Freshman
Students

High School Graduates

General Requirements:

1. A high school diploma (official transcript with graduation date required).
2. An Overall Grade Point Average of at least 2.00 on a 4.00 scale and a composite score of at least 19 on the ACT or SAT equivalent; OR an Overall Grade Point Average of at least 3.00 on a 4.00 scale and a composite score of at least 16 on the ACT or SAT equivalent. [1]
Due to the postponement or cancellation of many ACT and SAT testing dates, Marshall University is offering freshman and transfer applicants the opportunity to be admitted without test scores for the Spring 2021 and Fall 2021 academic terms. For those who qualify for admission without test scores, applications will be reviewed with an added emphasis on previous academic performance. Applicants who qualify for admission without test scores will be offered general, conditional admission to the University. By submitting test scores at a later date, applicants then can be considered for admission to the academic program of their choice, for guaranteed merit based scholarships, and for admission to the Marshall University Honors College.
3. Recommended completion of Higher Education Policy Commission (HEPC) academic core unit requirements:
   • 4 units of English (including English 12CR and courses in grammar, composition, and literature)
   • 4 units of mathematics (three units must be Algebra I and higher or Math I or higher; Transitional Math for Seniors will also be accepted). Courses designed as “support courses”, such as Math I Lab or Math I Support, that provide extra instructional time but no additional content shall not be acceptable as meeting the required 4 mathematics course core requirements.
   • 3 units of social studies (including U.S. studies/history)
   • 3 units of science (all units must be college-preparatory laboratory science, preferably including units from biology, chemistry, and physics)
   • 2 units of world language (two units of the same world language; sign language is also acceptable)
   • 1 unit of arts

Students seeking admission to four-year degree programs must earn credit for the courses listed above.

Applicants who have not completed the HEPC course requirements may be admitted, but must complete commensurate college-level coursework prior to degree completion. Please consult an academic advisor for specific course requirements.

First-time freshmen pursuing a four-year baccalaureate degree who meet all admission requirements will be admitted unconditionally.

A very limited number of students who do not meet the GPA or ACT/SAT requirements for admission may be admitted conditionally to University College and must enroll on the Huntington campus. Under the terms of the admission policy, only a limited number of conditionally admitted students will be permitted to enroll at Marshall. For specific requirements for conditionally admitted students, see “Conditional Admission.” Students who do not meet the general or conditional requirements may appeal the decision through the Admission Appeals Committee.

Required Application Materials:

1. Completed application for admission.
2. A non-refundable application fee of $40.
3. An official, final transcript, including graduation date, sent directly from the student’s high school to the Marshall University Office of Admissions.
4. Official college transcript sent to the Marshall University Office of Admissions directly from the college or university if a student has completed a non-Marshall college course while in high school or in summer school.
5. American College Test (ACT) or Scholastic Aptitude Test (SAT) scores sent directly from the testing agency. The Higher Education Policy Commission requires that all freshmen submit the American College Test (ACT) or Scholastic Aptitude Test (SAT) scores except applicants who graduated from high school five years or more ago. (Students who are admitted without ACT or SAT scores by meeting other eligibility requirements should consult their academic advisors about meeting prerequisites for math and English courses.) ACT or SAT test scores are used in placing students in English and mathematics, for scholarship and loan applications, for academic counseling, for determining eligibility for certain degree programs, and in part to meet NCAA athletic eligibility requirements. [2]
6. A valid immunization record including measles and rubella vaccinations (or MMR) and all other required vaccinations or screenings. Applicants can provide an immunization record signed by a physician or an official copy of the permanent high school health record including a report of the required immunizations. Students must provide proof of immunity before or during the first semester of enrollment or they will not be permitted to enroll in subsequent terms. Requests for medical exemptions should be made to the Office of Admissions. Students born prior to January 1, 1957 are exempt from the measles and rubella (or MMR) immunization requirement.

