Steps for Admission and Entrance Classifications

Freshman Students

Freshman students are those who have not previously attended college and who have graduated from an accredited high school, completed the GED, or have been homeschooled and can prove competency through the 12th grade level. Students who are 18 years of age or older, have not earned a high school diploma, and have never attended college will be considered for admission as freshmen if they can present evidence of having scored a minimum of 550 overall, with no subsection score below 500, on the General Education Development (GED) test.

Freshman Application Review:

Students are evaluated for admission on an individual basis. Each application is evaluated based on academic merits (both high school grade point average, based on a 4.0 scale, and entrance exam scores) and extracurricular activities. This holistic approach allows McMurry to evaluate students on an individual basis and look for each student’s strengths. Student GPA calculation for admission is based on core coursework.

Freshman Application Requirements:

1. Complete the application for admission.
2. Submit $25.00 non-refundable application fee.
3. Have a current high school transcript (complete through the junior year) or GED scores sent directly to the Office of Admission. Final transcript with class rank and graduation date posted will be required upon graduation.
4. Submit an official ACT or SAT score report. Applicants 22 years or older are not required to take the ACT or SAT.

Homeschooled Applicants:

1. Complete the application for admission.
2. Submit the $25.00 non-refundable application fee.
3. Submit an official ACT or SAT score report.
4. Provide official documentation of classes taken at the high school level.
5. (Optional) Submit 3 letters of recommendation from persons other than parents or peers, preferably persons with knowledge of the student’s academic ability.

Note: Homeschooled students are encouraged to take the General Education Development (GED) test. Additionally, the placement tests administered at McMurry University are approved by the Department of Education as an “ability-to-benefit” test for financial aid purposes.

Transfer Students:

Transfer students are those who have graduated from an accredited high school or completed the GED and who have been or are enrolled at regionally accredited college or university.

Transfer Coursework:

Transfer grade point average (GPA) is computed on the basis of transferable coursework only. Transferable coursework is coursework that could be used toward an undergraduate degree at McMurry. Developmental or vocational coursework is not accepted for transfer credit but is taken into consideration in admission decisions. Transferable coursework with grades of “D” or below is not accepted for transfer credit but is used in determining transfer GPA. No more than eight semester hours of Health Fitness courses will be accepted as credit toward a bachelor’s degree or used to calculate transfer GPA.

Transfer Admission Requirements:

Students admitted as transfers may begin enrollment at the beginning of a fall term, spring term, May term, summer I or summer II term. Initial enrollment is not permitted as a new transfer student in fall or spring subterm 2. Entrance examination scores are not required of applicants 22 years of age or older. Students who have completed only remedial work at the college level will be evaluated as freshmen. Transfer students will be considered for admission based on the standards listed below:

Students who have not completed the above courses, who have taken fundamental (remedial) courses, or who make scores on placement instruments indicating a need for developmental coursework may be required to complete university preparatory courses or denied admission.

1. Those who have completed fewer than 24 hours of non remedial college credit are evaluated based on high school grades, entrance examination scores (if under the age of 22), and subsequent college work. Specifically:
   1. Acceptance: those who have earned a cumulative 2.0 college GPA and qualify for admission based on high school academic record
   2. Probational Admission*:
      1. Transfer students who have earned a cumulative 2.0 college GPA but do not qualify for admission based on high school grades and test scores OR those who have below a cumulative 2.0 college GPA but qualify for admission based on high school academic record.
      2. Transfer students who qualify for admission but have not successfully completed developmental coursework with a C or better.
   3. Denial: those who have earned below a cumulative 2.0 college GPA and do not qualify for admission based on high school academic record.
2. Transfer students who have completed 24 or more hours of nonremedial college credit are evaluated based on college grades only and must have earned a 2.0 cumulative GPA.

*Probational Admission:

Students admitted on probation must select courses with advisor approval. Minimum GPA requirements for good standing must be met at the end of the first semester. In addition, students admitted on probation may be required to take certain courses to remedy their deficiencies. (See “Academic Probation and Suspension” later in the catalog for definition of good standing.)

