Academic Catalog

Admission

Applying for Admission

Individuals who meet the admission requirements listed below may apply to Arkansas Tech University. The University reserves the right to reject the application of any individual. Every student must file an application for admission. Additional information about Arkansas Tech is available from the:

Office of Admissions
Arkansas Tech University
105 West O Street, Brown Building, Suite 104
Russellville, Arkansas 72801

Apply on-line from the Tech website at www.atu.edu or e-mail for additional information via tech.enroll@atu.edu.

Arkansas Tech University (ATU) will provide equal opportunity in admission to all persons. This applies to all phases of the admission process. Any demographic information collected through the admission application is on a voluntary basis and is to be used in a nondiscriminatory manner consistent with applicable civil rights laws for reporting and statistical purposes only and cannot affect eligibility for admission.

ATU is subject to and endorses both the Americans with Disabilities Act and Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973. The Director of Disability Services serves as the coordinator for these federal programs. The Office of Disability Services is located in Doc Bryan Room 141 and can be contacted by calling (479) 968-0302 or FAX (479) 964-0375.

Beginning June 1, 2007, all students at ATU will be assigned a permanent, randomly generated, student identification number. Student's social security numbers will be used only on applications for admission and solely for the purposes of State and Federal reporting requirements and determination of eligibility for Federal financial aid.

All students born after January 1, 1957 must provide proof of immunizations by way of an official record from another educational institution, certificate from a licensed medical doctor, or an authorized public health department representative. Proof of the appropriate immunizations must be presented to the Office of Admissions upon enrollment to the university. Students may be exempted from the immunization requirements if there is a medical contraindication or if religious or philosophical belief prohibits immunizations. Exemptions must be obtained from the Arkansas Department of Health by emailing immunization.section@arkansas.gov.

Students who are enrolled in online classes only and have declared an online major, may request an immunization waiver by contacting the Office of Admissions. 

All students who hold resident alien status must provide a copy of their resident alien card documenting an unexpired status.

Entering freshmen must comply with the following admission requirements and freshman placement standards. This includes students who enter with college credit earned prior to high school graduation, during summer following high school graduation, or by advanced placement.

Residual college entrance exams taken on other college campuses will not be accepted for admission.

Entering Freshman/New Students

New students to Arkansas Tech University must submit an application for admission, college entrance exam scores, an official record documenting completion of secondary requirements, and proof of immunization documenting 2 MMR vaccinations prior to registration. If you have concurrent college credit, an official transcript from that institution is required. For Advanced Placement (AP), College Level Examination Program (CLEP), or International Baccalaureate (IB) credit, original score reports or copies embossed by your high school will need to be submitted prior to credit being awarded.

A minimum criterion for unconditional admission is listed below:

  1. Cumulative high school GPA of 3.0 or higher on a 4.0 grading scale
  2. Completion of Secondary School Core Curriculum

or

  1. Cumulative high school GPA of 2.0 or higher on a 4.0 grading scale
  2. Completion of Secondary School Core Curriculum
  3. Composite ACT score of 19 or above, composite SAT score of 1010 or above on the RSAT scale of 1600 or a composite SAT score of 1330 on the former SAT exam with a scale of 2400, or a composite Next Generation ACCUPLACER score of 246.

Note: The ACT Writing exam is not required for admission purposes but is required for Education majors.

Please note, students admitted without test scores must submit either ACT, SAT, or ACCUPLACER scores for placement purposes prior to registration.

Freshmen who do not meet unconditional admission requirements will be conditionally admitted with a minimum composite ACT score of 15, a composite SAT score of 850 or above on the RSAT scale of 1600 or a composite SAT score of 1060 on the former SAT exam with a scale of 2400, or a composite Next Generation ACCUPLACER score of 229, and by completing college core with a 2.0/4.0-grade point average or minimum GED score of 580.

Secondary School Core Course Recommendation

A minimum of twenty-two earned core course credits is required, from grades nine through twelve, for admission purposes.  Two additional units of foreign language are recommended for college preparation. 

