Admissions and Merit Awards

General Information

The Office of Admissions and Merit Awards is responsible for marketing the University to its many student constituent groups and processing their applications. The Office of Admissions and Merit Awards recruits and enrolls freshmen, transfer, re-admitted, and non-traditional students.

An application for undergraduate admission must be submitted and approved with an official letter of acceptance issued before any person may enroll in an undergraduate course. Before action can be taken on an application for admission, all required credentials must be submitted for review by an admissions professional. Undergraduate admissions policies and procedures are subject to continuous review by the University administration and the Faculty Admissions Committee.

Selected applicants who present evidence of special talents for university programs requiring such special talents may be evaluated on the basis of these talents as well as high school grades and entrance examination scores.

All applicants are required to submit responses to a series of non-academic admissions review questions on the application for admission. Responses to these questions are initially reviewed by the Office of Admissions and Merit Awards. Some cases are referred to the Non-Academic Admissions Review Committee for review. All applicants will go through an academic review of application documentation (transcripts, test scores, letters of recommendation, etc.) prior to the review of non-academic admissions review documentation. An applicant must satisfy the non-academic admissions review portion of the admissions application prior to admission to the University. This review process supports the University’s goal of maintaining a safe learning community. Failure to submit complete responses and/or falsification of responses may result in revocation of the admission decision or dismissal after enrollment. Any incident resulting in a change to a non-academic admissions review question subsequent to the submission of the application must be immediately reported by the applicant in writing to the Office of Admissions and Merit Awards. Failure to do so may result in the revocation of the admissions decision or dismissal of the applicant after enrollment. Further, it is the policy of Coastal Carolina University to prohibit Registered Sex Offenders from enrolling in courses or participating in campus activities. Failure to disclose registration at any time shall result in immediate dismissal.

The University reserves the right to place conditions on the admission of any student. In the event such action is taken, the conditions will be clearly explained in the letter of acceptance.

Every student entering a South Carolina college or university is required to provide an immunization record prior to enrollment. Information about Coastal Carolina University’s Immunization Requirements may be found at Student Health Services. In addition, all new students are required to provide proof of citizenship or lawful presence in the United States before enrolling. For more information, refer to the Proof of Citizenship section in this catalog.

Enrollment Notification

Upon admission to Coastal Carolina University, all degree-seeking freshmen and transfer students are required to submit the specified enrollment deposit to the Office of Admissions and Merit Awards to secure their seats in the class. The online enrollment deposit is due by:

• May 1 for freshman fall semester enrollment, June 1 for transfer students fall semester enrollment or
• December 15 for spring semester enrollment.

Enrollment deposits after the deadlines listed above will be accepted on a space-available basis. The enrollment deposit is applied as a tuition deposit toward the intended semester of enrollment. A refund of the enrollment deposit will be granted if the student submits a written request for a refund to the Office of Admissions and Merit Awards before the deadlines listed above. Requests for refunds after these deadlines will not be honored.

Freshman Admission

A freshman applicant is a person who has not attended a regionally accredited college or university after high school graduation. Any applicant who has attended classes from a post-secondary institution while still in high school is still classified as a freshman and must submit official college transcripts of coursework whether credit is earned or not.

Freshmen applicants must have either a high school diploma or its equivalent General Educational Development (GED) certificate prior to enrolling. Accepted students must submit senior grades and the final official high school transcript with the date of graduation posted on the transcript. Applicants who did not graduate from high school must send transcripts of all available work and a copy of the GED certificate or satisfactory GED score. Applicants who submit the GED credentials must be at least 17 years of age or older.

Home-schooled students must present their Declarations of Intent to Home-School as filed with the local board of education (if applicable). Home-schooled students must also provide a recognized high school diploma or its equivalent along with transcripts. The home schooled transcript must include the signature of the primary teacher certifying the completion of high school and the date of graduation.

Freshmen applicants are encouraged to apply in the fall prior to the fall for which they seek admission. Priority consideration will be given to completed applications received by December 1. Applications submitted after December 1 will be reviewed on a rolling basis until April 15 and thereafter on a space available basis. Freshmen applicants who desire to be considered for University Merit Awards and the University Honors Program must apply and submit all credentials by January 1.

Undergraduate credit is not awarded or accepted for experiential learning or other types of credit for life experiences which occur prior to the student’s matriculation into a Coastal Carolina University undergraduate program and which has not been under the supervision of the University.

Freshmen applicants must submit:

1. Completed Undergraduate Application;
2. Specified non-refundable application fee;
3. Official high school transcripts up until the time of the application;
4. Official entrance examination scores* on the SAT or ACT (applicants 22 years of age or older are not required to submit SAT or ACT examination scores).

* To be considered official, the standardized test scores must be sent directly from the testing agency (College Board or ACT). Test scores sent from the high school or from the student are not considered official and will not be used to complete the application file.

These quantitative and qualitative measures guide the Office of Admissions and Merit Awards in reaching a final admissions decision. Admission as a freshman to Coastal Carolina University is based on the student’s overall performance in high school courses, achievement in the college preparatory core prerequisites (listed below), the SAT or the ACT test scores, and other documentation (essays and recommendations) provided by the student.

Applicants who are generally competitive for admission to Coastal will:

• Earn a cumulative average of “B” or better on the required college preparatory high school courses, and
• Submit standardized test scores of:
  • An SAT score (evidence-based reading and writing plus math) in the middle 50 percent range of recently enrolled Coastal Carolina first-time freshmen students ranging from 1010 – 1140.
  • An ACT composite score in the middle 50 percent range of recently enrolled Coastal first-time freshmen students ranging from 20 to 23.

Candidates for admission must request that the results of the SAT or ACT tests be sent to Coastal Carolina University directly from the testing agency (College Board or ACT). The University’s SAT code number is 5837, and the ACT code number is 3843.

College Preparatory Core Prerequisite Requirements: 20 Units Required

Coastal Carolina University requires that all students complete the following high school courses and units to be considered for admission to the University.

English: 4 units

All four units must have strong reading, writing, communicating and researching components. It’s strongly recommended that two units be literature-based, including American, British and world literature. Completion of college preparatory English 1, 2, 3 and 4, or IB or AP English courses will meet this criterion.

