Cameron Students posing for a picture on Campus

Undergraduate Catalog

ADMISSIONS INFORMATON

UNDERGRADUATE ADMISSIONS

The Office of Admissions provides information to prospective students interesting in attending Cameron University and typically serves as the first point of contact for prospective students, their parents, and academic counselors. The Office of Admissions also coordinates campus tours, college fairs, high school presentations, orientation, and other recruitment events throughout the year.

ADMISSIONS COUNSELORS

Admissions counselors maintain contact with area schools and residents to inform them of the educational opportunities that exist at Cameron University. The Office of Admissions is responsible for the University's recruiting program. Campus tours may be arranged through the Welcome Center. The Office of Admissions provides scholarship applications and related information. The priority deadline for applications is February 1.

ADMISSION REQUIREMENTS

Standards for admission to Cameron University have been established by the Oklahoma State Regents for Higher Education. These standards are based on prospective students’ residence status and previous education background.

Students must meet the criteria for both the high school curricular requirements and the high school performance requirements as defined in the following sections.

Recent High School Graduate Admission

Baccalaureate Degrees. Minimum baccalaureate degree admissions requirements for recent high school graduates are:

  • Graduate of an accredited high school or possess a GED (student's high school class must have graduated),
  • Meet the following performance requirements: 
    • minimum composite ACT of 20 or SAT of 940, OR 
    • rank in the top  50 percent of high school graduating class AND have a high school (4 years) GPA of at least 2.7,
  • Meet the minimum high school curricular requirements: 
    • 4 years of English (grammar, composition, literature), 
    • 3 years of mathematics (Algebra I and higher level mathematics), 
    • 3 years of lab science (may not include general science), 
    • 3 years of history and citizenship skills (including 1 year of American History and 2 additional years from the subjects of history, economics, geography, government, non-western culture), 
    • 2 years of other (additional subjects previously mentioned or selected from computer science and/or foreign language).

Graduates of unaccredited high schools or home study programs, whose high school class has graduated, may satisfy admissions requirements by taking the ACT or SAT and achieving a minimum ACT score of 20 or SAT of 940 and satisfying the curricular requirements as certified by the school, or for home study, the parent.

Individuals meeting the above criteria are eligible for admission to baccalaureate, associate in science, or associate in applied science degrees.

Associate in Arts and Associate in Science Degrees. Minimum AA and AS admissions requirements for recent high school graduates are:

  • Graduate of an accredited high school or possess a GED (student's high school class must have graduated), AND
  • Meet the minimum high school curricular requirements for baccalaureate degrees above, AND
  • Complete the ACT or SAT.

Associate in Applied Science Degrees. Minimum AAS admissions requirements for recent high school graduates are:

  • Graduate of an accredited high school or possess a GED (student's high school class must have graduated) AND
  • Complete the ACT or SAT.

Students lacking curricular requirements may be required to take remedial/developmental courses. These courses must be completed within the first 24 semester hours attempted, with a grade of “C” or higher and prior to taking courses in the discipline. To transfer to an associate in arts, associate in science, or baccalaureate degree program the student must meet both the curricular and performance admission requirements.

Adult Admission

Students who are 21 years of age or older or active duty military who have graduated from high school or have a GED are eligible for admission to Cameron. Any student admitted through the Adult Admissions category must demonstrate college readiness through defined placement assessments or by successful completion of zero level, developmental courses before entering bachelor level degree programs.

Alternative Admission

This admission category is for those individuals who do not meet the performance or curricular requirements or who need remediation in two or more subjects but (1) have a reasonable chance for academic success, (2) have unusual talent or ability in art, drama, music, sports, etc., or (3) are educationally or economically disadvantaged and show promise of being able to succeed in a program or curriculum at Cameron. Students applying for admission under this section will be admitted through appropriate associate degree standards. To transition to baccalaureate degree programs, students must successfully address all curricular and performance deficiencies and successfully complete twenty four collegiate credit hours.

Concurrent High School Student Admission

A junior or senior high school student enrolled in an accredited Oklahoma high school may be admitted provisionally if the following criteria are met. The student must:

  • Earn an ACT (National, Pre-ACT, or Residual) composite score of 20 or higher or a SAT or PSAT score of 1020 (940 prior to March 5, 2016) or have an unweighted high school grade point average of 3.0 and rank in the top 50% of their class.