  • English1 - 4 units, with emphasis on writing skills, but not to include oral communications, journalism, drama, or debate.
  • Mathematics1 - 4 units, including algebra I and algebra II, geometry, and an advanced math course (or 3 units of math and 1 unit of Computer Science). The fourth unit may be college algebra or a higher level college math course, as long as three college credit hours are earned. It is strongly recommended that students take a math course during their senior year.
  • Science1 - 3 units with lab experience (or 2 units with lab experience and 1 unit of Computer Science).
  • Biology - 1 unit (All students must have 1 unit in Biology, IB Biology, ADE Biology, ADE Approved Biology Honors, or Concurrent Credit Biology.)
  • Physical Science, Chemistry, or Physics - 2 units. 
  • Social Studies1 - 3 units, [one (1) unit of world history, one (1) unit of U.S. history, one half (1/2) unit of civics].2
  • Computer Science - (optional) A flex unit of Computer Science and Mathematics, Essentials of Computer Programming, AP Computer Science, or IB Computer Science may replace the 4th math requirement or the 3rd science requirement. Two distinct units of the computer science courses listed above may replace the 4th math requirement and the 3rd science requirement. If the 4th math requirement and the 3rd science requirement have been met through other coursework, any of the computer science courses listed above may be used for career focus credit. 
  • Oral Communications - ½ unit of oral communications.
  • Physical Education - ½ unit of physical education.
  • Health and Safety - ½ unit of health and safety.
  • Economics - ½ unit of economics.2
  • Fine Arts - ½ unit of fine arts.
  • Electives - 6 units of career focus electives.
1

Core courses required by Act 1290 for unconditional admission.

2

May be counted toward Social Studies or Career Focus.

Freshman Placement Standards

In accordance with A.C.A. § 6-61-110, first-time entering undergraduate students who enroll in baccalaureate degree programs or associate-degree transfer programs must meet the following placement standards prior to enrollment in college-level mathematics, reading, or English composition courses. Remedial courses do not provide credit toward a degree.

English Composition – Students scoring 19 or above on the English section of the ACT or 510 or above on the writing section of RSAT or 251 or above on the writing section of the Next Generation ACCUPLACER exam may enroll in college-level English courses. Students not meeting the standard must successfully complete a developmental program.

Reading – Students scoring 19 or above on the reading section of the ACT, 510 or above on the reading section of RSAT, or 246 or above on the reading section of the Next Generation ACCUPLACER exam will be considered to have met minimal reading skill requirements. English composition may be taken concurrent with or subsequent to any required developmental reading program.

Mathematics – Below are the placement guidelines:

MATH 1003 College Mathematics and MATH 0803 Foundations of College Mathematics
ACT –Below 19 on mathematics section
RSAT –Below 500 on the mathematics section
ACCUPLACER – Below 250 on the Arithmetic section

MATH 1003 College Mathematics
ACT – 19 or above on mathematics section
RSAT – 500 or above on the mathematics section
ACCUPLACER – 250 or above on the Quantitative Reasoning/Algebra or Arithmetic section

MATH 0903 Beginning and Intermediate Algebra
ACT – Below 17 on mathematics section
RSAT – Below 460 on the mathematics section
ACCUPLACER – Below 243 on Quantitative Reasoning/Algebra section

MATH 1113 College Algebra and MATH 0903 Beginning and Intermediate Algebra
ACT – 17-18 on mathematics section
RSAT – 460-490 or above on the mathematics section
ACCUPLACER – 243-249 on Quantitative Reasoning/Algebra section

MATH 1113 College Algebra and MATH 1110 College Algebra Lab 
ACT – 19-20 on mathematics section
RSAT – 500-520 or above on the mathematics section
ACCUPLACER – 250-252 on Quantitative Reasoning/Algebra section

MATH 1113 College Algebra
ACT – 21 or above on mathematics section
RSAT – 530 or above on the mathematics section
ACCUPLACER – 253 or above on the Quantitative Reasoning/Algebra section

Students who are required to complete developmental program(s) in mathematics, English, and/or reading, must enroll in the appropriate course during their first semester at Tech and in each subsequent semester until the developmental program is completed successfully.

