Admissions Information

 Click on any of the following links for information:

• Undergraduate Application Requirements
• Undergraduate Admission Requirements
• Admission Rules and Regulations
• Credit Evaluation Policies
• Nontraditional Credit
• Nevada System of Higher Education Transfer Rights and Responsibilities for Students and Institutions 
• Nevada System of Higher Education Gateway Policy

The University of Nevada, Las Vegas, welcomes applications from all interested students. All the admission and application requirements are subject to modification by the Nevada Board of Regents and the University of Nevada, Las Vegas and are provided here as a guideline. Please refer to our website (www.unlv.edu) for the most up-to-date requirements.

Statement of Commitment to the Recruitment of Diverse Students at UNLV
The University of Nevada, Las Vegas (UNLV), along with other research-intensive public universities in the United States, recognizes that a student body that is diverse with respect to race, ethnicity, socioeconomic class background, and geography, among other dimensions of cultural difference, benefits and enriches the educational experiences of all students, faculty, and staff. Accordingly, UNLV strives to recruit students who will further enrich this diversity and to support their academic and personal success while they are a part of our campus community. The presence and achievement of racial and ethnic minority students at UNLV not only benefits these students individually, it enhances the educational and interpersonal experiences of everyone in our campus community. UNLV actively encourages applicants whose racial and ethnic backgrounds are underrepresented in higher education in Nevada, who are first-generation college students, and those with demonstrated financial need. Refer to the “University Community and Libraries” section of this catalog or www.unlv.edu/about/statements to review UNLV’s Reaffirmation of Commitment to Equal Educational and Employment Opportunity (EEO).

Application Priority Consideration Dates: The application deadline dates are July 1 for fall semesters, and December 1 for spring semesters for domestic students. To be assured full consideration, applications for admission should be received by these dates. Completed domestic applications will continue to be taken and considered up to the admissions deadline on a space-available basis. Completed international applications are subject to earlier deadlines.  Visit http://www.unlv.edu/admissions/app-deadlines.html to view the most current dates and deadlines for domestic and international students.  Students are encouraged to apply well before the posted dates.

Admission Application: The online application form for domestic and international applications is available through the university website. Applicants to the University of Nevada, Las Vegas, are solely responsible for submitting a completed, signed, and dated application for undergraduate admission with supporting materials and a $60 nonrefundable application fee ($95 for international students) to the Office of Admissions. All application materials, including transcripts, become the property of the university, are not returnable and cannot be reproduced or released to any party including the applicant.

Official Transcripts: High school students must submit their transcripts along with any course work in progress. Applicants who have already graduated from high school must submit their final high school transcript that includes a date of graduation. Those applicants who have taken classes at a college or university during high school or any time before their application to UNLV must submit a separate official transcript from each institution attended regardless of whether credit was earned or not.

Official academic transcripts must be submitted in the English language and must remain in the sealed envelope provided by the issuing institution(s).  Applicants who have completed coursework at a non-U.S. high school, college or university are required to have their documents evaluated and translated, if appropriate, by a National Association of Credential Evaluation Services (NACES) member.  This official evaluation and translation, in addition to official copies of the documents in sealed envelopes, must be submitted to the university in order to be considered for admission.  Visit www.naces.org to view a list of member organizations.

Applicants who are enrolled in another educational institution at the time of application may submit an incomplete transcript for an admission decision to be rendered. However, final high school and/or college transcripts must be submitted no later than the Friday before classes start for the applicant’s term of admission.

Applicants who have attended other educational institutions may not disregard such records and make application on the basis of select college transcripts. Any applicant who gains admission on the basis of incomplete or fraudulent credentials or misrepresentation in the Application for Undergraduate Admission shall have admission and registration canceled without refund of any fees, the total credits rescinded that have been earned following such admission, and future registration at the university prohibited.  Refer to the NSHE Board of Regents Handbook, Title 4, Chapter 16, Section 9 for more information.

