Special Admission Categories
SPSU has a number of special categories other than those for freshman and transfer applicants.

Nontraditional Freshman Admission Standards
Nontraditional freshman are those students who have not attended high school or college within the previous five years and have earned fewer than 30 transferable semester hours of credit and who hold a high school diploma from an accredited secondary school or a GED certificate which satisfies the minimum requirement of the State of Georgia.

Applicants eligible for review in this category are exempted from the SAT/ACT and College Preparatory Curriculum requirements, however, all other admission requirements must be met. These students will be required to take the Collegiate Placement Examination prior to admission for admission screening purpose.

Admissions of Students with Non-U.S. Academic Credentials
Admissions of Students Whose First Language is Not English

Admissions of Students whose secondary education was completed outside of the United States system of education may be considered for admission with 1) acceptable foreign credentials and 2) English language proficiency as described below:

Academic performance as described by a certificate, diploma, or other documents deemed generally equivalent to U.S. college preparatory studies. Official or certified true copies of all secondary school records, with a certified English translation is required. (The University reserves the right to require foreign credentials to be evaluated by an approved professional foreign credential evaluation service at the expense of the applicant.) Academic performance equivalent to a 2.0 transfer grade point average from all colleges/universities previously undertaken by the student. Official or certified true copies of all secondary school records, with a certified English translation is required. (The University reserves the right to require foreign credentials to be evaluated by an approved professional foreign credential evaluation service at the expense of the applicant.) English Proficiency and Freshmen:
Non-native speakers of English may be exempted from the SAT requirements; however, must take the TOEFL (Test of English as a Foreign Language) and the CPE (Collegiate Placement Exam). A minimum score of 550 on the paper TOEFL or 213 on the computer TOEFL, and a minimum score of 75 on all areas of the CPE are required. The CPE is given on the campus of SPSU.

English Proficiency and Transfer Students:
Students who are non-native speakers of English, who transfer from institutions of higher education outside of the U.S. where English was not the language of instruction and have less than 30 semester hours of college credit may be exempted from the SAT requirements; however, must take the TOEFL (Test of English as a Foreign Language) and the CPE (Collegiate Placement Exam). A minimum score of 550 on the paper TOEFL or 213 on the computer TOEFL, and a minimum score of 75 on all areas of the CPE is required. The CPE is given on the campus of SPSU.

Students who are non-native speakers of English, who transfer from institutions of higher education outside of the U.S. where English was not the language of instruction and have at least 30 semester hours of college credit must take the TOEFL. A minimum score of 550 on the paper TOEFL or 213 on the computer TOEFL is required.

Additional Requirements for International Applicants
In addition to meeting the regular admission requirements, international applicants needing a student visa (F-1 or J-1) must complete a Financial Affidavit to show ability to meet the financial obligations of tuition, fees and living expenses before and I-20 and acceptance letter will be issued. Current (less than one year old) letters of financial support must accompany the Financial Affidavit. Financial Affidavit forms are available in the Admissions Office.

All international students must purchase medical insurance made available through Southern Polytechnic State University or provide proof of alternate coverage through a comparable policy.

Transient Students
Transient students are those students attending Southern Polytechnic State University for a limited period of time, usually one semester, and who are expected to return to their previous college at the beginning of the next semester. Transient credit earned at Southern Polytechnic State University may not be applied toward the residency requirement.

A transient applicant must submit to the Admissions Office (1) an application, (2) a transient letter from the Registrar of his or her college, (3) a certificate of immunization, and (4) a $20 nonrefundable application processing fee (check made payable to Southern Polytechnic State University). A transient letter is good for one semester only.

It is the responsibility of the transient applicant to determine from his or her previous college the course he or she should take on the SPSU campus.

Although not required by the Admissions Office, a transient applicant should obtain a copy of his or her previous college work for the use of his or her SPSU faculty advisor.

