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.
Two Simple Admission Requirements
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High School Transcript or GED
Students must graduate from an approved secondary school or pass a high school
equivalency test (GED or HiSet).
Transcripts can emailed to applications@southern.edu or mailed to the address below:
Enrollment Services
Southern Adventist University
PO Box 542
Collegedale, TN 37315
- High School 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)
Transcripts can emailed to applications@southern.edu or mailed to the address below:
Enrollment Services
Southern Adventist University
PO Box 542
Collegedale, TN 37315
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ACT or SAT Score Requirements
Students must have one the following:
To send your test scores, request ACT or SAT to send your scores directly to us or email a PDF of your test scores to applications@southern.edu.
- ACT Composite Minimum - 18
- SAT Total Score Minimum - 960
To send your test scores, request ACT or SAT to send your scores directly to us or email a PDF of your test scores to applications@southern.edu.
Test scores are not required for admission purposes for the Fall 2023 and Winter 2024
semesters 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 prerequisites. Check our FAQ section below to learn more.
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 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
- Application Deadline: June 1
- Acceptance Deadline: July 1
- Application Deadline: October 1
- Acceptance Deadline: November 1
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
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
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.
Applicants to freshman standing must have, at the minimum, the following subjects in their secondary program:
- Three units of English, excluding journalism and communication.
- Two units of mathematics, one of which must be algebra. If Algebra 1 has not been taken, MATH 081 must be taken to make up for this deficiency.
- 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.
- Two units of social studies.
- 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.
- Computer competency is strongly recommended.
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).
- Minimum composite ACT (American College Test) not less than 16 or SAT (Scholastic Aptitude Test) not less than 880 (Evidence-Based Reading & Writing, Math).
- 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.
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.
Academic Programs
- School of Education and Psychology
- School of Journalism & Communication
- BIOL 101, 151, 152
- CHEM 107, 119, 120, 151
- CPTR 108, 124
- EDUC 242
- ENGL 101
- JOUR 105
- MATH 117, 120, 191
- PHYS 211