Florida International University 11200 S.W. Eighth Street Miami, Florida 33199 305.348.2000

Page Revised: July 18, 2001

Contents:
2.10   University and Department Admission Criteria
2.11   Minimum GPA and Examination Admission Requirements for Graduates of U.S. Institutions
2.12   Admissions Requirements for Students from Non-U.S. Institutions
2.13   Limited Access Programs
2.14   Student Classification
2.15   Non-Degree-Seeking Students
2.16   Affiliated Student Status
2.17   Florida Residency
2.20   Admissions Process
2.21   Required Records
2.30   Dual Enrollment
2.31   Articulation Agreement
2.41   Admissions Appeals Process
2.42   10% Admission Waivers for Limited Access Programs
2.50   Transfer Credits
2.51   Credit for Non-College Learning
2.61   Academic Status
2.62   Appeal of Dismissal
2.63   Re-Admission

 2.10 UNIVERSITY AND DEPARTMENT ADMISSION CRITERIA

Effective: June 29, 1994

PURPOSE
To establish minimum admission standards

AUTHORITY/SOURCE:
Provost and Vice President for Academic Affairs
Florida Administrative Code 6C8-3.003

POLICY
Applicants for admission to an undergraduate degree program of the University must meet the minimum standards set forth by the Florida Board of Regents and the University as well as the specific requirements set by the program into which they seek admission.

PROCEDURE
See following sections.

  2.11 MINIMUM GPA AND EXAMINATION ADMISSION REQUIREMENTS FOR GRADUATES OF U.S. INSTITUTIONS

Effective: June 29, 1994

PURPOSE
To explain requirements for freshman admission

AUTHORITY/SOURCE:
Provost and Vice President for Academic Affairs
Florida Administrative Code 6C8

POLICY
Freshman Applicants:
High school students seeking admission into the undergraduate program of the University must submit proof of graduation from an accredited secondary school, official secondary school transcripts and appropriate test scores:

Scholastic Aptitude Test (SAT) or the American College Test (ACT)
American College Test/Enhanced (EACT).
The minimum SUS admission requirements are:

1. Graduation from an accredited secondary school or the equivalent (G.E.D., etc.).

2. Completion of nineteen (19) academic units in college preparatory courses. The following distribution of the 19 academic units is required.

- Four units of English (at least three must include a substantial amount of writing)
- Three units of mathematics (Algebra I or higher)
- Three units of natural sciences (at least two with laboratories)
- Three units of social sciences
- Two units of the same foreign language
- Four units of academic electives

3. Submission of official Scholastic Aptitude Test (SAT) or American College Test (ACT)/Enhanced American College Test (EACT) scores.

4. Meeting the appropriate levels within the State University System Minimum Eligibility Index. If a student's GPA is between 2.0 and 2.9, that student must achieve a test score corresponding to that GPA in the following table:
 

*Please note: Competition for places is created by the quality and extent of the applicant pool.  Preference will be given to those students whose credentials indicate the greatest promise for academic success.  Admission to our lower division program is a selective process and satisfying the requirements listed above does not guarantee acceptance.  For specific admissions requirements for a given term, please contact the Director of Admissions.

Transfer Students:
Transfer students seeking admission into the undergraduate program of the University must submit official transcripts from all previous post secondary institutions.  Transfer applicants from a Florida community college or University to the upper division must present scores on the CLAST.  All other upper division transfers must participate in the Pre-CLAST testing program during their first term of enrollment.

Degree seeking applicants with fewer than 60 semester hours of transfer credits must meet the same admissions requirements as beginning freshmen. In addition, they must demonstrate satisfactory performance in their college work.

Applicants who receive an Associate of Arts (A.A.) degree at a Florida public community college or state university in Florida will be considered for admission without restriction except for published limited access programs within the University.

Applicants from Florida public community colleges or state universities in Florida who do not hold an Associate of Arts (A.A.) degree must have completed 60 semester hours from a regionally accredited institution, have a minimum grade point average of 2.00 and have taken the College Level Academic Skills Test (CLAST).