Former Students

Students who have interrupted their attendance at Arkansas Tech University for more than one year or who have attended another university in the interim must reapply for admission. Additional documents may be required for readmission. Academic clemency may be granted in accordance with the clemency policy detailed in the Regulations and Procedures section.

Transfer Students

Transfer students making application for admission to Arkansas Tech University must submit official transcripts from all colleges/universities where they have been officially registered. Students seeking transfer of credit from other institutions may be asked to provide a catalog or course description from the transfer institution.

Students with fewer than 24 semester hours of earned college-level credit must also submit an official final high school transcript and must request current transferable ACT or SAT scores be sent to the university. Exam scores will not be required if the English and mathematics general education requirements have been satisfied with grades of “C” or better. In the event that receipt of a student’s transcript is unavoidably delayed, as may frequently occur at midyear, a transfer student may be admitted provisionally pending receipt of the official transcript. However, the university reserves the right to require immediate withdrawal if the previous record does not meet admission requirements.

Applicants for transfer must have earned a GPA of 2.00 (on a 4.00 scale) on all courses attempted and be eligible to re-enroll at the last college or university attended.

Transfer Credit

ATU will recognize transfer credit from a U.S. institution provided that the institution is accredited by one of the six U.S. regional accreditation associations, and for courses that are approved for transfer by the Arkansas Department of Higher Education (ADHE) through the Arkansas Course Transfer System (ACTS), and for courses from any institution with which ATU has a formal Memorandum of Understanding regarding transfer credit. Acceptance of course credit may depend on the date that the institution was accredited or the date that a course was approved for transfer by ADHE. Transfer credit for coursework from institutions outside the U.S. will be considered on an individual basis. Students seeking transfer of credit from a foreign college/university must complete a credential evaluation through a Credential Evaluation Service authorized by Arkansas Tech University (a list of approved service providers can be obtained in the IMSSO or in the Registrar’s Office). Transfer credit, although accepted by the university, is not guaranteed to be applicable toward meeting degree requirements for the particular program of study selected by the transfer student. For more detailed information on how transfer credit is determined and applied, please follow this link: https://www.atu.edu/registrar/transfer.php

The most current available course transfer information on file with the university will be used at the time of advising and/or registration. The student is responsible for having all up-to-date official transcripts on file with the university for use at that time. The student, not the university, is responsible for advising and/or registration issues that may arise due to official transcripts being submitted and placed on file after advising or registration has taken place.

Arkansas Course Transfer System (ACTS)

The Arkansas Course Transfer System (ACTS) is designed to assist in planning the academic progress of students from the high school level through the adult workforce. This system contains information about the transferability of courses within Arkansas public colleges and universities. Students are guaranteed the transfer of applicable credits and equitable treatment in the application of credits for admissions and degree requirements. Students may complete specified General Education courses anywhere in the public system as well as many courses in the degree/major that have been pre-identified for transfer. Course transferability is not guaranteed for courses listed in ACTS as “No Comparable Course.” Transferability of courses taken prior to January 1, 2007, is at the discretion of the receiving institution. The Arkansas Course Transfer System can be accessed at https://adhe.edu/students-parents/transfer-info-for-students

Act 747 of 2011 establishes a statewide common course numbering system for postsecondary courses.  The Arkansas Course Transfer System (ACTS) meets this requirement.

Please refer to the ACTS website (https://adhe.edu/students-parents/transfer-info-for-students) for the most up-to-date course listings. 

