Admissions

 

• Admission of Freshmen

• Transfer Policy

• Credit Transfer Policy

• Admission with Advanced Standing

• CLEP

• Credit by Examination

• Credit for Life Experience

• General Certificate or Education:
  Advanced Level

• International Students

• Non-Degree Admissions

• Early Admissions Programs

• New Student Orientation

Admission of Freshmen

In accordance with the principles governing admission adopted by the university, six general requirements have been established for admission to Clarion University:

1. Strength of curriculum

2. High school class rank

3. Grade-point average

4. High school profile

5. SAT or ACT test score

Applicants to the university are evaluated on these six areas. Applicants must be graduates of an approved secondary school or hold a General Education Development (GED) high school equivalency diploma issued by the Pennsylvania (or associated state) Department of Education. Home-schooled applicants must be a graduate of a Department of Education-approved home-school association program.

 

Admission of Freshmen
Applicants for admission should read and observe carefully the following procedure:

1. Contact the Admissions Office of the university for an application for admission or access it on the Web at www.clarion.edu/admiss.

2. Send the application form to the university along with an application fee of $30 payable to Clarion University of Pennsylvania. The fee is not refundable. The high school transcript must be sent directly to the university by the guidance counselor or other school official. A medical form is to be completed after the applicant has been accepted.

3.  A deposit of $100 is required when the accepted applicant makes the decision to attend Clarion. This fee is not refundable but is credited toward the student's first semester bill.

4. Clarion University applicants may ask for a decision as early as July 1 following their junior year in high school. This would require the applicant to have taken the Scholastic Assessment Test (SAT) or the American College Test (ACT) in the junior year.

5. All applicants who intend to major in music education or music with elective studies in business must complete a musical audition and personal interview through the Department of Music.

6. Applicants for the Associate of Science degree in Nursing, see Specialized Admission Requirements for the Associate Of Science Degree in Nursing.

 

Transferring to Clarion

Clarion University welcomes applications from students who wish to transfer to Clarion from another college or university. Transfer information, including transfer guides for community colleges within the state and region, can be found at www.clarion.edu/transfer and transfer course equivalencies for many colleges nationwide can be found at www.pacollegetransfer.com. See also, Veteran's Affairs under Academic Opportunities.

 

Transfer Policy

Clarion University will accept transfer courses (except remedial/developmental) from regionally accredited two- and four-year institutions (e.g., Middle States Association of Colleges and Schools, North Central Association of Colleges and Schools) that are a grade of C- or better.

 

Transfer credits that are applied toward a specific major must be approved by the appropriate college dean or director and the department chair of the academic area in which the degree is to be granted. When applying transfer credits, all accepted courses will at least be applied as elective hours. Depending on a student's major and the number of credits, and compatibility of these credits with the student's chosen major, a student may complete her/his degree with credits beyond those required for graduation. Please note the following:

1. Students seeking to transfer must be in good academic and social standing at the transferring institution. It is the applicant's responsibility to submit official transcripts and other necessary materials for evaluation.

2. Credits are transferable, but grades and quality points are not.

3. All courses transferred must be recognized in content and quality.

4. Students who wish to challenge a course equivalency can appeal to the dean of their program of study. Students are requested to provide a course syllabus which gives more detail than just a catalog description. The course is then reevaluated by the appropriate academic department.

5. Transfer students must fill out the regular application for admission to the university, have high school and college transcripts sent to the Admissions Office, and pay the $30 non-refundable application fee.

6. Applicants who hold the Associate of Science or Arts degree from a Pennsylvania community college will be accepted by the university and granted transfer credits as outlined in the Academic Passport Principles
   (see the Credit Transfer Policy section.)

7. Applicants from Pennsylvania community colleges without the Associate Degree of Science or Arts will be processed in accordance with regular transfer guidelines.

8. First-time bachelor's degree seeking students are to complete at least 30 of the last 45 credits and at least 50 percent of the credits in their major from Clarion University. Candidates for graduation with an associate degree must complete a minimum of 30 credit hours in residence at Venango Campus in Oil City, Pennsylvania, or online for students in a completely online program.

9. To ensure proper placement of transfer credits taken at another institution, students enrolled at Clarion University are strongly encouraged to request written permission from their college dean to take courses at another institution for transfer back to Clarion. Grades and quality points for courses taken elsewhere do not transfer and cannot be used as repeats for grades previously earned at Clarion.

