under this status.

Guest Status:  A guest applicant is limited to 16 hours with the intent purpose of transferring credit back to his/her parent institution.  A letter of good standing from the Registrar of the parent institution is required.

All non-degree seeking admissions classifications are ineligible for financial aid.  Current high school students are not eligible for Special or Guest student status in the College of Adult and Professional Studies at Friends University.  Students should submit the regular admissions application and fees, and meet the course pre-requisites.  No transcript or ACT scores are required.