Official Test Scores: Effective Fall 2013, first-time freshman students seeking admission to UNLV must take the American College Test (ACT) or the Scholastic Aptitude Test (SAT) prior to enrollment.  This requirement is not applicable to transfer students or international students whose admission requirements are otherwise defined. Official test scores from a testing agency or from a high school transcript must be received by UNLV. To receive priority consideration for merit-based scholarships, official test scores should be received by UNLV prior to February 1.  Students also have the option to take the ACT Residual exam through Educational Outreach to fulfill the test score requirement.  ACT Residual results will only be recognized at UNLV and are not used for scholarship consideration.

Placement Tests: Entering freshmen are to take the American College Test (ACT) offered by the American College Testing Program, or the Scholastic Aptitude Test (SAT) offered by the College Entrance Examination Board which will be used to determine a student’s placement into English and math courses.  The math and English departments also offer placement tests for students who do not feel their ACT and/or SAT test scores are representative of their abilities in math and english. Additionally, students can also use ALEKS placement test for placement into math courses. Placement testing may not be taken more than two years prior to matriculation.

Individual departments may require additional test scores for placement (e.g. Chemistry, English, Foreign Languages, Mathematics, etc.). Information regarding these examinations may be obtained from UNLV’s academic departments.

English Placement:

In order to be placed into a college-level English course (English 101), a student must earn one of the following scores:

• an ACT English score of at least 18
• an SAT Critical Reading score of at least 500 (pre-March 2016)
• an SAT Evidence-Based Reading and Writing score of at least 480 (after March 2016) 

Students whose scores are lower will be placed into English 101 Extended (two-semester course). Students without test scores or those who feel that standardized test scores do not accurately reflect their writing ability should contact the English Department for alternate placement options.

Mathematics Placement: In order to be placed into a college-level mathematics course, a student must achieve an ACT math score of at least 22 or an SAT math score of at least 500.  New freshmen who do not obtain these scores will be required to take a math placement test prior to registration. 

Immunization Records: Nevada state law requires that all admitted students at the University of Nevada, Las Vegas submit proof of immunization to the Office of Admissions before they may attend classes. All students regardless of age must provide documentation of immunization within the last 10 years for Tetanus‑Diphtheria (TD). Students born in or after 1957 must provide documentation of immunity for two doses of live measles (Rubeola), one mumps, and one Rubella vaccination. If you do not have documentation, then you will need to re-establish immunizations before you can attend classes.

Immunizations may be obtained from your physician, the UNLV Student Health Center (http://studentlife.unlv.edu/shc/), or the local county health district in your area. In Las Vegas, immunizations can be obtained at the Clark County Health District, located at 625 Shadow Lane.

Residency Application: The regulations pertaining to Nevada residency for tuition purposes are established by the Board of Regents. Each applicant claiming legal residency in Nevada must submit a residency application and the supporting documentation along with their admission application. Current enrollees or graduates of a Nevada high school are exempt from this requirement. The residency application forms can be obtained from the university website (www.unlv.edu/admissions/residency) or from the Office of the Registrar.

Requirements for International Applicants: The university is authorized by U.S. Department of Homeland Security to admit international students on F-1 student visas. International students are subject to additional requirements that are established by the university and the U.S. Department of Homeland Security as outlined below: 

1. Proof of English Language Proficiency: Applicants whose native language is not English must provide official proof of English proficiency to the Office of Admissions in one or more of the following ways:
   • Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) score of 173 on the computer based exam (The William F. Harrah College of Hotel Administration requires 193) or a score of 61 on the iBT version (The William F. Harrah College of Hotel Administration requires 80 and the School of Nursing requires 100).
   • UNLV institutional Michigan Test of English Language Proficiency (MTELP) score of 76 percent (The William F. Harrah College of Hotel Administration requires 81 percent).
   • International English Language Testing System (IELTS – must be academic version) with a minimum overall band of 6 with no band below 5.5 (The William F. Harrah College of Hotel Administration requires a minimum overall band of 6.5 with no band below 5.5).
   • Pearson Test of English Academic (PTE - must be academic version) with an overall score of 44 (The William F. Harrah College of Hotel Administration requires an overall score of 53 and the School of Nursing requires an overall score of 68).
   • Equivalent scores on other selected English proficiency exams approved by the Office of Admission. 
   • Completed course work in Freshman Composition equivalent to UNLV’s English 101 (grade of C or better).
     (The William F. Harrah College of Hotel Administration does not accept this form of English proficiency.)
   • Applicants who are from the following nations are exempt from TOEFL:
     • Antigua, Australia, Bahamas, Barbados, Barbuda, Bermuda, British Virgin Islands, Canada (except Quebec), Dominica, Fiji, Irish Republic, Jamaica, New Zealand, St. Kitt & Nevis, St. Vincent & Grenadines, Singapore, Trinidad & Tobago, United Kingdom (England, Scotland, Wales, North Ireland), U.S. Virgin Islands.
   • The Office of Admission may waive the test requirements if comptence in the English language is clearly evident.

