Student Types

Degree Seeking Students

Degree programs at Shawnee State University are open to graduates who hold a state approved diploma from state chartered or regionally accredited high schools and to students who have earned high school equivalency through the General Education Development (GED) program. However, admission to the University does not guarantee admission to specific programs of study. If you intend to apply for admission to the game and simulation development arts program, teacher education, or a health science program, you should refer to the appropriate sections of the catalog for specific admission requirements.

There are varying additional requirements for students in different categories, including recent high school graduates, transfer students, special non-degree students, transient students, international students, and eligible students who are still attending high school. Requirements for each are discussed in the following sections.

It is recommended that the high school background of an entering freshman pursuing a degree include:

• 4 units English
• 3 units mathematics (algebra 1 and 2, geometry)
• 3 units social studies
• 3 units science
• 2 units foreign language
• 1 unit visual, performing arts (drama, music, art)

These courses are recommendations, not requirements. However, if you have a deficiency in English or mathematics, you will be required to take developmental courses prior to attempting college level work

International Students

International students who are seeking to transfer credits to Shawnee State University must submit the following materials:

All official secondary and postsecondary transcripts. These transcripts must be submitted to InCred (International Credential Evaluations) for evaluation.  Postsecondary transcripts should have a course-by-course evaluation completed. The student is responsible for the cost of the evaluation.

International students are required to accept the cost of university health insurance or produce proof of adequate insurance while in the United States.

International Student Services

Shawnee State University is committed to helping international students excel in their college courses and to ensure that they are successful in their college experience. The Center for International Programs and Study Abroad offers many services to our current international students and is actively engaged in helping future students come to SSU. The Student Success Center will also assist you with many academic and social activities.

Non-Degree Students

Students who are not interested in pursuing a degree but who wish to take courses are required to file an application for admission. Transcripts of high school and college work are not required, nor is ACT/SAT testing. However, if at a later time, you decide to pursue a degree program, all admission requirements in effect at the time of initial enrollment must be met. These requirements include official transcripts from high school (and/or GED) and college work and testing, recommendations, etc., if any of these are required for the major being declared.

Special, non-degree students may take courses which have no prerequisites or courses for which they have the appropriate prerequisite. For courses assuming prior knowledge or a certain degree of proficiency, placement testing may be advised or required prior to registration.

Senior Citizens

Shawnee State University admits senior citizens (Ohio residents 60 years of age or older on or before the first date of the term) for courses, on an audit (non-credit), space-available basis. Although formal application and registration is required, no tuition or course fees are charged. The student is responsible for any lab and other miscellaneous fees, books, or materials required for a course. The student is required to secure the permission of the instructor of a course if there are course prerequisites for a course.

Please note: The Senior Citizen Option Form (PDF) must be completed and submitted to the Student Business Center in the University Center along with the regular registration form. If you register for your courses via your MySSU account, please make sure that you return this form to the Student Business Center. All courses taken for the term will be for non-credit.

There is also a special, no cost, fitness program for seniors. Applications may be obtained at the James A. Rhodes Athletic Center.

Transfer Students/CAS - Course Applicability System

Students who have attended other regionally accredited colleges or universities may transfer to Shawnee State University provided they were in good academic standing at the institution attended most recently. Students interested in transferring to Shawnee State University may access Transferology for information on how your coursework will transfer from another institution.

In addition to the application for admission, application fee, high school transcript, and transcripts from each college or university previously attended. College transcripts must be received directly from those institutions. Photocopies, fax, and hand-carried transcripts are not accepted. You may be admitted as a "provisional student" until such time as the official transcripts are received from all previous colleges.

If you are eligible for and want to receive college credits for military coursework/experiences, then you must submit your transcript from the American Council on Education (ACE). Credit is based upon the ACE recommendations unless otherwise specified. Lastly, if you are applying for financial aid at Shawnee State University, you must have each college/university previously attended send your financial aid transcript to the financial aid office at Shawnee State.

Credits applicable to the curriculum for which you are applying which were earned at regionally accredited colleges or universities are accepted at the time of admission. Generally, courses completed with a grade of "D-" or better are eligible for transfer. Contact the Registrar's office for further information at (740) 351-4REG (4734). The credit hours transferred do not become a part of the grade point average at Shawnee State University.

