Apr 19, 2024  
2014-2015 Undergraduate Catalog 
    
2014-2015 Undergraduate Catalog [ARCHIVED CATALOG]

Admissions



Applying as a First Time Freshman

Requirements for admission to Shaw University are established by the faculty and reviewed by the administration, with minimum standards subject to the approval of the Board of Trustees or its Executive Committee.

For first time freshmen, the minimum standards are a high school diploma with at least a 2.0 grade point average or a General Education Development (GED) certificate. The following distribution of high school units are required for a student with a high school diploma:

English 4 units
Mathematics 2 units
Natural Sciences 2 units
Social Science 2 units
Electives 9 units

Home Schooled Students

Home schooled students may be admitted to Shaw University if they attended a home school authorized and supervised under a state agency. They must submit a Shaw University Admissions Application, a nonrefundable application fee of $25 by check or money order, proof of immunization, proof of residency, SAT or ACT scores, Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA), official copy of home school transcript, from all institutions attended after high school (transfer student only), recommendation forms and background report.

All applicants who seek admission to the Shaw University undergraduate programs must submit a Shaw University Admissions Application, a nonrefundable application fee of $25 by check or money order, proof of immunization, proof of residency. SAT or ACT scores, Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA), official copy of high school transcript or GED certificate, official copies of transcripts from all institutions attended after high school (transfer student only), recommendation forms and criminal history report.

The University administration and faculty, who have jurisdiction over the admissions process, require that the Office of Admissions consider such factors as an applicant’s grades or GED test scores, class rank, standardized test scores, pattern of courses completed, educational objectives, school and personal recommendations, record of past conduct, or personal records when making its admissions decisions. Shaw University prefers that all entering freshman complete the SAT or ACT and have the official results submitted to the Office of Admissions.

The required forms can be obtained from our website at www.shawuniversity.edu/admissions or by writing to the Office of Admissions, Shaw University, 118 East South Street, Raleigh, NC 27601. Admissions materials should be sent to the same address. Admission to the University is contingent upon verification of the applicant’s graduation from high school and receipt of transcripts showing the applicant’s satisfactory performance in any courses completed after applying for admission. Submission of false, distorted, or incomplete statements on or with the admissions application or submission of fraudulent residence affidavits may result in denial of classes, loss of tuition and fees paid exclusion or dismissal, and/or loss of future registration privileges.

Each year Shaw University admits a limited number of students who may not fully meet the institution’s regular admissions criteria but whose overall profile suggests academic promise. This profile must be evidenced by academic potential, community service, good citizenship, and character.

Additionally, Shaw University strongly encourages ALL applicants to complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA). This application is separate from the Admissions application. You may log onto www.fafsa.ed.gov to complete application.

International Student Admission

All international students may be admitted to Shaw University if they submit a notarized Shaw University International Student Application, certified official high school and/or college transcripts, which must be evaluated by World Education Services (WES), SAT, ACT or TOEFL Scores, a complete notarized affidavit of support (including original bank statements to confirm affidavit of support) and a non refundable $40 application fee. International students must be approved for admission before an I-20 form is issued. An I-20 form will not be issued until all financial documentation is received and approved.

Teacher Education Program

Admission to the Teacher Education Program is distinct from admission to the University. Students planning to pursue a teacher preparation program at Shaw University must meet certain specified admissions criteria. The entering freshman must have a minimum SAT score of 900 or the ACT equivalent and GPA of at least 2.5. Before students are eligible to apply for formal admission at the end of their Sophomore year, they must pass the Praxis I exam based on the current North Carolina state criteria or have an exemption based on their SAT or ACT scores. In addition to regular, degree-seeking students, the Teacher Education Department also formally admits “certification-only students,” i.e. those who are adding on a certificate or those who already hold a degree and are seeking initial certification. For admissions to the Teacher Education program, students must contact the Chair of the Education Department.

Readmission to Teacher Education Program

Any student who has not been enrolled for at least one semester for any reason including but not limited to voluntary withdrawal and academic suspension (excluding summer school) and desires to be readmitted to the university must submit a readmission application to the Department Chairperson (for College of Graduate and Professional Studies students) at least one month prior to the beginning of the term that student plans to re-enroll. The student must also request that official transcripts from any other institution attended since attending Shaw be forwarded directly to the Department Chairperson (for College of Graduate and Professional Studies students). If a student does not meet the academic requirements, the student must submit an appeal letter for readmission consideration. A student who has been readmitted twice on an appeal is no longer eligible to be readmitted to the University.

Applying as a Transfer Student

A transfer student is defined as a student who has earned twelve (12) or more transferable hours from a regionally accredited institution. Transfer applicants are required to provide to the Office of Admissions all official transcripts of credits earned from postsecondary schools.

It is the student’s responsibility to request that all transcripts and other records be forwarded to the Office of Admissions. Copies of all postsecondary transcripts must be received prior to enrollment. Transcripts received after mid-semester of the First Semester of enrollment may not be processed for advanced standing. Transfer credits accepted for credit toward a Shaw University degree must be completed at an institution that is accredited as degree granting by a postsecondary regional accrediting commission at the time the course work was completed. Exceptions may be allowed at the discretion of the University. Transfer credit is given only for courses in which the student earned a final grade of “C” or above. AARTS Army/American Council on Education Registry Transcript System credits may also be accepted based on ACE guidelines.

Transfer Students

Transfer applicants must adhere to the same admission policies for the University. The first-time transfer student must have a minimum GPA of 2.5. Transfer credit is given only for courses in which the student earned a final grade of “C” or above. To earn a Shaw University degree, students transferring from accredited senior colleges and/or universities may transfer no more than 90 credit hours and are required to complete successfully at least 25 percent of the credit hours required for the degree at Shaw University.

Transfer students who are applicants for admission should have their official transcripts sent directly to the Director of Admissions. The Director of Admissions will send the official copy of all college or university transcripts to the Director of Records and Registration. Copies will then be prepared and sent to the respective department chair for evaluation.

Only those credits shown as accepted for transfer will appear on the Shaw University transcript. Regardless of the number of credit hours transferred or transferable, the student will be held responsible for satisfactory completion of all courses that are required in his/her major area for the associate or baccalaureate degree.

Transcripts from colleges and universities that are on the quarter system will be calculated to show value in semester hours. A quarter hour of academic credit is equivalent to two-thirds of a semester hour. This means that a course that carries four-quarter hours would equate to two and two-thirds semester hours, or a course carrying five-quarter hours would equate to three and one third semester hours, and so forth. This also means that in at least some cases, two courses from a quarter system would be required to fully satisfy equivalency in semester hours.

Veterans as Students

Shaw University is on the list of approved institutions that can provide education under the Department of Veterans Affairs Benefits Program. Shaw University offers VA programs to qualifying applicants attending the main campus in Raleigh, as well as all the CAPE sites. These students must adhere to the same admission policies for the University.

Special Students

A student may enroll at Shaw University with no intention of earning a degree. Such applicants seek admission as special students and are so classified once enrolled. Special students are not eligible to receive federal financial assistance.