Academic Catalog

Admissions

Office of Admissions

Located in the Enrollment Services Center on Spencer Street, the Office of Admissions is responsible for informing prospective students regarding admission policies and procedures, for receiving and processing applications for admission to the College, and for admitting new students. and . This office functions as the primary contact for all prospective students. To contact the Office of Admissions, call (678) 359-5021, email  admissions@gordonstate.edu, or write:

Office of Admissions
Gordon State College
419 College Drive
Barnesville, GA 30204

Guidelines for admission to Gordon State College can be accessed online at: gordonstate.edu/apply. Please check this webpage for any updated requirements that may supersede information outlined in this academic catalog.

Gordon State College is proud to participate in the Adult Learning Consortium. For more information on these programs, please contact the Office of Admissions.

Regulations Governing the Admission of Students

Applicants should consult the website for the most current requirements, as institutional or University System of Georgia (USG) policy updates may supersede catalog information. www.gordonstate.edu/ apply; https://usg.policystat.com/policy/19899070/latest/#autoid-dqr6r

Students with learning disabilities are responsible for contacting the Americans with Disabilities Act Officer to discuss the type of assistance they will need to be successful at Gordon State College. Please contact the Office of Counseling and Accessibility at 678-359-5585 for more information.

All required application materials should be submitted at least )fifteen (15) business days prior to the beginning of the semester for which admission is sought.  

Applications to Special Programs

In addition to the preceding admissions policies that apply to all students, Gordon State College offers several programs that have their own application processes and deadlines.

  • Associate of Science in Nursing, LPN/Paramedic Bridge, pre-licensure Bachelor of Science in Nursing, and the RN to BSN Programs: Applications to the nursing programs are available   on the Department of Nursing webpage during the application period specific to each program.
  • BSED in Elementary and Special Education, Secondary Education, and Parapro-to-Teacher Concentration: Applications to the education programs are available on the Department of Education webpage during the application period specific to each program.
  • Bachelor of Science in Biology with Secondary Certification: Students seeking a B.S. in biology submit the standard Gordon State College application. However, if they choose the concentration leading to secondary certification, in addition to declaring a major in biology, students must apply for admission to the Teacher Education Program through the School of Education, Arts, and Humanities prior to junior year of studies.

State Residency Requirements

The definition of an in-state resident for the purpose of attending Gordon State College is established by the policies of the Board of Regents of the University System of Georgia and does not necessarily parallel other definitions of residency. Any student who has questions regarding his or her residency status should contact the Registrar at Gordon State College or refer to the Board of Regents Policy Manual,  https://usg.policystat.com/policy/19848518/latest/

Verification of Lawful Presence

In accordance with the policies of the Board of Regents of the University System of Georgia, each institution is required to verify the lawful presence in the United States of every successfully admitted or readmitted student who is seeking classification for in-state tuition, as well as any student admitted to an institution subject to Board of Regents Policy 4.1.6.

Students applying for in-state tuition or tuition waivers must provide appropriate documentation to verify lawful presence as part of the admissions process. Lawful presence may be verified through the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) for students who are eligible for federal financial aid, or through submission of approved documentation as determined by University System of Georgia guidelines.

Failure to provide sufficient verification of lawful presence may result in the inability to qualify for in-state tuition and may prevent registration until the requirement has been satisfied.

Students are encouraged to submit all required documentation promptly to avoid delays in admission processing or course registration.

ACCUPLACER – Placement Testing

ACCUPLACER is a computerized placement exam that tests a student’s Reading, Writing and Math skills. The Verbal and Writing sections of ACCUPLACER, tests reading and writing skills and is required for students with a Required High School curriculum deficiency in English.

The mathematics section of ACCUPLACER tests algebra skills and is required for students with a college preparatory, tech/prep or Required High School Curriculum deficiency in mathematics.

Students may elect to take the ACCUPLACER to exempt learning support co-requisite courses. The scores will be used as an additional measure to determine learning support requirements.

The ACCUPLACER exam is not timed. It is offered throughout the week in the Testing Center (Student Center 234) for Gordon State applicants. The first test is offered free of charge, then $20 for each re-test. For more information, including the ACCUPLACER testing schedule, visit the Testing Center website at  https://www.gordonstate.edu/admissions/testing-center/index.html.