Conditional Admission of Freshman Students

Marshall University offers admission to a limited number of students who do not meet freshman admission requirements. These students are admitted conditionally to University College, must enroll on the Huntington campus, and must complete all requirements listed below within three semesters.

Requirements include:

• For students having English ACT scores of less than 18 or SAT ERW 480, successful completion of required prerequisite English course.
• Successful completion of academic support class (UNI 100).
• Completion of 18 graded hours with a 2.00 GPA (cumulative and MU).

Upon completion of the requirements, the student may transfer into any major/college for which s/he is eligible. Some majors and colleges require separate applications and have additional requirements for admission into their programs.

Provisional Admission of Freshman Students

Students who have met minimum admission requirements but who are unable to provide one or more of certain required application materials may be admitted provisionally in some instances. Freshman students may be provisionally admitted to the university for one semester only with the following minimum documentation:

1. Completed application for admission with $40 application fee;
2. Preliminary high school transcript or passing score on designated state high school equivalency exam;
3. American College Test (ACT) or Scholastic Aptitude Test (SAT) exams with minimum required scores.[2]

Freshman students will be fully admitted to the university and will be eligible to register for succeeding terms when all admission requirements have been met and all required materials have been received.

A student who attends another collegiate institution during the summer session immediately following graduation from high school is admitted as an entering freshman with advanced standing.

High School Equivalency Diploma Recipients (GED, HiSET, TASC)

A student holding a high school equivalency diploma may be admitted to Marshall University if s/he passes the TASC (Test Assessing Secondary Completion) with a score of at least 500 on each of the five subtests or the GED (General Education Development Test) with scores considered acceptable for admission. The HiSET exam is also accepted from those states that do not administer TASC or GED, or offer it as an option among the other approved high school equivalency diploma tests. Applicants for admission who have held the high school equivalency diploma for at least five years subsequent to the graduation date of their high school class are not required to submit ACT or SAT scores except if applying to the College of Engineering and Computer Sciences. Applicants holding the high school equivalency diploma for fewer than five years subsequent to the graduation date of their high school class must submit ACT or SAT scores. Students who are admitted without ACT or SAT scores by meeting other eligibility requirements should consult their academic advisors about meeting prerequisites for math and English courses. A limited number of students who do not meet high school equivalency test and ACT/SAT requirements may be admitted to University College at the discretion of the Admission Appeals Committee (see Conditional Admission). Students holding a high school equivalency diploma may not enroll at Marshall University prior to the graduation date of their high school class. When extenuating circumstances exist, high school equivalency diploma recipients who wish to enroll before their high school class has graduated may appeal for early acceptance as freshmen to the Director of Admissions.

High School Equivalency Diploma Admission Requirements:

1. Applicants for high school equivalency diploma admission must be beyond the age and time of their regular high school graduating class.
2. Applicants must have official high school equivalency test scores sent directly from the state testing center or state department of education.
3. Applicants who completed the high school equivalency test in the Armed Forces can have an official copy of their scores forwarded to the Office of Admissions. More information is available online at dantes.doded.mil.
4. A high school equivalency diploma recipient is admitted on the basis of obtaining high school equivalency test scores considered acceptable for admission to Marshall University. Please contact the Office of Admissions for more specific acceptable high school equivalency test score requirements. No course credit is granted for completion of a high school equivalency diploma.

Footnotes

1. Prior to March 2016, an SAT total score (CR+M) of 900 was equivalent to a 19 Composite ACT; after March 2016, an SAT total score of 990 is equivalent to a 19 Composite ACT. Prior to March 2016, an SAT total score (CR+M) of 770 was equivalent to a 16 Composite ACT; after March 2016, an SAT total score of 880 is equivalent to a 16 Composite ACT.
2. Students who graduated from high school five years or more ago are not required to take the ACT or SAT exam except for admission into the College of Engineering and Computer Sciences. Students who are admitted without ACT or SAT scores by meeting other eligibility requirements should consult their academic advisors about meeting prerequisites for math and English courses.