A student receiving high school level instruction at home or from an unaccredited high school may be admitted provisionally if the following criteria are met:

  • Completed enough high school coursework to be equivalent to an individual who is classified as a junior or senior at an accredited high school.
  • Earn an ACT (National, Pre-ACT, or Residual) composite score of 20 or higher or a SAT or PSAT score of 1020 (940 prior to March 5, 2016) or higher.

All concurrently enrolled students must also:

  • Provide a signed statement from the high school principal or counselor stating that the student will be eligible to satisfy high school graduation requirements (including curricular requirements for college admission) no later than the spring semester of the senior year.
  • Provide a signed statement from parent(s) or legal guardian stating the student has permission to enroll concurrently.

A high school student may enroll in a combined number of high school and college courses per semester not to exceed a full-time college workload of 19 semester credit hours. Non-academic high school units are excluded from the workload calculation.

Non-Degree Seeking Student Admission

A student who does not plan to pursue a degree may enroll in a maximum of nine semester hours without submitting academic credentials or meeting the academic curricular or performance requirements. Enrollment in mathematics, English, science, history, and government courses will be determined by placement tests. Enrollment beyond nine hours will require submission of official academic transcripts.

Transfer Admission

Any student who has attended another university other than Cameron University must submit official transcripts from ALL colleges attended. An undergraduate student with more than six attempted semester hours is considered a transfer student.

Transfer From Other Regionally or Nationally Accredited Oklahoma Institutions. A student may transfer to Cameron from another regionally or nationally accredited Oklahoma institution under the following conditions:

  • The student originally met both the high school curricular requirements and academic performance standards for admission to Cameron and has a GPA high enough to meet Cameron's retention standards, or
  • The student originally met the high school curricular requirements but not the academic performance standards for admission to Cameron and has a GPA high enough to meet Cameron's retention standards based on at least 24 attempted semester hours of regularly graded (A, B, C, D, F) college work, or
  • The student originally met the performance but not the curricular requirements for admission to Cameron and has removed curricular deficiencies, or
  • The student originally met neither the curricular nor the academic performance requirements for admission to Cameron, but has a GPA high enough to meet Cameron's retention standards based on at least 24 attempted semester hours of regularly graded (A, B, C, D, F) college work and has removed curricular deficiencies.

Transfer From Regionally or Nationally Accredited Out of State Institutions. In addition to meeting Cameron's entrance requirements, out of state transfer students must meet the following:

  • Be in good standing in the institution from which they plan to transfer.
  • Have made satisfactory progress (an average grade of "C" or better or met Cameron's retention standards, whichever is higher) at the institution from which they plan to transfer.
  • Students transferring from institutions not accredited by a regional association may have credits transferred by meeting the Oklahoma State Regents for Higher Education requirements.

Transcripts of record from colleges and universities accredited by HLC will be given full value. Transcripts of record from degree granting institutions accredited by organizations recognized by the United States Secretary of Education are subject to review and may transfer on a course-by-course basis.

Admission of Students Suspended From Other Institutions. A student suspended for academic reasons from other institutions may appeal for admission to Cameron.

Transfer Probation. Students who do not meet the academic criteria including curricular requirements as stated above under the transfer categories, but who have not been formally suspended, may be admitted as "transfer probation" students. If GPA is less than 2.0, the student will be admitted as a “transfer probation” student. Students seeking admission in this category must meet with an Admissions Coordinator regarding procedures and enrollment conditions.

Admission of Oklahoma State System Associate in Arts and Associate in Science Graduates. Students who have completed the requirements for an Associate in Arts or Associate in Science degree at an Oklahoma State System institution will be accepted as having fulfilled the general education requirements for baccalaureate degrees. Additional requirements must be met: (1) prerequisites for upper division courses are lacking, (2) grade levels required by Cameron have not been attained, or (3) professional licensing or certifying agencies requirements exceed the general education requirements.

Opportunity Admission

Students who have not graduated from high school whose composite standard score on the ACT places them at the 99th percentile of all students using Oklahoma norms or whose combined verbal and mathematical score on the SAT places them at the 99th percentile of all students using national norms may apply for admission to Cameron. Admission will be based on the test scores, evaluation of the student's level of maturity and ability to function in the adult college environment, and whether the experience will be in the best interest of the student intellectually and socially.

International Students and Students for Whom English is a Second Language Admission

International students are required to meet the equivalent academic performance standards listed above. Additionally, students for whom English is a second language will be required to present evidence of proficiency in the English language prior to admission. Applicants for first time admission (less than 24 semester hours at a regionally accredited U.S. institution of higher education) at the undergraduate level must present a TOEFL minimum score of 500 or higher on the paper-based test, 173 or higher on the computer-based test, 61 or higher on the internet-based test, or a 5.5 on the IELTS to meet the standards for unqualified admission to Cameron.