Applicants who do not meet the proficiency requirements stated above may be admitted to the English Language Center (ELC) for appropriate course work prior to being admitted to an academic major. The ELC admits students with an intermediate level of English competence as evidenced by scores on approved tests of English language proficiency as well as transfer work from other institutions. Students may be conditionally admitted into the college of their choice, with matriculation in that college contingent upon satisfactory completion of the ESL program in the ELC.

1. Certification of Finances: Before the university may issue a Certificate of Eligibility (I-20), the Office of Admissions must receive a Confidential Financial Certification form indicating that the student has ready access to sufficient financial resources to fully meet all institutional and personal expenses while studying in the United States. The certification must be accompanied by a bank letter that has been signed and/or stamped by a bank official. Visit the Office of Admissions website at www.unlv.edu/admissions/confidential-financial-certifications for current information and to access the form.
    
2. Health Insurance: All UNLV F-1 visa international students are required to purchase UNLV student medical health insurance regardless of other health insurance policies they may have. The requirement to purchase the UNLV student health insurance cannot be waived.  International students are automatically charged health insurance premium fees when they register for classes. Optional dental coverage and vision insurance may also be purchased.

The Office of Admissions will issue the Certificate of Eligibility (I-20/SEVIS record) to undergraduate international students who have provided the required certification of finances and who are admitted to a degree-seeking program.  An I-20 cannot be issued for online degree program nor for a certificate program. 

The minimum academic requirements for admission to the university are described below. Please note that admission to the university may not mean admission to the program of your choice. Specific academic programs may have additional entrance requirements beyond those required for admission to the university. Applicants should consult the corresponding section of this catalog to find out about additional requirements for their major of choice.

High School Students: In addition to the submission of official test scores from the American College Test (ACT) or the Scholastic Aptitude Test (SAT), admission to the university requires graduation from an accredited high school with a minimum weighted grade point average of 3.00 on a 4.00 scale in the following required high school courses is required if a student does not have a minimum score of a 22 composite on the ACT or a 1040 (Critical Reading and Math components only) on the SAT:

ENGLISH: Emphasis on composition; rhetoric; and
American, English, and world literature………………………4 units

MATHEMATICS: Algebra or higher-level mathematics,
including algebra I and II, geometry, analytic
geometry, trigonometry, precalculus, probability and
statistics and other advanced mathematics………………..3 units

NATURAL SCIENCE: (lab or simulation); Including
biology, chemistry or physics with at least two
years in a laboratory science…………………………………….3 units

SOCIAL SCIENCE STUDIES: Including world history,
geography, U.S. history, economics, government,
or law…………………………………………………………………….3 units

TOTAL………………………………………………………………..13 units

Students who may or may not have completed the required high school courses but have not earned a minimum grade point average of 3.00 (on a 4.00 scale) may be admitted to the university if they have earned a combined score from the SAT critical reading and SAT math section of at least 1040, or an ACT composite score of at least 22, or earned a Nevada Advanced High School Diploma.

Transfer Students: Except for in-state transfer students as described in the section “In-State Transfer Students,” admission to a four-year degree program is granted to domestic and international applicants transferring from another regionally-accredited college or university provided that 24 transferable semester credits have been completed and a minimum cumulative grade point average of 2.50 has been achieved. The applicant must be in good standing and eligible to return to the educational institution last attended (i.e., the applicant cannot be on academic or behavioral suspension).

Applicants who have attempted 23 or fewer college credits after high school graduation are subject to the high school admission requirements. The high school record must meet the minimum grade point average or other requirements as indicated in the “High School Students” section.