Minimum Scores to Exempt Learning Support Placement

Default courses unless student meets ONE of the exemption criteria below

ENGL 0999 Support for English Comp/ENGL 1101 English Comp I
ENGL 1101 English Comp I

  • HSGPA ≥ 2.7 AND Completion RHSC in English/Language Arts OR   
  • ACT English ≥ 17 OR
  • SAT Evidence-Based Reading and Writing (EBRW) ≥ 480 OR 
  • Accuplacer Reading Comprehension ≥ 61 AND WritePlacer ≥ 4 OR
  • Accuplacer Next Generation Reading Comprehension ≥ 237 AND WritePlacer ≥ 4

Default courses unless student meets ONE of the exemption criteria below

MATH 0997 Support for Quantitatve Reason/MATH 1001 Quantitative Skills & Reason
MATH 1001 Quantitative Skills & Reason OR
MATH 0999 Support for Col Algebra/MATH 1111 College Algebra     

  • HSGPA ≥ 3.1 AND Completion of RHSC in Math OR               
  • ACT Mathematics ≥ 17 OR
  • SAT (new) Mathematics ≥ 470 OR
  • Accuplacer Elementary Algebra ≥ 67
  • Accuplacer Next Generation Quantitative Reasoning, Algebra, and Statistics ≥ 258

MATH 1001 Quantitative Skills & Reason OR MATH 1111 College Algebra OR higher course for additional qualified students

  • HSGPA ≥ 3.2 AND Completion of RHSC in Math OR               
  • ACT Mathematics ≥ 20 OR   
  • SAT (new) Mathematics ≥ 510 OR             
  • Accuplacer Elementary Algebra  ≥ 79
  • Accuplacer Next Generation Quantitative Reasoning, Algebra, and Statistics ≥ 266

Transfer students with credit for ENGL 1101 English Comp I or a math course that meets the core curriculum requirement have met Gordon State College’s Learning support requirements.

Placement Exams

Students eligible to take MATH 1111 College Algebra without co-requisite support may opt to take a placement exam for placement into MATH 1113 Precalculus or MATH 1501 Calculus I. Information about scheduling this exam is available in the Testing Center. Placement exams may be taken only once and must be completed prior to the first day of classes for the term. The results of placement exams are final and may not be appealed. 

Applicant Types 

Candidates seeking admission to the College are required to submit certain documents and/or information to the Office of Admissions before a final admission decision can be made. The specific documents and/or information required by the College depend on the category of application being submitted.

Presently, the College accepts applications for admission in the following categories: (1) beginning freshmen, (2) GED students, (3) home school students, (4) transfer students, (5) transient students, (6) auditors, (7) post-baccalaureate students, (8) non-degree students, (9) Dual Enrollment Students, (10) non-traditional students, (11) international students and (12) former students seeking re-admission.

The documents and/or information required for each of these application categories are specified below.

Beginning Freshmen

Applicants are considered beginning (traditional) freshmen if they (1) have graduated from high school within five years of the beginning of the semester for which admission is sought and (2) have not enrolled in another college, or have earned fewer than 30 transferable semester credit hours from another institution.

Beginning freshmen are required to submit the following documents/information to the Office of Admissions before a final admissions decision can be made:

1. Application for admission
2. Official final high school transcript1 showing the date of graduation and type of diploma received
3. Immunization record(s)
4. SAT or ACT scores are optional
5. Verification of Lawful Presence.
6. ACCUPLACER Placement Exam (May be required.)

1

It is a common practice for high school seniors to apply to Gordon State College seeking acceptance prior to high school graduation and the College may provisionally accept them based on their current academic record. A final, official  high school transcript along with the other required documents, is required for full admission .

University System of Georgia Required High School Curriculum (RHSC)

Students who graduate from high school before May 2012 are evaluated on the basis of high school grade point average and evaluation of college preparatory curriculum (CPC) or Technical/Career Preparatory Program (TC or Tech/Prep) completion. Students who graduate from high school May 2012 and after will use the Required High School Curriculum (RHSC). For specific test score standards, or other requirements, call the Office of Admissions or refer to the Gordon State College website www.gordonstate.edu.  