International Student Admissions

The Office of International Admissions is pleased to serve as the admissions office for international students studying at Arkansas Tech University (Tech). Any student who is not a United States citizen or a permanent resident of the United States is considered an international student. International students are subject to out-of-state tuition rates and an international student services fee as well as additional admission requirements. International students interested in applying for admission to Tech must submit the following documents:

  1. Application – Submit a properly completed online application for international admission.
  2. Application Fee – A nonrefundable application fee of $50 USD
  3. Academic Records – All transcripts must be originals or school-certified copies of originals with official English translations. Notarized copies are not accepted.
    1. Entering Freshmen: All applicants must submit appropriate academic records verifying previous educational attainment and the completion of secondary education requirements or the equivalency of US high school. This documentation should include grade/mark sheets as well as certificate/diplomas showing completion of secondary education equivalent to 12 years of US high school.
    2. Transfer Students: Students who have previously attended college either in the US or abroad must submit official transcripts from all colleges/universities where they have been officially registered. Students seeking transfer of credit from a foreign college/university must complete a credential evaluation through a company authorized by Arkansas Tech University (a list of approved service providers can be obtained on the Registrar’s Office page) and submit catalog or course descriptions from the transfer institution. Students with fewer than 24 semester hours of earned college-level credit must also submit a high school transcript or the equivalency of a US high school transcript and diploma as well as complete an entrance exam such as the ACT, SAT or Accuplacer.
  4. Entrance Exam – All applicants must complete the ACT, SAT or Accuplacer exam. Students who have not completed the ACT or SAT may take the Accuplacer exam on campus upon arrival and after admission to assist in advisement and course placement. However, if ACT or SAT scores are available, please provide this documentation along with the application for admission. Students with more than 24 semester hours of earned college-level credit and have successfully completed college-level English and mathematics courses are not required to take an entrance exam.
  5. English Proficiency – All other applicants should submit official documentation of meeting one of the following standards:
    1. A minimum score of 500 on the written TOEFL (Test of English as a Foreign Language), 173 on the computerized TOEFL or 61 on the Internet-based TOEFL. Send your scores using the Arkansas Tech University's school code: 6010.
    2. A minimum score of 5.5 on the International English Language Testing System (IELTS). Send your official score card to Arkansas Tech University.
    3. An EIKEN score of Grade 2A. Send your official score card to Arkansas Tech University.
    4. A minimum score of 42 on the PTE (Pearson Test of English).
    5. For transfer students from US colleges/universities, one of the above-mentioned documents can be provided or an official college/university transcript showing successful completion of college-level English Composition I and English Composition II with a grade of C or better.
      Note: Test scores are only valid for 2 years. Please submit only those scores taken within two years from the time of application.
  6. Evidence of Sufficient Financial Support – Undergraduate costs are estimated at $24,580 USD for 9 months of study including tuition and fees, housing, meals, books and other living expenses. Applicants must provide evidence of the source and amount of funding used to support educational expenses. Documents must be issued within the 6 months previous to the time of application. Please add an additional $3,000 per each dependent.
  7. Passport – Please provide a photocopy of your current passport as well as any previous visas to the US, I-20’s and an I-94 card if available.

The application for international admission and all supporting documents should be submitted by June 1 for the fall semester, November 1 for the spring semester, March 1 for the ELI Summer Session and April 1 for the Undergraduate Summer Session. Admission will not be granted until all supporting documentation as listed above has been received and evaluated. Upon acceptance, notification will be sent to the student along with an I-20 (Certificate of Eligibility).

Any deferral of admission requires updated evidence of financial support. The application fee may be applied to defer an application for admission in the same program for up to one (1) calendar year from the original application date. However, the applicant is responsible for paying a $25 USD fee for each deferral within the calendar year. If an applicant does not complete the admission process within one (1) calendar year from the original application date, the applicant is responsible for submitting new application fees. Please send a written request for deferral to internationaladmissions@atu.edu along with the fee and updated financial support documentation.

Full payment of tuition and fees must be paid at registration each semester.  International students are required to purchase a health insurance policy provided by the university. Tech receives no remuneration as a result of international student enrollment in the health insurance plan.

More detailed information regarding international student admissions may be obtained by contacting the:

Office of International Admissions
Brown Hall, Suite 104
Arkansas Tech University
Russellville, Arkansas, 72801-2222
USA

telephone 479-356-2217; fax 479-964-0522; email internationaladmissions@atu.edu, web www.atu.edu/imsso/admission.php. 