Mathematics: 4 units

Algebra I (foundations in algebra and intermediate algebra may count together as a substitute if a student successfully completes algebra II), algebra II and geometry. A fourth higher-level mathematics course should be taken during the senior year. This higher-level unit must be selected from among algebra III, precalculus, calculus, probability and statistics, discrete mathematics, computer science, IB or AP mathematics, or AP computer science.

Laboratory Science: 3 units

Two units must be taken in two different fields of the physical, earth or life sciences, selected from biology, chemistry, physics or earth science. The third unit may be from the same field as one of the first two units or from any laboratory science for which biology, chemistry, physics and/or earth science is a prerequisite. Courses in general science or introductory science for which biology, chemistry, physics and/or earth science is not a prerequisite will not meet this requirement. It is strongly recommended that students take physical science (taught as a laboratory science) as a prerequisite to the three required units of laboratory science outlined in this section. Students pursuing careers in science, mathematics, engineering or technology should take one course in all four fields: biology, chemistry, physics and earth science.

Social Science: 3 units

One unit of U.S. history is required; one-half unit of economics and one-half unit of government are required. World history or geography are strongly recommended. U.S. government, economics, U.S. history and constitution, world geography, western civilization, psychology, sociology, or IB or AP social science courses will meet this criterion.

World Languages: 2 units

Both units must be in the same world language, with a heavy emphasis on language acquisition. Spanish, French, German, American Sign Language (ASL), Chinese, Japanese, Russian and the Classics (Latin, Greek and Hebrew) will meet this criterion.

Fine Arts: 1 unit

One unit in appreciation of, history of, or performance in one of the fine arts (selected from media/digital arts, dance, music, theater, or visual and spatial arts.

Academic Electives: 2 units

Two college preparatory units must be taken as electives. A college preparatory computer science (including programming, not just keyboarding) is highly recommended. Other acceptable electives include courses in English; fine arts (appreciation of, history or performance); world languages; social sciences; humanities; mathematics (above the level of algebra II); physical education; and a laboratory science course which has biology, chemistry, physics or earth science as a prerequisite.

Physical Education or ROTC: 1 unit

Coastal Carolina University may make exceptions in admitting 1) students who do not meet all of the prerequisites, limited to those individual cases in which the failure to meet one or more prerequisites is due to circumstances beyond the reasonable control of the student, or 2) students who have taken the applied academics courses rather than the required college preparatory curriculum described above and who meet all other institutional admissions criteria.

If unit prerequisites are not met for reasons beyond the control of the student, both the student and the guidance counselor must provide to the Office of Admissions and Merit Awards at Coastal Carolina University a written explanation as to why the student failed to complete the courses. Completion of the course prerequisites is not required for students who graduated from high school before May 1987.

A final official high school transcript with a posted date of graduation must be received by August 1 for fall enrollment and December 15 for spring enrollment. Failure to submit the final official transcript will result in the cancellation of university courses and/or the registration of future courses.

First-time Freshman Prerequisites and Special Requirements

First-time Freshman Admission to the Marine Science Degree Program

Prior to being admitted to the Department of Marine Science as a degree candidate, a first-time freshman must meet the general admissions requirements and have one of the following:

1. A score of 510 or higher on the SAT math subtest, or a score of 20 or higher on the math subtest of the ACT exam. Students may retake the SAT or ACT and submit new scores for consideration.

OR

2. Completion of College Algebra or a higher-level college math course with a grade of at least ‘C’ from a regionally accredited college or university.

Students will be placed into mathematics courses based on high school GPA and SAT math subtest score.

Students who meet general admissions requirements, but do not satisfy requirements for admission as a degree-seeking marine science major will be admitted as a pre-marine science major. A student classified as a pre-major is not eligible to receive an Academic Common Market tuition waiver at Coastal Carolina University. Only students who are fully admitted into the major are eligible to apply for consideration of this designation.

First-time Freshman Admission to the Intelligence and National Security Studies Degree Program

Prior to being admitted to the Department of Politics as an Intelligence and National Security Studies degree candidate, a first-time freshman must meet the general admissions requirements and must meet both of the following requirements:

1. A minimum score of 1120 on SAT exams, or a minimum score of 22 on the ACT exam;

AND

2.  A minimum cumulative high school GPA of 3.5 or higher.

OR

1. Complete INTEL 200  with a grade of ‘B’ or better. Students who do not earn a grade of ‘B’ or better may repeat INTEL 200 only one time.

Students who meet general admissions requirements, but do not satisfy requirements for admission as a degree-seeking Intelligence and National Security Studies major will be admitted as an Intelligence and National Security Studies pre-major. A student classified as a pre-major is not eligible to receive an Academic Common Market tuition waiver at Coastal Carolina University. Only students who are fully admitted into the major are eligible to apply for consideration of this designation. A student admitted as a pre-major who meets the minimum cumulative high school GPA requirement but does not meet the SAT or ACT score requirements may re-take either exam and submit new scores. If the student takes either exam again and achieves the minimum required score or higher, the student may be admitted into the full degree program prior to enrollment.

First-Time Freshman Admission to the Music, Musical Theatre (B.F.A.) and Theatre (B.F.A.) Programs

Students must meet the general admissions requirements and audition for full admittance to these majors. For more information on auditions, see coastal.edu/music/audition or coastal.edu/theatre/audition.

PGA Golf Management Program

To be admitted to the PGA Golf Management Program, a first-time freshman must meet the general admissions requirements of the University, choose a major within the Wall College of Business Administration and submit the following documentation to CCU’s PGA Golf Management Program:

• Application to the PGA Golf Management Program
• Verification of a handicap of 12 or less

These forms will be provided to the student with the general admission letter.

Business and Education Pre-majors

All students who meet general admissions requirements and select a major within the Wall College of Business Administration or the Spadoni College of Education enter the University as pre-majors. For more information visit the College of Business Administration  and College of Education  sections of the catalog.

Coastal Excellence and Leadership Program

The Coastal Excellence and Leadership (CEaL) program grants conditional admission to freshmen applicants who narrowly miss the University’s requirements for full admission. Admission into the CEaL program is by invitation only to a select group of students who have demonstrated academic potential through hard work in the classroom and rigor of curriculum. Students in the CEaL program must participate in and successfully complete a rigorous summer program before beginning their first fall semester.