 

Credit Transfer Policy

Academic Passport Principles
Clarion University affirms its commitment to maximize access to higher education for all Pennsylvanians through the Academic Passport to the Pennsylvania State System of Higher Education. Community college students who have earned the Associate of Arts (A.A.), the Associate of Science (A.S.), or the Associate of Applied Science (A.A.S) degree in a program containing a minimum of 30 credits of liberal arts courses, or State System university students, who transfer from one State System university to another with a 2.0 minimum cumulative quality-point average (QPA) in all course work and a minimum of 12 credit hours, shall be considered to have an Academic Passport which will allow them to transfer to any PASSHE university.

It is understood that the academic passport does not guarantee admission into specific majors. Some academic programs may have additional requirements such as satisfactory scores on Praxis exams or a higher QPA.

In the acceptance and application of credits for students holding an Academic Passport, the receiving university shall look first to apply as many credits as possible toward the satisfaction of lower-division general education requirements. Next, the receiving university shall look toward applying any appropriate credits to satisfy requirements in the major. Last, credits may be applied to satisfy elective requirements. It is the intent of the passport that credits earned as part of a qualifying degree program at a community college or state system university should be accepted and applied toward completion for the baccalaureate degree.

It is recognized that in certain circumstances, such as a change in major or specialized programs of study, it may not be possible to apply all transfer credits earned toward the four-year degree; however, absent legitimate academic reasons, the intent of this policy is to make full and complete use of credits earned in qualified A.A., A.S., or A.A.S. degree programs. Transfer students shall not be required to repeat or retake courses that they have already successfully completed at another accredited institution.

 

In accepting the Academic Passport, Clarion University shall follow these principles:

1. Clarion University will recognize and honor the Academic Passport by admitting qualified students and shall apply credit toward graduation for all equivalent college course work completed for the associate's degree.

2. Students seeking to transfer to a State System university and who are admissible shall receive an evaluation of credits prior to enrollment and payment of tuition and fees. (Application fees may still be required.)

3. Transfer students who meet the conditions of published articulation agreements shall not be required to take a higher number of credits for the baccalaureate degree than indigenous students of the receiving institution.

4. Up to a maximum of 45 general education credits and liberal arts course credits shall be used to meet lower division general education requirements, even if the receiving university does not offer the specific course being transferred or has not designated that course appropriate for general education. A course-by-course match shall not be required.

5. Students who transfer with 60 or more credits will be entitled to the same rights and privileges accorded State System students with junior status
   (i.e., scheduling, internships, etc.).

 

Transfer Credit Appeal
Students who feel the need to appeal a course equivalency on the degree audit may do so by meeting with the dean of their college. Students who appeal an equivalency are asked to provide a course syllabus which provides more detailed information than catalog descriptions. The course is then re-evaluated by the appropriate academic department.

 

Admission with Advanced Standing

Advanced Placement-Credit by Examination

1. The College-Level Examination Program
A maximum of 60 credits may be earned through the College-Level Examination Program (CLEP). No more than 30 of the 60 credits may be earned after admission. These examinations, administered by the College Entrance Examination Board, may be taken at the Venango Campus of Clarion University on pre-scheduled testing dates. They are designed for students who have gained college-level knowledge through prior education or training. The College-Level Examination Program includes 36 subject examinations, which, if successfully passed, will earn the student three credits per examination. Listed below are the general and subject examinations, minimum acceptable scores, and credits available to earn:

 

General Exams	Equivalent	Min. Scores	Credits
English Composition	ENG     111	500	3
Humanities	HUM     120	500	3
Mathematics	MATH     112	500	3
Natural Sciences	PHSC     111	500	3
Social Science and History	Social Science Elective	500	3
Subject Exams	Equivalent	Min. Scores	Credits
American Government	PS     211	50	3
History of the U.S. I	HIST     120	50	3
History of the U.S. II	HIST     121	50	3
Educational Psychology	ED     122	50	3
Introduction to Psychology	PSY     211	50	3
Human Growth and Development	PSY     331	50	3
Principles of Macroeconomics	ECON     211	50	3
	ECON     212	50	3
Introductory Sociology	SOC     211	50	3
Western Civilization to 1648	HIST     111	50	3
Western Civilization 1648 to Present	HIST     113	50	3
College French Level 1	FR     151	50	3
College French Level 2	FR     152	59	3
College German Level 1	GER     151	50	3
College German Level 2	GER     152	60	3
College Spanish Level 1	SPAN     151 & 152	50	6
College Spanish Level 2	SPAN     251 & 252	63	6
American Literature	ENG     225	50	3
Analysing & Interpret. Freshman Lit.	ENG     130	50	3
Freshman College Composition	ENG     111	50	3
English Literature	ENG     221	50	3
	ENG     222	50	3
Calculus	MATH     232	50	3
College Algebra	MATH     110	50	3
College Algebra-Trigonometry	MATH     171	50	3
Biology	BIOL     111	50	3
Chemistry	CHEM     153	50	3
	CHEM     154	50	3
Information Systems & Computer Apps.	CIS     110	50	3
Financial Accounting	ACTG     251	50	3
Introductory Business Law	BSAD     240	50	3
Principles of Management	MGMT     120	50	3
Principles of Marketing	MKTG     160	50	3

