EFFECTIVE DATE: August 18, 2020
ISSUE #: 10
PRESIDENT: Dr. Antonio Tillis (Interim)
PURPOSE
This policy statement (PS) states the University of Houston-Downtown (UHD) policy on the
admission of students.
DEFINITIONS
2.1 Former Student Applicant: A degree-seeking applicant returning to UHD after an
interruption of at least two consecutive semesters, or after suspension.
2.2 Freshman Applicant: A degree-seeking applicant without college credit, or whose only
college credit was received either prior to graduation from high school, or prior to the
completion of an equivalent educational experience, such as (but not limited to) the
completion of a General Educational Development (GED) or home schooling program.
2.3 Freshman-Transfer Applicant: A degree-seeking applicant who has graduated from high
school or equivalent, who has enrolled in a post-secondary institution, who does not have
a bachelor’s degree, and who has earned fewer than 15 college-level credit hours.
2.4 International Student Applicant: A degree-seeking applicant who is not a citizen or
permanent resident of the United States, has not applied for permanent residency, or does
not qualify for Texas residency based on SB 1528.
2.5 Post-baccalaureate Student Applicant: An applicant who has completed the equivalent of
a bachelor's degree. Post-baccalaureate students can take undergraduate courses, pursue a
second degree, or meet the prerequisites needed for graduate majors.
2.6 Transient Student Applicant: Undergraduate students who are regularly enrolled as
degree-seeking students at another college or university may enroll at UHD as transient
students. These students generally intend to earn credit at UHD for transfer back to their
home institution. Transient students are not eligible for financial aid and can take a
maximum of 24 semester credit hours. To be considered for admission, transient students
must be in good academic standing at their home institution.
2.7 Transfer Student Applicant: A degree-seeking applicant, who has graduated from high
school or equivalent, who has enrolled in a post-secondary institution, who does not have
a bachelor's degree, and who is not a former UHD student.
2.8 Transfer GPA: A measure of the overall level of a student’s academic achievement in
post- secondary institutions, other than UHD. The transfer grade point average is
calculated based on all transfer course work (See Acceptance of Transfer Credit Policy PS 03.A.10). For courses taken more than once, the highest grade will be transferred and
used in computing the transfer grade point average (See Acceptance of Transfer Credit Policy PS 03.A.10). Remedial and developmental courses are not used in calculating the
grade point average. When applicable, plus and minus grades are transferred as the letter
grade (e.g. “C-” will transfer as “C”; “B+” will transfer as “B”).
2.9 Special Admission Applicant: An applicant not meeting the requirements of any of the
above categories may be considered for special admission on an individual basis.
2.10 Non-Degree Student Applicant: The Non-Degree Student option is intended for those not
working toward a degree from the University of Houston - Downtown.
POLICY
3.1 Undergraduate Admission: Undergraduate admission to UHD means that the student is
authorized to enroll in credit-bearing courses. Upon admitting a student, UHD retains the
right to assess the student's academic ability and experience, and to specify which courses
the student is eligible to take. In addition to meeting the requirements for admission
specified in this policy, the applicant must comply with all procedures established by the
Office of Admissions. In signing the application for admission, the applicant certifies that
all of the information submitted in support of the application is complete and accurate.
Any misrepresentation, falsification, or omission of information on the application for
admission or any other documents is grounds for immediate dismissal.
3.1.1 Freshman Admission:
3.1.1.1 To be considered for freshman admission an applicant must submit an
application for admission; the non-refundable application fee; an
official high school transcript, GED, or equivalent credential; and
certified SAT/ACT scores.