Students transferring from independent Florida and out-of-state colleges into the University's upper division program must have maintained a minimum 2.00 grade point average based on a 4.00 scale.

All applicants must meet the criteria published for limited access programs.

Applicants who have met the above admission requirements, but have not completed the general education requirements, or the prerequisites of their proposed major, may complete this college work at FIU. Students may also fulfill general education requirements through the College Level Examination Program (CLEP).

Limited access program admissions requirements are higher than the minimum SUS admission requirements. Students may also seek admission through the University's 10% Waiver Policy. (see Policy 2.42)

PROCEDURE:
See Policy 2.20.

An admissions application along with official transcripts of all previous academic work must be submitted to the Office of Admissions. Once the evaluation of all academic work is completed, students are informed accordingly. The academic department will receive a copy of the student's records (course-by-course) along with the Student Academic Support System (SASS) audit (a SASS audit will indicate completion of general education and program prerequisites).

2.12 ADMISSIONS REQUIREMENTS FOR STUDENTS FROM NON-U.S. INSTITUTIONS  

Effective: June 29, 1994
 
PURPOSE
To explain additional requirements for students graduating from non-U.S. institutions

AUTHORITY/SOURCE:
Provost and Vice President for Academic Affairs
Florida Administrative Code, Volume 3A, Chapter 6C8-3.006

POLICY
Applicants graduating from non-U.S. institutions must meet the same requirements as those from U.S. institutions. In addition, applicants whose native language is not English and who have not taken college level English courses, must present

a) a minimum score of 500 on the Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL), or
b) an ESL Language Center Certification of satisfactory completion at the 109 level of proficiency, or
c) successful completion of 30 semester hours (45 quarter hours) of course work in an American college or university, including 6 semester hours (9 quarter hours) of English composition.

A Declaration and Certification of Finances form must be submitted before the Certificate of Eligibility (I-20), the document necessary to obtain the student visa, will be issued by the University. The total funds available to the student for the first and/or second academic years must at least equal the total estimates of institutional costs and living expenses.

For foreign applicants living outside the U.S., the Declaration and Certification of Finances form must be received by the University at least three months prior to the beginning of the semester for which the student expects to register. If the student is living in the U.S., this document is due at least two months before the first day of classes.

PROCEDURE
Appropriate official transcripts and their official English translations, validated by an official public translator, and all other appropriate credentials, must be forwarded to the Office of Admissions.

2.13 LIMITED ACCESS PROGRAMS

Effective: June 29, 1994

PURPOSE
To indicate which programs are limited access

AUTHORITY/SOURCE:
Provost and Vice President for Academic Affairs
Florida Administrative Code 6C8

POLICY
Undergraduates seeking admission to a limited access degree program must meet special program requirements in addition to the University's general admission entrance requirements. These programs include:

- All programs in the College of Business Administration:
Accounting
Finance
General Management
International Business
Management Information Systems
Marketing
Personnel Management

- All programs in the College of Education, except Parks and Recreation Management:
Art Education-Grades 1-12
Biology Education-Grades 7-12
Chemistry Education-Grades 7-12
Elementary Education-Grades 1-6
English Education-Grades 7-12
Health Education
History Education-Grades 7-12
Mathematics Education-Grades 7-12
Modern Language Education-Grades 7-12
Music Education-Grades 1-12
Physical Education-Grades 6-12
Physical Education-Grades K-8
Physics Education-Grades 7-12
Social Studies Education-Grades 7-12
Special Education
Emotional Disturbance
Mental Retardation
Specific Learning Disabilities
Vocational Home Economics Education
Vocational Industrial Education

- College of Health:
Dietetics and Nutrition
Medical Laboratory Sciences
Occupational Therapy
Physical Therapy
Prosthetics and Orthotics

- School of Nursing

2.14 STUDENT CLASSIFICATION

Effective: June 29, 1994
 
PURPOSE
To set forth student classification requirements

AUTHORITY/SOURCE:
Provost and Vice President for Academic Affairs
Florida Administrative Code 6C8-3.001, 6C8-3.008

POLICY
All undergraduate students are classified according to the number of credit hours earned. A full-time student is registered for 12 semester hours of credit or more each semester. A part-time student is registered for 11 semester hours or less.