Conditional Admission

First-time entering freshmen and transfer students who have been denied admission may file a written appeal stating the applicant's grounds for appeal. The appeal should be addressed to the Director of Admissions seeking conditional admission. Students granted conditional admission will be admitted on academic probation.

Non-Degree Admission

Arkansas Tech University serves the general public by allowing individuals to enroll in classes for professional development and self-fulfillment without meeting regular admission requirements. The student admitted under this policy, who later chooses to pursue a degree, must reapply for admission as a degree seeking student and meet standard admission policies. A maximum of 27 credit hours earned as a non-degree seeking student may be applied to a degree program. Financial aid benefits may not be granted to students admitted as non-degree seeking. For more information, call the Office of Admissions at (479) 968-0343.

High School – University Admissions

Arkansas Tech University welcomes the opportunity to serve area schools by complementing their programs with special opportunities for students to enroll for college courses and earn college credit by attending Tech. In accordance with the Arkansas Code of 1987 Annotated, paragraph 6-18-223 makes provisions whereby a student who is enrolled in a public school in Arkansas and who has completed the eighth grade is eligible to enroll at Arkansas Tech University upon approval of the appropriate public school official, provided the student does not need developmental courses in mathematics, English or reading, and has a cumulative high school grade point average of 2.00 or greater on a 4.0 scale.

Once admitted and enrolled, concurrent students do not need to reapply for the concurrent program unless there is a break in fall/spring enrollment. Concurrent students must reapply when changing admission status, for example, from concurrent to entering freshmen. The course(s) agreed upon by the student and their high school must also be approved each term by a university official. The application for concurrent enrollment can be found at https://apply.atu.edu. 

Undergraduate Senior Admission

An undergraduate senior, registering the semester prior to graduation in a baccalaureate degree program at Arkansas Tech University, who does not need a full load of undergraduate courses to complete requirements for graduation, may request special permission from the Dean of Graduate College to enroll in no more than six (6) hours of graduate course work. The student's course load is not to exceed a total of fifteen (15) semester hours of graduate and undergraduate work combined during a fall or spring semester. The combined course load for a summer term is six (6) semester hours. The student must have a 3.00 cumulative grade point average to be eligible for admission as an undergraduate senior. Failure of a student to complete the bachelor's degree during the semester/term in which the graduate courses are taken will preclude the student from enrolling in additional graduate classes in subsequent semesters until the bachelor's degree is awarded. The form requesting approval to enroll as an undergraduate senior can be obtained at the Graduate College online at Request by Undergraduate Senior to Enroll in Graduate Classes.

Graduate courses do not count toward retention of undergraduate scholarship requirements.  Prior to taking a mixed course load, students are encouraged to investigate the effects that graduate courses may make on institutional and/or state funded scholarship awards.

Accelerated Bachelor to Master Degree Programs or Undergraduate Senior Admission

 

Colleges with existing Master’s degree programs may offer an accelerated undergraduate to graduate degree program (designated as an Accelerated Bachelor’s Plus Master’s Degree Program) allowing qualified undergraduate students to register for graduate level credit hours as undergraduates and receive DUAL credit toward both undergraduate and graduate degrees within the designated programs that comprise the Accelerated Bachelor’s to Master’s Degree Program. 

ADMISSION REQUIREMENTS

Students may apply in their Junior year for admission into the Accelerated Bachelor’s to Master’s Degree Program if the following conditions are met:

  • Complete a minimum of 90 credit hours towards their Bachelor’s degree 
  • Earn a minimum grade point average of 3.0 or better and maintain 
  • Complete an official application for admission to accelerated programs 

PROGRAM REQUIREMENTS

Applicants that complete the requirements above along with their respective departmental requirements will be accepted conditionally accepted to the accelerated graduate program as an undergraduate student.  These students will be allowed to take a maximum of twelve (12) graduate level credit hours that can be double counted towards the Bachelor’s degree and the Master’s degree.  Please note that only courses with grades B or better will be eligible to count toward graduate credit.  Students must maintain a 3.0 GPA while completing the accelerated program.

