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Tennessee State University does not discriminate against students, employees, or applicants for admission or employment on the basis of race, color, religion, creed, national origin, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity/expression, disability, age, status as a protected veteran, genetic information, or any other legally protected class with respect to all employment, programs and activities sponsored by Tennessee State University. The following person has been designated to handle inquiries regarding non-discrimination policies: EEOAA Director, tcox9@tnstate.edu, 3500 John A. Merritt Blvd., Nashville, TN 37209, 615-963-7494. The Tennessee State University policy on nondiscrimination can be found at www.tnstate.edu/nondiscrimination/.

Tennessee State University has been designated a certified “Vets Campus” by the THEC, and “Military Friendly” by G.I Jobs and Victory Media.

University Admission Policies & Regulations Information

• Undergraduate Admission
• Freshman Admission
• Placement
• Required Testing
• Early Admission
• Dual Enrollment Policy
• Re-Admission
• Transfer Students
• The Transfer Evaluation Process
• Reverse Transfer
• Faculty Advising
• Transfers with Associate Degrees
• Transient Students
• Advanced Standing
• Adult Special Student

• Special Student (Audit)
• 60-Year-Old/Disabled Credit Student
• 65-Year-Old/Disabled Credit Student
• International Students
• New Student Orientation and First Year Students
• Educational Consortium TSU/MTSU
• Cross -Town Enrollment in the Air Force Reserve Officers Training Corps
• Immunization Requirements
• Residency Classification
• Information for Veterans, Dependent Children, and War Orphans
• Credit by Examination
• Academic Fresh Start
• Academic Affairs Support Activities

Undergraduate Admission

All inquiries about admission, applications for admission, and transcripts of credit should be addressed to the Director of Undergraduate Admissions, Tennessee State University, 3500 John Merritt Blvd., Nashville, TN 37209-1561, or admissions@tnstate.edu.

Freshman Admission

Applicants for admission to the freshman class should submit their application materials as early as possible in their senior year of high school.

Applicants should request high schools to send transcripts including all semesters of high school credits as soon as grades are available. Applicants are requested to furnish supplementary records such as official high school transcripts showing proof of graduation and receipt of a diploma immediately following graduation. Failure to do so will result in the inability to register for the upcoming term. The high school transcript of Tennessee public high school graduates must also have proof that required proficiency examinations have been passed.

The State of Tennessee as of July 1, 1998, requires new students and readmitted full-time students to provide proof of two doses of immunization with Measles, Mumps, and Rubella (MMR) vaccines administered on or after their first birthday unless they graduated from a Tennessee public high school in 1999 or later. Immunization forms will be mailed out to admitted students with their acceptance letter. An applicant will not be allowed to register for courses until the immunization requirements above are submitted.

Admission will be granted to freshmen applicants who meet regular admission requirements and who hold a recognized high school diploma that includes a distribution of college preparatory courses, such as those required in the core elements of the Tennessee High School Diploma. These courses include the following:

English - 4 Units

Visual and/or Performing Arts, including a survey course or participation in one or more of the arts (music, dance, theatre, visual arts) - 1 Unit

Algebra I and II - 2 Units

Geometry or other advanced math course with geometry as a major component - 1 Unit

Additional Unit of Math - 1 Unit

Natural/Physical Sciences, including at least one unit, with lab, of Biology or Technology, chemistry, physics or Principles of Technology II - 3 Units

Social Studies, including world history, ancient history, modern history, world geography, European History - 1 Unit

*United States History - 1 Unit
A single Foreign Language - 2 Units

*Required by Tennessee Code Annotated 49-7-110. Students deficient in the completion of United States History are required to complete six semester hours of United States History or three semester hours of United States History and three semester hours of Tennessee History.

Additional First-time Freshmen General Requirements

1. All students are required to apply for admission and a $25 non-refundable processing fee. Fee waivers are not accepted as a substitute for the processing fee.
2. Any student desiring admission without conditions must have submitted an application, an application fee, and all documents (transcripts and ACT/SAT Test Scores) at least 45 days before the semester of intent.
3. All graduates of nonpublic high schools (i.e., private schools, home schools, and church-related schools) must submit an official transcript from an affiliated organization as defined by law T.C.A. 49-50-801or be accompanied by a certification of registration with the superintendent of the local education agency which the student would have otherwise attended. Applicants who cannot provide a satisfactory secondary school credential must provide acceptable scores on the examination.