In-State Transfer Students: Applicants wishing to transfer to the University of Nevada, Las Vegas, from another institution within the Nevada System of Higher Education (NSHE) must apply for admission to UNLV through the Office of Admissions and must fulfill the same requirements as those applicants who are not enrolled within the NSHE system. Transfer students with an Associate of Arts degree, Associate of Science degree, or Associate of Business degree from an NSHE institution with a cumulative 2.0 GPA or higher will be automatically admissible upon application to the university.

Early (Tentative) Admission: Early (tentative) admission consideration is given to students applying for admission while still enrolled at another institution (high school, college, or university) if their current academic record indicates that they are admissible at the time of evaluation and that they will qualify for full admission upon completion of work in progress. Full admission is granted when all final credentials from institutions previously attended have been received and evaluated by the Office of Admissions and provided the applicant still meets the minimum admission requirements. Failure to submit final documents by the deadline listed in the academic calendar may result in cancellation of admission and/or enrollment (see Readmission after Cancellation). Failure to meet the minimum admission requirements after evaluation of final course work will result in cancellation of admission and/or enrollment.  Freshmen should submit a final official high school transcript indicating the date of graduation and the final semester’s grades for the work in progress prior to their date of matriculation at UNLV.  Transfer students should submit a final transcript for any courses completed prior to their date of matriculation at UNLV.

GED Recipients and Home-Schooled Students: Applicants who received a general equivalency diploma (GED) or who have been officially excused from compulsory high school are admissible if they have achieved a minimum composite score of 22 on the ACT or a 1040 (Critical Reading and Math components only) on the SAT. If they have not achieved either score, they can appeal for special consideration under alternative admissions. (See Alternative Admission Policy.)

Alternative Admission Policy: The Nevada Board of Regents has authorized the university to admit each year a limited number of deserving students who do not satisfy the university’s minimum admission requirements but who may be admissible through alternate means. Admission by alternative criteria is an option for those applicants who are denied admission. The criteria for admission under the alternative admission program are:

o        A combination of test scores and grade point average that indicate potential for success.

o        Special talents and/or abilities such as, but not limited to, the visual or performing arts or athletic abilities.

o        Other evidence of potential for success.

o        Improvement in the high school record.

o        Overcoming adversity or special hardship.

o        Other special circumstances.

Applications for alternative admission criteria are reviewed by the Faculty Senate Admissions Committee. In addition to the application procedures described earlier, an applicant for alternative admission is also required to submit the documents listed below and to meet any other educational criteria that may be required by the Office of Admissions.

1.      All official transcripts indicating completion of all work in progress.

2.      Official standardized test scores (ACT or SAT) or other documented evidence of the necessary capability, readiness, achievement, and motivation to be successful in university-level study.  In order to be official, scores must be sent directly from the testing agency or appear on an official high school transcript. 

3.      A personal explanation of the circumstances of previous academic performance.

4.      Two letters of recommendation from an employer, educator, or responsible official.

Students admitted by the Faculty Senate Admissions Committee are required to meet with an Academic Success Center success coach at least twice during their first semester and must achieve a 2.0 grade point average for six or more baccalaureate-level credits by the end of that semester. Students who do not meet this requirement during their first semester will also be required to meet with a success coach during their second semester to develop a success plan.

Second Baccalaureate Degree Students: An applicant who has earned one bachelor’s degree may apply for admission to earn a second bachelor’s degree according to the requirements and procedures outlined for transfer students. Students who have earned a bachelor’s degree from an institution other than UNLV and students who have earned a bachelor’s degree from UNLV and have had a gap in their enrollment are required to submit an application for admission and $60 ($95 for international students) non-refundable application fee.  Students who have earned a bachelor’s degree from UNLV with no gap in their enrollment are not required to pay the application fee. 

Students are not permitted to earn two bachelor’s degrees in the same specialized discipline. Information regarding the number of credits required and the course work required for a second degree may be obtained by consulting the section on Academic Policies and the section describing the desired major in this catalog.

