Admissions Policies and Procedures

About Admissions

The Admissions Office serves as the first point of contact for prospective students and those desiring more information about Southern Utah University. Complete information and applications are available online at www.suu.edu/admissions. This information is for students living in the United States and are not on a student visa. Information about international student applications is found in the International Affairs Policies and Procedures  section.

The following sections define the deadlines for applying for admission, the process by which admission is determined, and the standards that students must meet to be admitted. See below for a summary of admission requirements.

Undergraduate Admissions Standards: High School Students

The University has adopted the following admission standards to prepare students for success in college:

Admissions Index

Visit the Admissions Office’s website for a downloadable/printable copy of the Index: www.suu.edu/admissions/pdf/admission-index.pdf.

Accredited High School Graduates

Students who have graduated from an accredited high school and are under 24 years of age will be considered for admission based on cumulative unweighted high school GPA and test scores on either the ACT or SAT test. SUU’s admission index is used to determine admission. This index assigns more weight to high school grades than to test scores. For example, if a student’s GPA (grade point average) is a 3.0 on a 4-point scale, he/she is a likely candidate for admission. It is recommended, but not required, that students complete specific preparatory coursework in high school.

Students who graduated from high school and are 24 or older and have not attended college after graduation will be considered for admission with at least a 2.0 cumulative high school GPA. (ACT/SAT scores are not required).

Completed General Education Proficiency

Students who have completed the GED or HiSET tests will be considered for admission if the standard score average meets the minimum requirement. The average GED score must be at least 150 (450 if the GED was completed between 2002 and 2013 or 50 prior to January 2002) with minimum sub-scores of 145. The total HiSET score required for admission is 75 with a minimum individual score of 10. Students under age 24 must have an ACT or SAT that meets or exceeds the SUU average score and meet the minimum admission index.

Concurrent Enrollment

Students who would like to take courses at SUU prior to high school graduation may be eligible for concurrent enrollment. Juniors and seniors may take SUU courses at the students’ high school campus or seniors may take courses at SUU. To take courses at a high school campus, consult a high school counselor. To take courses at SUU, contact the Admissions Office. Information is available online at www.suu.edu/siel/cae/concurrent. Applicants will need to:

• be of junior or senior standing in high school (sophomore by exception only);
• complete the online Common Participation Form prior to the beginning of the semester;
• pay the one-time, non-refundable application fee;
• provide a copy of the high school transcript;
• obtain permission of a parent and high school counselor or principal;
• have a minimum high school GPA of 3.0; and
• meet minimum prerequisites for each course.

Concurrent enrollment students are not eligible for financial aid. A fee per credit hour will be charged for approved courses. Students taking classes on the SUU campus or courses not approved as part of the concurrent enrollment program will be charged regular undergraduate tuition and fees. Students may apply as an undergraduate student after high school graduation by submitting a completed admissions application, high school transcript, and ACT scores. Once admitted as an undergraduate student, students are eligible for financial aid and scholarships.

Early College

High School seniors may take courses on the SUU campus or online from SUU faculty after meeting the criteria for concurrent enrollment. All early college students will be responsible for regular undergraduate tuition and fees. Special registration by sophomores and juniors may be approved by the SUU Registrar and/or appropriate Department Chair.

Early Admission

High school students who graduate from high school early and wish to apply for admission on a full-time basis must meet the following requirements:

• complete admission requirements (application form, application fee, transcripts, and test scores);
• meet the minimum requirements of the admissions index;
• be a senior in high school;
• provide a letter from the student requesting early admission;
• provide written approval of parent or guardian; and
• provide written verification of graduation requirement completion from a high school administrator.

Success Academy

Success Academy applicants are select students in grades 10-12 who have chosen to participate in the early college high school program with a major of associate of science in General Studies.

Admission Criteria for Success Academy Students

Success Academy sophomores and juniors may take classes for SUU credit as concurrent enrollment students in the Success Academy classrooms. Seniors may take classes on the SUU campus as early college students with approval. Applicants must meet concurrent enrollment requirements. In addition, all course prerequisites must be met by the student before taking approved courses.

Students wishing to participate in limited University experiences in the 10th grade must meet the following requirement(s):

• Have a minimum cumulative GPA of 3.0 at the end of grade 9

Students wishing to participate in limited University experiences in the 11th & 12th grade will follow Southern Utah University’s guidelines and procedures for concurrent enrollment. 

Success Academy students are not eligible for financial aid. A fee per credit hour will be charged for approved courses. Students taking courses on campus will be responsible for tuition and fees. Students may apply as an undergraduate student after high school graduation by submitting a completed admissions application, high school transcript, and ACT scores. Once admitted as an undergraduate student, students are eligible for financial aid and scholarships.

Home School or Unaccredited High School Graduate

Students who graduated from a home school program or an unaccredited high school and did not complete the GED or HiSET will be considered for admission with a transcript of courses that lists all courses studied and grades received and an ACT composite score that meets or exceeds the SUU average score. SAT Math and Reading scores will be converted to ACT equivalent and must meet the same requirement.

University Preparatory Core

Courses recommended for high school students who intend to enter SUU (not required for admission):

Undergraduate Admissions Standards: Non-High School Students

Non-Degree-Seeking Students

The University offers a non-degree admission category for students who are: 1) visiting students from another college who are in good academic standing; 2) adults living in the area who wish to take a course or two for their own personal or professional development.