PROCEDURE
Undergraduate students are classified at the beginning of the term at the time of admission or readmission as follows:

Freshman: students who have earned fewer than thirty (30) semester hours, including hours transferred from another college.

Sophomore: students who have earned at least thirty (30) semester hours, but fewer than sixty (60) semester hours.

Junior: students who have earned at least sixty (60) semester hours but fewer than ninety (90) semester-hours.

Senior: students who have earned ninety (90) semester hours, but have not earned a baccalaureate degree.

 2.15 NON-DEGREE-SEEKING STUDENTS  

Effective: June 29, 1994
 
PURPOSE
To explain the policy for non-degree-seeking students

AUTHORITY/SOURCE:
Provost and Vice President for Academic Affairs
Faculty Senate

POLICY
These students may be either affiliated or unaffiliated in their status. (See 2.16 for affiliated status.) Unaffiliated students are limited to taking one semester of courses at the University. Under no circumstances may more than 15 hours taken as a non-degree-seeking student be applied toward graduation requirements at the University if the student should change from non-degree-seeking to degree-seeking status.

The following regulations will apply to non-degree-seeking students:

1.Students are not required to meet the usual admission requirements and are not officially admitted as regular students. Enrollment as a non-degree-seeking student does not imply a right for future admission as a regular, degree-seeking student. Credit earned will not be counted toward a degree at the University unless such students subsequently apply for regular admission and are accepted.

2.Registration is permitted on a space-available basis and is determined at the time for registration. Non-degree-seeking students may not register during the official registration week for degree-seeking students.

3.No more than 15 undergraduate level semester hours of credit earned as a non-degree-seeking student may be counted toward a degree. The appropriate Dean must approve the acceptance of such credit.

4.Non-degree-seeking students will not be allowed to register for more than one term without obtaining admission to a degree program at the University, obtaining admission into a formal certificate program, or acquiring affiliated status from the department in which they are registering.

5.Applicants denied admission to the University will not be allowed to register as non-degree-seeking students for a period of one year without obtaining admission into a formal certificate program or obtaining affiliated status from the appropriate academic department.

6.Immigration regulations prevent most foreign nationals from enrolling without being admitted into a formal degree or certificate program, depending on the visa type. Therefore, international students will not be permitted to enroll as non-degree-seeking students.

PROCEDURE
Students complete the non-degree-seeking student form available at the Office of the Registrar.  

2.16 AFFILIATED STUDENT STATUS  

Effective: June 29, 1994
 
PURPOSE
To explain affiliated student status

AUTHORITY/SOURCE:
Faculty Senate
Provost and Vice President for Academic Affairs

POLICY
Students must apply for affiliated student status. Approvals are decided in the appropriate Dean's office in accordance with criteria approved by that college or school's faculty curriculum committee.

PROCEDURE
Requests must be made in the appropriate Dean's office.

2.17 FLORIDA RESIDENCY

Effective: June 29, 1994
 
PURPOSE
To specify the distinction between "Florida" and "Non-Florida" resident status

AUTHORITY/SOURCE:
Provost and Vice President for Academic Affairs
Florida Administrative Code

POLICY
For tuition purposes, a student shall be classified as a "Florida" or "non-Florida" resident. Additional information on Florida residency may be obtained from the Office of the Registrar and the Academic Catalog.

2.20 ADMISSIONS PROCESS

Effective: June 29, 1994
 
PURPOSE
To ensure non-discriminatory admissions procedures

AUTHORITY/SOURCE:
Provost and Vice President for Academic Affairs
Florida Administrative Code 6C8-3.003

POLICY
Florida International University accepts applications from qualified applicants, regardless of sex, physical handicap, or cultural, racial, religious, or ethnic background.