Transfer students will be considered for admission only if they are eligible to return to their previous college or university.

Transfer Application Requirements:

1. Complete the transfer application for admission.
2. Submit the $25.00 non-refundable application fee.
3. Submit an official and complete set of transcripts from each college or university attended. Official transcripts must be recently requested from previous schools. Transcripts older than 1 year will not be accepted.
4. Those who have completed fewer than 24 hours of college credit must submit an official, final high school transcript and entrance exam scores (if applicable).

Transfer of Courses to McMurry University

Final acceptance of transfer courses, course equivalency, and credits awarded toward a degree at McMurry is subject to the approval of the Registrar. It is the student’s responsibility to secure an official transcript from all previously attended institutions of higher learning. As a general rule, McMurry University will accept and award credit for college-level academic courses taken at regionally accredited institutions of higher learning. The credit must be recorded on the college or university’s academic transcript. Credit will be posted only after the receipt of an official transcript mailed directly from the transferring institution to McMurry University.

McMurry University has adopted the plan for transfer of course work from two-year institutions as set forth by the Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board. The following exceptions apply:

1. Remedial and vocational course work and grades of “D” and below will not be accepted for transfer but are considered in the admissions decision.
2. Students who have completed only remedial work at the college level will be evaluated as freshmen. Please refer to the “Freshman Student” section for the necessary criteria.
3. Courses generally viewed as non-academic courses are not accepted for transfer credits.
4. Athletic/sports participation and conditioning type courses taken in conjunction with or specifically for athletic participation are not accepted for transfer credit.
5. A student may not transfer more than 66 semester hours from a twoyear college. No course taken at a two-year college can be transferred as upper division (3000 and 4000) work.
6. No coursework will be accepted from an institution that is not regionally accredited.

Military service school courses are evaluated and may be accepted for credit by McMurry University according to the recommendations of the American Council of Education’s Guide to the Evaluation of Educational Experiences in the Armed Services (ACE Evaluation Guide), current edition. Anyone in the military services may request an unofficial evaluation of credit which will be awarded upon successful completion of appropriate CLEP or subject examinations. Any credits that are to be awarded by evaluation, CLEP, or examination will not be officially recognized by McMurry University until a minimum of 12 semester hours has been successfully completed in residence at the main campus or at McMurry-Dyess Air Force Base Program.

McMurry Online Degree Program

McMurry University’s Virtual Campus currently offers three degrees that are delivered completely online: a B.S. degree with a major in Cybersecurity, a B.S. degree with a major in Criminal Justice, and a B.B.A. degree with a major in General Business. In addition, a B.S.N. degree is available that is specifically for RN to BSN articulation, and is online with the exception of the science and math requirements. Admission for the online degree program follows the policies for new freshmen or transfer students. Virtual Campus students are not eligible for campus housing, some institutional scholarships and grants, a M.O.V.E computer, or to participate in university athletics. The online courses are offered in 7-week terms and federal and state financial aid is available for students who qualify.

Transient Students

Transient students are those enrolled at another institution who wish to take coursework at McMurry and then return to the institution where they were previously enrolled. In order to enroll, a transient student must be eligible to return to the previous institution. A transient student who subsequently pursues academic credit at McMurry University must first apply for admission and be accepted as a degree-seeking student before the work taken as a transient student will be applied toward a McMurry degree.

Transient Applicants:

1. Complete the application for admission.
2. Submit the $25.00 non-refundable application fee.
3. Submit an unofficial* transcript from the college or university currently enrolled.
4. *In order to register for a course that has prerequisites, an official transcript from the institution in which the prerequisites were completed will be required.

Dual Credit Students

Dual credit students are high school students (junior standing) with written permission from their high school principal or counselor to enroll in course work at McMurry while enrolled in and completing high school graduation requirements. Dual credit is limited to freshman and sophomore level courses, and generally limited to courses required for high school graduation. Permission of McMurry instructor is required for enrollment in a dual credit course.

