05-00 and 06-00 Degree Candidates
05-20 First-Year and Advanced Standing Admission-
05-50 Baccalaureate and Associate Degree Candidates
-
05-80 First-Year Admission as a Baccalaureate or an
Associate Degree Candidate A-1
- 05-81 Minimum Entrance Requirements for Admission to Baccalaureate Degree Programs
- 05-82 Minimum Entrance Requirements for Admission to Associate Degree Programs
-
06-30 Advanced Standing Admission as a Baccalaureate
Degree Candidate A-2
-
06-57 Advanced Standing with Forgiveness
-
06-70 Advanced Standing Admission as an Associate
Degree Candidate
Admission as a degree candidate to the University, at any location,
shall be granted by the director of admissions under policies approved by
the University Faculty Senate. There are two admission types:
- First-Year Admission--may be granted to an applicant who holds a high
school diploma or its equivalent, and who has taken fewer than 18
credits at an accredited college or university, under conditions
specified in Section 05-80.
- Advanced Standing Admission--may be granted to an applicant who has
acquired at least 18 credits at an accredited college or university
under conditions specified in Sections 06-30 or 06-70, whichever is
appropriate.
Revised Editorially:
3/2/76
Revised Editorially: 12/6/77
A baccalaureate degree candidate or an associate degree candidate is
admitted to one of the following: a college, a major within a college, or
the Division of Undergraduate Studies.
- A Baccalaureate Degree Candidate--is admitted to a college or to the
Division of Undergraduate Studies. Admission to a major within a college
is an additional step and may occur before enrollment in any courses at
the University, after successful completion of an approved sequence of
courses, or after attainment of a specified semester classification.
- An Associate Degree Candidate--is admitted to a major or to the
Division of Undergraduate Studies.
Revised Editorially: 3/2/76
Revised: 9/8/81
- A Baccalaureate Degree Candidate--must meet both the minimum entrance requirements
(Carnegie Units) and the minimum admission standards (prediction of academic
performance--referred to as the evaluation index) for the college of enrollment
or for the Division of Undergraduate Studies, whichever is appropriate. The
minimum entrance requirements are specified in Senate Policies 05-81 and 05-82, and the components of the evaluation index are specified in the First-Year Evaluation Procedure.
Note a: Admissibility of an applicant formerly enrolled in
courses at another accredited college or university is determined by
the applicant's academic performance in such courses as well as by the
high school record and standardized test scores.
Note b: An applicant who does not meet the entrance
requirements and/or the admission standards (and who is not included
in any special admissions programs of the type identified in the "Statement
of Basic Admissions Policies," item 6) may apply to enroll in
courses as either a provisional student in accordance with the
policies and procedures of Section 10-00 or as a nondegree student in
accordance with the policies and procedures of Section 14-00.
- An Associate Degree Candidate--must meet both the minimum entrance
requirements (Carnegie Units) and the minimum admission standards
(prediction of academic performance) for the major or for the Division
of Undergraduate Studies, whichever is appropriate. The minimum entrance
requirements are specified in Appendix D. (Notes a and b under the
preceding paragraph also apply to this paragraph.)
Initial Legislation: 6/5/73 (as Rule A-10; A-11)
Revised: 10/9/73 (as Rule A-10; A-11)
Revised:
3/2/76
Revised: 3/14/95
Revised Editorially: 6/6/12
05-81 Minimum Entrance Requirements for
Admission to Baccalaureate Degree Programs 
To be eligible for admission consideration to the University as a Baccalaureate degree candidate, either as a beginning student or as a student with advanced standing, an applicant must meet the following minimum requirements:
1. Graduation from an accredited secondary school. Penn State requires proof of graduation or a GED for admission to four-year degree programs.
2. Completion of the required units of preparatory work as indicated below under the heading Minimum Carnegie Units.
A secondary school diploma issued by the Pennsylvania Department of Education, or appropriate authority in another state, may be accepted as equivalent to graduation from an accredited secondary school and as equivalent to the minimum secondary school units required for admission, as indicated under the Minimum Carnegie Units heading, with the exception of math and world language.
The University accepts the definition of a secondary school unit as established by the Carnegie Foundation. A unit represents a year of work in a subject in a preparatory school or secondary school, provided that the work done in that subject is approximately one-fourth of the total amount of work regularly required in a year in the school.