Bridge Program

The Bridge program is a comprehensive, rigorous, residential program that provides an opportunity for participants to improve their academic skills and meet the transfer admissions requirements. Freshmen applicants are invited to participate in this program based on their standardized test scores and high school GPA. Jointly administered by Coastal Carolina University and Horry Georgetown Technical College, the program provides support for the transition from high school to college and places primary emphasis on engaged learning in an active community of teacher-scholars and students.

University Honors Program Admission

Admission to the University Honors Program is by invitation of the director of the program in consultation with the Office of Admissions and Merit Awards. University Honors Program invitations are extended to entering first-year students whose standardized test scores and work in high school predict outstanding college-level achievement.

For freshmen, the minimum admission criteria for invitation into the program are:

1. SAT score of 1270 or higher (evidence-based reading and writing plus math), or an ACT score of 26 or higher; and
2. High school GPA of 3.5 or higher.

For continuing or transfer students, the minimum admission criteria for invitation into the program are:

1. A cumulative collegiate GPA of 3.7 or higher;
2. The completion of 30 academic credit hours;
3. Two letters of recommendations from college instructors;
4. Completion of a University Honors Program application form.

For international students who are not from countries where English is the native official language, the minimum admission criteria for invitation into the program are:

1. TOEFL or IELTS exam results taken in the last three years with a TOEFL score of 575 on the paper-based test (PBT), or TOEFL of 89 on the internet-based test (iBT), or an International English Language Testing System (IELTS) score of 6.5 with no subscore lower than 5, or successful completion of ELS Language Centers Academic English Program level 112.
2. Submission of an application to the University Honors Program that will include an essay and a letter of recommendation from a high school teacher.

For international students who are from countries where English is the native official language (Click here to see list), the minimum admission criteria for invitation into the program are:

1. Submission of an application to the University Honors Program that will include an essay and a letter of recommendation from a high school teacher.
2. SAT score of 1270 or higher (evidence-based reading and writing plus math), or an ACT score of 26 or higher.

Continuing students or transfer students who are interested in joining the program should contact the University Honors Program Director for further information.

Transfer Admission

An applicant who has attended another regionally accredited post-secondary institution in any capacity, regardless of whether credit is earned, after the completion of high school is a transfer student.

Transfer applicants for admission must submit:

1. Completed Undergraduate Transfer Application;
2. Specified non-refundable application fee;
3. Official transcripts from all post-secondary institutions attended regardless of whether coursework was completed or transferable and including dual-enrolled coursework completed while in high school; (You must also submit a final official transcript for all coursework in progress up until the time of enrollment prior to beginning of classes at the University.)
4. Final high school transcript and official SAT/ACT scores if fewer than 24 transferable credits of college-level work have been earned from a regionally accredited college or university. (Applicants 22 years of age or older are not required to submit SAT or ACT examination scores.)

Priority deadlines to submit transfer applications:

• Fall semester: June 1
• Spring semester: December 1
• Maymester and summer semesters: two weeks prior to the beginning of the semester.

Transfer applications received after these deadlines will be accepted only if space is available. Applications submitted after classes have started but before the add/drop period will be reviewed on a case-by-case basis. No applications will be reviewed after the add/drop period for that semester.

To be considered for admission, the transfer applicant should have earned a minimum 2.0 cumulative collegiate GPA or a ‘C’ average in at least two full-time semesters (24 semester credits) or its equivalent from a regionally accredited college(s). For information about transferable credits, applicants should refer to the Evaluation of Transfer Credit section of this catalog. Applicants who have earned fewer than 24 transferable college credits are required to submit a final official high school transcript and standardized test scores. The application will be reviewed based on the high school information and grades as well as credit earned while in college.

All applicants for transfer admission must be eligible to return to the last institution attended as a degree candidate. The applicant must submit transcripts of all previous work whether or not credit was earned and regardless of whether there is a desire to transfer any credit from another institution. An official transcript from each institution attended must be sent directly to the Office of Admissions and Merit Awards. Failure to submit transcripts may constitute sufficient cause for dismissal from the University. If a student’s academic record shows attendance at a college or university, but the student does not have an academic transcript from that institution, the student must request an official enrollment verification from that institution to fulfill the transcript requirement.

Credit for work completed at other institutions by Coastal Carolina University students will not be accepted for transfer if the student has previously failed to earn the required grade in an equivalent course at Coastal Carolina University.

Regardless of the point in the student’s academic career in which the student enters the University, in order to be eligible to receive a degree from Coastal Carolina University, a student must earn a minimum of 25 percent of the degree program’s requirements “in residence” at the University, including 12 credit hours of the student’s major courses and six credit hours of minor courses offered by Coastal (see “in residence” under the Graduation  section of this catalog). Some programs impose higher student residence and/or major requirements.

Transfer Students with an Earned Domestic A.A., A.S., B.A., B.S. Degree, or International B.S. or B.A., or International Master’s Degree (with 150 hours)

Domestic Institutions

A student will be exempt from having to meet Core Curriculum requirements if the student is accepted to the University with an earned Associate of Arts, Associate of Science, Baccalaureate of Arts, or Baccalaureate of Science degree from a regionally accredited college or university in the U.S.

Associate in Applied Science degrees are not eligible for the Core Curriculum exemption.

International Institutions

A student will be exempt from having to meet Core Curriculum requirements if the student is accepted to the University with an earned baccalaureate degree from an accredited international institution of higher education or with a master’s degree (that requires at least 150 equivalent U.S. credit hours to complete) from an accredited international institution of higher education.

Coursework from external institutions will be evaluated for transfer to the University on an individual basis in accordance with established transfer policies and procedures. (See the Evaluation of Transfer Credit section below.) Instead of applying toward Core Curriculum requirements, transferred course credits may be applied to foundation, minor, cognate, or major requirements, or may be counted as electives.

Credit for the Core Curriculum requirement courses will not be awarded as a result of the exemption. All requirements for the awarding of degrees, including prerequisites, minimum credits earned and minimum grades still apply. All course prerequisites and corequisites still apply. Evaluation of the institutional transcript from international institutions must be completed by an organization that is recognized by the U.S. Department of Education, such as NACES or AICE, to conduct foreign credit evaluation and must indicate equivalencies to at least a B.S., a B.A., or a masters’ degree with 150 hours to qualify for the Core Curriculum exemption. International institutions are considered “accredited” if they are recognized by the Ministry of Education or other appropriate agency of the country in which the institution is located.