Non-degree Seeking Undergraduate Student Status: At UNLV, any person, subject to review and approval by the University, may enroll as a non-degree seeking student for purposes of personal enrichment, or professional development or to improve their academic record in order to be reconsidered for admission after denial of admission for insufficient academic credentials. Applicants who wish to enroll as a non-degree seeking student must submit an application and $30 non-refundable application fee.  Non-degree seeking students may enroll for a maximum of eight credits per semester. Although there is no limit to the total number of credits one may earn as a non-degree seeking student, no more than 24 credits may be applied toward a bachelor’s degree upon admission.

High school applicants who are denied admission may enroll as non-degree seeking students. These students will be considered for admission as transfer students upon completion of 24 credits with a minimum cumulative grade point average of 2.5.

Transfer applicants denied regular admission may also enroll as non-degree seeking students. These students will be eligible for admission when the combination of their UNLV grade point average and the cumulative average of all other college or university-level course work meets the university’s minimum transfer admission GPA requirement of 2.5.

Upon reaching the transfer admission requirements, these non-degree seeking students who were previously denied must submit a new application and fee in order to be reconsidered for admission.   

Applicants interested in non-degree seeking graduate status should inquire with the Graduate College.

Admission Deferment Policy:  Students who are admitted to UNLV but wish to attend during a future term may be eligible to defer their admission.  Students may defer their admission provided all of the following criteria are met:

• The student was accepted to UNLV for a fall or spring term.
• The student has no additional coursework attempted and/or completed after the term for which he/she was accepted to UNLV.
• The student wishes to defer to a term within the academic year for which the student applied.

Deferment must be declared by the appropriate deadline posted at www.unlv.edu/admissions/defer

Students who fall into any of the categories below are not eligible to defer their admission and must reapply and pay the $60 nonrefundable application fee ($95 for international students):

• The student wants to defer to a term not in the current academic year.
• The student attempted and/or completed additional coursework after the semester the student was accepted to UNLV.
• The student was denied admission to UNLV.
• The student would like to attend UNLV during a future semester, which is not in the same academic year for which the student applied.

Denial of Admission: Applicants who do not meet the university’s regular admission requirements will be denied admission and may appeal to the Faculty Senate Admission Committee to be considered for admission under alternative criteria (see Alternative Admission Policy). Applicants denied admission as regular students may also enroll as non-degree seeking students until such time as a grade point average is achieved which meets the university’s transfer student requirements (see Non-Degree Seeking Undergraduate Student Status section).

Returning Students: Fully admitted degree-seeking students who are discontinued from the university due to a gap in enrollment are required to submit an application for re-admission. The application should be submitted with any supporting documents to the Office of Admissions and is subject to the admissions application deadlines.

Readmission after Cancellation: Students whose admission is canceled must submit a new application for admission and non-refundable $60 application fee ($95 for international students) and updated transcripts from all institutions attended to the Office of Admissions. Upon receiving the required document(s), the application will be evaluated. If the applicant meets the university’s admission requirements, a new offer of admission will be issued.

Freshmen and transfer applicants to the University of Nevada, Las Vegas may be awarded credit for previous college or university course work, certain nationally administered examinations, correspondence and extension work, and military service according to policies established by the university and the Board of Regents of the Nevada System of Higher Education. The policies are as indicated in this section.

Previous College or University Course Work: Students who are transferring baccalaureate-level course work from regionally accredited institutions of higher education ordinarily will be granted credit for work completed that is equivalent to courses offered at the University of Nevada, Las Vegas, or that can, upon petition, be applied to a degree in the general education core or as general elective credit. The amount of credit awarded is based upon university regulations and the guidelines below:

1. Regionally Accredited Institutions: To be granted credit, transfer course work must have been earned at an institution accredited by one of the eight regional accrediting associations listed below and recognized by the Council of Higher Education Accreditation (CHEA), or they must have been earned at an institution that is a candidate for accreditation by one of these associations.
    