For students graduating from high school May 2012 or later, the high school academic grade point average is based on grades received only for the five (5) academic or core areas of English, Foreign Language, Mathematics, Science and Social Science. Completion of the 17-unit Required High School Curriculum will be required for students in programs leading to a baccalaureate degree.

The University System of Georgia’s RHSC requirements apply to all students described in the categories listed below who enroll in any    program that leads to the baccalaureate degree:

  1. Students graduating from Georgia or out-of-state public or private high schools within five (5) years of the beginning of the semester for which admission is sought. RHSC requirements do not apply to students who graduated from a high school located outside of the jurisdiction of the United States educational system.
  2. Students who passed the GED exam in lieu of high school graduation if their graduating class at the high school would have graduated within five (5) years of the beginning of the semester for which admission is sought. The GED exam does not indicate fulfillment of Required High School Curriculum requirements.
  3. Students enrolled in career associate degree programs are exempted from RHSC requirements. However, students in these programs who transfer into programs leading to the baccalaureate degree will be required to meet RHSC requirements if they have not earned a career associate degree before enrolling in the baccalaureate program.

See the separate listings below for required units/courses to be taken in high school to complete the Required High School Curriculum (RHSC):

Required High School Curriculum (RHSC)

Subject Area Units Required Standard Courses
English 4 Literature (American, English, World) integrated with grammar, usage and advanced composition skills
Foreign Language/American Sign Language/Computer Science 2 Two units of the same foreign language must have an emphasis on speaking, listening, reading and writing. The 2 units of computer science must have a coding and programming emphasis.
Math 4 Algebra I, Geometry, Algebra II/Advanced Algebra, and a 4th unit of advanced math, or equivalent courses
Science 4 Must include two courses with a laboratory component. Georgia public high school students should have at least one unit of Biology, one unit of Physical Science or Physics, one unit of Chemistry, Earth Systems, Environmental Science, or an Advanced Placement or International Baccalaureate course or the equivalent, and an approved 4th science unit.
Social Science 3 Must include one unit focusing on U.S. studies and one unit focusing on world studies.
Total 17

See this link for additional details and a list of courses that satisfy the RHSC requirements https://www.usg.edu/student_affairs/assets/student_affairs/documents/Staying_on_Course.pdf.

The University System of Georgia is dedicated to providing access to college to the students of Georgia and offers its support to the students of school systems in jeopardy of losing Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Council on Accreditation and School Improvement accreditation. Admission to any University System of Georgia college or university will not be negatively impacted should SACSCASI determine that the accreditation of a school system must be revoked. 

Students graduating from a high school regulated by a school system and state department of education, meeting all other Board of Regents and institutional admission requirements, including the 16 units required of the College Preparatory Curriculum (for those graduating prior to 2012) or the 17 units required for the Required High School Curriculum (for those graduating 2012 or later), will continue to be considered for admission in the same manner as students from SACSCASI accredited schools in the state.

RHSC Deficiencies

The 17 minimum RHSC requirements compose the traditional freshman student’s high school academic GPA. The University System policy is very specific as to how RHSC deficiencies are decided. Applicants who have not completed the Required High School Curriculum must satisfy deficiencies within their first 30 degree-level credit hours at Gordon State College.

Students may satisfy RHSC deficiencies through any of the following methods:

  1. Demonstrate subject matter proficiency through standardized exams, e.g. SAT, ACT, SATII Subject Tests, CLEP, DSST, and ACCUPLACER .
  2. Demonstrate subject matter proficiency through approved coursework. A student may address RHSC deficiencies prior to enrollment at Gordon State College by passing an approved high school course in the deficiency area(s) at a high school accredited by a recognized accrediting agency or by passing a three-credit collegiate course at a regionally accredited college or university. A student who has passed a terminal course in a subject area while in high school will be considered to have met the RHSC requirement in that subject area. For example, a student who has completed calculus in the 11th grade will be deemed as meeting the RHSC requirement in math.
  3. Demonstrate subject matter proficiency through appropriate college courses. Students who have RHSC deficiencies, which are addressed after enrollment, can be admitted under the Limited Admissions category. These students may address RHSC deficiencies after enrollment at Gordon State College by passing a three-credit collegiate course in the area of the deficiency at Gordon State College or any regionally accredited college or university within the first 30 college credit hours. Students who earn 30 hours of degree-level credit and have not satisfied all RHSC deficiencies may not register for other courses (except required Learning Support courses) unless they also register for the appropriate deficiency course(s) as applicable.

