Admission Types

Requirements for First Time Freshmen Admission

16 hours of required academic core courses

Requirements for First Time Freshmen Admission
Curriculum Area	Units	Courses
English	4
Mathematics	3	Must include Algebra I and two higher level math courses (For example: Algebra II, Algebra w/Finance, Algebraic Connections, Geometry, Trigonometry, Analytical Geometry, Pre-calculus, or other higher level math courses will be considered).
Science	3	At least 2 of the sciences must include labs.
Social Science	3
Advanced Electives	3	Courses chosen from any of the four core areas above and foreign language.
Total Core Units	16

GPA and Test Scores

USA generally admits students with:

a minimum ACT score of 19 or SAT score of 900 (critical reading and math only) if taken before March 2016, or New SAT score of at least 980 (Evidence Based Reading/Writing and math only) with a minimum GPA of 2.50.

Students who do not meet the standards for regular admission may be considered through committee review. Students who have completed and satisfied academic certification requirements for the National Collegiate Athletic Association under Division I guidelines may be considered for admission. (This option is available to all freshmen applicants.)

It is recommended that students submit the following items for committee review:

Letter of recommendation from your high school counselor or a teacher in a college preparatory course.
Personal essay on your reason for attending USA and your career plans.

The Alabama High School Diploma with Advanced Endorsement meets all University of South Alabama core requirements. The Credit Based Diploma awarded by Alabama High Schools is accepted; however, students must meet all high school core requirements listed above.

Students will be permitted to enroll in mathematics classes based on either a prerequisite course, their Math-ACT score, their Math-SAT score, or the Mathematics Placement test. Mathematics placement can be found at https://www.southalabama.edu/colleges/artsandsci/mathstat/placementinfo.html. Students may also be required to take reading or English courses based upon their ACT-English, ACT-Reading or SAT-Critical Reading score.

Applicants are now eligible to select test-optional as a path for admission to USA. Students who take this route could be asked to supply additional materials. Test optional students are also eligible for scholarship consideration.

Permanent Residents will need to meet the above requirements and those who have not attended a US institution, whose native language is not English, must demonstrate English proficiency by submitting one of the following:

Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) – composite of 61
International English Language Testing System (IELTS) – composite of 5.5
International Test of English Proficiency (iTEP) – composite of 3.6
Pearson Test of English (PTE) – composite of 44
Duolingo - composite 95
ACT English – 19
SAT Reading – 26
Advanced Level English examinations from the United Kingdom with a score of “A”, “B”, or “C/A-E”

Applicants who hold a baccalaureate or graduate degree from a regionally accredited United States institution are exempt. Students transferring from postsecondary institutions within the United States are exempt, subject to the following conditions:

Transfer credits total at least 24 semester hours; and
Completion of English Composition I with a grade of “C” or better.

Admission Appeal Procedure

Applicants who fail to meet admission requirements as listed above and who believe that they have extenuating circumstances that might justify a different decision may contact the Admissions Office for procedures to seek additional consideration. You can reach out to the admissions office at admiss@southalabama.edu.

Special Freshman Admission

Special Freshman Admission are students who graduated from high school at least five years prior to the semester of entry or who have reached the age of 23, and did not sit for the college entrance examinations (ACT or SAT).

Academic Requirements: Applicants who do not satisfy the requirements for traditional admission may be admitted if satisfactory evidence is provided that they have the ability to successfully pursue the courses in which they wish to enroll.

Documents Required: Adult Special Freshman Admission applicants must submit an official high school transcript for admission consideration. Applicants for admission as Adult Special Freshman students should be high school graduates whose semester of entry to the university is at least five years since high school graduation or are at least 23 years of age.

Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) – composite of 61
International English Language Testing System (IELTS) – composite of 5.5
International Test of English Proficiency (iTEP) – composite of 3.6
Pearson Test of English (PTE) – composite of 44
Duolingo - composite 95
ACT English – 19
SAT Reading – 26
Advanced Level English examinations from the United Kingdom with a score of “A”, “B”, or “C/A-E”

Transfer credits total at least 24 semester hours; and
Completion of English Composition I with a grade of “C” or better.

GED First Time Freshmen Admission

GED First Time Freshmen Admission are students at least 17 years of age who took the General Education Development (GED) test and did not graduate from high school.

Academic Requirements: Applicants are granted admission based on adequate performance on high school level General Education Development (GED) test. Students taking the test prior to January 2014, must score an average of at least a 500 or a 50, if taken before January 2002. Students taking the GED beginning January 2014 must score at least a 170 in each subject area.

Documents Required: GED First Time Freshman applicants must submit an official copy of their General Educational Development (high school level) test results.

Both Adult Special Freshman Admission and GED First Time Freshman students are considered degree-seeking students and are subject to all academic regulations.

Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) – composite of 61
International English Language Testing System (IELTS) – composite of 5.5
International Test of English Proficiency (iTEP) – composite of 3.6
Pearson Test of English (PTE) – composite of 44
Duolingo - composite 95
ACT English – 19
SAT Reading – 26
Advanced Level English examinations from the United Kingdom with a score of “A”, “B”, or “C/A-E”

Transfer credits total at least 24 semester hours; and
Completion of English Composition I with a grade of “C” or better.

Freshmen with Previous Credits

Freshmen with Previous Credits are students who attended another college prior to high school graduation. Note: A student who also attended another college during the Summer directly after high school graduation, with no more than 11 credit hours earned, will be considered as a Freshman with Previous Credits. If a student earns 12 or more hours during the Summer after graduation or earns college credits in subsequent terms prior to enrolling at USA, the student will be considered as a Transfer student.

Academic Requirements: Applicants must satisfy the requirements for First-Time Freshmen applicants and must have earned at least a "C" (2.0) average on all previous collegiate work attempted. The grade-point average used is that computed by the Office of Admissions.

Documents Required: Freshmen with Previous Credits applicants must submit all the documents required for First-Time Freshmen as well as an official transcript from each college attended prior to enrolling at USA.

Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) – composite of 61
International English Language Testing System (IELTS) – composite of 5.5
International Test of English Proficiency (iTEP) – composite of 3.66
Pearson Test of English (PTE) – composite of 44
Duolingo - composite 95
ACT English – 19
SAT Reading – 26
Advanced Level English examinations from the United Kingdom with a score of “A”, “B”, or “C/A-E”

Transfer credits total at least 24 semester hours; and
Completion of English Composition I with a grade of “C” or better.

Early Admission Applicants

Early Admission applicants are students who have completed the junior year of high school and wish to enroll full-time at the University.

Academic Requirements: Applicants must be recommended by the high school counselor, have:

a 3.5 minimum high school GPA, as computed by the USA Office of Admissions;
scored at least a 28 composite on the ACT (or 1250 SAT scores);
completed the junior year of high school;
completed the Core High School Requirements listed above under Regular Admission.
and be approved by the Director of Admissions.

Documents Required: Early Admission applicants must submit an official high school transcript showing grades through the junior year, official ACT or SAT scores and a letter of recommendation from the school guidance counselor.

Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) – composite of 61
International English Language Testing System (IELTS) – composite of 5.5
International Test of English Proficiency (iTEP) – composite of 3.6
Pearson Test of English (PTE) – composite of 44
Duolingo - composite 95
ACT English – 19
SAT Reading – 26
Advanced Level English examinations from the United Kingdom with a score of “A”, “B”, or “C/A-E”

Transfer credits total at least 24 semester hours; and
Completion of English Composition I with a grade of “C” or better.

University Bulletin 2024-2025