To receive transfer credit, you must file an official transcript of previous college work. You must earn a minimum of 20 credit hours at Shawnee State University to be considered for the award of an associate degree and a minimum of 30 credit hours to be considered for the award of a baccalaureate degree.

If you have attended non-regionally accredited colleges or universities, you may transfer to Shawnee State University provided you meet all admission standards applicable to other transfer students. Credits applicable to the curriculum for which you are applying which were earned at non-regionally accredited institutions will be considered for acceptance as transfer credit if:

• You have completed the associate degree at that institution, and
• You validate the award of credit by completing, with a grade of "C" or better, a planned program of courses totaling a minimum of 20 credit hours applicable to a four-year curriculum as approved by the Registrar. For students transferring credit from non-regionally accredited colleges or universities, a maximum of 60 semester hours will be considered for transfer.

IMPORTANT NOTE: Transfer credit cannot be used to replace grades of courses taken at Shawnee State University.

State Policy on Articulation and Transfer

Institutional Transfer. The Ohio Department of Higher Education, following the directive of the Ohio General Assembly, has developed a new statewide policy to facilitate movement of students and transfer credits from one Ohio public college or university to another. The purpose of the State Policy is to avoid duplication of course requirements and to enhance student mobility throughout Ohio's higher education system. Since independent colleges and universities in Ohio may or may not be participating in the transfer policy, students interested in transferring to an independent institution are encouraged to check with the college or university of their choice regarding transfer agreements.

Ohio Transfer 36

The Ohio Department of Higher Education’s Articulation and Transfer Policy defines the Ohio Transfer 36, which is a specific subset of or entire college or university’s general education requirements.  The Ohio Transfer 36 is made up of coursework from the following areas: English composition; oral communication; mathematics, statistics, and logic; arts and humanities; social and behavioral sciences; natural sciences; and diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI).

Completion of the Ohio Transfer 36 at one college or university will automatically meet the requirements of the transfer module at the receiving institution, once the student is accepted.  Students may be required; however, to meet additional general education requirements that are not included in the Ohio Transfer 36.

Ohio Department of Higher Education’s Credit Transfer Tool.

Conditions for Transfer Admission

Students meeting the Ohio Transfer 36 requirements are subject to the following conditions:

1. The policy encourages receiving institutions to give preferential consideration for admission to students who complete Ohio Transfer 36 and either the associate of arts or the associate of science degrees. These students will be able to transfer all courses in which they received a passing grade of "D-" or better. Students must have an overall grade point average of 2.0 to be given credit for Ohio Transfer 36.
2. The policy also encourages receiving institutions to give preferential consideration for admission to students who complete Ohio Transfer 36 with a grade of "C" or better in each course and 60 semester hours. Students must have an overall grade point average of 2.0 to be given credit for Ohio Transfer 36 and only courses in which a "C" or better has been earned will transfer.
3. The policy encourages receiving institutions to admit, on a non-preferential consideration basis, students who complete Ohio Transfer 36 with a grade of "C" or better in each course and less than 60 semester hours. These students will be able to transfer all courses in which they received a grade of "C" or better.

Admission to a given institution, however, does not guarantee that a transfer student will be automatically admitted to all majors, minors, or fields of concentration at that institution. Once admitted, transfer students shall be subject to the same regulations governing applicability of catalog requirements as all other students. Furthermore, transfer students shall be accorded the same class standing and other privileges as native students on the basis of the number of credits earned. All residency requirements must be successfully completed at the receiving institution prior to the granting of a degree.

Responsibilities of Students

In order to facilitate transfer with maximum applicability of transfer credit, prospective transfer students should plan a course of study that will meet the requirements of a degree program at the receiving institution. Specifically, you should identify early in your collegiate studies an institution and major to which you desire to transfer. Furthermore, you should determine if there are language requirements or any special course requirements that can be met during the freshman or sophomore year. This will enable you to plan and pursue a course of study that will articulate with the receiving institution's major. You are encouraged to seek further information regarding transfer from both your advisor and the college or university to which you plan to transfer.

