IMPORTANT CAMPUS INFORMATION

Requests for information should be directed to the offices listed above, and all correspondence should include T-Box number. The University's mailing address for all inquiries is Tarleton State University, Stephenville, TX 76402. Visit our website at www.tarleton.edu. For phone numbers, area code and first three digits are 254 and 968, respectively.

Bulletin of
Tarleton State University
Periodicals Postage Paid at Stephenville, TX 76401
Postmaster: Send address changes to
Box T-0610, Stephenville, TX 76402

ACCREDITATION
Tarleton State University is accredited by the Commission on Colleges of the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools to award the Bachelor's and Master's degrees.

Commission on Colleges
Southern Association of Colleges and Schools
1866 Southern Lane
Decatur, Georgia 30033-4097
Telephone: (404) 679-4500 FAX: (404) 679-4558

PRINCIPLE OF EQUAL OPPORTUNITY
It is the policy of Tarleton State University to recruit, hire, train, and promote persons, as well as to make available any other programs and activities, including those for students, without regard to race, color, religion, age, sex (except in rare occasions where gender is a bona fide occupational qualification), national origin, handicap, or veteran status. Tarleton makes every effort to assure that no otherwise qualified handicapped person is, on the basis of a handicap, subjected to discrimination either as related to student involvement or employment in any of the University's programs or activities. Inquiries regarding compliance may be directed to the Equal Opportunity Coordinator, Room 106, Administration Annex (254) 968-9128 or to the Director of Disability Services, (254) 968-9103.

EQUAL EDUCATIONAL POLICY
In compliance with Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, complete equality exists in the offering of all benefits to students without regard to sex, race, color, or national origin. These benefits include such matters as housing, financial assistance, recruitment, and any type of personnel service.

PRIVACY OF INFORMATION
Under the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act of 1974, the following data are designated as directory information and may be made public unless the student desires to withhold all or any portion of it: student's name, local address, home address, telephone listing, date and place of birth, major field of study, military service status, religious preference, participation in officially recognized activities and sports, dates of University attendance, degrees and awards received, and the most recent previous education agency or institution attended. Any undergraduate or graduate student wishing to withhold any or all of this information should, within 10 days after the first class day, complete the appropriate form, available at the Registrar's Office.

STUDENT RIGHT-TO-KNOW
Each year, Tarleton prepares a report in compliance with the Student Right-to-Know and Campus Security Act of 1990. The report, which is widely distributed on campus, includes information about University rules, campus safety, and graduation rates. The most recent report is available on the Tarleton website at http://www.tarleton.edu. Click on the “Student Right-to-Know” link at the bottom of the web page. A printed copy of the report is available at the Registrar’s Office.

Purpose of Catalog
This catalog is printed to provide information about the academic programs of Tarleton State University to students, prospective students, faculty, and staff of the University. While every effort has been made to make this catalog as complete and accurate as possible, changes may occur at any time in requirements, deadlines, fees, curricula, and courses listed in this catalog.

This catalog was prepared in advance of its effective date; therefore, academic programs and course descriptions may vary from actual program requirements and course content. Thus, the contents of the catalog cannot be considered an agreement or contract between individual students and the University.

The Tarleton State University Schedule of Classes is published for each semester and summer term and is available upon request from the Office of School Relations. Students should refer to the Schedule of Classes for the offerings in any given semester. For administrative reasons, because of insufficient enrollment or limited resources, a given course may not be offered in the announced semester.

UNIVERSITY CALENDARS &
FINAL EXAMINATION SCHEDULES

FALL SEMESTER 2003

FINAL EXAMINATION SCHEDULE-STEPHENVILLE

*Classes having starting times not listed on the table (or within an hour of
that starting time) will have their exam on Saturday, December 6 from 6:30-9:00 PM or at a time designated by the instructor between December 5 and December 11.
Final examinations are to be given only on scheduled final examination days as printed on the Final Examination Schedule.

Any student with three or more final examinations on the same day may request of his/her instructors to take one of the final examinations on another day during the Final Examination Schedule.

Killeen Campus: Finals will be given between December 5 and December 11 at the regularly scheduled class time.

SPRING SEMESTER 2004

FINAL EXAMINATION SCHEDULE-STEPHENVILLE

*For additional course offerings, see printed schedule


TARLETON STATE UNIVERSITY: AN OVERVIEW

THE TARLETON HERITAGE
Since its creation, Tarleton State University, a public coeducational institution, has provided a broad-based education. Established by a $100,000 bequest of John Tarleton, an Erath County pioneer, John Tarleton College opened in 1899 as a private preparatory school and college for the youth of the surrounding rural region. During the next decade students could earn a baccalaureate degree. But in 1908, to compensate for declining enrollment and inadequate funding, college officials reorganized the institution on a two-year degree program, emphasizing a liberal arts education while retaining the two-year preparatory division. Again in 1916 Tarleton experienced financial difficulty; consequently, the Texas Legislature in 1917 placed the college in the state system of the Agricultural and Mechanical College, which would later become The Texas A&M University System. John Tarleton Agricultural College, as renamed by the Legislature, retained the two-year degree as well as the preparatory program and specialized in agriculture, home economics, and military training.