The University reserves the right to deny admission to any applicant for admission for any reason the University determines to be material to the applicant's qualifications to pursue higher education.
Admission to degree candidacy is specified in terms of enrollment in a college or school of the University or in the Division of Undergraduate Studies. Entrance to a major is a subsequent step that normally occurs near the end of the second year of study. Both for admission to a college or school and for entrance to a major, a student must satisfy the requirements of the University, of the particular college or school, and of the major area. In special circumstances, the University may need to further restrict admissions to a college or school and entrance to majors because of space limitations.
Minimum Carnegie Units
English
Four units, including one unit each in composition and literature, are required.
Social Studies/Art/Humanities
Three units in any combination of social studies, arts, and humanities are required.
World Language
Two units in a single world language other than English are required. However, a student may be admitted with fewer than two units in a world language other than English, but must correct this deficiency by the time he/she earns 60 credits or graduates from Penn State, whichever comes first. This deficiency may be corrected by passing one three- or four-credit college-level world language course or by demonstrating proficiency equivalent to two units of high school world language study.
Either a third unit in the same language or an additional unit in a second world language other than English is recommended.
Science
Three units of science are required.
Math
Three units of mathematics are required (four are recommended), selected from any combination of algebra, geometry, and trigonometry.
Some specific programs may have additional entrance requirements.
Initial Legislation: 3/15/11 (Previously Appendix C)
05-82 Minimum Entrance Requirements for
Admission to Associate Degree Programs
To be eligible for admission consideration to the University as an Associate degree candidate, either as a beginning student or as a student with advanced standing, an applicant must meet the following minimum requirements:
1. Graduation from an accredited secondary school. Penn State requires proof of graduation or a GED for admission to two-year degree programs.
2. Completion of the required units of preparatory work as indicated below under the heading Minimum Carnegie Units.
A secondary school diploma issued by the Pennsylvania Department of Education, or appropriate authority in another state, may be accepted as equivalent to graduation from an accredited secondary school and as equivalent to the minimum secondary school units required for admission, as indicated under the Minimum Carnegie Units heading, with the exception of math and world language.
The University accepts the definition of a secondary school unit as established by the Carnegie Foundation. A unit represents a year of work in a subject in a preparatory school or secondary school, provided that the work done in that subject is approximately one-fourth of the total amount of work regularly required in a year in the school.
The University reserves the right to deny admission to any applicant for admission for any reason the University determines to be material to the applicant's qualifications to pursue higher education.
Both for admission to a college or school and for entrance to a major, a student must satisfy the requirements of the University, of the particular college or school, and of the major area. In special circumstances, the University may need to further restrict admissions to a college or school and entrance to majors because of space limitations.
Minimum Carnegie Units
English
Four units, including one unit each in composition and literature, are required.
World Language/Social Studies/Art/Humanities
Five units in any combination of world language, social studies, arts, and humanities are required. These units may include advanced placement courses in the arts.
Science
Two units of science are required.
Math
Two units of mathematics are required.
Some specific programs may have additional entrance requirements.
Initial Legislation: 1/24/12 (Previously Appendix C)
Revisions to Policy 06-30 were approved by the Senate on August 28, 2012. Implementation pending ACUE action.To view revisions, see the legislative report.
An applicant must (a) meet the entrance requirements (Carnegie Units) of
the college of enrollment or the Division of Undergraduate Studies; (b)
meet minimum advanced standing requirements of the college of enrollment
or the Division of Undergraduate Studies, whichever is appropriate
(requirements can be obtained from the admissions office); and (c) be in
one of the following groups:
- An applicant who has attended or is attending an accredited college
or university other than The Pennsylvania State University, with a
grade-point average of at least 2.00 (on a 4.00 scale) for all graded
courses taken at all colleges and universities previously attended.
Failure to indicate at the time of application that courses have been
taken at another institution may result in refusal or cancellation of
admission.
Note a: An applicant previously enrolled as a baccalaureate or
associate degree candidate at The Pennsylvania State University and having
subsequently attended other accredited colleges or universities should
refer to Section 58-00 for the policies and procedures for re-enrollment
to the University as a baccalaureate degree candidate.