A completed University application accompanied by a non-refundable check or money order for the appropriate amount, and other supporting credentials, must be on file in the Office of Admissions in order for the applicant to be considered for admission to the University.

The credentials required for admission by FIU are listed in the University Catalog and Sections 2.11 and 2.12 of this document.

Applicants classified at any level may apply to the University undergraduate program.
 
PROCEDURE
Applications may be obtained from the Office of Admissions at all campus locations.

2.21 REQUIRED RECORDS

Effective: June 29, 1994
 
PURPOSE
To explain which records need to be on file for students.

AUTHORITY/SOURCE:
Provost and Vice President for Academic Affairs
Florida Administrative Code 6C8-3.003, 11.003

POLICY
All students must have appropriate transcripts, test scores, and health records submitted to the University.

PROCEDURE
All students must have official transcripts forwarded to the Office of Admissions from the degree-granting institution. Unofficial transcripts are not acceptable.

Degree-seeking students taking any of the following tests must have results sent directly to the University's Office of Admissions:

Scholastic Aptitude Test (SAT)
American College Test (ACT)
Enhanced American College Test (EACT)
Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL), when applicable
Foreign applicants whose native language is not English must take and achieve a score of at least 500 on the Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL). See Section 2.12
Prior to enrollment, students must provide the University Health Clinic with a complete medical history and documentation of immunization against measles and rubella.

Student's academic records are maintained in the Office of the Registrar and in the academic department of the student's major. Florida International University assures the confidentiality of students' educational records in accordance with State University System (SUS) rules, as well as state and Federal laws, including the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act of 1974, as amended. (See Academic Affairs Policies and Procedures Manual regarding confidentiality of students' records.)
 

 2.30 DUAL ENROLLMENT  

Effective: June 29, 1994
 
PURPOSE
To establish dual enrollment policies

AUTHORITY/SOURCE:
Provost and Vice President for Academic Affairs
Florida Administrative Code 6C8-3.007

POLICY
Dual enrollment is the means by which a high school student may earn credit toward high school graduation while taking college level courses. Programs offered to high school students that do not count toward high school graduation are not considered dual enrollment. All credits awarded must be at college level.

Dual enrollment may be offered by FIU for several reasons:

Departmental - To work with a magnet school to provide opportunities for more advanced studies in the appropriate area, to promote good will between a school and the University, or to develop a relationship with a particular school.

Advanced Studies Program - Dual enrollment may provide an opportunity for individual students who have exceeded the high school offerings in a particular area, and, infrequently, may provide for the superior student who has developed intellectually and emotionally beyond traditional high school levels. Advanced Study Program students are referred to the Office of Undergraduate Studies.

Early Admissions - In rare instances, some students who meet specific admissions requirements may be eligible for dual enrollment through the Admissions Office.

Though discussions for dual enrollment programs may begin at any level, they are usually initiated by individual representatives of the institutions. Departments should be involved as soon as a coherent plan is developed. Discussion should proceed to the school or college level after departmental deliberation. The Office of Undergraduate Studies must participate in the discussions, since it serves as the University clearinghouse for dual enrollment programs and is familiar with the process and demands.

PROCEDURE
The University guidelines for all dual enrollment definitions, student eligibility, dual enrollment courses, mandate components between institutions, and faculty qualifications are in compliance with the State University System Interinstitutional Dual Enrollment Articulation Agreements. All required forms and policies are available in the Office of Undergraduate Studies.

2.31 ARTICULATION AGREEMENT    

Effective:  May 20, 1998
 
PURPOSE
State University Policy concerning the Statewide Articulation Agreement between universities, community colleges and school districts.

AUTHORITY/SOURCE:
State Board of Education Rule 6A.10.24

POLICY
The Statewide Articulation Agreement guarantees Florida Community College Associate in Arts graduates the following rights:

1. Admission to one of the state universities, except to limited access programs which have additional admission requirements.

2. Acceptance of at least 60 credit hours by the state universities toward the baccalaureate degree.

3. Adherence to the University requirements and policies based on the catalog in effect at the time the student first entered a community college, provided that the student maintains continuous enrollment.