Transfer Prerequisites and Special Requirements

Transfer Admission to the Marine Science Degree Program

Prior to being admitted to the Department of Marine Science as a degree candidate, a transfer student must meet the general admissions requirements and complete one of the following:

1. A score of 510 or higher on the SAT math subtest for SAT exams taken in March 2016 and later, or a math subtest minimum score of 470 or higher on SAT exams taken prior to March 2016, or a score of 20 or higher on the math subtest of the ACT exam. Students may retake the SAT or ACT and submit new scores for consideration.

OR

2. Completion of Math 130 or Math 130I (College Algebra) or a higher-level math course with a grade of at least ‘C’ from a regionally accredited college or university. Students will be placed into mathematics courses based on high school GPA and SAT math subtest score.

Students who meet general admissions requirements, but do not satisfy requirements for admission as a degree-seeking marine science major will be admitted as a pre-marine science major. A student classified as a pre-marine science major is not eligible to receive an Academic Common Market tuition waiver at Coastal Carolina University. Only students who are fully admitted into the major are eligible to apply for consideration of this designation.

Transfer Admission to the Intelligence and National Security Studies Degree Program

Prior to being admitted to the Department of Politics as an Intelligence and National Security Studies degree candidate, a transfer student must meet the general admissions requirements and must meet one of the following requirements:

1. A score of 1040 or higher on the SAT (exams taken prior to March 2016) or 1120 or higher (exams taken after March 2016), or a score of 22 or higher on the ACT exam;

         AND

2. A minimum cumulative high school GPA of 3.5 or higher.

         OR

1. Complete INTEL 200  with a grade of ‘B’ or better from a regionally accredited college or university. Students who do not earn a grade of ‘B’ or better may repeat INTEL 200 only one time.

Students who meet general admissions requirements, but do not satisfy requirements for admission as a degree-seeking intelligence and national security studies major, will be admitted as an intelligence and national security studies pre-major. A student classified as a pre-major is not eligible to receive an Academic Common Market tuition waiver at Coastal Carolina University. Only students who are fully admitted into the major are eligible to apply for consideration of this designation. A student admitted as a pre-major who meets the minimum cumulative high school GPA requirement but does not meet the SAT or ACT score requirements may re-take either exam and submit new scores. If the student takes either exam again and achieves the minimum required score or higher, that student may be admitted into the full degree program prior to enrollment.

Auditions Required for Music, Musical Theatre (B.F.A.) and Theatre (B.F.A.) Programs

Transfer students must meet the general admissions requirements and audition for full admittance to these majors. For more information on auditions, see coastal.edu/music/audition or coastal.edu/theatre/audition.

PGA Golf Management Program

To be admitted to the PGA Golf Management Program, a transfer student must meet the general admissions requirements of the University, choose a major within the Wall College of Business Administration and submit the following documentation to CCU’s PGA Golf Management Program:

• Application to the PGA Golf Program
• Verification of a handicap of 12 or less

These forms will be provided to the student with the general admission letter.

Health Administration, B.S. (Completion Program)

To be admitted to the major, transfer students must meet the general admissions requirements and:

• Have an associate degree from a regionally accredited institution and a certification or license in a health science area,

​​OR

• Have earned an associate of art, associate of science, Bachelor of Arts, or Bachelor of Science degree from a regionally accredited institution.

Nursing, B.S.N. (Completion Program)

To be admitted to the major, transfer students must meet the general admissions requirements, and must have graduated from an accredited nursing program with a grade of ‘C’ or better in all nursing courses, and have an active license as a registered nurse (RN) in South Carolina or live in a Nurse Licensure Compact (NLC) state with multistate privileges. See ncsbn.org for a list of NLC states.

Business and Education Pre-majors

All students who meet general admissions requirements and select a major within the Wall College of Business Administration or the Spadoni College of Education enter the University as pre-majors. For more information visit the College of Business Administration  and College of Education  sections of the catalog.

Evaluation of Transfer Credit

After having completed all requirements for transfer admission, matriculated students will be given a statement of credits accepted for transfer by the University within the first semester of enrollment. Students from regionally accredited colleges and universities may transfer credit for college level academic courses completed with grades of C (meaning C-, C or C+) or better, but the University reserves the right to determine what credit, if any, for courses taken elsewhere will be counted toward its degrees.

Transfer applicants with advanced standing from colleges and universities not accredited by a regional accrediting association must validate, by examination, all credits presented for transfer. Detailed explanation of validation procedures may be found in the Credit by Examination  section of this catalog or may be obtained from the Registrar. Credit from foreign colleges/universities is evaluated by the Center for Global Engagement in coordination with the dean of the student’s major and the dean of each course in review on the basis of the original transcript and a professional credential evaluation of all work completed (or a course-by-course with GPA report) provided by an organization that is recognized by the U.S. Department of Education to conduct foreign credential evaluation, such as NACES or AICE. Students pursuing a double degree program through a cooperative agreement between Coastal Carolina University and an international partner university must provide an updated evaluation of their degree completion documents from the international partner university that is evaluated by an organization recognized by the U.S. Department of Education to conduct foreign credential evaluation, such as NACES or AICE for the Core Curriculum exemption to be granted under a reverse transfer credit agreement protocol.

A maximum of 76 transferable credits from any regionally accredited two-year college transfer program will be applicable toward a Coastal Carolina University degree.

A maximum of 90 transferable credits from any regionally accredited four-year college or university will be applicable toward a Coastal Carolina University degree.

A maximum of 30 credit hours may be applied toward a bachelor’s degree from the combined sources of military credit and correspondence credit, provided that the student was not enrolled in such courses while on suspension from the University or any other college-level institution.

Transfer credit is evaluated and applied in one of three ways at Coastal Carolina University:

1. As parallel credit (the course must have involved at least the same amount of class time and have had the same content), or
2. As a departmental elective (courses in the discipline must be offered at Coastal Carolina University), or
3. As a general elective for coursework completed at a four-year institution in a discipline not offered by Coastal Carolina University.