   1. Middle States Association of Colleges and Schools (MSA), Middle States Commission on Higher Education
   2. New England Association of Schools and Colleges (NEASC-CIHE), Commission on Institutions of Higher Education
   3. New England Association of Schools and Colleges (NEASC-CTCI), Commission on Technical and Career Institutions
   4. North Central Association of Colleges and Schools (NCA-HLC), The Higher Learning Commission
   5. Northwest Commission on Colleges and Universities (NWCCU).
   6. Southern Association of Colleges and Schools (SACS), Commission on Colleges .
   7. Western Association of Schools and Colleges (WASC-ACCJC), Accrediting Commission for Community and Junior Colleges
   8. Western Association of Schools and Colleges (WASC-ACSCU), Accrediting Commission for Senior Colleges and Universities
       
2. Nationally Accredited Institutions: Generally, credits earned at nationally accredited institutions will not be accepted by UNLV. However, credits earned in specialized institutions offering associate or bachelor degrees that are accredited (or that are candidates for accreditation) by one of the six national accrediting associations listed below and recognized by the Council for Higher Education Accreditation (CHEA) will be evaluated on an individual, course-by-course basis if requested by the student by means of petition to the Admissions Committee of the UNLV Faculty Senate.
    
   1. Accrediting Commission of the Distance Education and Training Council (DETC)
   2. Accrediting Council for Independent Colleges and Schools (ACICS)
   3. Association for Biblical Higher Education (ABHE), Commission on Accreditation (formerly the Accrediting Association of Bible Colleges, or AABC)
   4. Association of Advanced Rabbinical and Talmudic Schools (AARTS)
   5. Commission on Accrediting of the Association of Theological Schools in the United States and Canada (ATS)
   6. Transnational Association of Christian Colleges and Schools Accreditation Commission (TRACS)
      Transfer credit from any of the six CHEA-recognized nationally accredited institutions may be granted for courses that are comparable to those offered by UNLV or by other regionally accredited colleges and universities, provided the courses are relevant to the student’s academic program. A petition approved by the Admissions Committee of the UNLV Faculty Senate is required to grant transfer credit from the above nationally accredited institutions.
       
3. Unaccredited Institutions: Credits earned in U.S. institutions of higher education that are not accredited by one of the regional or national accrediting associations recognized by the Council for Higher Education Accreditation (CHEA) are not accepted in transfer by the university. The policies permitting advanced course placement and the earning of credit for nontraditional learning (see Nontraditional Credit) provide adequate opportunities for the objective evaluation of knowledge acquired through a variety of learning experiences, including military schools.
    
4. Duplicate or excess credit is not counted toward a UNLV degree.
    
5. Transferable baccalaureate-level credit earned at a regionally accredited community or junior college may be applied toward a UNLV bachelor’s degree.
    
6. Although transferable credit may be awarded at the point of admission, there is no guarantee that all transferable course work will be applicable to every degree program. However, course work that is deemed transferable at the point of admission will, at a minimum, be eligible for general elective credit.

The following programs offer students the opportunity to earn credits through examination and military service. The maximum number of credits that may be applied toward a UNLV degree from these programs is 60. An official copy of appropriate grades/scores must be sent to the Office of Admissions directly from the school, testing service, or reporting agency.

Advanced Placement: Advanced placement and/or credit may be granted to entering students who have achieved appropriate scores on one or more of the Advanced Placement Tests offered by the College Entrance Examination Board (see list below). The tests are administered each year in May and are available to all high school seniors who have taken advanced-placement courses in high school and to other interested students who feel they have knowledge of the given subject being tested.

Students who receive advanced placement credit may progress to more advanced courses. Students receiving credit for advanced placement may apply these credits toward the total required for a degree. As a result, it is possible to hasten the completion of degree requirements or to enroll for course work in greater depth and breadth than would otherwise be possible.

UNLV courses or requirements satisfied through Advanced Placement Scores

Please see Biological Sciences catalog section and confer with the College of Sciences Advising Center for additional information about use of honors courses, SAT scores, AP courses and AP scores for Biological Sciences placement

College Level Examination Program: Credit may be granted for the achievement of a satisfactory score on the College Level Examination Program’s (CLEP) subject examinations. Satisfactory achievement on the subject examinations is defined as a score of 50 or above.

In general, CLEP examinations should be completed prior to the conclusion of the second semester at the university to avoid duplication of first‑year introductory courses.