The application, transient letter, and the certificate of immunization must be in the Admissions Office at least 10 working days before the registration date of the semester in which the student plans to attend as a transient student.

Post-Baccalaureate/Non-Degree
The non-degree category exists for those students who have previously earned a baccalaureate degree from a regionally accredited institution and who wish to enroll in undergraduate courses for personal or professional reasons instead of degree completion. Students applying for this non-degree status must submit an application for admission, the $20 non-refundable application processing fee (check made payable to Southern Polytechnic State University), an official transcript from the institution that awarded the initial degree, and the certificate of immunization. Students who are admitted under this category and later decide to pursue a degree must furnish official transcripts from all colleges and meet transfer admission requirements.

Audit Students
Persons not seeking a degree from Southern Polytechnic State University yet wishing to gain knowledge from courses taught here may apply for admission as audit students.

An audit student is required to file an application form along with a $20 nonrefundable application processing fee (check made payable to Southern Polytechnic State University) and submit official proof of graduation or official copy of scores on the GED test as well as a certificate of immunization. An auditor will receive grades of "V" and will not receive transferable credits. In order to become a regular student, auditors must meet regular entrance requirements. An audit student may not change to regular student status after beginning a course as an auditor. The audit grade "V", may never be used as a basis for gaining credit in any course.

Audit applications, required credentials, and the certificate of immunization must be in the Admissions Office at least 10 working days before the registration date of the semester in which the student plans to attend.

Other Admission Requirements
Reserved to every institution of the University System of Georgia is the right to require any applicant for admission to take appropriate intelligence and aptitude tests in order that the institution may have information bearing on the applicant's ability to pursue successfully the program of study for which the applicant wishes to enroll and to reject any applicant who fails to meet such tests satisfactorily.

Special Students
Special students and all other students of classifications not covered in these policies shall be expected to meet all admission requirements prescribed by Southern Polytechnic State University.

Students Sixty-two Years of Age or Older
Citizens of the State of Georgia who are 62 years of age or older may attend Southern Polytechnic State University without payment of fees, except for supplies and laboratory or shop fees, when space is available in a course scheduled for resident credit.

To be eligible for participation under this amendment to the Georgia Constitution, such persons:

(a) must present a birth certificate or other comparable written documentation of age to the Records Office at the time of registration,

(b) must meet all University System and Southern Polytechnic State University admission requirements,

(c) will have all usual student and institutional records maintained, and

(d) must meet all University System, Southern Polytechnic State University, and legislated degree requirements if they are degree-seeking students.

 Readmission
Students who have an absence of two or more consecutive semesters of matriculation at Southern Polytechnic State University and who are not academically suspended must be approved by the Records Office for readmission before being eligible for registration. An application for readmission, together with any pertinent supporting information, must be submitted to the Records Office by the same semester deadline dates as required by new students. A student who has been academically suspended must seek reinstatement before being eligible for registration. Please refer to Reinstatement under Academic Regulations. Students granted readmission must re-enter the same academic department in which they were last enrolled.

In addition, students who were granted admission for only one semester as transients must be approved for readmission by the Admissions Office and submit an updated transient letter indicating continued good standing at the home institution before they will be permitted to register for a subsequent semester or a future semester.

Undergraduate Certificate Program Admission Requirements
Applicants must have earned a high school diploma or GED and must have been out of high school for at least five years or have earned 30 college credit hours from an accredited college with a minimum grade point average of 2.0.

Students applying for any of the undergraduate certificate programs must submit the following to the Admissions Office prior to the registration term:

(a) an application for certificate program admission, along with a $20 nonrefundable application processing fee (check made payable to Southern Polytechnic State University),
(b) an official high school transcript or official GED scores, if high school graduation date is over five years ago, or official college transcripts from all colleges attended, and
(c) the certificate of immunization.
Appeals
Formal appeals of the University's admission decision may be filed with SPSU's Director of Admissions. Contact the Office of Admissions for additional instructions on the appeals process.