Regular Admission In-State

For regular admissions, an applicant must meet the following requirements 2024-2025:

1. ACT Score of 19 or 900 and above on the SAT, and
2. Minimum weighted grade point average of 2.50
3. Must pass the Tennessee Proficiency Examination, and

NOTE 1: ACT or SAT scores are required of all students under 21 years of age for advisement and placement purposes.

NOTE 2: Residency classification for fee-paying purposes determines whether the applicant is in-state or out-of-state. The children of graduates who live out of state are governed by in-state admissions requirements but are required to pay out-of-state tuition.

Conditional Admission

1. Applicants will be considered for admission on a conditional basis if they meet the following requirements:

a. completed all required high school units but did not meet the required grade point average and/or test score;

2. Applicants admitted must complete courses specified with grades of “C” or better. Such specified courses must be completed in the first two semesters and the first summer of enrollment for the student to be continued in the University.

3. The number of students permitted to enroll in this category will not exceed five percent (10%) of the total number of first-time freshmen admitted in any given term.

Regular Admissions Out-of-State

For regular admissions, an applicant must meet the following requirements for 2024-2025.

1. ACT Score of 19 or 900 and above on the SAT, or
2. Minimum grade point average of 2.50 on a 4.00 system and
3. Students who take the ACT: Subscores in English, Math, and Reading must be 13 or higher in 2 out of 3 of the subject areas; Students who take the SAT: Verbal Sub-Score must be 340 or higher and Math Subscore must be 270 or higher

NOTE 1: ACT or SAT scores are required of all students under 21 years of age for advisement and placement purposes.

NOTE 2: An applicant over the age of 21, who fails to meet the required grade point average may be admitted by attaining the required ACT score of 19.

NOTE 3: Residency classification for fee-paying purposes determines whether the applicant is in-state or out-of-state. The children of graduates who live out of state are governed by in-state admissions requirements but are required to pay out-of-state tuition.

1. Applicants will be considered for admission on a regulated basis if they meet the following requirements:

• completed all State Board of Regents high school units but did not meet the required grade point average and/or test score;
• deficient in no more than two State Board of Regents high school units but meet and/or exceed an acceptable grade point average and/or test score.

2. Applicants admitted under-regulated status must complete courses specified with grades of “C” or better. Such specified courses must be completed in the first two semesters and the first summer of enrollment for the student to be continued in the University.

3. Such regulated admissions must have the approval of the Director of Admissions. The number of students permitted to enroll in this category will not exceed five percent (5%) of the total number of first-time freshmen admitted in any given term, or 100 students, whichever is greater.

Admission Based on GED Test:

Any applicant desiring admission based on the General Education Development Test must meet the following requirements:

1. Be 18 years of age.
2. Submit a GED Report showing a composite score of 600 or above (45 before January 2002 or 450 from January 2002 to December 2013) with a passing notation.
3. Take the ACT/SAT. Applicants who are under 21 years of age and meet the required GED score must take the ACT/SAT.
4. GED recipients who are 21 or older must take the ACCUPLACER.

Admission Based on HiSet (HSE):

Any applicant desiring admission based on the General Education Development Test must meet the following requirements:

1. Be 18 years of age.
2. Submit a HiSet showing a composite score of 45 or above with a passing notation.
3. Take the ACT/SAT. Applicants under 21 years of age and who meet the required HiSet score must take the ACT/SAT.
4. HiSet recipients who are 21 or older must take the ACCUPLACER.

Placement

All first-time freshman students under the age of twenty-one are required to submit their American College Test (ACT) or Scholastic Aptitude Test (SAT) scores as a condition for admission. ACT scores in Reading, Math, and English are used to determine placement in college-level courses with or without learning support. First-time students over the age of twenty-one who do not have a valid ACT will take ACCUPLACER for placement purposes. Diagnostic testing may also be required to determine learning support requirements.