UNLV courses or requirements satisfied through CLEP Scores

*Students with these scores may petition the English Department to satisfy the English World Literature requirement of the UNLV General Education Core Curriculum.

**Course denotes that a component of the course (US or NV constitution) is missing and that the course can be used to fulfill humanities General Education and HIST 102 or 106 requirements but can not fulfill US or NV Constitution requirements.

International Baccalaureate: Credit may be awarded for credit for each higher-level examination passed at a level of 4 or above.

UNLV courses or requirements satisfied through International Baccalaureate

DANTES: Credit may be awarded for credit for each examination passed at the minimum score or requirement needed for that particular exam. Official transcripts of a student’s exams may be presented to appropriate departments to determine whether performance satisfies specific university, college, or department requirements. Departments may evaluate exams individually or establish equivalent grade policies. The department that offers the UNLV course will determine if the exams satisfies a university requirement. If the requirement is programmatic, the department and college offering the program will make the determination.

Correspondence, Extension, and U.S. Armed Forces Institute Courses: The university awards up to a maximum of 15 semester hours of credit for acceptable correspondence, extension, or USAFI courses. Credit awarded for such work is not considered resident credit.

Military Service: Honorably discharged veterans having served a minimum of 12 months active duty in the U.S. military service may, upon request, be granted physical education credit. To obtain credit, a copy of the Report of Separation, Form DD 214, should be presented to the Office of Admissions when applying for admission. A maximum of four semester credits will be awarded.  Please note that this credit is not considered “resident credit” nor is it considered credit from a four year institution.

Servicemembers Opportunity Colleges: UNLV has been designated as an institutional member of Servicemembers Opportunity Colleges (SOC), a group of more than 1,275 colleges and universities providing voluntary postsecondary education to members of the military throughout the world. As a SOC member, UNLV recognizes the unique nature of the military lifestyle and has committed itself to easing the transfer of relevant course credits, providing flexible academic residency requirements, and crediting learning from appropriate military training and experiences. SOC has been developed jointly by educational representatives of each of the Armed Services, the Office of the Secretary of Defense, and a consortium of 13 leading national higher-education associations. It is sponsored by the American Association of State Colleges and Universities (AASCU) and the American Association of Community Colleges (AACC).

UNLV will NOT accept the following types of credit:

• Credit awarded by post secondary institutions for life experience.
• Credit awarded for courses taken at non-collegiate institutions unless otherwise stated above (e.g., governmental agencies, corporations, industrial firms, etc.).
• Credit awarded by post secondary institutions for non-credit courses, workshops and seminars offered by other post-secondary institutions as part of continuing education programs.

Transfer credit for courses taken at other NSHE Institutions is governed by policies established in the Board of Regents Handbook, Title 4, Chapter 14, Sections 13, 14 and 15. For transferring course work from other NSHE institutions

A.     The completion of the associate of arts, associate of science, and associate of business degree at a community college automatically fulfills the lower-division general education requirements at any other NSHE institution (Section 13.1.a).

B.     Baccalaureate level courses included as part of the associate of arts, associate of science, or associate of business degree will transfer to any other NSHE institution at a minimum as general elective credit (Section 13.1.d).

C.     Completion of the associate of arts, associate of science, or the associate of business degree does not guarantee satisfaction of all state college or university lower-division requirements except for the lower-division general education requirements (Section 13.1.e)

D.     All undergraduate courses in the NSHE must be common course numbered with equivalent courses offered throughout the System. An NSHE transfer guide or common course numbering master file shall be maintained by the Office of the Chancellor and published on the Web. (Sections 14.1 and 14.2)

E.      Each institution shall determine the acceptability of general elective transfer credits, and departmental, college, or other requirements or equivalents shall be forwarded to the appropriate department or college for course evaluation. If general elective credit is granted by one institution, then all institutions shall accept the credit. Appropriate consultation with the faculty is encouraged throughout the evaluation process (Section 15.4).

In Title 4, Chapter 14, Section 15.12, the Board of Regents mandated that there be a NSHE website outlining the transfer process and protections given to baccalaureate degree-seeking students. The following presents the policies and procedures that govern student transfers between NSHE institutions. It is intended to inform students of their rights and responsibilities and affirm institutional responsibilities. Students and institutional representatives should follow these policies when making transfer-related decisions.