Note b: An applicant with a grade-point average of at least 2.00
(on a 4.00 scale) but not the entrance and/or advanced standing
requirements may apply to enroll in courses as either a provisional
student (degree-seeking) in accordance with the policies and procedures of
Section 10-00 or as a nondegree student in accordance with the policies
and procedures of Section 14-00.
Note c: An applicant who does not meet the minimum requirement
of a grade-point average of at least 2.00 (on a 4.00 scale) for all graded
courses at all institutions previously attended may apply to enroll in
credit courses as a nondegree student in accordance with the policies and
procedures in Section 14-00. After an interruption of no fewer than four
calendar years, an applicant may apply for admission as a provisional
student.
Note d: An applicant who is not in good standing at another
accredited institution for disciplinary reasons must consult with the
director of Judicial Affairs for admissions clearance.
- An applicant who has completed the requirements for an
associate degree at this University must apply for re-enrollment as a
baccalaureate degree candidate in accordance with the policies and
procedures of Section 58-00 and for a change of major in accordance with
the policies and procedures of Section 37-00.
Note a: An applicant enrolled in, but not having completed, an
associate degree program at the University must follow the policies and
procedures for a change of major specified in Section 37-00.
Note b: An applicant who has completed one baccalaureate degree
may be admitted as a candidate for another baccalaureate degree. If the
degree was granted by the University, the applicant follows the policies
and procedures for a sequential degree specified in Section 61-00. If the
degree was granted by another accredited college or university, the
applicant follows the policies and procedures of this section.
Revised Editorially: 3/2/76
Revised: 4/6/82
Revised: 1/22/91
Revisions to Policy 06-57 were approved by the Senate on August 28, 2012. Implementation pending ACUE action.To view revisions, see the legislative report.
An applicant who has not met the entrance requirements or achieved a
grade-point average of 2.00 (on a 4.00 scale) for all graded courses taken
at all institutions previously attended, and who has had a four calendar
year absence from the institution(s), may apply to enroll in credit
courses as a provisional student in accordance with the policies and
procedures in Section 10-00.
Initial Legislation: 1/22/91
Revised: 4/23/96
Revisions to Policy 06-70 were approved by the Senate on August 28, 2012. Implementation pending ACUE action.To view revisions, see the legislative report.
An applicant must (a) meet the entrance requirements (Carnegie Units)
specified by the major or by the Division of Undergraduate Studies; (b)
have attended or be attending an accredited college or university other
than The Pennsylvania State University; and (c) have a grade-point average
of at least 2.00 (on a 4.00 scale) for all graded courses taken at all
institutions previously attended. Failure to indicate at the time of
application that courses have been taken at another institution may result
Note a: An applicant previously enrolled as an associate or
baccalaureate degree candidate at The Pennsylvania State University and
having subsequently attended other accredited institutions should refer to
Section 58-00 for the policies and procedures for re-enrollment to the
University as an associate degree candidate.
Note b: An applicant meeting the grade-point average of at least
2.00 (on a 4.00 scale) but not the entrance requirements may enroll in
courses as a provisional student (degree-seeking) in accordance with the
policies and procedures of Section 10-00 or as a nondegree student, in
accordance with the policies and procedures of Section 14-00.
Note c: An applicant not meeting the minimum requirement of a
grade-point average of 2.00 (on a 4.00 scale) for all graded courses taken
at all institutions previously attended may apply to enroll in credit
courses as a nondegree student in accordance with the policies and
procedures of Section 14-00. After an interruption of no fewer than four
calendar years, an applicant may apply for admission as a nondegree or
provisional student.
Note d: An applicant not in good standing at another accredited
institution for disciplinary reasons must consult with the director of
Judicial Affairs for admissions clearance.
Note e: An applicant who has already completed the requirements
for either a baccalaureate or an associate degree may be admitted as a
candidate for a new associate degree. If the degree was granted by the
University, the applicant follows the policies and procedures for a
sequential degree specified in Section 61-00. If the degree was granted by
another accredited college or university, the applicant follows the
policies and procedures of this section.
Note f: An applicant currently enrolled in a baccalaureate
degree program at the University must follow the policies and procedures
for a change of major given in Section 37-00.
Revised Editorially: 3/2/76
Revised:
6/2/81
Revised:
4/6/82
Revised:
12/6/88
Revised: 1/22/91
This page maintained by the University Faculty Senate Office (afb11@psu.edu)