Transfer students who have not been previously assessed and who have not earned credits in college-level English composition or college-level, algebra-based mathematics must undergo ACCUPLACER assessment in the appropriate area(s). Transfer students are not required to submit ACT/SAT scores, although they are encouraged to do so if they have valid scores. Still, they are encouraged to do so if they have valid scores. Diagnostic testing may also be required to determine learning support requirements.

Non-degree students who have not completed the first college-level course in English or mathematics must undergo an ACCUPLACER assessment in the appropriate subject area to determine requirements for learning support with the college-level course.

Students who are placed according to their ACT scores are exempt from ACCUPLACER testing. Failure to abide by ACT or ACCUPLACER placement will not be used as a basis for waiving requirements.

If there are extenuating circumstances, a student may retake the ACCUPLACER for a fee of $20, provided the student has taken no coursework in the retest area.

Advanced Placement Credit

The University will award advanced standing to entering freshmen based on Advanced Placement Examination results. Scores of 3 to 5 will be awarded appropriate credit.

Official copies of the Examination scores must be submitted by the testing agency to the Office of Admissions and Records. Refer to the following chart for credits awarded:

Required Testing

Any or all students may be required to take one or more tests designed to measure general education achievement and achievement in major areas as a prerequisite to graduation, for evaluation of academic programs. Unless otherwise provided for in an individual program, no minimum score or level or achievement is required for graduation. Participation in testing may be required of all students, of students in selected programs, and of students selected on a sample basis.

Early Admission

Students who wish to begin college at the end of their junior year may qualify under the following conditions:

1. be at least 16 years of age;
2. have completed the junior year of high school with a minimum of 14 high school units;
3. have a 3.2 grade-point average on all work taken during grades 9, 10, and 11;
4. have a minimum ACT composite score of 22;
5. be recommended for participation in the program by either the high school principal or the guidance counselor;
6. Take and passed the Tennessee Proficiency Test.

Dual Enrollment Policy

Tennessee State University (TSU) offers high school juniors and seniors the opportunity to earn transferable university credit by taking classes at the main campuses, at off-campus locations, via distance education, or at their high school. This program allows students to complete entry-level college courses and have them count for both high school and college credit. Also, see Prior Learning Assessment.

To be dually enrolled, an applicant must have completed their sophomore year in high school, be recommended by their high school principal or guidance counselor, and have written parental permission, if the student is under 18 years of age. Students must complete the Tennessee State University admission process and must have taken the ACT, SAT, or PLAN before enrolling in the program (the COMPASS test cannot be administered to determine eligibility for this program). The PLAN will be used if the ACT or SAT has never been taken and the same ACT scores will be required on the PLAN.

Students must also meet the following minimum credentials:

• Minimum composite ACT score of 19 or equivalent SAT score
• Minimum English ACT subscore of 18 (if taking English)
• Minimum Math ACT subscore of 19 (if taking Math)
• Minimum admissions index score of 100 (30 times the cumulative high school GPA [4.0 scale] plus the ACT score) or
• Successful completion of at least seven (7) of the required high school units.

Students will be required to pay applicable tuition and fees for each course. To assist in defraying the cost of tuition and fees, students enrolling in a course for which college and high school credit will be earned are eligible for the dual lottery scholarship, which provides $100 per semester credit, up to $300 per term, and $600 per academic year. The application can be found at https://www.tn.gov/collegepays.

Re-Admission

1. Students who leave the University voluntarily and who do not enroll for courses during one or more regular semesters must apply for readmission to the university. Summer is not considered a regular semester in determining absence from the University.
2. Students who return to TSU after attending other colleges or universities must submit an application for readmission and a transcript from all institutions attended since leaving TSU. Applicants in this category need a grade point average equal to TSU’s retention standards when all courses attempted at all colleges are combined.
3. Re-enrollees who wish to attend TSU after being suspended should follow items 1 and 2 above as well as the following:
   1. Students who receive their first suspension at the end of the fall semester may not register at TSU until the following summer.
   2. Students receiving their first suspension at the end of the spring semester will not be eligible to re-enroll until the following spring semester.
   3. Students receiving their first suspension at the end of the summer session will not be eligible to re-enroll until the following spring semester.
   4. Students who attend another accredited institution during their suspension from TSU and raise their cumulative GPA to meet TSU’s retention standards will be allowed to re-enroll at TSU.