Re Admission

Any former Cameron student who did not attend Cameron during the previous academic year must apply for re-admission.

Use of Non-Academic Criteria in the Admission of Students

Cameron University is committed to providing a safe learning and teaching environment for our students, faculty, and staff. As part of that commitment, the University reviews applications from prospective students who indicate they have a felony conviction or have been suspended or expelled from another college or university for non-academic reasons to determine their admissibility. Students can contact the Office of the Dean of Students (580-581-2244) for review of the complete policy.

FALSIFICATION AND OWNERSHIP OF RECORDS

Falsification of any admission record, whether by change, omission, or untrue statement will be grounds for permanent denial of admission to the university or suspension from the university with forfeiture of any credit earned.

All records required for admission become the property of Cameron University. Examples include, but are not limited to, test score reports, GED reports, and transcripts.

NAME OR ADDRESS CHANGE

A student who has legally changed names must provide appropriate documentation to substantiate the change. This documentation is to be submitted to the Registrar's Office. All transcripts are issued under the student's legal name as recorded in the Registrar's Office. Students should ensure their current mailing address is on file at all times to receive all important information and notices. Students should log in to their Aggie Access accounts to update address information.

INITIAL COURSE PLACEMENT

Course placement in English, math, science, and reading courses for first-time freshmen will be determined by either ACT/SAT sub-scores, high school GPA, or computerized placement test (CPT) scores. Students who are under 21 will take CPTs unless they have either ACT or SAT scores (SAT will be equated to ACT equivalents) of 19 or higher in English, math, and reading or an unweighted cumulative GPA of 3.0 or higher on a 7 semester or final high school transcript. Adult students (age 21 or older) and active-duty military will be required to take the CPT unless they submit either optional ACT or SAT scores or have an unweighted cumulative GPA of 3.0 or higher on a 7 semester or final high school transcript.

Initial course placement for transfer students will include a transcript review for course equivalencies. Transfer students who do not have course equivalencies to establish placement in English, math and reading will be required to take the CPT unless they submit either ACT or SAT scores or have an unweighted cumulative GPA of 3.0 or higher on a 7 semester or final high school transcript.

PRIOR LEARNING CREDIT AND ASSESSMENT

Students enrolled at Cameron University may receive degree credit for post-secondary level extra-institutional learning related to subject areas, courses, and programs of study offered by Cameron University. The Vice President for Academic Affairs is responsible for developing and administering policies and procedures for awarding credit for prior learning. Assessment and awards of prior learning credit are made under policies and procedures designed to assure that reliable and valid measures of learning outcomes have been applied.

Cameron University offers students multiple options for earning college credit by demonstrating the knowledge they have gained via non-college experiences. Credit may be earned by completing standardized tests, by demonstrating course competency through departmental or national exams, and by submitting transcripts for workplace or military training recognized by ACE or NCCRS. In each case, credit for prior learning is awarded for verifiable skills and learning gained through the experience, and not for the experience itself.

The following regulations govern awarding of credit for prior learning at Cameron University:

  •  A maximum of 64 semester hours or prior learning credit may be applied toward the requirements for a baccalaureate degree.
  • A maximum of 45 semester hours of prior learning credit may be applied toward the requirements for an associate degree.
  • Prior learning credit may only be awarded in those academic programs approved by OSRHE to be offered at Cameron University, and must be validated by successful completion of 12 or more semester hours of academic work at CU before being placed on the student's transcript. Active duty military personnel are exempt from the 12 hour validation requirements, and may have credits placed on the transcript upon full admission and completion of first paid enrollment.
  • Prior learning credit is identified on the transcript by “Adv Standing”.
  • The neutral grade of satisfactory (S) will be assigned to prior learning credit.
  • Credit granted will be included only in the number of hours earned, not in GPA calculations.
  • Credit for non-collegiate schools, such as those offered by military services, businesses, industry, unions, or governmental agencies, will be awarded according to ACE and NCCRS recommendations.
  • Credit for experiential learning will be granted on course-by-course basis using institutionally-prepared exams.
  • A score equivalent to a grade of "C" will be used as the minimum passing score for institutionally-prepared exam.
  • Credit for military occupational specialties (MOS) will be granted on course-by-course basis.
  • Credit recorded at an institution in the Oklahoma State System of Higher Education is transferable on the same basis as if the credit had been earned through regular study at the awarding institution.

