Navigating Admissions at Norfolk State University: A Comprehensive Guide
Norfolk State University (NSU), a Historically Black College and University (HBCU), is committed to maintaining a diverse student population. The university enriches the educational process and benefits the entire campus community. Admission to NSU is based on a number of factors, including the number of applicants and space availability. This article aims to provide a detailed overview of the admission requirements for prospective students, covering first-year, transfer, and graduate applicants.
First-Year Admission Requirements
If you have never attended a college or university and are graduating from high school, you’re in the right place. Applying to NSU is a straightforward process. Here's what you need to know:
Application Process
Complete the undergraduate application and submit it with the $25 non-refundable application fee.
Academic Requirements
A student who earns at least a 2.3 (weighted) high school grade point average is eligible for consideration of admissions. Students with a high school equivalency diploma will be considered upon the successful completion of the General Education Development (GED) test with a minimum score of 530. GED graduates may be subject to additional requirements.
Test-Optional Policy
First-year students applying for the Spring or Fall 2024 term have the opportunity to apply as Test-optional.
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SAT/ACT Scores (Optional)
First year students applying for Spring or Fall 2024 term will not be required to submit official test scores (ACT/SAT) for admissions. A student who earns a minimum test score of an 880 SAT or 17 ACT is eligible for consideration of admissions. The 25th percentile SAT score is 840, and the 75th percentile SAT score is 1040. The average ACT score at Norfolk State University is 18. The 25th percentile ACT score is 16, and the 75th percentile ACT score is 19.
Essay Submission
Students may be considered for scholarships by submitting an essay of no more than 650 words. Log into your application to view available essay topics under Supplemental Items.
Additional Considerations
The Office of Admissions is authorized to review, accept, defer, or deny applicants based on an evaluation of a student’s application.
Transfer Admission Requirements
Transfer students are those who have attended other colleges or universities and are seeking to continue their education at NSU. Here are the requirements for transfer admission:
General Requirements
Official transcripts from all colleges attended. Transfer students must be in good standing at the last school attended and must have a minimum cumulative grade point average of 2.0.
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Transfer Credits
Transfer credit is acceptable for coursework with a grade of “C” or better from regionally accredited institutions of higher learning. Courses taken on a pass/fail basis may be considered for transfer credit if the official college or university transcript or official attachments indicate that a passing grade is equivalent to a grade of “C” or better. No more than 30 pass/fail semester credit hours may be considered for transfer credit.
Advanced Standing
Students who have completed an associate’s degree and are transferring from a Virginia community college to Norfolk State University may be granted junior status. Two copies of the Certificate of Advanced Standing (CAS) will be generated for all accepted transfer students. The CAS must be submitted to the academic advisor for review and approval during the transfer orientation session.
Advanced Placement (AP) and International Baccalaureate (IB) Credit
Students who attain a score of 3 or higher on the Advanced Placement Examinations administered by the College Board are eligible to receive credit on the basis of these tests. Scores should be forwarded directly from the College Board to the University. Students who attain a score of 4 or higher on International Baccalaureate Examinations (IB) are eligible to receive credit on the basis of these tests.
College Level Examination Program (CLEP)
Students who attain satisfactory scores on the Subject Examinations College Level Examination Program (CLEP) under the auspices of the College Entrance Examination Board are eligible to receive course credit on the basis of such tests. However, the CLEP examination must be completed prior to or during enrollment at Norfolk State. Academic advisors should be consulted to determine whether credits can be applied to the curriculum. Students applying for CLEP credit must have scores sent directly to the Office of the Registrar.
Credit for Military Service
Honorably discharged veterans of the United States Armed Forces may be granted credit for military science and certain courses in health and physical education upon presentation of the Report of Transfer or Discharge (DD 214) to the Admissions Office.
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Graduate Admission Requirements
Qualified graduates of accredited colleges and universities are eligible to seek admission to Norfolk State University for graduate study.