 

For additional information and a CLEP registration form, contact: Hope Lineman, CLEP Certified Test Administrator, Clarion University–Venango Campus, 1801 West First Street, Oil City, PA 16301. To have CLEP scores evaluated for credit, submit an official transcript of scores to: Dean of Enrollment Management, Clarion University of Pennsylvania, 840 Wood Street, Clarion, PA 16214-1232.

2. Advanced Placement Program and Credit by Examination
Students also may earn credit and advanced standing through the Advanced Placement Program of the College Entrance Examination Board. The program is designed for high school students who expect to enter college and who have participated in one or more of the advanced classes while in high school. There are 31 subject areas in the program, and any high school student who earns a score of three or better in a subject area will be granted at least three credits. The National Advanced Placement Examinations are given in May of each year.

 

AP Exam	AP Grade Requirement	Credits Awarded	Course Typically Waived
American History	4 or 5	6	HIST 120 and 121
American History	3	3	HIST 120 or 121
Art History	4 or 5	6	ART 211 and 212
Art Studio-Drawing*	4 or 5	3	ART 121
Art 2-D Design*	4 or 5	3	ART 125
Art 3-D Design*	4 or 5	3	ART 126
Biology	5	8	BIOL 155, 156, 165, 166
Biology	4	4	BIOL 155, 156 or 165, 166
Biology	3	3	A free elective
Calculus AB	3 or 4	3	MATH 232
Calculus AB	5	4	MATH 260
Calculus BC	3	4	MATH 260
Calculus BC	4	4	MATH 270
Calculus BC	5	8	MATH 270 and 271
Chemistry	3, 4, or 5	6	CHEM 153 and 154
Chemistry	Completed AP Lab Reports	2	CHEM 163 and 164
Comparative Gov.	3, 4, or 5	3	PS 210
Computer Science A	3, 4, or 5	3	CIS 163
Computer Science AB	3, 4, or 5	6	CIS 163 and 244
English Language & Comp.	3, 4 or 5	3	ENG 200
English Literature & Comp.	3, 4 or 5	3	ENG 130
Environmental Science	3, 4 or 5	3	ENVR 275
European History	4 or 5	6	HIST 112 and 113
European History	3	3	HIST 112 or 113
French-Language	5	12	FR 151, 152, 251, 252
French-Language	4	9	FR 151, 152, 251
French-Language	3	6	FR 151 and 152
German-Language	5	12	GER 151, 152, 251, 252
German-Language	4	9	GER 151, 152, 251
German-Language	3	6	GER 151 and 152
Human Geography	3, 4, or 5	3	GEOG 100
Macroeconomics	3, 4, or 5	3	ECON 211
Microeconomics	3, 4, or 5	3	ECON 212
Music-Theory	3, 4, or 5	2	MUS 126
Physics B	4 or 5	8	PH 251 and 252
Physics C-Mechanics	4 or 5	3	PH 258
Physics C-Elec./Mag.	4 or 5	3	PH 259
Psychology	3, 4, or 5	3	PSY 211
Spanish-Language	5	12	SPAN 151, 152, 251, 252
Spanish-Language	4	9	SPAN 151, 152, 251
Spanish-Language	3	6	SPAN 151 and 152
Spanish-Literature	3, 4, or 5	3	SPAN 300 level
Statistics	3, 4, or 5	3	MATH 221
Studio Art	3, 4, or 5	3	ART elective
U.S. Gov. & Policies	3, 4, or 5	3	PS 211
World History	4 or 5	6	HIST 112 and 113
World History	3	3	HIST 112 or 113
*Students receiving a score of 3 for Drawing 2-D Design or 3-D Design can request a departmental portfolio review and credits may be granted.

 

3. International Baccalaureate Credits
Students presenting International Baccalaureate credits are awarded Clarion credits providing they earn the following scores: 5 or higher for standard level courses; 4 or higher for higher level courses. Equivalencies can be seen at www.clarion.edu/133456.pdf.