   Transfer Students

   All students seeking advanced standing must submit official transcripts of all college credits earned. A student will be considered a transfer student if any college work has been taken at another institution.

   All transfer applicants must:

   Those applicants who have attended college before applying to Tennessee State University must:

   1. Submit an official transcript from each college/university attended.

   2. If the applicant has earned fewer than 24 semester hours, the ACT score must also be submitted. (ACT not required if the applicant is 21 or older)

   3. Submit an official DIAGNOSTIC TEST report if applicable.

   4. Have a GPA (based on all courses attempted at Tennessee Board of Regents colleges/universities) equal to TSU’s retention standards.

   5. Have a minimum 2.00 GPA, for out-of-state college/university.

   6. You must take the DIAGNOSTIC subtest in English and/or mathematics if the ACT subscore(s) in the subject(s) is not acceptable or if college credit has not been earned in English and/or mathematics.

   To qualify for admission by transfer from a Tennessee Board of Regents community college or university in the State of Tennessee, a student must meet the following grade-point average requirements:

   HOURS ATTEMPTED	REQUIRED GPA
   0-15	Not less than 1.5 cumulative average
   16-30	Not less than 1.7 cumulative average
   31-45	Not less than 1.8 cumulative average
   46-59	Not less than 1.9 cumulative average
   Above 60 hours	Not less than 2.0 cumulative average

   To qualify for admission by transfer from an out-of-state college or university, a student must have, as a minimum, an overall 2.00 grade-point average. The 2.0 GPA also applies to in-state colleges/universities. Credits earned by students who are Tennessee residents attending TBR community colleges and other state universities in Tennessee will be accepted toward degree programs on the same basis as work taken on the campus of Tennessee State University.

   The Transfer Evaluation Process

   The Office of the Registrar at Tennessee State University evaluates transfer credits for students who clear TSU admission criteria, and who have declared a major. Transfer evaluations will not be completed for students with an admission status of transient or special. The complete files of students that have cleared the transfer admissions process will be forwarded to the Office of the Registrar for evaluation. Each file is processed individually, reviewing institutional catalogs and conferring with the Academic Departments for specific course equivalencies.

   Tennessee State University accepts transfer credit from institutions of higher learning based upon the following considerations:

   1. The educational quality of the institution from which the student transfers;
   2. The comparability of the nature, content, and level of credit earned to that offered by TSU and
   3. The appropriateness and applicability of the credit earned to the programs offered by TSU in light of the student’s educational goals.

   All transfer Hours Attempted, Hours Earned, and Quality Points, earned at other colleges and universities are included in the TSU academic record. Beginning Summer of 2015, new transfer credits are indicated with a leading “T” on the grade. These grades are not calculated in the GPA if the students transfer in or after Summer 2015. When posting transfer courses to the TSU record, all transfer courses are converted to TSU’s grading scale and repeat policy. If the previous institution uses a different symbol such as X or Y or any other alpha character or symbol, but the meaning is the same as I, F, at TSU, it will be treated the same and calculated in the GPA.

   Students may earn college credit with grades of “P” for acceptable scores from non-traditional credit:

   • Advanced Placement
   • CLEP
   • DSST
   • Military Service

   Under normal circumstances, Tennessee State University does not accept credit from non-regionally accredited institutions of higher learning and students may be asked to provide information to determine the comparability of content and level of credit presented as transfer to that credit offered by TSU. Petition may be made by submitting the Application for Acceptance of Transfer Credit Form available in the Registrar’s Office. Credit may be awarded only after review and approval by the appropriate academic department chair of the academic department in which the course is taught and approval of the academic dean of the college in which the course is taught. The application must be completed during the first term at Tennessee State University. For more information on the awarding of college credit for work experience, certifications/training, military and other, see the section on Prior Learning Assessment.

   Students who feel that they are competent in certain subject areas are encouraged to earn credit through a nationally recognized credit-by-examination program or through departmental credit-by-examination programs at TSU.

   NOTE: All universities and community colleges in the Tennessee Board of Regents (TBR) system share a common set of minimum requirements for baccalaureate degrees or associate degrees designed for transfer.