To meet the needs of a changing constituency, Tarleton has adjusted and enriched its curriculum since the 1920s. Accredited as a junior college by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools in 1926, Tarleton gradually redeveloped a liberal arts education. Then in 1949 the Legislature again changed the name of the school to Tarleton State College, and in 1953 discontinued the preparatory division, reflecting the increased access to public school throughout the state. By a 1959 act of the Legislature, Tarleton once again became a four-year degree-granting institution, the first class graduating in 1963. Accredited as a senior college in 1966, Tarleton initiated many new programs, including graduate courses in 1970. Because Tarleton offered a broad liberal arts education within undergraduate and graduate degrees, the Texas Legislature recognized the institution as a university in 1973 and changed the name officially to Tarleton State University. Under a cooperative agreement with Texas A&M University - Commerce, a doctoral degree in Educational Administration became available in 1998.

Over the past century, Tarleton has grown from a small private college into a thriving state university with more than 8,000 students. In 1999, Tarleton established the first university system center in Texas, providing public, upper-level academic programs for the citizens of central Texas. The Tarleton University System Center – Central Texas in Killeen, as well as the Terrell School of Clinical Laboratory Sciences in Fort Worth, the Dora Lee Langdon Cultural and Educational Center in Granbury, and the W. K. Gordon Center for Industrial History of Texas, Museum and Gallery in Thurber have enabled Tarleton to meet diverse educational demands from across the state. Throughout its first one hundred years, Tarleton has never lost the commitment to excellence that was the vision of its founder, John Tarleton.

STATEMENT OF INSTITUTIONAL PURPOSE

VISION
Creating a Culture of Excellence for our Students

MISSION
The mission of Tarleton State University is to provide an academically challenging educational experience through effective teaching, scholarship, research, and service which enables students to pursue truth and acquire understanding, knowledge, and skills necessary for establishing successful careers and becoming responsible citizens and leaders.

PURPOSE AND ROLE
Tarleton State University is a regional, comprehensive university. Created in 1899, Tarleton provides educational programs which emphasize teaching excellence and service for students. The University functions as an educational, scientific, and cultural center for north-central Texas. While the primary emphasis is on teaching and excellence in the classroom, Tarleton is totally committed to expanding roles in research and service.

Tarleton, as a public university, is sensitive and responsive to the needs of the students it serves. Learning and the pursuit of truth are fostered in a culture of excellence which enables students to acquire knowledge, understanding, skills, and cultural experiences necessary to grow as individuals, achieve successful careers, and become responsible citizens and leaders. While offering a wide variety of professional and pre-professional undergraduate programs and graduate degrees in selected disciplines, Tarleton requires of all students a well-defined and thorough foundation in the liberal arts.

Tarleton expects its talented, dedicated faculty to achieve excellence in teaching, advising, and serving the individual student. Accordingly, the University recruits faculty and provides development programs to achieve this excellence. The University staff provides a variety of student services and professional expertise focused on enhancement of the student experience.

The University meets its public service leadership responsibility by enhancing the intellectual, cultural, and economic life of the region through an array of community education programs, numerous sponsored events, and the sharing of facilities and professional assistance.

Providing a campus culture of acceptance and friendliness, Tarleton welcomes individuals into the University community without regard to race, gender, conditions of disability, or national origin. While historically serving a regional student body, the University recognizes a growing state, national, and international representation on campus. Stressing equality and fairness, Tarleton pledges to continue meeting the educational needs of a changing society and an expanding world.

GOALS

1. Excellence in Scholarship and Learning - Tarleton will ensure that its students have an educational experience of excellence that will result in their becoming knowledgeable and productive citizens.
2. Student Services and Campus Life - Tarleton will create a friendly and caring campus culture that supports student scholarship, learning, and development in all aspects of university life.
3. Access, Equity, and Inclusion - Tarleton will respond effectively, and with fairness, to the needs of all qualified students who represent a changing population in the State of Texas and in a diverse, global community.
4. Leadership Development - Tarleton will graduate students who are committed to the improvement of society through their leadership and service.
5. Institutional Advancement - Tarleton will secure additional funding sources, including private donations and federal and state grants, to help meet its needs and goals.
6. Personnel and Resources - Tarleton will effectively manage its personnel and its financial, physical, and library resources to ensure outstanding academic programs and to provide a campus culture that is conducive to the pursuit of scholarship and excellence in learning.
7. Educational Technology - Tarleton will incorporate electronic and communication technology in the library and throughout the University so that scholarship, teaching, research, outreach activities, and student services are current and effective.
8. Historically Underutilized Businesses - Tarleton State University will establish and carry out policies governing purchasing and public works contracting that foster meaningful and substantive inclusion of historically underutilized businesses.