Dual Credit Applicants:

1. Complete the application for admission.
2. Submit a letter of permission to enroll for college work from either the high school principal or the high school counselor.
3. Submit a letter of permission to enroll for college work from parent/guardian.
4. Bacterial meningitis shot records are required of all new dual credit students.
5. Submit a current official high school transcript.
6. ACT/SAT scores are required for enrollment in any math or English course. Depending on ACT/SAT sub-scores, a placement test may be required if mathematics or English is the desired dual credit class.

Non-degree Students

Non-degree students are those who wish to enroll but do not plan to receive academic credit for work completed towards a degree. Students may enroll under a “non-degree” status for only one semester. Subsequent enrollment under the “non-degree” status is granted for special or unusual circumstances and requires approval of the Registrar or designee. In order for work completed as a non-degree student to be applied toward a degree, the student must apply for admission and be admitted as a degree-seeking student.

Non-degree Applicants:

1. Complete the “Non-Degree Student Application” for admission available from the Office of Admission.
2. Submit the $25.00 non-refundable application fee.
3. Submission of the “Non-Degree Student Application” acknowledges that work completed under the non-degree status does not count toward a McMurry degree until the student applies and is admitted as a degree-seeking student.

Special Admission

Student may be admitted under the Special Admission category when unusual or special circumstances exist, as determined by the Vice President for Enrollment Management. A special admission student who subsequently pursues academic credit at McMurry University must first apply for admission and be accepted as a degree-seeking student before the work taken as a special admission student will be applied toward a McMurry degree.

Special Admission Applicants:

1. Complete the freshman or transfer application for admission.
2. Submit the $25.00 non-refundable application fee.
3. Submit an official transcript or statement of good standing from the college or university that you presently attend.

International Students

Students who are not permanent United States citizens or who do not have immigrant status are considered international students. International students applying for admission must meet the same admission requirements as other students in the same category (freshman or transfer). Once the student has been admitted and all other paperwork supplied,
a $1,500 enrollment deposit is required before the I-20 will be issued. The $1,500 deposit will be applied to the student’s tuition in his/her last semester of attendance, or refunded if no balance is due.

International Applicants:

1. Submit an international student application for admission online using the McMurry web site at mcm.edu/apply
2. A non-refundable application processing fee of $50.00 is required.
3. Provide official transcripts of all academic work attempted in the United States or abroad (transcripts must be translated to English).
4. Scores from the American College Test (ACT) or the Scholastic Assessment Test (SAT) are encouraged. Students may be asked to provide these scores if necessary.
5. If native language is NOT English, submit proof of one of the following:

• Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) score. A minimum score of 213 is required on the computer-based TOEFL. A minimum score of 550 is required on the paperbased TOEFL. A minimum score of 79 is required for the internet-based TOEFL. OR
• The Academic Examination results of International English Language Testing System (IELTS). A minimum score of 6.5 is required. OR
• 24 semester hours of transferrable coursework from a regionally accredited U.S. college or university.

Once admitted to McMurry, international students are eligible to receive their I-20 and apply for their F-1 visa when all required paperwork and fees are received. Students are also required to register with SEVIS (Student and Exchange Visitor Information System) and pay the $200.00 user fee using the I-901 Form. This may be completed online at http://www.ice.gov/sevis/i901/index.htm

Health Forms

All students must complete the following forms, which will be forwarded to the health office:

• Tuberculosis Screening Questionnaire form and, if indicated, a TB skin test or chest x-ray.
• Report of Medical History and Consent of Medical Treatment form.

Immunizations: All students must submit a copy of their basic childhood vaccinations, including the following:

• Bacterial meningitis - see Health Services section for detailed information.
• MMR (Measles, Mumps and Rubella) - two injections since age one. MMR may have been included in the student’s childhood vaccinations.

Insurance: All students are required to have health insurance. See Health Services section.