Academic courses completed with a grade of C (meaning C-, C or C+) or better at regionally accredited institutions are normally transferable to Coastal Carolina University. Courses that are not usually accepted for transfer are those which are:

1. Occupational or technical in nature,
2. Remedial in nature, or
3. Courses from a two-year institution that are not recognized in that institution’s catalog as part of its college parallel (transfer) program.

Exceptions to this rule may be made only by the dean of the student’s major or the Provost and only in specific cases where such courses are judged to be uniquely relevant to the student’s degree program.

Certain degree programs do not recognize transfer credit from a two-year institution for courses which are considered upper division or upper level courses at Coastal Carolina University. In no university degree program may such courses fulfill any upper level requirement within the major concentration, the minor, or the cognate unless determined by the chair and dean of the academic college. However, some degree programs will grant transfer credit for such courses in the lower level elective category or within the Core Curriculum requirements.

Undergraduate credit is not awarded or accepted for experiential learning or other types of credit for life experiences which occur prior to the student’s matriculation into a Coastal Carolina University undergraduate program and which has not been under the supervision of the University.

Grade point average (GPA) is calculated on the basis of all work in the student’s career at Coastal Carolina University. Credits earned at other institutions and transferred to Coastal Carolina University may be used to satisfy program requirements but will not be calculated as a part of the GPA.

Transfer: South Carolina State Policies and Procedures

Transfer Policy for Public Two-Year and Four-Year Institutions in South Carolina (Revised 12/2009)

The South Carolina Course Articulation and Transfer System serves as the primary tool and source of information for transfer of academic credit between and among institutions of higher education in the state. The system provides institutions with the software tools needed to update and maintain course articulation and transfer information easily. The student interface of this system is the South Carolina Transfer and Articulation Center (SCTRAC) web portal: www.SCTRAC.org. This web portal is an integrated solution to meet the needs of South Carolina’s public colleges and universities and their students and is designed to help students make better choices and avoid taking courses which will not count toward their degree. Each institution’s student information system interfaces with www.SCTRAC.org to help students and institutions by saving time and effort while ensuring accuracy and timeliness of information.

Admissions Criteria, Course Grades, GPAs, Validations

All four-year public institutions will issue a transfer guide annually in August or maintain such a guide online. Information published in transfer guides will cover at least the following items:

1. The institution’s definition of a transfer student.
2. Requirements for admission both to the institution and, if more selective, requirements for admission to particular programs.
3. Institutional and, if more selective, programmatic maximums of course credits allowable in transfer.
4. Information about course equivalencies and transfer agreements.
5. Limitations placed by the institution or its programs for acceptance of standardized examinations (e.g., SAT, ACT) taken more than a given time ago, for academic coursework taken elsewhere, for coursework repeated due to failure, for coursework taken at another institution while the student is academically suspended at his/her home institution, and so forth.
6. Information about institutional procedures used to calculate student applicants’ GPAs for transfer admission. Such procedures will describe how nonstandard grades (withdrawal, withdrawal failing, repeated course, etc.) are evaluated; and they will also describe whether all coursework taken prior to transfer or only coursework deemed appropriate to the student’s intended four-year program of study is calculated for purposes of admission to the institution and/or programmatic major.
7. Institutional policies related to “academic bankruptcy” (i.e., removing an entire transcript or parts thereof from a failed or underachieving record after a period of years has passed) so that re-entry into the four-year institution with course credit earned in the interim elsewhere is done without regard to the student’s earlier record.
8. “Residency requirements” for the minimum number of hours required to be earned at the institution for the degree.

South Carolina Transfer and Articulation Center (SCTRAC)

All two-and four-year public institutions will publish information related to course articulation and transfer, including but not limited to items A through D mentioned above, on the South Carolina Transfer and Articulation Center website (www.SCTRAC.org). Course equivalency information listing all courses accepted from each institution in the state (including the 86 courses in the Statewide Articulation Agreement) and their respective course equivalencies (including courses in the “free elective” category) will be made available on www.SCTRAC.org. This course equivalency information will be updated as equivalencies are added or changed and will be reviewed annually for accuracy. Additionally, articulation agreements between public South Carolina institutions of higher education will be made available on www.SCTRAC.org, will be updated as articulation agreements are added or changed, and will be reviewed annually for accuracy. All other transfer information published on www.SCTRAC.org will be reviewed at least annually and updated as needed.

Statewide Articulation of 86 Courses

The Statewide Articulation Agreement of 86 courses approved by the South Carolina Commission on Higher Education for transfer from two- to four-year public institutions is applicable to all public institutions, including two-year institutions and institutions within the same system. In instances where an institution does not have courses synonymous to ones on this list, it will identify comparable courses or course categories for acceptance of general education courses on the statewide list. This list of courses is available online at www.che.sc.gov as well as on www.SCTRAC.org.

Statewide Transfer Blocks

The Statewide Transfer Blocks established in 1996 will be accepted in their totality toward meeting baccalaureate degree requirements at all four-year public institutions in relevant four-year degree programs. Several Transfer Blocks were updated in March 2009: Arts, Humanities, and Social Sciences; Business; Engineering; and Science and Mathematics; the remaining Transfer Blocks, Teacher Education and Nursing, are currently being revised. The courses listed in each Transfer Block will be reviewed periodically by the Commission’s Academic Affairs staff in consultation with the Advisory Committee on Academic Programs to ensure their accuracy, and the Transfer Blocks will be updated as needed.

For the Nursing Transfer Block, by statewide agreement, at least 60 semester hours will be accepted by any public four-year institution toward the baccalaureate completion program (BSN) from graduates of any South Carolina public associate degree program in nursing (ADN), provided that the program is accredited by the National League for Nursing Accrediting Commission or the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education and that the graduate has successfully passed the National Licensure Examination (NCLEX) and is a currently licensed Registered Nurse.

Any student who has completed either an Associate of Arts or Associate of Science degree program at any public two-year South Carolina institution which contains the total coursework found in the Arts, Humanities, and Social Sciences or the Science and Mathematics Transfer Block will automatically be entitled to junior-level status or its equivalent at whatever public senior institution to which the student might have been admitted. However, as agreed by the Advisory Committee on Academic Programs, junior status applies only to campus activities such as priority order for registration for courses, residence hall assignments, parking, athletic event tickets, etc. and not in calculating academic degree credits.