English: Exempt or exit the Learning Support English requirement

Foreign Language: Pass a three credit collegiate introductory foreign language course

Math: Exempt or exit the Learning Support math requirement

Science: Pass any three or four credit collegiate science course

Social Science: Pass any three credit collegiate social science course

Collegiate courses used to satisfy RHSC deficiencies will be applied toward graduation and will be computed in the semester and cumulative grade point average. Students who completed collegiate courses to satisfy RHSC or CPC deficiencies prior to Fall 2014 may appeal to have those courses applied toward graduation. Contact the Registrar’s Office at 678359-5022 for information on the academic request process.

Every Gordon State College student is assigned an academic advisor who assists the student in setting up a class schedule that fulfills completion of RHSC deficiencies. The advisor will be assigned at the beginning of the school term.

GED Students

Applicants are considered GED students if they have passed the GED exam in lieu of high school graduation and if their high school class would have graduated within five years of the beginning of the semester for which admission is sought. A minimum score of 145 on each section of the GED is required for admittance or 2250 on the previous version of the test. A student receiving a GED cannot be admitted to the College for any term before his or her high school class’s date of graduation. GED applicants are required to submit the following documents and/or information to the Office of Admissions before a final admissions decision can be made:

  1. Application for admission
  2. Official GED Scores
  3. Immunization Record(s)
  4. Verification of Lawful Presence
  5. ACCUPLACER Scores, and
  6. Official Transcripts showing all coursework completed in high school.

Home-Schooled Applicants

The Board of Regents has established five paths to admission for a home-schooled student. They are:

  1. Diploma from a regionally accredited home study program or Center of the Accrediting Commission for Independent Study (ACIS),
  2. SAT scores in top 5% of national college-bound seniors,
  3. GED test,
  4. SAT II Subject Tests, and
  5. Portfolio Assessment.

Visit this link for a current list of homeschool accrediting agencies recognized by the University System of Georgia https://www.usg.edu/academic_affairs_handbook/section3/C659.

The GED Concentration for Home-Schooled Applicants:

Applicants who graduated from a non-accredited home-school within the past five years fall into the traditional beginning freshman category and may also present the GED exam score sheet as an alternate means of entrance into a two-year unit of the University System. The minimum passing score for the GED, under current University System of Georgia policy, is a 145 for each section or a 2250 on the old GED. Home-school applicants who present GED scores will be required to take the ACCUPLACER placement exam. The GED applicant who enters the college under the traditional freshman category must complete the 16 CPC or 17 RHSC requirements that all traditional beginning freshman applicants are required to provide. In many cases, the applicant successfully exits out of Learning Support English (reading and writing) and Math, thereby making up 8 CPC deficiencies automatically. However, those applicants who do not test out of learning support classes must take extra courses that make-up/validate the 16 CPC or 17 RHSC requirements, thereby extending the time frame for completion of the two-year degree.

Transfer Students

Applicants are classified as transfer students if they have: Attended another college or university and earned 30 or more transferable semester credit hours.

Applicants with fewer than 30 transferable semester credit hours are evaluated under beginning freshman admission requirements, as required by USG policy.

  1. Application for Admission -
  2. Final, Official Transcripts from all post-secondary institutions attended
  3. Immunization Record(s)
  4. Verification of Lawful Presence
  5. High School Transcript

Although item (5) is required only for applicants with fewer than 30 transferable credit hours, all applicants are strongly encouraged to submit a high school transcript with their initial application. Submitting these documents with the initial application will reduce the potential for a delay in the acceptance/registration process.

Failure to list and submit an official transcript from any institution previously attended subjects the applicant to strict disciplinary action, including expulsion if admitted and enrolled.

To qualify for admission to Gordon State College, a transfer student with 30 or more transferable credit hours must be eligible to return to the most recent college or university attended or have approval from the Gordon State College Admissions Committee. Applicants with fewer than 30 transferable credit hours from other institutions are required to meet the admissions requirements of beginning freshmen.
 