ENROLLMENT AND FACULTY
Over 8,000 students attend Tarleton State University, with a male-female ratio of 1:1. Students from approximately 220 Texas counties, 45 states, and 17 foreign countries comprise the student body. More than 275 full-time faculty are devoted to academic excellence and the personal development of each student. The student-faculty ratio is 18:1.

THE CAMPUS
One of the most striking features of Tarleton State University is the spacious 125-acre campus located in the heart of Stephenville, a city of 15,000 people only 65 miles southwest of Fort Worth. Featuring malls, open space, and beautifully-landscaped grounds, the campus is dominated by majestic oak and pecan trees, which create a warm atmosphere for living and learning. The architectural integrity of aged red brick buildings is maintained campus wide. Tarleton is proud of its spacious classrooms, well-equipped laboratories, extensive library collections, and physical education and recreational complex. Other facilities include a multimedia foreign language laboratory, a modern Fine Arts Center, and updated agricultural facilities.

An ongoing construction and modernization program ensures that Tarleton keeps abreast of new developments. The Barry B. Thompson Student Center, a 90,000-square-foot facility, which opened in Fall 1994, is the hub for campus activity and an integral part of the University’s educational environment. The Center offers a food court, bookstore, post office, game room, weight room, conference and meeting facilities, study areas, and commuter lounge. During Spring 2001, Tarleton completed construction of a new $30 million science building. This facility provides state-of-the-art laboratory and classroom space for students to engage in study and research and offers the only planetarium in The Texas A&M University System.

The Tarleton University System Center – Central Texas was established in Killeen in September 1999 to serve the Killeen-Temple metropolitan area, which has a combined population of more than 300,000 and is the fifth fastest growing region in Texas. The System Center uses existing facilities on the Central Texas College campus to provide upper-level and graduate courses and degree programs to approximately 1,500 students. Through sharing facilities with Central Texas College, Temple College, Fort Hood, area school districts, and the Blacklands Research Center in Temple, the Center provides residents of the area with access to affordable, upper-level public higher education.

THE TEXAS A&M UNIVERSITY SYSTEM
Academic institutions under the direction of the Board of Regents of The Texas A&M University System include:

Prairie View A&M University Tarleton State University Texas A&M International University Texas A&M University Texas A&M University - Commerce
Texas A&M University - Corpus Christi Texas A&M University - Kingsville
Texas A&M University - Texarkana West Texas A&M University

Other agencies and programs in The Texas A&M University System are:

Health Science Center
Texas Agricultural Experiment Station Texas Cooperative Extension
Texas Engineering Experiment Station Texas Engineering Extension Service Texas Forest Service Texas Transportation Institute
Texas Veterinary Medical Diagnostic Laboratory
Texas Wildlife Damage Management Service

BOARD OF REGENTS

CHANCELLOR
Mr. Howard D. Graves, Chancellor
The Texas A&M University System
John B. Connally Building, 7th Floor
301 Tarrow
College Station, TX 77840-7896
Phone: (979) 458-6000
FAX: (979) 845-2490

ADMISSIONS

Denise Siler, Director of Undergraduate Admissions

Administration Building

Box T-0030, Stephenville, TX 76402
(800) 687-8236 or (254) 968-9125
e-mail: uadm@tarleton.edu
www.tarleton.edu/~admissions

Admission to The Texas A&M University System and any of its sponsored programs is open to qualified individuals, regardless of race, color, religion, sex, national origin, or educationally unrelated handicaps.

Transfer services such as Transfer Equivalency Guides, Texas Common Course Numbering System Equivalency Guides, Common Core Equivalency Guides, and 2+2 Degree Plans are available for students transferring to Tarleton State University from a junior or community college. Please check with the Coordinator of Transfer Services at 1-800-687-8236 or review the information online at www.tarleton.edu/~admissions.

PRE-ENROLLMENT RECOMMENDATIONS

MATERIALS NEEDED FOR APPLICATION

1. The State of Texas Common Application for Public Universities,* available at the following locations:

a. the Undergraduate Admissions Office,
b. local high school or community college counselor’s office,
c. www.applytexas.org (Application is submitted electronically.),
d. www. tarleton.edu/~admissions (printed or on-line version).

2. Official transcripts from high school/colleges previously attended (see next page)

3. Official scores from the Scholastic Aptitude Test (SAT I) or the American College Test (ACT), if applicable,**
4. Application fee, $25, and
5. Section of application form used to determine Texas residency for tuition purposes (Part B). Texas residency is determined in accordance with state law. See p. 62.