For a complete listing of all courses in each Transfer Block, see https://www.che.sc.gov/InstitutionsEducators/AcademicPolicies,Programs/AcademicTransferArticulation.aspx.

Assurance of Transferability of Coursework Covered by the Transfer Policy

Coursework (i.e., individual courses, transfer blocks, and statewide agreements) covered within this transfer policy will be transferable if the student has completed the coursework with a “C” grade (2.0 on a 4.0 scale) or above. However, the transfer of grades does not relieve the student of the obligation to meet any GPA requirements or other admissions requirements of the institution or program to which application has been made. In addition, any four-year institution which has institutional or programmatic admissions requirements for transfer students with cumulative grade point averages (GPAs) higher than 2.0 on a 4.0 scale will apply such entrance requirements equally to transfer students from regionally accredited South Carolina public institutions regardless of whether students are transferring from a four-year or two-year institution.

Any coursework covered within this transfer policy will be transferable to any public institution without any additional fee and without any further encumbrance such as a “validation examination,” “placement examination/instrument,” “verification instrument,” or any other stricture, notwithstanding any institutional or system policy, procedure, or regulation to the contrary.

Assurance of Quality

All claims from any public two- or four-year institution challenging the effective preparation of any other public institution’s coursework for transfer purposes will be evaluated by the staff of the Commission on Higher Education in consultation with the Advisory Committee on Academic Programs. After these claims are evaluated, appropriate measures will be taken to ensure that the quality of the coursework has been reviewed and approved on a timely basis by sending and receiving institutions alike.

Transfer Officers

Each institution will provide the contact information for the institution’s Transfer Office personnel, including telephone numbers, office address, and email address, on its website and on www.SCTRAC.org. Transfer office personnel will:

• Provide information and other appropriate support for students considering transfer and recent transfers.
• Serve as a clearinghouse for information on issues of transfer in the state of South Carolina.
• Provide definitive institutional rulings on transfer questions for the institution’s students under these procedures.
• Work closely with feeder institutions to assure ease in transfer for their students.

Statewide Publication and Distribution of Information on Transfer

The staff of the Commission on Higher Education will place this document on the Commission’s website under the title “Transfer Policies.” In addition, information about transfer, including institutional policies, course equivalencies, and articulation agreements, will be published and distributed by all public institutions through transfer guides and be made available on www.SCTRAC.org. Furthermore, course catalogs for each public two-and four-year institution will contain a section entitled “Transfer: State Policies and Procedures.” This section will:

A.  Include the Transfer Policy for Public Two-Year and Four-Year Institutions in South Carolina.

B.  Refer interested parties to www.SCTRAC.org as well as to the institutional Transfer Guide and institutional and Commission on Higher Education’s websites for further information regarding transfer.

Experiential Learning

Undergraduate credit is not awarded or accepted for experiential learning or other types of credit for life experiences which occur prior to the student’s matriculation into a Coastal Carolina University undergraduate program and which has not been under the supervision of the University.

International Admission

Applicants who are not citizens or permanent residents of the United States must meet the University’s general requirements for undergraduate admissions. International applicants must complete the undergraduate application for admission, include all necessary official transcripts and leaving certificates (official English translation required), and submit required standardized test scores, and demonstrate English Language Proficiency in one of the following ways:

*Minimum score from one of the following tests taken no earlier than two years prior.

1. Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) with a minimum score of 527 on the paper-based exam (PBT) or a minimum score of 71 on the internet-based test (iBT);
2. International English Language System (IELTS) with a minimum score of 6.0 with no subscore lower than 5;
3. Certificate of Completion of level 110 of the ELS Language Centers Academic English Program;
4. ACT score of 21 on the English and reading portion of the exam with a minimum composite score of 21;
5. SAT score of 550 on the evidence-based reading and writing portion of the exam with a minimum combined score of 1070;
6. Pearson Test of English (PTE) with a score of 51;
7. IB (Higher Level English A1 or A2): 4;
8. Cambridge Certificate of Advanced English (CAE) at level of C1 or higher;
9. Cambridge Certificate of Proficiency in English (CPE) with level of C1 or higher;
10. Cambridge International O Levels with a ‘C’ or better;
11. Michigan English Language Assessment Battery (MELAB) with a minimum score of 74;
12. Test of English for International Communication (TOEIC) with a minimum score of 645;
13. General Certificate of Secondary Education with grades of ‘C’ or better on English or General Certificate of Education “O” level in English language; or
14. Completion of 3 credits of English Composition with a ‘C’ letter grade or better, minimum overall GPA of 2.50, and at least 24 transferrable credits of course work from a regionally accredited U.S. college/university or from an accredited higher education institution located in the list of English-speaking countries.

English-Speaking Countries Approved for English Proficiency Exemption

Coastal Carolina University recognizes the following countries where English is the native official language used in education settings. People who are citizens of these countries and who have completed their secondary education in one of these countries are considered native speakers of English and therefore considered to have met Coastal Carolina University English Proficiency requirements.

Countries with English as an Official Language and the Language of Instruction in Higher Education

Applicants who have attended post-secondary educational institutions, colleges or universities outside the United States are required to submit, in addition to the original transcripts, a professional credential evaluation of all work completed (or a course-by-course report) by an organization that is recognized by the U.S. Department of Education to conduct foreign credential evaluation, such as NACES or AICE, and should be sent directly to the Office of Admissions and Merit Awards at Coastal Carolina University. Detailed course descriptions from foreign colleges/universities must also be sent in English. Courses are evaluated in consultation with the dean of the college of the student’s major and with the dean of each course in review.

International students who apply to complete their university degree completely online and those who do not anticipate taking coursework for their degree program on campus or elsewhere in the U.S. for at least twelve months after their admission will not be required to provide a Confidential Financial Statement as they will not be needing a visa to come to the United States of America. After being admitted to the University and prior to matriculating in any non-online courses, international students will need to provide the Confidential Financial Statement as part of the documentation required to obtain the institutionally generated support documents for applying for a visa to enable them to take such courses or participate in degree requirements located in the U.S.

Conditional Admission for International Students

International applicants who otherwise meet all admissions standards for their respective program except for their English language requirement will be admitted conditionally for up to one year based on their completion of the noted requirements prior to enrolling in classes.

