Admission and Enrollment

Tougaloo College operates on its historical commitment to providing a quality education to its students. This institution firmly believes that learning is a continual process and subscribes to the concept of lifelong learning. Each student who applies to Tougaloo College is reviewed carefully based on set entrance requirements. Veterans are welcome and encouraged to apply. For services provided to our vets, please contact the VA Certifying Officer in the Office of the Registrar at registrar@tougaloo.edu.

Applications, Procedures, and Requirements

Applications for admission to Tougaloo College may be secured from the Office of Admissions. Each student who files a college application is considered for admissions. Following this initial application, the applicant must:

1. Submit evidence of high school completion.
2. Submit scores from ACT/SAT.
3. Submit evidence of 2.50 high school cumulative grade point average.
4. Submit evidence of the completion of the required units.

First-year college students seeking admission to the College must present evidence of graduation from an accredited high school with a “C” (2.50) or better average and sixteen (16) units of secondary school work divided in the following manner:

Required Units

Elective Units

Elective units may be taken from the following list. The maximum number ofadditional units accepted is indicated after each subject.

Students must submit scores from the ACT or SAT examination. This score is considered along with other entrance requirements. Students without a high school diploma must show evidence of having taken the General Education Development (GED) test and earned a minimum standard score of 410 on all five sections or an average standard score of 450 or above on the five sections.

Homeschooling

Applications for admission from students educated at home are generally treated like other applicants. Homeschooled students should submit the following:

1. Application for admission
2. SAT or ACT score
3. High school equivalent transcript issued by agency, school, or individual overseeing the curriculum, including the official date of graduation, or GED with signature and notarized
4. Submit evidence of 2.50 high school cumulative grade point average.
5. Academic portfolio (notarized)
6. Diploma or certificate of completion from the Home School Association, if applicable.

Pre-College Scholars

Students in the eleventh (11th) or twelfth (12th) grades may take college level courses at Tougaloo College. The student must possess a “B” (3.00) average or better in an accredited high school curriculum and a score of 18 or better on the enhanced ACT assessment or a score of eight hundred (800) or better on the SAT. A student will be allowed to take up to nine (9) credit hours (these courses can only be freshman courses). If the student has received a scholarship offer from Tougaloo College, it cannot be awarded until the student has successfully completed all requirements for high school graduation, maintained the criteria for the scholarship offer, and has been accepted and enrolled as a full-time college student.

Nontraditional Student Admissions

A nontraditional student shall be at least twenty-five (25) years of age when initially admitted to Tougaloo College. A student originally enrolled as a “traditional” student at Tougaloo College cannot change to “nontraditional” student status unless he/she has reached 25 years of age and has not been enrolled at Tougaloo College for a minimum of two academic years. Nontraditional degree-seeking student status only applies to credit-bearing courses. 

To apply for admission to Tougaloo College, one must submit the following:

1. Application for admission
2. An official copy high school transcript or GED score
3. Submit evidence of 2.50 high school cumulative grade point average.
4. Official copies of all college transcripts for transfer students
5. ACT or SAT scores

Transient/Non-Degree Student Admissions

Students enrolled at another college or university may apply for admission as a transient non-degree student (temporary student who wishes to transfer credits to their home institution). Such admission carries no commitment for permission to register for the regular academic year. Students from other colleges or universities must be in good standing or eligible to continue academic work at their respective institutions and are responsible for determining if these institutions will accept credits earned at Tougaloo College. The student must submit the following:

1. Admissions application
2. Official transcript or letter of good standing from the home institution attending

Articulation/Transfer Agreements

Tougaloo College has transfer agreements with the following community colleges: Hinds Community College, Coahoma Community College, St. Louis Community College (Florissant, Missouri), and the California Community College System. Admission preferences and maximum transferability of credits are ensured for students who apply from these colleges.

Transfer Students

Individuals wishing to transfer from other accredited institutions may apply for admission to Tougaloo College by providing the following:

1. Official application
2. Official copies of all previous college transcripts
3. Must show proof of 2.50 or better grade point average
4. Evidence of good academic standing at the previous institution or a statement of eligibility to return.
5. Applicants with less than 30 transferable credits earned are required to submit official high school transcript or GED,  and ACT/SAT scores. 

Academic credit will be awarded for transferred courses with an earned grade of “C” or better from an accredited institution. The College will accept up to 60 transfer credits from an accredited two-year institution and up to 90 credits from an accredited four-year, baccalaureate institution. Transferring individuals seeking a degree from Tougaloo College must spend their final academic year in residence at Tougaloo College to earn the last 34 semester hours of credit and earning a grade of “C” or higher in those remaining courses.  Accepted transfer courses will show on the permanent record at Tougaloo College with a “TR” from the transfer institution and will not be used in calculating the Tougaloo College grade point average.