Each of the above items must be received before an application can be evaluated. Other documents may be requested as needed.
* Used by U.S. citizens and permanent residents to apply for undergraduate admission
** Scores must be on an official high school transcript, or an official college transcriptor sent directly from the testing agency

Materials should be on file well in advance of registration. Students are encouraged to apply on or before the following dates:

Materials submitted by applicants who do not enroll at Tarleton are destroyed after one calendar year. If a student reapplies within the calendar year, he/she must complete a new application and pay the application fee. Official documents received for a previous term may be added to the new file. If a student has completed work since applying with Tarleton, he/she must provide final official transcripts and/or score reports. If a student applies for admission more than a year after submitting a previous application, he/she will be required to submit the completed application, the application fee, test score reports, and a complete set of transcripts.

Official High School Transcripts
A freshman applicant who has not graduated from high school at the time of application must submit an official transcript indicating grades, projected graduation date, and class rank.

A freshman applicant who has graduated from high school at the time of application and transfer applicants with less than 30 semester hours of college credit and a GPA of 2.00 through 2.79 must submit an official high school transcript that includes class rank and date of graduation.

Class rank shall be calculated at the end of the 11th grade, middle of the 12th grade, or high school graduation, whichever is most recent when the application is complete.

If an applicant is accepted during his/her 11th or 12th grade year of high school, he/she must submit an official, final high school transcript upon graduation. The transcript must show final class rank, graduation date, and a seal displaying the high school program the student completed. The final high school transcript must be submitted by the end of the first semester of attendance at Tarleton.

To be considered official, the high school transcript must bear an original signature of a school official and an original school seal. Faxed copies are not official. Transcripts in a language other than English must be accompanied by an official English translation.

Courses in Progress
Freshman applicants must provide a list of all courses in progress and those yet to be taken in high school. The list should include exact course titles. A copy of the applicant’s senior class schedule will fulfill this requirement.

Official College Transcripts
An official transcript is required from every post-secondary institution attended, even if the applicant did not earn credit or receive a course grade from the institution, or the course is not transferable. Course work from one college posted on the transcript of another college will not satisfy this requirement.

For readmission to Tarleton, only those transcripts from institutions attended since the last enrollment at Tarleton State University are required.

Faxed copies are not official. Electronic transcripts are considered official transcripts. Check with sending/receiving institutions for availability.

Foreign transcripts must be accompanied by an English translation and an evaluation of course work by a foreign credentials evaluation service. Check with Undergraduate Admissions for information on transcript evaluation services.

APPLICATION FEE
Students applying for admission to Tarleton are required to pay a non-refundable application processing fee of $25. Checks or money orders should be made payable to Tarleton State University. The application fee must be submitted with the application forms or mailed at the time the application is submitted electronically. Credit card payments can be made at the time of electronic submission or over the phone. Tarleton does not accept fee waivers for the application fee.

HOUSING APPLICATION
Housing requirements apply to certain students enrolled at Tarleton State University. Please refer to Housing and Residence Life in the Student Life section for details.

TEXAS ACADEMIC SKILLS PROGRAM (TASP)
Although TASP results are not used for admission purposes, students planning to attend Tarleton need to be aware that, unless they are exempt under TASP guidelines (see p. 18), they must take the TASP test prior to enrolling their first semester.* Students may not enroll in upper-level courses that will bring their cumulative credit hours to 60 or more until they successfully meet all TASP requirements.

The Texas State Education Code requires that all students "who enter public institutions of higher education in the fall of 1989 and thereafter must be tested for reading, writing, and mathematics skills" (Texas Education Code, Sec. 51.306). All full time or part time students who have not earned at least 3 semester hours of college level credit prior to Fall 1989 must take the TASP test if any one of the following conditions apply:

1. The student is enrolling in a college-level degree program;
2. The student is entering a certificate program that contains 9 or more semester credit hours, or the equivalent, of general education courses as defined by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools;
3. The student is transferring from outside Texas or from a private Texas college or university;
4. The student is seeking admission to a Texas upper level institution or program that requires the TASP test as a condition of admission.

Students who failed an area of the TASP Test and have not successfully completed remediation are not permitted to enroll in the following classes.

1. Students who failed the Writing portion of TASP may not initially enroll in ENGL 1113 or ENGL 1123. However, the Writing Program reserves the right to allow TASP-failing writers to take English 1113 or 1123 if they perform well on the Composition Placement Test.
2. Students who failed the Reading portion of TASP may not enroll in HIST 2013 or 2023; ENGL 2203; POLS 2013 or 2023; or PSY 1013.
3. Students who failed the Math portion of TASP may not enroll in MATH 1073 or 1093.