Non-degree seeking students desiring to take courses for continuing semesters must contact the Admissions Office each semester. Additional hours may be taken upon approval by the SUU Admissions Office. Applying for non-degree-seeking status is a convenient option for students applying for admission solely to take courses of interest. Credits earned as a non-degree-seeking student may be applied toward a degree at a later date. Non-degree-seeking students are not eligible to receive federal financial aid. Students who were dismissed from any college or university within the last semester are not eligible for non-degree-seeking status.

Non-Regionally Accredited Colleges

Students are eligible for admission as transfer students with official college transcripts, high school transcripts, and ACT/SAT scores (if under age 24).

Returning Students

A student who has previously attended SUU and has been away for two (2) semesters or more (summer not included) will be considered a returning student if he/she has not attended another college or university in the interim. Students who leave SUU and attend another college or university are considered transfer students. Returning students must have a previous cumulative SUU GPA of 2.0 or higher. Students who have been away from SUU for two or more semesters, or attended another institution, must submit an application for re-admission and pay the application fee.

Returning students who left on probation and were gone for more than two semesters or were required to withdraw must submit a written request for readmission from the Academic Standards and Admissions Committee. Information is online at www.suu.edu/admissions/admission-review.html.

Returning students who have been approved for a leave of absence will not be required to submit a new application.

Second Baccalaureate Degree Students

If a student desires to obtain a second baccalaureate degree, he/she must submit an admission application and have a 2.0 GPA for admission. Once admitted, students are advised to meet with a Student Success Advisor or the department chair of his/her major to determine course requirements.

Transfer Students

Students who have earned fewer than 24 post-high school transferable credits will be considered for admission on the basis of their transcript of college work from all schools attended, their high school transcript or GED/HiSET scores, and ACT/SAT scores (if under 24 years of age). Students who have earned 24 or more post-high school transferable credits will be considered for admission on the basis of their college transcript(s) from all schools attended. Students will be considered for admission if they were in good academic standing at the last institution attended and have a combined cumulative GPA (grade point average) of 2.0 for all colleges and universities attended. Transcripts for ALL schools attended must be submitted to SUU.

Applicants who have a GPA of less than 2.0 may be denied admission. Appeals of the denial may be made in writing to the Academic Standards and Admissions Committee and submitted via email to the Admissions Office. Information may be found online at www.suu.edu/admissions/admission-review.html.

For students dismissed from a college or university for cause, admission is unlikely, but will be considered on a case-by-case basis by the Academic Standards and Admissions Committee. Contact the Admissions Office for more information. Information is also online at www.suu.edu/admissions/admission-review.html.

Admissions Outcomes

After Admittance

Once admitted, students will receive notice of their admission status by mail and email.

COMPASS Program

Students whose admissions index is less than 90 may be considered for admission to the COMPASS program. During their first semester, students take a specialized section of College Student Success (UNIV 1050), a course that provides comprehensive academic support and success skills. It guides students with the development of college-level academic success strategies that are necessary to meet expectations and be successful in a higher education setting. Students are admitted on probation for one year and must pass UNIV 1050 with a minimum grade of “C” and achieve a minimum cumulative GPA of 2.0 for their first year in order to continue as an SUU student.

Conditional Status

Students whose application is incomplete may occasionally be conditionally admitted. Once the Admissions Office receives all required documents, students will be assigned a final admission status. Admission under conditional status may remain in effect for no longer than one semester. Students will not be eligible to register for subsequent semesters until the admission status changes.

Denied Status & Appeals

Applicants who do not meet the minimum standards for admission as stated above will be denied admission.

Applicants may file appeals for special consideration if unusual or extenuating circumstances prevent an applicant from meeting the minimum admission standards or the application deadline. Appeals for new or returning students must be received no later than one week prior to the start of the semester. To file an appeal, contact the Admissions Office. Information may be found online at www.suu.edu/admissions/admission-review.html.

Probationary Status

Students who transfer with less than a 2.0 cumulative GPA may be admitted on a probationary status by the Academic Standards and Admissions Committee as indicated in the Appeals section above. Probationary status requires that students attain a minimum 2.0 grade point average in the first semester at SUU.

Students may be assigned probationary status if any of the following apply:

• The student transferred to SUU with less than a 2.0 GPA from another college or university.
• The student attended SUU and left the university on academic probation or was required to withdraw.
• Even if a student successfully completes courses at another institution since leaving SUU, he/she will reenter on a probationary status if their SUU GPA is below 2.0.

Admissions Summary Table

Undergraduate Application Deadlines

Students are encouraged to plan early to apply to Southern Utah University. Application materials may be submitted at any time before the start of the semester. Students who apply early are more likely to secure an early registration time and a seat in their desired courses. (See Registration Policies and Procedures .) Applications for admission completed before scholarship deadlines are automatically considered for academic and general scholarships. Scholarship deadlines are posted online at www.suu.edu/finaid/scholarships.html.

Graduate School Admissions

In order to apply for graduate admission, the following must be submitted to the SUU Admissions Office:

• Proof of completed bachelor’s degree from a regionally-accredited university;
• Completed graduate admission application;
• One-time, non-refundable application fee;
• One official transcript from each college or university previously attended (except SUU); and
• Additional documents as listed online at www.suu.edu/graduatestudies or on the program information page.

Available Graduate Programs

For a list of currently available graduate programs, please see the list available at All Programs  under “Master’s Degree.”

Prospective graduate students should review the department website of their intended academic plan to determine if additional admissions requirements are necessary at www.suu.edu/graduatestudies.

Questions about Policies and Procedures

For questions about these policies, contact the Admissions Office at SUU at admissions@suu.edu or (435) 586-7740.