Limitations on Transfer Credit
Students seeking to transfer course work to Gordon State College must be aware that the transfer of credit is subject to the following limitations:

Gordon State College awards transfer credit for all degree level course work earned through any college or university accredited by a regional accrediting association. In addition Gordon State College reserves the right to accept or refuse on a case by case basis transfer credit for any degree level course work earned through a non-regionally accredited institution.

  1. Courses transferred from technical colleges in Georgia, accredited by the Commission on Colleges of the Southern Association of College and Schools (SACSCOC) may be viewed at: https://www.gordonstate.edu/documents/registrar/tcsg_gsc-equivalencies.pdf
  2. Courses in which a grade of D was earned will be transferred only if non-transfer Gordon State College students are allowed to use a grade of D toward degree credit for that course.  All grades will be calculated in the transfer GPA unless excluded through repeat grade processing.
  3. No more than 42 semester hours of combined transfer credit from all sources will be accepted toward an Associate Degree.
  4. No more than 90 semester hours of combined transfer credit from all sources will be accepted toward a Bachelor Degree.  The student must earn at least 30 semester hours of credit applicable for the degree at Gordon State College.  In addition, half of the upper level hours required for the degree must be completed at Gordon State.
  5. Credit is not awarded for passing the General Education Development Test (GED).
  6. Students transferring to Gordon State College after having been suspended, dismissed, expelled, excluded or placed on probation by their former institution shall enter on academic probation and shall be subject to Gordon State College's academic standards.
  7. Students transferring to Gordon State College from other University System of Georgia schools will be required to complete all Learning Support areas that they have not exited. Transferring to Gordon will not relieve students from Learning Support requirements placed on them by another University System of Georgia institution.
  8. Transfer students completing high school within five years of the beginning of the semester for which admission is sought will be required to complete College Preparatory Curriculum (CPC) or Required High School Curriculum (RHSC) requirements not satisfied in high school or at the previous institution. Transferring to Gordon State will not relieve students from CPC or RHSC requirements.

Transient Students

Applicants are considered transient students if they are currently enrolled in another college or university and wish to  enroll temporarily at Gordon State College. Transient students typically attend Gordon State for one semester, take courses prescribed by their home institution, and then return to their home institution. Transient students must submit the following documents before a final admissions decision can be made:

  1. Application for Admission
  2. Letter of Transient Permission,
  3. Immunization Record(s), and
  4. Verification of Lawful Presence.

Item (2) must clearly indicate the applicant’s current academic status, the matriculation term of their home institution, and the course(s) the applicant is approved to take at Gordon State College. The Dean or Registrar of the applicant’s home institution typically furnishes the Letter of Transient Permission.

The student, in accordance with established College policies, may request transcripts of course work attempted at Gordon State College.

Transcripts will not be automatically forwarded to the student’s home institution.

Auditors

Auditors are persons who wish to enroll in a course or courses at Gordon State College but do not wish to receive any college credit toward degree requirements for the work attempted. Applicants wishing to apply as auditors must submit the following required documents/information before a final admissions decision can be made:

  1. Application for Admission
  2. Official High School transcript and/or official college transcript or Official GED score sheet
  3. Immunization Record(s)
  4. Verification of Lawful Presence

Students enrolled as auditors must pay all regular fees for enrollment. Students may not transfer from audit to credit-seeking status without satisfying the admissions requirements for credit status as either a beginning freshman or transfer student. Students who receive an audit grade may not convert it to a credit grade, and vice versa.

Post-Baccalaureate Students

Applicants are considered post-baccalaureate students if they have received a baccalaureate degree from a regionally accredited institution and wish to enroll in undergraduate courses and receive college credit.  Post-baccalaureate students will be admitted as non-degree students without a limitation on the number of credit hours they can earn. Post-baccalaureate students must submit the following documents/information before a final admissions decision can be made:

  1. Application for Admission
  2. Official Transcript from the Institution which Awarded the Highest Degree, and
  3. Immunization Record(s), and
  4. Verification of Lawful Presence.

Post-baccalaureate students who decide to pursue a degree at Gordon State College must satisfy the admissions requirements for transfer students.

Non-Degree Students

Applicants without a baccalaureate degree may enroll as non-degree students for a maximum of ten (10) semester credit hours (including institutional credit).