The fee for the TASP test is paid by the student. To obtain a copy of the TASP Registration Bulletin, contact the Admissions Office in the Administration Building or the Division of General Studies on the third floor of the Humanities Building.
* Please contact the Undergraduate Admissions Office for information about the following tests that can be taken as alternatives to TASP: ASSET, COMPASS, MAPS, and ACCUPLACER.

TASP Exemption
Certain conditions may exempt students from requirements of the TASP law.*

1. Students performing at or above the following levels are exempt:

a. ACT -- composite score of 23 or higher with individual Math and English scores of no less than 19. Scores must be no more than five years old.
b. SAT -- composite verbal and mathematics score of 1070 or higher with minimum scores of 500 on both verbal and math. Scores must be no more than five years old.
c. TAAS – a minimum scaled score of 1770 on the writing test, a Texas Learning Index (TLI) of 86 on math and 89 on reading. TAAS scores must be no more than three years old.
d. High school grade point average of 3.5 or higher on a 4.0 scale or the equivalent and completion of the distinguished or New Recommended high school curriculum. Effective only for a student who enrolls in an institution of higher education on or before the second anniversary of the date the student graduated from high school.

2. A student who earned at least 3 semester hours of college-level credit prior to Fall 1989 is exempt.
3. Transfer students with accumulated hours from out-of-state or private institutions may use transferred courses that correspond with those courses designated by the Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board to satisfy TASP requirements. A student must have earned a course grade of B or higher in each of the three skill areas. If the student does not meet this requirement, he/she must be tested for the remaining skill areas and must comply with all other TASP requirements.
4. A student who is serving in the United States armed forces, stationed in Texas, and enrolled in a Texas public institution of higher education is exempt from TASP requirements. Student must show proof of active duty status each semester.**
5. A student who holds a bachelor’s degree awarded by an accredited institution may be exempt from TASP.
6. Students who are 55 years of age on or before the first day of class of the term and who are non-degree seeking may be exempt. A student who signs a form seeking this exemption becomes ineligible for financial aid.
7. Students enrolled on a permanent basis at a private institution or an out-of-state institution may be exempt from TASP. Contact the Office of Undergraduate Admissions for details about this exemption.
* Some of the TASP exemptions for admission to Tarleton State University are not accepted by the Teacher Education Council for admission to the Teacher Education Program. Please contact the Certification Office at (254) 968-9815 for more information.
** If a student separates or retires from the military, he/she will be liable for TASP for any enrollment after the separation or retirement date.

If you qualify for one of these exemptions, please contact the Admissions Office at (254) 968-9125 or (800) 687-8236. Students with disabilities may request special testing accommodations from the Coordinating Board or the Texas Education Agency.

PLACEMENT POLICIES

Math Placement Policy
Students who are exempt from the TASP test will be placed in college-level mathematics. Students who are required to take the TASP test will be placed according to their TASP scores. If TASP scores are not available, placement is determined by ACT or SAT scores. TASP scores take precedence over ACT or SAT. Students placed in a developmental course may take a placement exam during orientation to place into the next higher course.

English Placement Policy
Students with an ACT verbal of 18 or below or an SAT verbal of 490 or below are required to take the Composition Placement Test (CPT).

Students who fail the CPT should enroll in English 1003. However, students who are initially placed in English 1003 by the CPT will be given additional diagnostic writings on the first and second days of class. A good performance on either of these two writings will permit a student to switch from English 1003 to English 1113 during the first week of classes. Students who pass the CPT and students whose verbal scores are higher than those listed above should enroll in English 1113.

A student’s TASP status is not a factor in placement in first-year English courses. That is, students with the verbal scores indicated above (no matter whether they have passed or failed the writing portion of the TASP) must be placement tested.

Reading Placement Policy
No reading course will be required of students who are exempt from the TASP test or who passed the reading section of TASP. All other students will be assigned to RDG 1003.

IMMUNIZATIONS
Requirements (for students enrolling in health-related courses)
Students enrolling in health-related courses that involve direct patient contact (Nursing and Clinical Laboratory Science) must meet the following immunization criteria:
Measles - Persons born since January 1, 1957, must have two doses since 12 months of age, with the doses coming at least 30 days apart.
Mumps - Persons born since January 1, 1957, must have at least one dose since 12 months of age.
Rubella - Must have at least one dose since 12 months of age.
Tetanus/Diphtheria - Must have one dose within the past 10 years.
Hepatitis B - A complete series or proof of immunity is encouraged for any student enrolling in health-related courses that involve direct patient contact, especially with patients' blood (i.e., Nursing, Clinical Laboratory Science, and some Pre-Med courses). Nursing and Clinical Laboratory Science students are required to take the hepatitis series or sign a waiver.