   NOTE: TSU honors the completion of DSP requirements from any TBR institution regardless of credit hours assigned individual courses or interventions used to complete the DSP requirements. Successful completion of DSP requirements from non-TBR institutions is demonstrated through ACCUIPLACER testing.

   Reverse Transfer

   Tennessee Reverse Transfer is a process that allows early transfer students to combine their four-year college credits with community college credits to receive an associate degree. Students must have attended a Tennessee community college and be enrolled in a participating Tennessee four-year institution. For more information, contact the Office of Student Support Services for Adult and Distance Learners at (615) 963-7001/adultstudentsupport@tnstate.edu or the Office of Community College Initiatives at (615) 963-1845 / transfer@tnstate.edu.

   Faculty Advising

   Students are encouraged to obtain faculty advising with regard to the degree plan prior to your first term at TSU and then each term thereafter. This will ensure that the student do not enroll in the wrong courses or take them in the wrong order. By the end of the sophomore year, the student should work with the advisor to fill out a “Program of Study Form” which details the courses that have completed and those yet to be completed for the major.

   To obtain a faculty advisor, contact the department of the intended major.

   Transfers with Associate Degrees

   If a transfer student has earned an associate degree, the student must meet the following general education requirements:

   1. 9 quarter or 6 semester hours of English composition (must earn a grade of “C” or better)
   2. 12 quarter or 9 semester hours of humanities ( to include at least 6 quarter or semester hours of literature)
   3. 9 quarter or 6 semester hours of American or Tennessee History
   4. 12 quarter or 8 semester hours of natural/physical sciences with labs
   5. 6 quarter or 3 semester hours of mathematics
   6. 9 quarter or 6 semester hours of social and behavioral sciences
   7. 6 quarter or 3 semester hours of oral communication

   Tennessee Board of Regents (TBR) Common Catalog Statement Regarding General Education

   Effective Fall Semester 2004, all institutions in the State University and Community College System of Tennessee (the Tennessee Board of Regents System) will share a common lower-division freshman and sophomore general education core curriculum of forty-one (41) semester hours for baccalaureate degrees and the Associate of Arts and the Associate of Science degree.

   The courses composing the general education curriculum are contained within the following subject categories:

   Subject Area	Credit Hours
   Communication	9**
   Humanities and/or Fine Arts (including at least 3 hours in literature)	9
   Social/Behavioral Sciences	6
   History	6
   Natural Sciences	8
   Mathematics	3
   Total	41

   *Foreign language courses are an additional requirement for the Bachelor of Arts (B.A.) degree. The B.A. degree requires proficiency in a foreign language equivalent to completion of two years of college-level work.

   Courses designated to fulfill general education requirements by Tennessee State University are published in the Undergraduate Catalog. A complete listing of the courses fulfilling general education requirements for all TBR institutions is available on the website (www.tbr.state.tn.us) under Transfer and Articulation Information.

   All other students seeking advanced standing will be admitted to Tennessee State University provided they meet the minimum requirement of a 2.00 grade-point average. All transfer grades will be used in computing the average required for admission. Students transferring from a junior or community college must complete an additional minimum of 60 hours credit for the bachelor’s degree at TSU. Furthermore, any student dismissed from a college or university for academic reasons must be eligible to re-enter that institution prior to acceptance at TSU.

   Credit earned at other colleges and universities (accredited/non-accredited) will be assigned by the Office of Admissions once the student is admitted. The University does not grant upper division credit (3000-4000 level courses) for lower division work transferred from community or junior colleges. In addition, no upper division credit will be granted for any lower division credit transferred from any other university or college; any exceptions to this particular provision must be approved by the Office of Admissions and Records and the appropriate department chair.

   The Records Office will provide all transfer students an equivalency evaluation of all transfer credit during the first semester of enrollment at the University. All transfer credits from institutions not on the semester system will be converted to semester credits. Cumulative averages are computed on the basis of A equals 4 quality points for each credit hour.

   Specific questions regarding transfer credit should be addressed to the Records Office and the appropriate department chair.

   Transient Students

   A transient student is one who is regularly enrolled in another college or university and who desires admission for a limited period, usually one semester. The transient student is required to submit a regular application for admission and to furnish an official transcript and a letter of good standing from the college or university Registrar’s Office in which he/she is enrolled. The transient student who wishes to become a regular student must file an appropriate application and meet the same requirements for admission as a transfer student.