Upon admission to a degree program and receipt of the Confidential Financial Statement, an I-20 will be issued by the Center for Global Engagement. This form must be presented at the American Consulate in the prospective student’s home country to apply for an F-1 student visa. International transfers currently studying on an F-1 visa at another college/university in the United States submit an “International Student Transfer Clearance Form” completed by the previously attended institution, to demonstrate that they are “in status” with the Bureau of Citizenship and Immigration Services before being eligible to transfer. The holders of tourist visas are not permitted to change status in the U.S.

It is the University’s policy that all international students must provide evidence of satisfactory insurance coverage. Students who are unable to provide insurance from their home countries may purchase the University’s plan or select another of their choosing, provided the coverage obtained is adequate.

Senior Citizens

Senior citizens (60 years of age or older) who are residents of South Carolina may be eligible to attend classes on a space available basis without the payment of tuition (excludes required course fees) provided the applicant meets the regular admission requirements and other standards of the University. Senior citizens must complete either the Readmission and Non-Degree Student application or Freshman or Transfer application, depending on the status of enrollment that is desired. Under the free tuition program, senior citizens cannot register for classes until the day prior to the first day of class for the term in which they wish to enroll.

Alternative Admission

The Faculty Admissions Committee may grant applicants consideration for alternative admission status if the academic credentials provided do not meet admission criteria but demonstrate the applicant’s potential for success. See the Freshman Admissions section above for alternative admission programs. Alternative admission status may include deferred, conditional, and/or probationary admission. The probationary student may enroll for a maximum of 13 credit hours for one semester. In order to continue after the initial semester, the probationary student must earn a grade of ‘C’ or better in each course attempted to be considered for regular admissions.

Appealing the Admissions Decision

Any freshman or transfer applicant who is denied admission may submit a written appeal for reconsideration provided the student presents new or updated academic information, additional test scores, a statement describing extenuating circumstances, and/or other evidence which supports the readiness for collegiate level study. Appeals are reviewed by the Office of Admissions and Merit Awards. In some cases, the appeals are reviewed by the Faculty Admissions Committee.

Readmission of Former Students

A student who has previously attended Coastal Carolina University as a baccalaureate degree-seeking student who leaves the University in good standing, misses one or more major semesters or attends another institution must submit the Undergraduate Application for Readmission, the specified application fee, and official transcripts of all collegiate-level work attempted during the absence from the University to be considered for readmission. Such applicants must meet the requirements for transfer admission if the student has completed coursework at another college after leaving the University. Summer semesters do not count as a major semester in this instance.

A student who leaves the University on first academic suspension must submit the application for readmission and the application fee to be considered for readmission upon completion of the stated period of academic suspension. A student on indefinite academic suspension must submit the readmission application and application fee after petitioning the University’s Academic Suspension Petitions Committee but prior to enrollment.

A student who is suspended from Coastal Carolina University may earn academic credit in accordance with the University’s existing transfer credit policies. Students are strongly encouraged to seek advance approval of the coursework, via Special Enrollment Request form, with their academic adviser and the chair of their academic department.

The University’s Academic Suspension Petitions Committee and the Assistant Provost for Admissions and Merit Awards reserve the right to place stipulations upon the readmission and/or reinstatement of any student. A student unable to meet the prescribed readmission requirements may appeal to the Provost for consideration of extenuating circumstances.

Students who enroll after academic suspension are admitted under the status of probation. Students are required to earn at least a 2.0 semester grade point average each semester or earn the required minimum grade point average to avoid a subsequent academic suspension. Students who are readmitted after academic suspension are required to enroll in a reduced course load (16 credits), have their course selection and credits approved by their adviser, and attend a one day dean’s Academic Counseling Seminar.

Second Baccalaureate Degree and Post Baccalaureate Certification (Teacher Education and Gerontology)

A student who has earned a baccalaureate degree from Coastal Carolina University or any other accredited institution may earn a second baccalaureate degree. The student must submit an Undergraduate Application for Admission with the application fee and all official college transcripts directly to the Office of Admissions and Merit Awards. The student is evaluated based upon the criteria for transfer admission candidates. For additional information on the academic regulations regarding a second baccalaureate degree, see Second Baccalaureate Degree Regulations  in this catalog.

Non-Degree Undergraduate Admission

An applicant not initially seeking to earn a baccalaureate degree may be admitted to Coastal Carolina University in a non-degree classification. Credits earned as a non-degree student may be applied toward degree requirements at a later date.

The non-degree admissions classification allows certain students the opportunity to begin classes prior to providing the finalized credentials necessary to enroll as a degree-seeking student. Applicants denied regular admission to Coastal Carolina are not eligible to apply as a non-degree student. It is important to note that students admitted in the non-degree classification cannot receive any student financial aid. A maximum of 18 undergraduate credit hours may be taken in this classification.

Classifications for non-degree students include:

1. High School Student – High-achieving high school juniors and seniors can begin college studies, on a course availability basis, on the Coastal Carolina University campus concurrently with their high school work. Applicants must provide a high school transcript with a minimum ‘B+’ average in a college preparatory program. The student must also present acceptable PSAT, SAT, or ACT scores and a letter of recommendation from the high school counselor or principal.
2. Transient or Visiting Student – This is an applicant who desires to take courses at Coastal Carolina University while regularly enrolled in another (home) institution. The applicant must secure approval from the academic dean or university registrar at the home institution to ensure that the courses will transfer. Students seeking to continue in a visiting status for subsequent terms must have the approval from the Office of Admissions and Merit Awards. Approval is made for one semester and is granted on a space-available basis.
3. Adult Learner – An adult learner is an applicant who is at least 22 years of age who desires to take courses for personal or professional enhancement. The non-degree adult learner may register for a maximum of 18 undergraduate credit hours. (Adult learners are also eligible to apply as degree-seeking students and must meet the admissions criteria for a freshman or transfer applicant.)
4. Senior Citizen Who Is a South Carolina Resident – A senior citizen (60 years of age or older) who is a resident of South Carolina can enroll in courses free of charge (excluding required course fees) providing there is available space in the class. Under the free tuition program, senior citizens cannot register for classes until the day prior to the first day of class for the term in which they wish to enroll. Senior citizens may apply as non-degree or degree-seeking students.