 

Course	Level	Score	Credit Amount	Course Equivalent
Economics	HL		3	ECON 212
English	HL	4 or 5	3	ENG 130
Geography	HL		3	GEOG
History of Americas	HL	4 or 5	3	HIST 113
History of Americas	HL	6 or 7	6	HIST 113 and HIST 121
History of Africa	HL	4 or 5	3	HIST 113
History of Africa	HL	6 or 7	6	HIST 113 and HIST 131
History of East and SE Asia	HL	4 or 5	3	HIST 113
History of East and SE Asia	HL	6 or 7	6	HIST 113 and HIST 110
History of Europe	HL	4 or 5	3	HIST 113
History of Europe	HL	6 or 7	6	HIST 113 and HIST 1XX*
History of S Asia and Mid East	HL	4 or 5	3	HIST 113
History of S Asia and Mid East	HL	6 or 7	6	HIST 113 and HIST 110
History	SL	5, 6 or 7	3	HIST 113
Language Ab initio SL	SL	5 or 6	3	FR/GER/SPAN 151
Language B SL	SL	5, 6 or 7	3	FR/GER/SPAN 152
Language B HL	HL	4 or 5	3	FR/GER/SPAN 251
Language A2 SL	SL	5, 6 or 7	3	FR/GER/SPAN 252
Language A2 HL	HL	4 or 5	3	FR/GER/SPAN 281 or 282
Math Studies.	SL	5, 6 or 7	3	MATR 1XX
Theatre SL	SL		3	THE 2XX
Theatre HL	HL		3	THE 253
Visual Arts			3	ART 110
*Would use HIST 150 History in the Headlines, if we still had it.
NOTE: We accept Standard Level (SL) 5 or higher     NOTE: We accept Higher Level (HL) 4 or higher

 

4. Proficiency Examinations
Course credits, not to exceed 38 semester hours, also may be earned by proficiency examination for advanced college work administered by the departments in which the particular proficiency is taught. Enrolled, degree-seeking students who appear to possess a proficiency equal to or greater than that required in a particular course may make application for such an examination in the Office of the Registrar; the chair of the subject area concerned will determine the validity of the application. Minimum qualifications for proficiency examination applications are as follows: first-semester freshmen must have scored 550 or above in the verbal on the SAT; students other than first semester freshmen must have a QPA of 2.50 or above; and in no case may a student earn credit for a course more than once for any given subject. Proficiency exams are not available to students who are otherwise not enrolled at the university during the semester in which the exam is to be taken. Proficiency exams may not be used to repeat courses in which letter grades have previously been awarded.

5. Credit for Life Experience
Clarion University may grant credit for life experience based upon careful evaluation of such experience. For information, students may contact the dean of the college in which they are enrolled.

 

General Certificate of Education: Advanced Level

Clarion University grants course credits, whenever possible, in subjects in which an A-level pass has been earned. Course equivalencies will be determined by the appropriate college dean based upon information provided by the student.

 

International Students

Clarion University is authorized under federal law to enroll nonimmmigrant students. Clarion University welcomes applications from students from other countries. If you are not a U.S. citizen or are not a resident alien (with a green card) you will apply to Clarion as an international student.

 

For international students to be considered for admission they are required to submit the following information:

1. The International Undergraduate Application.

2. Official or certified copies of all academic records with an official seal of the school must be provided from secondary school, college, university, and professional institutions, including all courses taken, grades (plus grading scale), graduation date(s), and copies of diplomas, degrees, or other certificates received. For post-secondary work to be evaluated for transfer credit, please provide a course description or syllabus for each course. Submit both official translated and untranslated records.

3. Applicants from countries where English is not the official language are required to submit official results for the Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) or the International English Language Testing System (IELTS). Applicants from countries where English is the principal language may choose to submit official SAT or ACT scores in lieu of the TOEFL or IELTS.

 

Admission Guidelines
Basic requirements for admission include a minimum TOEFL score of 500, if it is paper-based, or a score of 173, if it is computer-based, a score of 61 if Internet based, or a satisfactory SAT/ACT score, or IELTS score of 6.0. Clarion offers an Intensive English Program (IEP) and satisfactory completion of the program meets the university’s English language proficiency requirement. As an ESL coop university, the 112 level intensive also meets the university’s English language proficiency.

Students who have graduated from a high school (or equivalent) where the language of instruction is not English will be exempted from any general foreign language requirement at Clarion University. Academic credit and/or life experience credit will only be granted for knowledge of one's native language in cases when specific courses or examinations offered at Clarion University are successfully completed.

 

Non-Degree Admissions

Students who wish to enroll as a non-degree seeking student may enroll for up to 12 credit hours as a Quick Admit. Quick Admit forms are available in the Admissions Office. Note: state and federal financial aid is not available to quick- admitted students, because they are non-degree.