Appeals Process

A multi-level, broad based appeal process is required to be in place at each institution. A student disagreeing with the application of transfer credit by the receiving institution shall be informed of the right to appeal the decision and the process for filing the appeal. Each institution shall make available to students the appeal process for that specific college or university.

If a transfer student's appeal is denied by the institution after all appeal levels within the institution have been exhausted, the institution shall advise the student in writing of the availability and process of appeal to the state level Articulation and Transfer Appeals Review Committee.

The Appeals Review Committee shall review and recommend to institutions the resolution of individual cases of appeal from transfer students who have exhausted all local appeal mechanisms concerning applicability of transfer credits at receiving institutions.

Appeal Procedure Regarding Transfer Credit Applicability

Historical Context

On November 16, 1990, the Ohio Department of Higher Education passed a resolution mandating that public institutions of higher education establish a multilevel appeal procedure to be followed by students dissatisfied with the applicability of transferred credit. The following multilevel appeal procedure at Shawnee State University is designed to meet the needs of these students and to comply with the Ohio Department of Higher Education’s mandate.

Acceptance of Transfer Credit

Transfer credit is awarded and posted to your Shawnee State University transcript in accordance with accepted national and state standards. Generally, all courses satisfactorily completed at regionally accredited institutions are transferable. The Office of the Registrar is responsible for posting this credit to your transcript.

Applicability of Transfer Credit

After transfer credit has been posted to your transcript, the Office of the Registrar posts the courses to your Degree Audit and provides you with a copy of the audit.

Multilevel Appeals Procedure

State mandate requires that you be notified of your right to appeal a transfer credit applicability decision. You must file your written appeal within ninety days following receipt of your Degree Audit. The University must respond to your appeal within thirty days of receipt of the appeal, at each appeal level. The appeal levels are defined below.

Level 1

You meet with the dean of the college in which you are enrolled to discuss the course(s) in question. If both the dean and you are in agreement that a change in applicability is desirable, the dean reports the necessary change with rationale to the Registrar. If the dean determines that an applicability change is not warranted, the dean notifies you, the Transfer Credit Appeals Committee chair, and the provost regarding the decision and the rationale.

Level 2

If you and the dean are unable to reach a mutually agreeable resolution, you present your case before the Transfer Credit Appeals Committee. The Transfer Credit Appeals Committee is charged with reviewing the manner in which transfer credit has been applied to your degree program when you and the appropriate dean are unable to reach a mutually satisfactory agreement. The committee may vote to support the dean's position, your position, or suggest alternatives for the dean and you to consider. This committee reports to the provost and is composed as follows:

One faculty representative from each of the following departments:

• Business Administration
• English and Humanities
• Fine, Digital and Performing Arts
• Health Sciences
• Industrial and Engineering Technologies
• Mathematical Sciences
• Natural Sciences
• Social Sciences
• Teacher Education

The Registrar and the GEP coordinator serve as voting ex officio members of the committee.

If the committee determines that a change in applicability is desirable, the committee chair reports the necessary change with rationale to you, the dean, and the Registrar. If the committee determines that an applicability change is not warranted, the committee chair notifies you, the dean, and the provost regarding the decision and the rationale.

Level 3

If you and the Transfer Credit Appeals Committee are unable to reach a mutually agreeable resolution, you present your case to the provost. If the provost determines that a change in applicability is desirable, he or she reports the necessary change with rationale to you, the dean, the Transfer Credit Appeals Committee chair, and the Registrar. If the provost determines that a change in applicability is not warranted, the provost notifies you, the dean, and the Transfer Credit Appeals Committee chair of the decision and the rationale. You have no further recourse within the institution. However, if you wish to pursue the matter further, a statewide appeals procedure is available.

Transfer Credit Appeals Committee Membership.

Faculty representatives to the Transfer Credit Appeals Committee are determined by a procedure agreed upon by the faculty within their respective units as indicated in Level 2. Committee members annually elect a chair. The committee chair votes only in the event of a tie. Staggered terms of three years begin January 1. Elected representatives may be required to meet during the summer months if a student submits an appeal during that time period. Deans may appoint alternates if necessary.