In a non-degree admissions classification, the student is not regularly admitted to Coastal Carolina University. The terms of the non-degree admission are limited by semester and/or the maximum number of credits allowable in a particular classification. To gain admission as a degree-seeking candidate, the non-degree-classified student must submit a new application as a degree-seeking candidate. All academic transcripts of previous work will be required at that time.

Non-degree students who desire to enroll as a degree-seeking student must submit the Undergraduate Application and provide all of the required documents. The completed application will be reviewed based on the classification of the student: freshman, transfer, readmit, or second degree.

Auditing a Course

An applicant who seeks to take a degree course(s) and who does not intend to earn university credit for the course(s) may audit a course. Non-degree students who desire to audit a course must submit the Non-Degree Undergraduate Application. Approval to audit a course is made for one semester and is made on a space-available basis. Auditing a course consists of attending classes. However, the audit student is not responsible for assignments or examinations. No credit may be earned in an audited course by examinations or otherwise. No audited course may be repeated for credit at a later date. Coursework not taken in a traditional format may not be audited. For more information see Auditing  in the Academic Regulations section of this catalog.

Proof of Citizenship/Legal Presence

Coastal Carolina University students must present proof of citizenship or lawful presence in the U.S. before enrolling. This policy has been adopted by the University’s Board of Trustees in order to comply with section 59-101-430 of the South Carolina Code of Laws, as amended, which requires that lawful presence in the United States is verified before enrollment at any public institution of higher education. Verification of immigration status for non-citizens will be conducted by international student officials. For other students, a proof of citizenship verification process has been adopted to deter and prevent false claims of citizenship by unlawful aliens attempting to evade the eligibility requirements of section 59-101-430.

Students who are not verified as citizens during the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) process must present proof of citizenship in the form of one of the following acceptable documents:

• Copy of the South Carolina driver’s license if the student first became a licensed driver in the state after January 1, 2002, or a copy of a valid driver’s license issued after January 1, 2002, from one of the following states (if your state is not on this list, it is not eligible): Alaska, Arizona, Connecticut, Delaware, Florida, Georgia, Idaho, Indiana, Kansas, Kentucky, Maine (license issued after November 15, 2008), Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, Missouri, Montana, New Hampshire, New Jersey, North Carolina, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, Tennessee, Texas, Virginia, West Virginia, or Wisconsin;
• Social Security Card;
• Current U.S. Passport or U.S. Passport that has not been expired more than 10 years;
• Certificate of Naturalization – (USCIS Form N-550 or N-570);
• U.S. government issued Consular Report of Birth Abroad;
• Certificate of Citizenship (USCIS N-560 or N-561); or
• Unexpired U.S. Active Duty/Retiree/Reservist Military ID Card (DOD DD-2).

The University can accept photocopies of acceptable citizenship documents so long as we reserve the right to demand production of the certified original in the event we have any questions about whether the copy is true and accurate, or in the event any of the information on the copy is unreadable.

Orientation of New Students

Coastal Carolina University’s Orientation program is designed to assist new students in making a successful transition into university life. All new freshman and transfer students are required to attend orientation. (Students in the Nursing BSN, health administration, and distance learning programs are required to complete an online orientation and attend a special orientation which is conducted by the program director.)

At each orientation session, new students receive course schedules as well as information on campus activities and services. Students also make connections with faculty, staff, and other new students. Two-day orientation sessions for freshman and transfer students with less than 24 earned credit hours, post high-school graduation and a one-day session for transfer students with 24 or more earned credit hours, post-high school graduation occur throughout the summer for new students entering in the fall semester, and there is a one-day orientation session in January for students who begin their academic study in the spring. Students who start courses in mid-Fall, mid-Spring, or Summer I are required to complete an online orientation.

While students are attending orientation, parents and family members are encouraged to attend a Family Orientation Program that addresses questions and concerns regarding academic policies, university housing, health, safety issues, and other services available to students. Registration materials are sent to students once they have been accepted.

Merit Awards for New Students

Coastal Carolina University is committed to the highest standards of academic excellence and recognizes outstanding freshman and transfer students through its merit award program. All full-time, degree-seeking students who apply for admission to the university are automatically considered for the following merit awards:

The following do not require the completion of a scholarship application.

(The following merit awards have an acceptance deadline of January 1 for priority consideration.)

• Presidential Scholarship Award
• President’s Scholar Award
• PGA Golf Management Scholar Program – PGA Golf Management Trustee Scholar

(The following merit awards have an acceptance deadline of March 1 for priority consideration.)

• Provost’s Scholar Award
• Coastal Scholar Award
• Teal Award
• PGA Golf Management University Award
• PGA Golf Management Wall Award
• Visual and Performing Arts (VPA) Award

(The following transfer merit awards have an acceptance deadline of June 1 for priority consideration.)

• Transfer Scholar Award

(The following merit awards are strictly talent-based awards offered through the applicable visual or performing arts department. Submission of a portfolio or audition is required for consideration. Funds are limited.)

• Music Performance Award
• Theatre Performance Award
• Visual and Perfroming Arts (VPA) Award

Students who receive a merit-based or talent-based award will receive written notification by U.S. mail beginning December 1. Students may only be awarded one of the following: Presidential, President’s, Provost’s, Academic Common Market, Coastal Scholar Award, Teal Award, Transfer Scholar Award, PGA Golf Management Program Awards, or VPA Award. As there are a limited number of awards in each category, not all students who meet the minimum criteria will be awarded a merit award.

Notes:

1. Criterion for high school GPA is based on the reported GPA on the official high school transcript.
2. Awards are based on available funding.
3. Renewal of merit awards require earning an average of 30 credit hours each academic year while maintaining a minimum 3.0 cumulative CCU GPA.
4. The maximum number of eligible semesters depends upon the academic level of the recipient at the point of matriculation at Coastal Carolina University. Freshman students are awarded for a maximum of eight semesters and transfer students are awarded according to the number of credits transferred into the university.
5. All references to SAT score in this publication refer to the combined evidence-based reading and writing plus math sections only.
6. Out-of-state merit awards include a cash award and a partial out-of-state tuition waiver.
7. Out-of-state tuition waiver(s) may not exceed the difference between in-state and out-of-state tuition.
8. Information in this publication is subject to change without notification