All other general requirements for the Bachelor’s and Master’s degree programs that comprise an Accelerated Bachelor’s to Master’s Degree Program must be satisfied.

Non-Academic Rejection

Please note that academic performance is not the sole criterion for admission to the university. The university may evaluate a person's behavior and background to determine their ability to maintain the standards of academic and professional conduct expected at the university. An evaluation may take into consideration current behavior and performance as well as past experiences and actions. Academically qualifying for admission does not guarantee admission.

ACT (American College Testing) Program

Entering freshmen are required to provide Arkansas Tech University with American College Testing (ACT) Assessment scores for purposes of admission, academic placement, and the awarding of academic scholarships. The ACT, which covers English, mathematics, reading and science reasoning, is administered six times per year at test centers, such as high schools, colleges and universities, across the nation. ACT information and registration forms may be obtained from local high schools, colleges, or universities.

You may also contact the Arkansas Tech University Testing Center for ACT information. In addition, you may correspond directly with ACT at:

American College Testing Program
P.O. Box 168
Iowa City, Iowa 52243

The 2023-2024 ACT national test schedule is as follows:  

Test Date  

  • September 9, 2023  
  • October 21, 2023
  • December 9, 2023
  • February 10, 2024
  • April 6, 2024
  • June 8, 2024  
  • July 13, 2024 (not scheduled in New York)  

The 2024-2025 ACT national test schedule is as follows:  

Test Date  

  • September 14, 2024  
  • October 26, 2024
  • December 14, 2024
  • February 8, 2025
  • April 5, 2025
  • June 14, 2025  
  • July 12, 2025 (not scheduled in New York)    

Please check the ACT website for registration deadlines for 2023-2024 tests and for the 2024-2025 test schedule at www.actstudent.org.  

Student Retention and Graduation Rates

For information about retention and graduation rates at Tech, go to Student Right To Know Information at https://www.atu.edu/righttoknow/.

Selecting a Major Field

Arkansas Tech University encourages students to give serious thought to the selection of a major field of study. They should determine the academic pursuits that lead to the vocations most attractive, not only in financial gain, but in interest as well. They should then examine the program of study most closely related to their interest areas. Arkansas Tech provides students with an online career and education planning tool called FOCUS 2 to help with choosing a major. For access to FOCUS 2 and other helpful information on choosing a major, visit the Career Services page at https://www.atu.edu/career/.php

Undecided Study

Many students entering the University have not chosen a major. The individual who has not decided on a major may enroll in general education courses which are required of all candidates for the baccalaureate degree (see General Education Requirements). All undergraduate students, who have earned less than 60 credit hours, will be assigned to the Academic Advising Center. The Academic Advising Center is located in Rothwell Hall, room 107, and can be contacted by calling (479) 964-0843. Students enrolled as “undecided” may select a major at any time; however, a student must select a major during the semester in which the student earns 45 credit hours.

Procedure for Scheduling Courses

Detailed procedures for registration/early registration are available each semester online at www.atu.edu. Prior to enrollment, students, in consultation with an academic advisor in their major field of study, prepare a class schedule and officially register for classes, pay fees and, if living on campus, pay room rent and board.

Course Information

All courses taught at Arkansas Tech University are listed alphabetically by subject area in the Course Descriptions section. Course symbols, the four-digit numbers used to identify courses within a department, have the following significance: the first digit of the number denotes the year level at which the course is given; the second and third digits differentiate the course from others in the department; the fourth digit shows the number of credit hours given. Typically an “hour of credit” requires one hour of classroom work per week for the duration of a semester.

Graduate Program

The requirements for the degree of master of education, master of science, master of business administration, master of science in nursing, master of engineering, master of liberal arts, master of arts, master of arts in teaching, educational specialist degree and the doctor of education in school leadership are set forth in the publication entitled “Graduate Catalog”. Information may be obtained by contacting the Dean of the Graduate College, telephone (479) 968-0398.