Recommendations (for all students)
Measles - All students enrolling in institutions of higher education should have two doses of measles vaccine prior to the start of classes.
Tetanus/diphtheria - Tetanus vaccines are effective for about 10 years and need to be boosted at that interval; they should be given in combination with the diphtheria vaccine.

SOCIAL SECURITY NUMBER DISCLOSURE
Section 7(b) of the Privacy Act of 1974 (5 U.S.C. 552a) requires that when any federal, state, or local government agency requests an individual to disclose his/her social security account number (SSAN), that individual must also be advised whether that disclosure is mandatory or voluntary, by what statutory or other authority the number is solicited, and what uses will be made of it.

Accordingly, applicants for admission are advised that disclosure of a student's SSAN is strongly recommended for admission as a student at Tarleton State University, in view of the practical administrative difficulties that would be encountered in maintaining adequate student records without continued use of the SSAN. It is used to verify the identity of the student, and as a student account number (identifier) to record necessary data accurately. As an identifier, the SSAN is used for such activities as determining and recording eligibility for admission as a student; reporting initial physical examinations; determining and recording assessments and payments of student fees and charges; determining and recording eligibility for student financial assistance including loans, scholarships, grants, allowances, and official student travel and per diem; recording student grades and related academic data; determining and recording eligibility for participation in Reserve Officers Training Corps programs and in athletic, rodeo, and similar events; registering private vehicles and issuing parking permits; issuing student identification cards; recording issue and return of library books and other materials; registering for placement services, including resume preparation and furnishing information to prospective employers; and other such related requirements that might arise. Tarleton State University has for several years consistently requested disclosure of the SSAN on student application forms and other necessary student forms and documents used pursuant to statutes passed by the State of Texas and United States and regulations adopted by agencies of the State of Texas and United States, and by the Board of Regents of The Texas A&M University System.

If a student chooses not to disclose his/her SSAN, he/she may request a random number to be assigned to his/her records while attending Tarleton State University. The student should contact the Office of Undergraduate Admissions for more details.

ADMISSION REQUIREMENTS FOR FIRST-TIME FRESHMEN
At the time of application, students with no college credits since graduation from high school or entering Tarleton directly from a Texas public high school accredited by the Texas Education Agency or a Texas non-public school accredited by the Texas Private School Accreditation Commission are first-time freshmen.

REGULAR ADMISSION
To be granted regular admission status, first-time freshmen must meet one of the following requirements:
1. *Score 930 or higher on the SAT or 20 or higher on the ACT (Test scores must be no more than six years old.) and provide a complete high school transcript;
2. *Complete one of the high school programs similar to New Recommended or Distinguished Achievement Program as outlined by the Texas Education Agency and provide SAT or ACT scores. Rank in the top half of their high school graduating class is greatly preferred;
3. Rank in the top quarter of their high school graduating class, provide SAT or ACT scores, and provide an official high school transcript showing successful completion of four years of English and three years of college preparatory mathematics, including Algebra I and Algebra II. Courses such as Correlated Language Arts, Pre-Algebra, and Fundamentals of Math will not satisfy these requirements;**
4. Rank in the top 10 percent of their high school graduating class** and provide SAT or ACT scores and an official high school transcript.
* Admission standards are under active review and first-time freshmen applying for fall 2005 or after should be prepared to meet higher admission standards.
** If high school does not rank, student must have a letter from school stating such.

EARLY NOTIFICATION OF ADMISSION
Students seeking early notification of admission must submit all required application materials. Upon graduation a final high school transcript showing graduation date and class rank must be submitted.

Completion of Sixth High School Semester
Students who are in the top ten percent of their class or who meet the SAT/ACT requirement shown above will be admitted after completion of their sixth semester. High school transcripts showing grades through the junior year, projected date of graduation, estimated rank, and SAT or ACT score must be submitted before a decision will be made regarding admission to the University.

Completion of Seventh High School Semester
Students submitting a seventh semester transcript and SAT/ACT scores who meet regular admission requirements will be given early notification.

GENERAL EDUCATIONAL DEVELOPMENT (GED) TESTS
A GED will be considered equivalent to a high school diploma, provided the average standard score is at least 55 or no subscore is less than 50. The student's high school class must have been graduated at least one calendar year before the intended date of enrollment at Tarleton. An official copy or photocopy of the results must be submitted. Applicants must submit SAT or ACT scores with a minimum score of 930 on the SAT or 20 on the ACT.

HOME-SCHOOLED OR NON-ACCREDITED HIGH SCHOOL GRADUATES
Students who graduate from high schools not accredited by the Texas Education Agency or who are home schooled may be considered if they have a score of 930 or above on the SAT or 20 or above on the ACT. Home schooled students must provide proof of curriculum completed from an agency or teacher.