Student Rights
Students have the right to:

·        Receive automatic fulfillment of lower-division general education requirements at the universities, state college, and community colleges that offer select baccalaureate degrees upon completion of an Associate of Arts, Associate of Science, or an Associate of Business degree from a NSHE community college.

·    Access information from the community colleges, state college, and universities about their transfer admission requirements, including documents required for admission, housing, and information about the institution’s costs, financial aid, and student services.

·        Access information about the transfer of specific courses, credit hours, grades, and degree requirements. This includes information about transferring courses with grades below a “C,” courses students may have repeated, and credit previously granted by examination.

·        Access and receive admission and transfer-related decisions in writing (electronic or paper) specifically:

o        Acceptance by the community colleges (limited access programs only), state college, and the universities.

o        Evaluation of courses and credits accepted for transfer credit and their course equivalencies, if applicable.

o        Outline of transfer courses and requirements which the transferred courses or credits will satisfy for the degree or program sought.

o        Analysis of the number of semester credits required to complete a degree in the chosen major program of study.

o        The NSHE institution’s appeals process for transfer-related decisions.

·        Appeal any NSHE institution’s transfer-related decision. The appeal process will be developed and maintained by each NSHE institution and published on the institutions’ website.

·        Elect to graduate under the course catalog graduation requirements under any of the following options, provided that the course catalog at the time of graduation is not more than ten years old:

o        The course catalog of the year of enrollment in a baccalaureate level course/program at a NSHE community college (valid transfer contract may be required.)

o        The course catalog of the year of transfer into a baccalaureate level program at the universities, state colleges, or community colleges that offer select baccalaureate degrees.

o        The course catalog of the year of graduation from a NSHE institution.

Warning: Changing majors may change the course catalog and graduation requirements, which may increase the time to degree completion.

Notice: Students have all the above rights and any others as summarized in the Summary of Board of Regents Transfer Policies. The summary can be accessed at the NSHE website at http://system.nevada.edu. Paper copies of this document are available upon request of the institution’s admission office.

Student Responsibilities
Students have the responsibility to:

·        Understand the transfer policies and procedures of the institution they are considering for transfer. Students should seek information from the institution they are transferring to regarding: core curriculum, prerequisites, major program requirements, degree requirements, admissions, financial aid, scholarships, housing, deadlines, restrictions, and other transfer-related criteria.

·        Complete all materials required for application and submit the application on or before the published deadlines.

·        Research how courses are applicable to degree and major requirements.

·        Understand that if they change their major, not all courses taken will necessarily apply to their new major.

·        Plan ahead and realize that appointments with advisors are necessary.

·        Understand that after a break in their enrollment, status as an admitted student may be affected.

NSHE Institution Responsibilities
NSHE institutions will:

·        Make transfer-related policies and procedures available on their websites.

·        Make answers to frequently asked questions about transfer issues accessible for students and provide opportunities for appropriate follow-up appointments to students.

·        Provide information on the approximate costs of attending the institution, including tuition, books and supplies, housing, and other related fees.

·        Relay admission and transfer-related decisions to students in writing (electronic or paper); including information about the student’s appeal rights.

·        Establish and make available upon request internal appeals processes to review transfer-related issues and decisions.

·        Engage in continuous, authentic dialog among NSHE institutions about transfer-related issues with the purpose of solving the challenges before they negatively impact students.

Gateway Mathematics and English Policy:  

Timely completion of gateway mathematics and English requirements represent a key element in progression towards graduation. In accordance with NSHE policy (4.16.1), undergraduate, degree-seeking students are required to complete degree-applicable math and English courses, as specified by the General Education requirements for their majors, prior to the completion of 30 credits. All undergraduate, degree-seeking students must be continuously enrolled in appropriate mathematics and English courses until the General Education core and major prerequisite requirements for mathematics and English requirements are completed. Math courses to which this policy applies will be assigned a drop-consent hold to ensure continuous enrollment in math. Students wishing to withdraw from these courses must obtain department consent to do so.

^ Top