4. Transfer of equivalent courses under the Statewide Course Numbering System

5. Acceptance by the state universities of credit earned in accelerated programs (e.g., CLEP, AP, PEP, Dual Enrollment, Early Admission and International Baccalaureate).

6. No additional General Education Core requirements.

7. Advance knowledge of selection criteria for limited access programs.

8. Equal opportunity with native university students to enter limited access programs.

PROCEDURE
Should any guarantee be denied, the student has the right of appeal. The appeal process at FIU is handled through the Office of Community College Relations.

Individual articulation agreements with community college academic programs are evaluated every five (5) years or as needed to ensure an equitable and efficient transfer of students.  

2.41 ADMISSIONS APPEALS PROCESS  

Effective: June 29, 1994
 
PURPOSE
To establish appropriate guidelines for an applicant to appeal an undergraduate admission decision and non-academic admissions denial.

AUTHORITY/SOURCE:
Provost and Vice President for Academic Affairs
Florida Administrative Code 6C8-3.003

POLICY
If an undergraduate student has been denied admission to an undergraduate program at Florida International University, the student can appeal this decision through the prescribed channels.

PROCEDURE
The student who desires to appeal the academic admission decision should contact the Office of Admissions. After being informed of the reasons why the decision was made, the student may then appeal in writing. All undergraduates who have below 60 transfer hours may appeal directly to the Director of Admissions. All transfer students with over 60 hours of transfer credit may appeal directly to the chair of the department.

An undergraduate student who has been denied admission to a program of the University for academic reasons may appeal the decision through the following administrative sequence: the Director of Admissions, the chairperson of the program, the Dean of the college or school of the program through the chairperson of the department, and the Vice President for Academic Affairs. An undergraduate student who has been denied admission to the University for other than academic reasons may appeal to the Vice President for Student Affairs.

Effective: August 29, 1994

PURPOSE

To outline the 10% waiver policy.

AUTHORITY

Provost and Vice President for Academic Affairs
Florida Administrative Code

POLICY

In those cases where the admissions standards of specific undergraduate programs are higher than SUS standards, the academic unit or department must have published policies and procedures specifying the basis on which exceptions form the higher standard may be made and the program must be officially approved by the BOR as a limited access program.

In those approved programs up to 10% of undergraduate students admitted in any given year may be admitted as exceptions to the minimum requirements of a limited access program.  An applicant who is denied admission because of failure to meet minimum GPA and examination requirements for admission to the limited access programs must be informed by the academic department of the 10% waiver policy.

PROCEDURE

Admissions under this policy must be requested by the applicant and forwarded to the chairperson of the limited access program and are subject to approval by the appropriate faculty admissions committee and the academic dean.

2.50 TRANSFER CREDITS 

Effective: June 29, 1994
 
PURPOSE
To establish transfer credit applicability

AUTHORITY/SOURCE:
Provost and Vice President for Academic Affairs
Florida Administrative Code 6C8-3.007

POLICY
Students must meet the University's requirements in order to be eligible for admission to their chosen major. Degree-seeking applicants with fewer than forty-eight (48) semester-hours of transfer credits must meet the same Core Curriculum requirements as beginning freshmen.

A maximum of sixty (60) lower-division semester-hours taken at a two- or four-year accredited institution (physical education and basic-skills preparation courses not included) may be transferred. Additional upper division hours taken at a four-year institution may be counted towards a degree at the university at the discretion of the individual department, providing that the student completes the last 30 semester hours at the university. Any exceptions must be approved by the Dean of the school or college.

Students may include up to forty-five (45) lower division credits through the College Level Examination Program (CLEP) and Advanced Placement.

Credits from military schools can be transferred in accordance with the recommendation of the American Council of Education (ACE). Credits from foreign institutions will be considered on an individual basis.