3.1.1.2 To qualify for freshman admission, an applicant must meet the
admission criteria below:
a. Be a graduate of an accredited high school. For applicants who
graduated from an accredited high school, the State of Texas
Uniform Admission Policy [Texas Education Code (TEC) 51.803-51.809] requires that they meet one of the following college
readiness standards in order to be eligible for consideration for
admission to a Texas four-year public institution:
(i) Successfully completed the recommended or advanced
(distinguished high school program or completed the portion
of the program that was available to them; or
(ii) Successfully completed a curriculum that is equivalent in
content and rigor to the recommended or advanced
(distinguished) high school program at a high school that is
exempt from offering such programs; or
(iii) Satisfied the College Readiness Benchmarks on the SAT or
ACT assessment,
b. For Nontraditional Secondary Education: (e.g. GED and
Homeschool Applicants) in accordance with Senate Bill 1543
(SB1543), applicants for admission who present evidence of
completion of a nontraditional secondary education without an
official class rank will have a class rank assigned by UHD. The
class rank will be comparable to the average class rank of other
applicants who have equivalent ACT or SAT scores. A
nontraditional secondary education includes Homeschool and GED
graduates. UHD requires an official homeschool or GED transcript
to demonstrate evidence of completion.
c. For applicants who graduated from an accredited high school, The Uniform Admission Policy TEC 51.803 51.809 requires that they
meet one of the following college readiness standards in order to
be eligible for consideration for admission to a Texas Four Year
public institution:
(i) Successfully completed the recommended or advanced
(distinguished) high school program or complete the portion
of the program that was available to them; or
(ii) Successfully completed a curriculum that is equivalent in
content and rigor to the recommended or advanced
(distinguished) high school program at a high school that is
exempt from offering such programs; or
(iii) Satisfied the College Readiness Benchmarks on the SAT or
ACT assessment;
d. Note that:
(i) A student 25 years old or older may qualify for an SAT/ACT
waiver;
(ii) For Nontraditional Secondary Education (e.g. GED and
Homeschool) Applicants: In accordance with Senate Bill 1543
(SB1543), applicants for admission who present evidence of
completion of a nontraditional secondary education without an
official class rank will have a class rank assigned by UHD. The
class rank will be comparable to the average class rank of other
applicants who have equivalent ACT or SAT scores. A
nontraditional secondary education includes homeschool and
GED graduates. UHD requires and official homeschool or
GED transcript that demonstrates evidence of completion;
and
(iii) On occasion, the Individual Review Committee may elect to
offer admission to freshman students whose scores fall below
the minimum admission criteria. Freshman students admitted
conditionally are required to complete specified requirements
as defined by the Individual Review Committee before they
are allowed entrance into courses. Failure to fulfill the
specified requirements will prevent enrollment for the
proposed term of admission.
3.1.2 Freshman-Transfer Admission:
3.1.2.1 To be considered for freshman-transfer admission an applicant with
fewer than 15 earned college-level semester credit hours must submit
an application for admission, the non-refundable application fee;
an official high school transcript, GED transcript, or equivalent credential; certified SAT/ACT scores; and an official transcript from
all post-secondary institutions attended.
3.1.2.2 To qualify for freshman-transfer admission an applicant must have
earned fewer than 15 college-level semester credit hours, must have a
minimum Transfer GPA of 2.0, and must meet all conditions outlined
for Freshman Admissions.
3.1.3 Transfer Admission:
3.1.3.1 To be considered for transfer admission, an applicant with 15 or more
earned college-level semester credit hours must submit an application
for admission; the non-refundable application fee; and an official
transcript from all post-secondary institutions attended.
3.1.3.2 To qualify for transfer admission, an applicant must have earned 15 or
more college-level semester credit hours, and must have a minimum
Transfer GPA of 2.0, and must be in good academic standing at the last
institution they attended.
3.1.4 International Undergraduate Admission: To qualify for international
undergraduate admission, in addition to meeting the appropriate requirements
for freshman or transfer admission, an international applicant must provide: a
transcript evaluation, conducted by a UHD-approved certified evaluation
service, for all transcripts from colleges and universities outside of the United
States; a statement of financial support indicating who will be responsible for
the applicant's educational and living expenses; a current Test of English as a
Foreign Language (TOEFL) score of at least 550 paper-based/213 computer based, or other acceptable evidence of English proficiency at a level acceptable
for university admission; evidence of mandatory health insurance; and any other
documentation required to comply with policies and procedures of the United
States Citizenship and Immigration Services.