After completing coursework as a quick-admitted student, if a student chooses to apply for "regular" admission (in a degree program), they may do so during the semester in which they will complete no more than 12 credit hours. Applying for "regular" admission includes a non-refundable application fee, high school transcripts, and college transcripts, if applicable.

Students who have not been approved for degree candidacy after the completion of 12 credit hours of part-time study will not be permitted to continue at the university.

 

Early Admissions Programs for High School Student

Clarion University offers three programs that permit qualified high school students to enroll in classes at the university, while they are still in high school. These programs provide high school students the opportunity to experience college course work prior to high school graduation. The course work provides depth and a greater challenge than their high school curriculum.

 

LEAP—Leaders' Early Admission and Jump Start Programs

The LEAP program on the Clarion Campus and Jump Start program on the Venango Campus (Oil City) are designed to admit selected high school students to Clarion University on a part-time or full-time basis for summer fall, and/or spring.

Admission Criteria
The following criteria determine admission of high school students to L.E.A.P. and Jump Start at Clarion University:

1. Completion of the freshman year in high school.

2. Completion of the L.E.A.P./Jump Start on-line application.

3. 3.25 cumulative grade point average (87 percent) or top 20 percent of the class. SAT of at least 1000 (CR & M) or ACT of 21. Students can also be considered with a PSAT of 100 or PSSA scores of Proficient or Advanced
   (at least one score must be advanced).

   Official transcripts that show enrollment in the academic or college preparatory program in high school while achieving the following:

4. Recommendation to the Dean of Enrollment Management by the student's guidance counselor and high school principal by way of a signature on the second page of the application. These signatures serve as support for the applicant's motivation, interest, academic ability, and social maturity.

5. Consent of parent or guardian by signature on the second page of the application.

The Dean of Enrollment Management may arrange for an interview with the applicant and parents. The final decision rests with the Dean of Enrollment Management.

Credits
Students receive college course credits and are subject to the same rules, regulations, and benefits as other student at Clarion University. Students may enroll in traditional on-campus classes or web-based courses.

Cost
Funding exists for students who qualify and the cost of tuition for these programs is significantly reduced. Contact the admissions office at 800-672-7171, ext. 1, or go to www.clarion.edu/leap for current costs and application materials.

Direct LEAP/Jump Start application materials to Clarion University LEAP/Jump Start Programs, Office of Admissions, Clarion University of Pennsylvania, 840 Wood Street, Clarion, PA 16214.

 

Dual Enrollment

Clarion University and more than 60 school districts have entered into collaborative agreements to provide for the administration and implementation of the Pennsylvania Department of Education Dual Enrollment Grant. The Center for Teaching Excellence serves as the collaborative coordinator. Students have the option of attending class on Clarion or Venango campuses, online courses, or when arranged by the district at their home school, in the high school they attend. All classes are taught by Clarion University faculty.

Dual Enrollment class costs are dependent on the student's district. Clarion University is prepared to offer a substantial tuition reduction and waiver of fees to students enrolled in this program.

Dual Enrollment is open to students who:

• Attend a high school which has a PA Department of Education Dual Enrollment Grant in collaboration with Clarion University.

• Have a cumulative 2.8 high school QPA or 82 percent

• Submit results from the PSAT (90 or better), SAT (900 critical reading & math or better), or PSSA (proficient or better) tests

• Complete the Dual Enrollment Application online

• Obtain signatures from their principal, guidance counselor, and parent or guardian

 

To find out if your high school is a Dual Enrollment school, check with your guidance counselor or online at www.clarion.edu/leap under high school student resources at www.clarion.edu/7120/.

Direct Dual Enrollment program questions to: Center for Teaching Excellence, Clarion University of Pennsylvania, 840 Wood Street, Clarion, PA 16214 or 814-393-2798.

 

New Student Orientation

All new students are expected to attend New Student Orientation prior to their matriculation. New Student Orientation sessions are conducted throughout the year, with sessions generally offered in the spring and summer. Family members and guests are encouraged to attend with their student.

The primary objectives of New Student Orientation are to help entering students make the transition from their previous environment to Clarion University and to ensure that students and parents complete critical tasks and receive information necessary for a successful entry into college. In order to facilitate this adjustment and allow the students to pursue their education in the best possible manner, the curricular and co-curricular aspects of university life are explored with students and their family members/guests in large and small groups. Students and family members/guests meet with faculty members and students receive academic advisement as they register for classes.

Registration forms and instructions for New Student Orientation program are mailed to all new students.