ADVISED ADMISSION
Applicants who are very near but below the requirements for regular admission may be considered for advised admission. The number of students granted advised admission may be limited by Tarleton without prior notice. Advised admission does not constitute full admission to the University. A student who is granted advised admission will sign a contract for a one-year enrollment at Tarleton. Contact the Office of Admissions for conditions of the Advised Admission contract. Students who meet the conditions of the contract will then be fully admitted to the University. Students who fail to meet the conditions of the contract will not be allowed to re-enroll at Tarleton State University until they succeed academically at another institution and are able to meet Tarleton’s transfer requirements.

LIMITED ADMISSION FOR OUTSTANDING HIGH SCHOOL STUDENTS
Students who (1) have completed their junior year of high school; (2) are ranked in the top quarter of their graduating class; and (3) have scores of at least 1100 on the SAT, or 110 on the PSAT, or 24 on the ACT or PACT may apply for one of the following programs. Applicants must provide a letter of recommendation from their high school principal or counselor addressing students' maturity and academic capabilities and a letter of consent from a parent or legal guardian.

Summer Program
Those admitted to this program typically are awarded the credit earned at Tarleton following their graduation from high school.

Concurrent Enrollment Program
Students admitted to this program may enroll in a maximum of 6 hours and will be awarded the credit earned at Tarleton following graduation from high school. University and high school course loads must be agreed upon before enrollment.

Select Program
Students completing the Summer Program with a 3.0 GPA or higher in at least 12 hours may be considered for full-time enrollment in the fall. Fewer hours may be considered with special permission from the dean of the college in which the student is enrolling. Those admitted must enroll for a normal 15-semester hour course load. A second letter of consent from a parent or legal guardian is required.

INTERNATIONAL STUDENTS
Admission of international students to the undergraduate program at Tarleton is based upon graduation from a secondary school (lyceum, senior middle school, high school, preparatory school, or other equivalent) in a system equivalent to at least 12 grades. Students must supply the University with official transcripts of academic work translated into English.

The quality of the applicant's prior secondary or collegiate level work is judged from the grades, class attained, or class rank achieved. International applicants must submit SAT or ACT scores to be considered for admission. The SAT score must be 930 or higher; ACT score must be 20 or higher.

The Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL), administered by the Educational Testing Service, is required with a minimum score of 520 on the paper-based test or 190 on the computer-based test. Completion of six semester hours of regular first year college English composition at an accredited college in the United States with a grade of C or better in each course will satisfy the TOEFL requirement.

The international applicant must have a reliable financial sponsor. To obtain a visa from the American Embassy located in the applicant’s country, a prospective student must have documented evidence of financial solvency. A sponsor is obligated to endorse all expenditures for the applicant during the entire course of study. Following the tragedy of September 11, 2001, the American Embassies have placed severe restrictions on all financial statements. Check with the American Embassy for further details. Note that a copy of all financial statement documentation must be included with the admission packet.

International applicants must submit two passport-style photos taken within two months of application, a $50 (US) processing and admission fee and a $25 application fee. Both fees are nonrefundable. Payment must be made by bank cashier’s check payable to Tarleton State University. The Department of Immigration and Naturalization requires that all international students have medical insurance with coverage in the United States. Students may wish to purchase insurance through the University upon arrival.

All application materials must be sent to the Office of International Academic Programs. Applications cannot be processed until all materials are received. The I-20 will be issued only after a formal admission letter has been issued by Tarleton State University. All undergraduate students are required to take the Texas Academic Skills Program (TASP) test before admission to the university. For more details about admission of international students, consult our web page at www.tarleton.edu/~iap.

TRANSFER STUDENTS
At the time of application, students who have earned college level credit at an accredited institution after high school graduation are considered transfer students. Applicants must be eligible to enroll at all colleges and universities previously attended and submit final official transcripts from each college or university attended. For students who have previously attended Tarleton State University, transfer work and Tarleton work will be combined to determine a cumulative GPA.

TRANSFER STUDENT QUALIFICATIONS
The following minimum standards must be met:
1. Students with fewer than 30 semester hours of college credit and a cumulative GPA of 2.8 or higher will be admitted. Students with a cumulative GPA of 2.00 - 2.79 will be admitted, provided they also meet one of the regular admission standards for first-time freshman applicants.
2. Students with 30 or more semester hours of college credit and a cumulative GPA of 2.0 or higher will be admitted.
3. Students who complete all core curriculum requirements as approved by the Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board at another school and who then transfer to Tarleton State University will be generally considered to have met core curriculum requirements toward a degree at Tarleton. However, if a specific academic major as outlined in the Tarleton catalog includes core requirements of all majors that are not satisfied in the transfer core, transfer students pursuing said major must include those additional core requirements in their degree plan.