3.1.5 Transient Admission
3.1.5.1 If a student's home institution is unaffiliated with a degree program that
is in agreement with UHD the applicant must submit an application for
admission, a course request form, transcript, a letter of academic
standing, and the non-refundable application fee. Students admitted
with a transient status are not eligible for financial aid, and the transient admission status expires after a student has earned 24 semester credit
hours. Admitted transient students must maintain a 2.0 grade point
average and earn no grade lower than a C on courses taken while at
UHD.
Transient students should work closely with their home institution to
ensure that the coursework they take at UHD is approved for transfer
at the home institution.
3.1.5.2 If a student's home institution is affiliated with a degree program that
has a formal partnership with UHD, the applicant must submit an
application for admission, the non-refundable application
fee; and documentation that they are in compliance with any relevant
State requirements. Transient students admitted through partnerships
between UHD and external programs can attend UHD as long as they
remain in good standing.
3.1.6 Admission Decision Appeals:
3.1.6.1 A freshman or freshman-transfer applicant who has been denied
admission may request further consideration by submitting a Freshman
Admissions Appeal Form. An appeal to reconsider the original
admission decision may or may not change the decision. The applicant
is encouraged to appeal only if:
(i) Their academic credentials (test scores and/or grades) have changed
significantly or
(ii) They wish to provide additional information that further explains
personal circumstances that may have affected their ability to meet
admission requirements.
3.1.6.2 A transfer applicant who has been denied admission may request a new
decision based on new grades, earning an associate's degree,
and/or personal circumstances that may have affected their ability to
meet admission requirements; the transfer applicant must submit a
Transfer Admissions Appeal Form and provide proof of the significant
aspect(s). An appeal to reconsider the original admission decision may
or may not change the decision.
3.1.6.3 The Individual Review Committee is responsible for reviewing and
making decisions on all admission decision appeals. All decisions on
admission appeals are final.
3.2 Post-baccalaureate Admission:
3.2.1 To be considered for post-baccalaureate admission an applicant must submit an
application for admission, the non-refundable application fee, and an official
transcript from the college or university granting the baccalaureate degree.
3.2.2 To qualify for post-baccalaureate admission, an applicant seeking an additional
undergraduate degree from UHD must have a minimum 2.0 Transfer GPA.
3.3 The Non-Degree Seeking Student option is intended for those not working toward a
degree from the University of Houston – Downtown. Students who have not earned a
Bachelor's degree and wish to enroll in courses at the University of Houston – Downtown
may be considered for admission as non-degree seeking students. Non-degree seekers are
limited to a total of 24 semester hours and must reapply for admission each semester.
Credit earned as a non-degree seeking student will not be considered for future admission
to the University of Houston – Downtown but may be considered for degree purposes only
after the student has reapplied and met general admission requirements. Those admitted
under this option are not eligible for Financial Aid. For more information on admission
requirements and application procedures, visit the Admissions Office.
PROCEDURES
Procedures for this policy are embedded in the Policy section.
REVIEW PROCESS
Responsible Party (Reviewer): Senior VP for Academic & Student Affairs & Provost
Review: As needed.
Signed original on file in Employment Services and Operations.
POLICY HISTORY
Issue #1: 01/15/85
Issue #2: 05/15/85
Issue #3: 04/02/86
Issue #4: 11/14/86
Issue #5: 11/05/93
Issue #6: 03/15/95
Issue #7: 04/11/00
Issue #8: 06/27/14
Issue #9: 06/22/15
REFERENCES
Texas Education Code (TEC) 51.803-51.809
Texas Senate Bill 1543
Acceptance of Transfer Credit Policy PS 03.A.10