International Students

Tougaloo College considers international students to be those individuals whose country of origin is outside the United States. International students shall meet all of the requirements as any other student seeking admission to the College by submitting an application, proof of high school graduation, and an official record of any previous college work. At least four months in advance of the projected enrollment dates, international students must submit the following additional information:

1. Evidence of proficiency in the use of the English Language in verbal and written forms. If English is not your first language, proof of English proficiency must be shown by submitting a TOEFL score of at least 79 on the iBt (with a minimum score of 20 in each section) OR score 550 on the paper-based exam, OR score 213 on the computer-based exam. All score reports must be official. TOEFL scores must be less than two years old if the student has not been studying at an institution in the United States since taking the exam. Additionally, proof of English proficiency may be shown by submitting an official SAT Evidence-Based Reading and Writing score of 470 or higher OR submit an official transcript showing that the equivalent of ENG 101 and 102 (Critical Reading and Writing or first-year composition class) have been passed with a grade of C or higher at an accredited institution in the United States. We will also accept Duolingo Test Scores as a proof of English Proficiency if the test score is above a 105;
2. Submit the results of American College Test (ACT) or Scholastic Aptitude Test (SAT).
3. Complete accurate information regarding sources of financial support to determine eligibility for Form 1-20. This information is required by the college in order to meet the regulations of the United States Immigration and Naturalization Service. Federal Financial aid is not available to international students;
4. Complete Affidavit of Support Form and,
5. Applicants who graduated from foreign schools or attended foreign colleges (post-secondary) are responsible for the submission of certified, translated and evaluated copies of all final academic records (transcripts) for those educational institutions. The official translation/evaluation must be performed by a recognized foreign credentials evaluation service that is selected by the applicant. The foreign credentials evaluation service must be recognized as a member of the National Association of Credential Evaluation Services or the Association of International Credentials Evaluators.
6. The translation/evaluation of each document must be in American English and provide each of the following with the recommended U.S. academic equivalence
   1. Identification of the document (e.g., academic transcript, examination record, diploma, etc.), the issuing institution and its location;
   2. Explanation of the status of the institution, purpose of the educational program and level of study;
   3. Confirmation of each credential earned;
   4. A course-by-course evaluation that lists each subject studied by academic year with the level of study, credit or semester hours, and grade (A, B, C, D or F);
   5. The final cumulative (overall) grade point average on a 4-point scale for each educational program completed.
7. The applicant selects the foreign credentials evaluation service and provides the academic records to it for evaluation (and translation, if required). The certified translation/evaluation must be mailed directly to Tougaloo College’s Office of Admission by the foreign credentials evaluation service. Applicants are responsible for paying all associated fees and costs and for ensuring the timely submission of the certified translation/evaluation. Foreign credential evaluation services typically take three to six weeks (and sometimes longer) to provide evaluation reports. 
8. The General Education Modern Languages requirement for Tougaloo College is six hours with the exception of the Music program which requires 12 hours. These hours must be completed in the same language at the 101-102 levels among the languages being offered. Native languages and English as a second or foreign language will not count toward language requirements. 
9. In addition to the general requirements for admission, international applicants must: 
   1. Submit proof of financial capability by having a sponsor who will accept full financial responsibility for the duration enrollment and paying the college a sum that is equal to tuition and fees and room and board for one semester.
   2. The I-20 Immigration Form will not be issued until the applicant submitted all required documents.
   3. It is advisable for all international applicants to apply well in advance of the expected term of enrollment to facilitate the processing of records and the issuance of the I-20 Immigration Form. In compliance with the United States Immigration and Naturalization Service, all international applicants must include their home address from the country of origin. All admissions information will be sent to this address, unless the applicant is presently residing in the United States.
   4. Students should check the United States Citizenship and Immigration Service website at http://uscis.gov for the latest information concerning becoming a student in the United States.

Readmission

Former Tougaloo College students may seek readmission to the college by requesting a “Readmission Application” from the Office of Admissions. Students who have been separated from the college for a semester must re-apply for admission; this does not apply to summer terms. In addition to the application, students must provide an official transcript of academic work completed at other colleges, if applicable. Former students must meet requirements for admission as prescribed by the administrative units of the college (academics, finances, citizenship).

As long as students are in continuous residence from the date of entrance, they will be held accountable for the degree requirements in effect at time of entrance. However, once they stop out and return to the college, they will be accountable for the degree requirements in effect at the time of return.  

Admissions Review Committee

Students who do not meet the admission requirements of the college may appeal to the Admissions Committee. The students must submit an appeal letter. In addition, the prospective student must agree to attend a scheduled interview with the Admissions Committee. The Committee will then decide to approve or deny the appeal request. The committee reviews all cases and considers each on its own merit and then advises the Office of Enrollment Management. If admission is granted, the student may be admitted with provisional status. The provisional period is for one semester during which time the student’s academic progress is monitored by the Admissions Committee. 

International Baccalaureate Credit

Tougaloo College may grant college-level credit in selected disciplines to those high school students who have earned International Baccalaureate (IB) credit. College credit will be considered based on the IB Higher and Standard level examination scores. A student must score at least a minimum of 4 on a Higher Level Examination to receive college credit. A student must score a minimum of 3 on a Standard Level Examination to receive college credit.

• Standard level courses: French or Spanish, Mathematics, or Psychology
• Higher level courses: English, Biology, History of America

Scores must be sent to the Office of Admissions, Tougaloo College, Tougaloo, Mississippi 39174.

Advanced Placement Credit

Tougaloo College may grant college-level credit in selected disciplines to students who have earned Advanced Placement Examination (AP) grades of 3 or higher provided the AP scores are sent to the Office of Admissions, Tougaloo College, Tougaloo, MS 39174, prior to the date of matriculation.

The disciplines in which college-level credit may be granted are: Biology, Chemistry, Computer Science, Economics, English, French, Government and Politics, History, Mathematics, Music, Physics, and Spanish.

Exchange Students

Students at Tougaloo College have the opportunity of engaging in external collaborative relationships that allow them to advance their academic skills and career goals. For a listing of these opportunities, see the section in this catalog titled Academic Resources, Programs, and Services.