TARLETON UNIVERSITY SYSTEM CENTER – CENTRAL TEXAS
To be admitted to Tarleton University System Center – Central Texas, an applicant must have:
1. Completed 45 hours of college level credit before being accepted; and
2. Passed all portions of TASP or provided official proof of TASP exemption. (See p. 18 for TASP exemptions.)
Applicants who meet these requirements and have a cumulative transfer grade point average of 2.0 or higher will be admitted.

POST-BACCALAUREATE ADMISSIONS
A student who has a bachelor’s degree from an accredited U.S. institution and who is in good standing at all schools previously attended but who is not seeking a master’s degree or professional certification may apply as a post-baccalaureate student. A post-baccalaureate student may work on a second bachelor’s degree or teaching certification or take courses of interest. To be admitted to post-baccalaureate status, an applicant must submit official transcript(s) from all schools attended, a signed application form, a $25 application fee, and a tuition residency form. Undergraduate academic standards apply to post-baccalaureate students.

READMISSIONS
Students who have previously attended Tarleton and are returning after one or more long semesters' absence may apply for readmission. Applicants must submit an application for readmission, pay a $25 application fee, and be clear of any blocks by Tarleton offices (Police, Business Office, Financial Aid, etc.).
1. Students who have not enrolled at any other college or university since last attending Tarleton and are free of suspension will be admitted.
2. Students who have enrolled at any other college or university since last attending Tarleton and who meet transfer requirements and are free of suspension may be admitted.

INDIVIDUAL APPROVAL (ADMISSION APPEALS)
Students who are denied admission to Tarleton State University may ask to be considered for individual approval. If the case has sufficient merit, it will be referred to the Academic Standards Committee. Appeals will be considered only in cases of highly extenuating circumstances. An appeal will not be considered for applicants who are ineligible to return to a previous institution.

Appeal requests must be submitted to the Office of Undergraduate Admissions no later than two weeks before the first class day for that semester. Any exceptions to this deadline must be approved by the Provost and Vice President for Academic Affairs. The form to be used when requesting consideration for individual approval may be obtained from the Admissions Office.

ACADEMIC FRESH START
Senate Bill 1321 entitles residents of the state of Texas to seek admission to public institutions of higher education without consideration of courses taken ten or more years prior to enrollment. This bill gives students the option of electing to have course work taken ten or more years prior to the starting date of the semester in which the applicant seeks to enroll either counted as usual or ignored for admission purposes. Applicants who elect to apply for admission under this law and who are admitted as students may not receive any course credit for courses taken ten or more years prior to enrollment.

TRANSFER ARTICULATION POLICIES
Because of differences in institutional degree requirements and course content, some credits transferred from other colleges and universities may not apply toward satisfying degree requirements at Tarleton. A maximum of 68 semester hours of academic credit will be accepted for degree credit from a two-year institution.

Only those courses that carry a grade of “D” or better will be considered for articulation to the Tarleton transcript. Remedial/developmental courses will not be entered and will not be used in the admissions decision. Courses that are vocational or technical in nature are not automatically accepted by Tarleton State University. These courses must be approved by the appropriate academic departments and resubmitted for articulation to the Office of Undergraduate Admissions. Students with a significant number of hours in a technical field and who wish to use those hours toward a Tarleton degree should consider the Bachelor of Applied Arts and Sciences degree programs. (See p. 39 for additional information.)

When a course has been repeated at another school or schools, only the best effort will be transcribed.

The current admissions rules (see Transfer Student Qualifications above) will be applied to all work completed.

TEXAS COMMON COURSE NUMBERING SYSTEM
A common numbering system has been devised by area colleges and universities to identify those courses that are similar in nature and considered to be equal in transfer. The purpose of the system is to assist students who are transferring between participating institutions. Following is a list of Tarleton courses that are considered as matches with the Texas Common Course Number System (TCCNS).

All other common courses transfer to Tarleton as electives. However, these elective courses are often substituted for degree requirements. If you have any questions regarding transferability of courses, please contact the Office of Undergraduate Admissions at 1-800-687-8236 or email at rsimpson@tarleton.edu.
** COSC 1301/1401 will not be accepted if a significant amount of computer programming is not included.

If Tarleton does not accept lower-division course credit earned by a student at another public institution of higher education in Texas, Tarleton will give written notice to the student and the other institution that the transfer of the course credit is denied. The two institutions and the student shall attempt to resolve any dispute over the transfer of the course credit in accordance with Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board guidelines. If the dispute is not resolved to the satisfaction of the student and the institution at which the credit was earned, the student may file a Transfer Dispute Resolution form (CB-TDR) with Tarleton. It must be submitted within 15 days of the date the student received written notification of the denial of credit. Tarleton will forward a copy of the CB-TDR to the Commissioner of Higher Education who will resolve the dispute if necessary. In this instance, the Commissioner will give written notice to the student and institutions involved.