PROCEDURE
The Office of Admissions will evaluate and determine the total number, not to exceed 60, of lower division credits transferable to the university, including foreign credits. It must specify whether General Education requirements have been met. The academic advisor will determine additional lower division courses, and upper division credits that will apply toward the degree, especially the undergraduate prerequisite courses to the student's major. Transfer credits are posted on SASS audit generated by the Registrar's Office and available to the students prior to the end of the first academic term in which they are enrolled.
 

2.51 CREDIT FOR NON-COLLEGE LEARNING  

Effective: June 29, 1994
 
PURPOSE
To establish standards for awarding of life/work experience

AUTHORITY/SOURCE:
Provost and Vice President for Academic Affairs
Florida Administrative Code, 6C8-3.007

POLICY
Awarding credit for work experience is the prerogative of each academic unit. Only degree-seeking students are eligible to receive such credit. No more than six credits may be awarded at the upper division only for documented learning which demonstrates achievement of all outcomes for specific courses in an approved degree program. Awarded credits are identified on student's transcript as credit for prior experiential learning, and their evaluation and the basis on which they are awarded are documented upon request from another institution.

PROCEDURE
Unit policies must be approved by Faculty Senate through established curricular review and evaluation channels, and on file in the unit offices. Student must apply for Life/Work Experience credit. Previous work experience must be documented by letters from employers, a resume, and a statement from student seeking credit. Once the awarding of credit has been approved by the Dean or the Associate, a Documented Life/Work Experience form is completed, signed and sent to the Registration & Records Office for approval and Award of credits. The student's resume must be attached to the form.

2.61 ACADEMIC STATUS  

Effective: June 29, 1994
 
PURPOSE
To set forth academic status

AUTHORITY/SOURCE:
Provost and Vice President for Academic Affairs
Florida Administrative Code, Chapter 6C8-3.010

POLICY
Undergraduate students are subject to the following types of academic status based on cumulative FIU GPA:

a) Warning: A student whose cumulative GPA falls below a 2.0, indicating academic difficulty.

b) Probation: A student on WARNING whose cumulative GPA remains below 2.0 will be placed on PROBATION indicating serious academic difficulty. The College/School of the student on PROBATION may communicate in writing conditions which must be met in order to continue to enroll. As long as a student maintains a term GPA of 2.0, he/she will not be dismissed.

c) Dismissal: A student on PROBATION whose cumulative and semester GPA falls below a 2.0 will be automatically dismissed from his/her program and the University for one academic year. Transcripts will be notated accordingly.

PROCEDURE
Automatic based on semester and cumulative GPA.

2.62 APPEAL OF DISMISSAL  

Effective: June 29, 1994
 
PURPOSE
To explain appeal of dismissal

AUTHORITY/SOURCE:
Provost and Vice President for Academic Affairs
Florida Administrative Code, Chapter 6C8-3.010

POLICY
A student may appeal dismissals for academic reasons.

PROCEDURE
If a student dismissed for academic reasons wishes to appeal within the University, the following shall be the procedure:

a) Within ten (10) working days of receipt of the notice of dismissal, the student may request that the dismissal be reviewed by the academic dean or the dean's designee.

b) The academic dean or his designee shall make findings and report the decision to the student.

c) The decision of the dean or the dean's designee shall be the final decision in the appeal process.

d) No appeal may be granted if a student's term GPA falls below 2.0 while he/she is on probation after reinstatement.

e) Upon being placed on probation, a student must be advised in writing of the preceding provision.

2.63 RE-ADMISSION  

Effective: June 29, 1994
 
PURPOSE
To explain readmission process

AUTHORITY/SOURCE:
Provost and Vice President for Academic Affairs
Florida Administrative Code, Chapter 6C8-3.008

POLICY
Students who withdrew during a previous term or who have been out of school fewer than three consecutive semesters are eligible to return without filing an application for readmission.

An admitted degree seeking student who has not enrolled in any course at the University for three or more consecutive semesters is eligible for and must apply for readmission. The University and program regulations in effect at the time of the readmission will apply. Students whose absence is a result of dismissal are readmitted on probation.

PROCEDURE
Students should contact the Office of Admissions.