General Requirements
Admission to pursue graduate study at Norfolk State University is accomplished by the completion of an online application and payment of the nonrefundable application fee. All application materials should be uploaded to the application portal with the exception of the Official transcript. Unofficial transcripts may be uploaded to the application portal and will be accepted for review. Some graduate programs have additional requirements such as letters of recommendation, a personal statement or essay, standardized test scores (e.g., Graduate Record Examination [GRE]), or teacher licensure, and most require a grade point average greater than 2.5.
Program-Specific Requirements
Some graduate programs have additional requirements such as letters of recommendation, a personal statement or essay, standardized test scores (e.g., Graduate Record Examination [GRE]), or teacher licensure, and most require a grade point average greater than 2.5. Some programs may require higher scores, please see the specific program of interest.
Admission Status
Admission is granted for a specified semester and program. A student may not transfer his or her admission status to another graduate degree program.
Non-Degree Seeking Students
A maximum of nine (9) credit hours may be taken as a non-degree student. A non-degree seeking student may apply for admission to a graduate program as a degree-seeking student. However, non-degree status does not guarantee future admission. Additionally, admission to a graduate program does not imply that all coursework completed as a non-degree seeking student will be automatically applied to degree requirements.
Readmission
To be readmitted, a student must submit a completed readmission application. Re-admission is granted upon recommendation of the Graduate Program Admissions Committee. Prior admission to the program is not a guarantee for re-admission.
Deferral of Admissions
Students may request a deferral of admissions for up to one calendar year. Deferral requests are not automatically granted.
International Applicants
In addition to the admissions requirements stated above, all international applicants, whose native language is not English, are required to demonstrate a required level of proficiency in the English language. Acceptable scores on approved English language proficiency tests such as the Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL; minimum of 80 on the TOEFL iBT) and IELTS (minimum of 6.5) taken within the past two years. Other English language proficiency tests must be approved and passed at rates equivalent to the TOEFL and IELTS per official standards from the administering organization.
Additional Information
Application Deadlines
The priority application date for fall undergraduate admission is May 1st. For international students needing visas, applications for admission must be received 4 months prior to the semester applicants wish to enroll.
Non-Degree Seeking Students
Students on academic or disciplinary suspension are ineligible to apply as a non-degree-seeking student. Applicants should be prepared to present official credentials upon request. Financial aid is not available for non-degree students except for those seeking teacher certification. Applicants who were denied admissions as a degree-seeking student may not enroll as a non-degree student during the same academic year. Courses taken as a Non-degree students will not count towards admissions to the university.
Second Bachelor's Degree
Second degree applicants are those who have earned a bachelor’s degree from an accredited 4-year institution and are seeking an additional bachelor’s degree at NSU.
PASSport Program
Norfolk State University and several Virginia Community Colleges have created The Partnership for Academic and Student Success (PASSport) to assist students who wish to attend NSU but need additional academic preparation prior to engaging in collegiate study. The purpose of the program is to provide access and support to promising students who do not initially qualify for enrollment at NSU.
Readmission for Former Students
Any former undergraduate who has not attended Norfolk State University for two or more spring or fall terms must complete an undergraduate readmission application form, students may re-apply at www.nsu.edu/registrar. If the student has taken any college-level coursework since attending NSU, he or she must have an official transcript of this work sent directly to the Office of the Registrar. Students who re-enter the University after an absence of two regular terms must meet the requirements of the current catalog unless they receive written permission from the dean of the school in which they are enrolled to continue under an earlier catalog. This written permission must be on file in the Office of the Registrar prior to the submission of a graduation application.
Resources and Support
Norfolk State University offers a range of resources and support services to assist students throughout their academic journey:
- Financial Aid Office: Offers scholarships, grants, work-study, and loans to support your academic journey.
- New Student Orientation Office: Assists students with their transition to the University, providing academic, financial, and social support.
- Search for Courses and Course Sections Online Application: Equips students with a comprehensive database of courses and sections available at NSU.
- Undergraduate and Graduate Catalogs: Provide a wealth of information, including general admissions details, degree programs, curriculum outlines, and academic calendars.
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