Non-degree students may not enroll in any course for which there is a Learning Support prerequisite unless they have been screened for and exempted the relevant Learning Support course. Applicants seeking admission as non-degree students must submit the following documents before a final admissions decision can be made:

  1. Application for Admission
  2. Immunization Record(s), and
  3. Official High School and/or College Transcripts, and
  4. Verification of Lawful Presence.

Dual Enrollment Program for High School Students

In accordance with the Board of Regents Academic Affairs handbook, section 3.6.2, the University System of Georgia recognizes the need to provide academically talented high school students with opportunities for acceleration of their formal academic programs. This recognition has led to the development of three organized programs:

  1. Dual Enrollment:  Programs in which the student, while continuing his/her enrollment in high school, enrolls in courses for both high school and college credit in which tuition and textbook costs are covered by the Georgia Student Finance Commission (GSFC).
  2. Joint Enrollment: Program in which a student, while continuing his/her enrollment in high school as a junior or senior, enrolls in courses for college credit.
  3. Early Admission: Program in which the student enrolls as a full-time college student following completion of the junior year in high school.

The minimum admission standards for the programs are established by the Board of Regents, ensuring consistent application of standards across institutions. These guidelines are detailed at this link https://usg.policystat.com/policy/19899070/latest/#autoid-p5jrr

Non-Traditional Students

Applicants are considered non-traditional students if they meet the following criteria. Applicants must have:

  1. Graduated from high school at least five years before the beginning of the semester for which admission is sought or have been part of a high school class that would have graduated at least five years before the beginning of the semester for which admission is sought,
  2. A high school diploma from an accredited or approved high school or a GED,
  3. Earned fewer than 30 transferable semester credit hours, and
  4. Not attended college within five years of the beginning of the semester for which admission is sought or must be in good standing at the last college attended if admitted to that college as a non-traditional student.

Applicants applying as non-traditional students who have taken the SAT or ACT may submit their test scores to the College. All non-traditional students will be encouraged to take both the verbal and mathematics sections of ACCUPLACER to determine Learning Support requirements.

International Students 

Gordon State College is authorized under Federal law to enroll nonimmigrant alien students. If an applicant is neither a U.S. citizen nor a U.S. permanent resident, then they are considered an international student. If English is their native language, they are required to complete the SAT or ACT, and submit official high school transcripts.

Admissions Requirements

  • Minimum TOEFL scores: 525 paper; 197 CBT or; 71 IBT
  • Or Minimum SAT I scores: 430 Verbal and 430 Math
  • Minimum ACT scores: 17 English and 18 Math

Required Documents

  • Completed application(below), and $30 fee
  • Immunization form signed by a physician or health official. The form must show proof of two doses of the MMR vaccination.
  • Official copy of document showing that the applicant has attained an education level equivalent to a United States high school diploma.
  • Official transcripts from all post-secondary institutions attended in the United States and other countries.
  • Official TOEFL (Test of English as Foreign Language) scores if English is not the applicant’s native language. If you have graduated from a US High School, the TOEFL will not be required.

If not a US citizen or Resident Alien, an official, certified financial statement of responsibility must be provided.  This statement must document that the applicant has sufficient funds to cover all expenses involved in attending Gordon State College for one (1) academic year (2 semesters) of study; traveling to and from the United States; and living away from the college when the campus residence halls are closed for holidays.

The applicant must provide all necessary documentation of current status with the US Immigration and Naturalization Service (BCIS). This documentation includes, but is not limited to:

  • Copy of VISA
  • Resident Alien Registration or Permanent Resident Card (front and back)
  • Passport
  • Copy of current I-20 form (if transferring from US college/university).

Upon request, the applicant may be asked to provide additional documentation.

IMPORTANT: All documents must be provided in English language translation.

Accepted applicants will be issued the I-20 form for entry into the United States. Prior to registration for classes, international applicants may be required to take the Accuplacer.  The Accuplacer exam results are used for determining the applicant's entry level into the college and are used in advisement.

NOTE: International students have been mandated by the Board of Regents to pay for mandatory student health insurance. These fees are charged to students automatically when the fee assessment process is finished. A waiver request can be completed if you have personal insurance and can provide documentation supporting this. To request a waiver, please contact the Bursar’s office.

Former Gordon State College Students Seeking Re-Admission

Former Gordon State College students seeking re-admission must apply through the Office of Admission. Please see the section on Readmission of Former Students (page 58) for more information.