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Admissions Requirements

Admission to Southern begins with an application. You can apply online to get started. Part of the application process is evaluating what education you’ve already received to ensure you start well at Southern.

Admission Requirements

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female student

High School GPA & Test Score Requirements

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Students must graduate from an approved secondary school.

  • High School GPA Minimum (4.0 Scale)* - 2.5
  • ACT Composite Minimum – 18 OR SAT Total Score Minimum – 960**

*Must include major subjects: English, Mathematics, Natural Science, Religion, Social Science, and Foreign Language. See FAQ for a further breakdown of the required subjects.

**Test scores are not required for admission if you have a high school cumulative GPA of 2.75 or above. However, they are required to be accepted into certain academic programs and to register for classes with test score perquisites. Check our FAQ section below to learn more.

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student using laptop

GED, HiSet, & Homeschool Requirements

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Students can also graduate by completing an approved homeschool program or passing a high school equivalency test such as GED or HiSet.

  • Homeschool GPA Minimum (4.0 Scale)* - 2.5
  • GED Total Score Minimum (Out of 800) - 650 (150 on each section)
  • HiSet Total Score Minimum (Out of 100) - 62 (8 in each subtest and 2 on the essay)

AND

  • ACT Composite Minimum – 18 OR  SAT Total Score Minimum – 960

*Must include major subjects: English, Mathematics, Natural Science, Religion, Social Science, and Foreign Language. See FAQ for a further breakdown of the required subjects.

How To Send Documents

Transcripts can be sent digitally (via email, Parchment, or a transcript-sending service). If your school prefers to mail it, it can be sent to the address below.

Email

Address
Southern Adventist University
Enrollment Management
PO Box 542
Collegedale, TN 37315

Other Requirements for Admission

Those planning to enter professions such as business and management, computing, education, journalism and communication, nursing, music education, or religion should also consult the respective school for any additional admission requirements.

Important Dates

Priority Application Deadline
For priority processing and scholarship consideration, a prospects application should be submitted by the following dates for the fall semester. There is no priority deadline for the winter or summer semesters.

  • Freshmen Priority Deadline March 1
  • Transfer Priority Deadline June 1
International Students
International students must apply and complete the acceptance process by the following deadlines. If the deadline has passed an I-20 will not be issued for that semester. For more information visit the International Admissions Page.

Fall Semester
  • Acceptance Deadline: June 1
  • I-20 Deadline: July 1
Winter Semester
  • Acceptance Deadline: October 1
  • I-20 Deadline: December 1
Commitment Deposit
After acceptance, the $250 commitment deposit should be paid before the following dates to guarantee placement for the upcoming semester. If it is paid after the stated date, placement will be granted on a first-come, first-served basis. The Commitment Deposit becomes non-refundable after May 1. The full policy can be found in our catalog.

  • Fall Semester: May 1
  • Winter Semester: November 1
How to Pay the Commitment Deposit
Visit southern.edu/payment and login using your Southern email account or call 1.800.SOUTHERN to pay over the phone.

Visit Us!

While not officially part of the admissions process, we'd love to have you come to campus, show you around, answer your questions, and provide you with any guidance you need as you're applying. You can find out more about visiting us here.

FAQ

How do I know if my high school is an approved secondary school?
Approved secondary schools must be accredited by an agency approved by the U.S. Department of Education or by the Canadian Education Ministry. Home Study International is also approved.
Is there a list of required high school subjects?

Applicants to freshman standing must have, at the minimum, the following subjects in their secondary program:

  1. Three units of English, excluding journalism and communication.
  2. Two units of mathematics, one of which must be algebra. 
  3. Two units of science. A college class in biology, chemistry, or physics must be taken in addition to general education science requirements if this condition is not met.
  4. Two units of social studies.
  5. Two units in a foreign language are required for a B.A. degree. If deficient, one year of a foreign language at the college level will be required.
  6. Computer competency is strongly recommended.
What if I don’t meet the requirements for admission?

Applicants who do not meet the requirements for regular acceptance will be considered for admission on academic probation as outlined below.

  • Grade point average (GPA) not lower than 2.25 (on a 4.00 scale).
  • GED minimum score of 145 on each section and total score of at least 580 overall.
  • HiSET minimum score of eight in each subtest, two on the essay and total scaled score not less than 45.

AND

  • Minimum composite ACT (American College Test) not less than 16 or SAT (Scholastic Aptitude Test) not less than 880 (Evidence-Based Reading & Writing, Math).


Applicants admitted on academic probation are expected to attend a one-week summer intensive followed by an approved SmartStart class. Alternative options are offered on a case-by-case basis for fall and winter semesters. Academic probation allows a maximum enrollment of 13 credit hours.

Students will be reviewed by the Academic Review Committee at the end of the semester at which time they will either be placed on regular standing, remain on probation, or be academically dismissed.

Applicants wishing to request additional consideration of their admission decision may appeal to the Admissions Committee. Appeal should be made in writing to applications@southern.edu.  For more information on how to appeal, contact your admissions counselor.
What academic programs and classes require test scores?

Academic Programs

  • School of Education and Psychology
  • School of Journalism & Communication
Classes
  • BIOL 101, 151, 152
  • CHEM 107, 119, 120, 151
  • CPTR 108, 124
  • EDUC 242
  • ENGL 101
  • JOUR 105
  • MATH 117, 120, 191
  • PHYS 211
Does Southern superscore?

Yes! Sending your scores each time you take the ACT or SAT can benefit you by allowing Southern to consider you for all available enrollment-related opportunities. Southern automatically calculates superscores, but each full test score must be on file to be included in the superscore.