   Transient students who have taken the ACCUPLACER at other TBR institutions and who have not yet completed required courses must abide by test placement results.

   Prior Learning Assessment (PLA)

   Tennessee State University (TSU) recognizes that students have diverse learning, life, and professional experiences, The University provides opportunities for students to earn college credit towards a degree through a number of assessment options that evaluate their life, work, and learning experiences. These paths are grouped under the category “Prior Learning Assessment” (PLA). PLA represent nationally recognized methods of consideration that save students from having to take courses in subjects they already understand. TSU has four major PLA categories: Credit by Examination, Credit Recommendation for Past Training, StraighterLine, and Portfolio Based Assessment.

   PLA credits are applied towards the student’s degree program as applicable. According to the Tennessee Board of Regents (TBR) Guideline A-030 l:H-4,”credit based on PLA at another TBR institution will be accepted in transfer and applied toward the student’s degree in the same way that any other type of transfer credit is accepted.” At Tennessee State University, students can earn 60 semester hours for a Bachelor’s Degree and 30 semester hours for an Associate’s Degree. In all cases, a student must earn 25% of hours required for a degree in institution delivered by the institution awarding the credential. PLA credit will not count toward this 25% minimum.

   Prior Learning Assessment (PLA) Policy and Procedures for Implementation and the PLA Handbook may be reviewed at http://www.tnstate.edu/atadistance/prior_learning_assessment-newhome.aspx.

   Contact the Office of Student Support Services at www.adultstudentsupport.edu or 615-963-7001 for more information.

   1. Credit By Examination

   Students who are eligible may earn college credit through Advance Placement (AP), American College Testing (ACT), Cambridge International Examination, College Level Examination Program (CLEP), DANTES Subject Standardized Tests (DSST), Excelsior’s Exam Programs, International Baccalaureate Program (IB), Scholastic Aptitude Test (SAT), and Thomas Edison College Exam Program (TECEP). A student is awarded a letter grade of “P” for credit received. the credits are applied towards the student’s degree program as applicable. According to the Tennessee Board of Regents (TBR) Guideline A-030 l:H-4, “credit based on PLA at another TBR institution will be accepted in transfer and applied toward the student’s degree in the same way that any other type of transfer credit is accepted.” At Tennessee State University, students can earn 60 semester hours for a Bachelor’s Degree and 30 semester hours for an Associate’s Degree. In all cases, a student must earn 25% of hours required for a degree in institution delivered by the institution awarding the credential. PLA credit will not count toward this 25% minimum.

   Academic credit attained through standardized examinations will be given to TSU students provided:

   1. Scores are equal to or greater than the required minimum score shown in the accompanying Credit by Standard Examination tables.
   2. Standardized and departmental-generated examinations do not duplicate any college credit counted for admission.
   3. Credit earned through standardized examinations will be entered on the student’s permanent record, but will not be computed in the grade point average.
   4. A maximum of 60 semester hours for a Bachelor’s Degree may be gained through a combination of standardized and departmental generated examinations for credit.
   5. These examinations may not be taken to repeat course work or to remove a grade of “F” or “I”.
   6. Certain exams earn credit for two TSU courses; students who already earned credit for one of the two courses with a grade of “C” or above are eligible to take the CLEP exam to earn credit for the second course.
   7. Examinations for credit may not be used for:
      1. research or independent study courses,
      2. any course work from which the student has been exempted
      3. repeating of courses
      4. removal of deficiency grades
      5. any course in which the student is currently enrolled
      6. any course which the student attempted or was enrolled in for four or more weeks prior to withdrawal
      Regular semester (prior to the end of the 9 th week of classes)

      (a) American College Testing (ACT)

      The University will award credit to entering freshmen based upon standard scores on the English section of the Enhanced ACT. Official copies of the examination score must be submitted by ACT (www.act.org) to the Office of Admissions. Refer to the following chart for credits awarded.

      University Course Title and Number	Credit Hours	ACT English Subject	Minimium Score
      ENGL 1010	3 hr. cr.	ACT English	27
      ENGL 1010 & ENGL 1020	6 hr. cr.	ACT English	31