Fulfillment of CPC Deficiencies
Enrolled students who are admitted and have College Preparatory deficiencies in Natural Science, Social Science, and Foreign Language must complete one additional course in each area of deficiency. These requirements also apply to transfer students who have not completed 30 or more hours of college level core curriculum credit with a 2.0 or better average. Non-traditional freshmen are exempted from CPC requirements.

The following courses can be used to satisfy CPC requirements:
 
Natural Science ASTR 1000K, BIOL 2107K, BIOL 2108K, CHEM 1211K (MATH 1111 is a prerequisite), PHYS 1111K (MATH 1113 is a prerequisite), or PHYS 2211K (MATH 2253 is a prerequisite) with a grade of “C” or better.
Social Science Any Social Science course listed in Area E of SPSU’s core curriculum with a grade of “C” or better.
Foreign Language FREN 1001 or 1002, GRMN 1001 or 1002, or SPAN 1001 or 1002 with a grade of “C” or better.

If students have CPC requirements, they must enroll in course(s) to satisfy the requirements immediately upon entering Southern Polytechnic. The only exemptions are: The student is taking one or more prerequisites for the CPC requirement or the needed course is not offered. Students must complete all CPC deficiencies before they earn 20 hours in the University System. Otherwise, students may not register at Southern Polytechnic for other courses, unless they also register for the appropriate deficiency course(s). Credit is awarded for CPC courses and counted in total hours earned for the purpose of student classification and reporting but CPC credits cannot be used to satisfy core curriculum or degree requirements. Grades for CPC courses are included in semester and cumulative grade point averages.

Sources for Test Scores and Required Forms
 
SAT I and II Tests: College Entrance Examination Board
Box 6200
Princeton, NJ 08541
or register online at http://www.collegeboard.org

SPSU's Institutional Code: 5626
ACT Tests: American College Testing Program
P.O. Box 414
Iowa City, Iowa 52243
or register online at http://www.act.org

SPSU's Institutional Code: 0865
Undergraduate Admission Application
& Immunization Certificate Forms:		 SPSU Office of Admissions
1100 South Marietta Parkway
Marietta, GA 30060
or on SPSU's Website: http://www.spsu.edu
TOEFL Exams: TOEFL Services
Educational Testing Services
P.O. Box 6151
Princeton, NJ 08541, USA
or http://www.toefl.org

SPSU's Institutional Code: 5626
Joint Enrollment/PSO Forms: High School Counselor's Offices

Registration Procedures
Eligibility
Registration for classes is held on the first day of the term. Students who have received an official letter of acceptance or readmission to Southern Polytechnic State University and returning students not on suspension or dismissal may register. Classes begin the day following registration.
An applicant will not be approved for academic advisement and/or registration until formally accepted by the Director of Admissions nor will he or she be permitted to attend classes until registration has been completed.

Drop/Add and Late Registration
Students may amend their class schedules and/or late register during the drop/add period.

Student Course Schedule
Upon completion of registration or a change of registration, students can print a copy of their schedule of courses. Students should keep the schedule as part of their permanent records.

Registration Bulletin
Detailed information and instructions concerning registration may be found in the registration bulletin. Students are urged to become knowledgeable of, and to follow, these instructions explicitly. It should be understood that any deviation from the prescribed procedure may result in unnecessary delays in registration or errors in the resulting schedule.

Registration Errors
It is the student's responsibility to follow the proper procedures for registration or changes to registration and to verify that his or her schedule of classes is correct. The Records Office cannot be held responsible for errors resulting from the student's failure to execute the proper procedure or verify his or her own schedule. Any problems experienced at registration or as a result of registration should be reported immediately to the Records Office.

Matriculation
Enrollment for the term is not complete until the student has properly completed registration and paid all fees. Registration for students not paying fees by the date specified in the registration bulletin will be canceled for non-payment.