Further information regarding prior learning credit can be found on the Testing Center webpage.

ADMISSIONS RESIDENCE STATUS

Proof of Residence. The burden of proof of establishing Oklahoma residence or domicile shall be upon the applicant. Some of the various types of evidence that may serve as proof of one's residence status are year round residence, ownership of property, registration for and voting in state general elections, filing an Oklahoma income tax return for the most recent calendar year, and payment of ad valorem property taxes. Since residence or domicile is at least partially a matter of intent, each case will be judged on its own merits, and no definitive or set criteria can be established as sufficient to guarantee classification as a resident of Oklahoma.

Independent Persons (Definition for Admissions Purpose). If a person enjoying majority privileges and who is independent of parental domicile can provide adequate and satisfactory proof of having come to Oklahoma with the intention of establishing domicile, that person may be granted resident student classification at the next enrollment occurring after expiration of 12 months following the establishment of domicile in Oklahoma. The spouse of such person must establish proof of his or her own domiciliary status on a separate basis, except as provided in other sections of this policy.

Dependent Persons (Definition for Admissions Purpose). The legal residence of a dependent person is that of the student’s parents, or the legal residence of the parent who has legal custody or the parent with whom the student habitually resides. If the student is under the care of those other than the parents, the legal residence is that of the student’s legal guardian.

A dependent person may become emancipated (freed from the parental domicile) through marriage, formal court action, abandonment by parents, or positive action on the student’s own part evidential of alienation of parental domicile. To qualify under the latter category, a dependent person must have completely separated from the parental domicile and have proved that such separation is complete and permanent. Mere absence from the parental domicile is not proof of its complete abandonment. If an applicant can provide adequate and satisfactory proof of complete emancipation and having come to Oklahoma with the intention of establishing domicile, the applicant may be granted resident student classification at the next enrollment occurring after expiration of 12 months following establishment of domicile in Oklahoma.

Foreign Nationals. An individual who is not a United States national may become eligible for classification as an Oklahoma resident provided that they hold "permanent resident status" as defined by the Immigration and Naturalization Service, evidenced by whatever documents may be required under applicable Federal law, who has resided in Oklahoma for at least 12 consecutive months, and who meets the criteria for establishment of domicile as set forth in the policy of the Oklahoma State Regents for Higher Education.

Uniformed Services and Other Military Service/Training.

Active Uniformed Service/Discharged or Released from Active Uniformed Service for whom Oklahoma is the Home of Record. The following shall be eligible for in-state status:

  • Members of the uniformed services, along with their dependent children and spouse, who provide evidence that they are full-time active duty status of more than thirty (30) days in the uniformed services stationed in Oklahoma or temporarily present through military orders. Further, when members of the armed services are transferred out-of-state, the member, their spouse and dependent children shall continue to be classified as in-state as long as they remain continuously enrolled.
  • Regardless of the residency of the student, dependent children or spouse of a person who is currently serving as a member of the active uniformed services of the United States on full-time active duty status of more than thirty (30) days for whom Oklahoma is the home of record.
  • Person, or dependent children or spouse of a person, who was discharged or released from a period of not fewer than ninety (90) days of active uniformed service and less than five (5) years before the date of enrollment in the course(s) concerned and for whom Oklahoma is the home of record.
  • Former full-time active uniformed services personnel who remain in Oklahoma after their service may retain their in-state status without the 12 month requirement if they establish domicile as defined in this policy.

Active Uniformed Service/Discharged or Released from Active Uniformed Service (Regardless of the Home of Record). Pursuant to Title 70, O.S., Section 3247 (as amended), the following is compliant with the eligibility criteria prescribed in the Veterans’ Access, Choice, and Accountability Act of 2014.

A student who files with Cameron University a letter of intent to establish residence in the state and who resides in the state while enrolled at Cameron shall be eligible for in-state status if the student:

  • was discharged or released from a period of not fewer than ninety (90) days of active duty uniformed service, less than five (5) years before the date of enrollment in the course(s) concerned, and is pursuing a course of education with educational assistance under Chapters 30, 31 or 33 of Title 38 of the United States Code while living in Oklahoma; or
  • is entitled to assistance under Section 3311(b)(9) or 3319 of Title 38 of the United States Code by virtue of a relationship to a person who was discharged or released from a period of not fewer than ninety (90) days of active duty uniformed services, and enrolls in the course(s) concerned within five (5) years of the date the related person was discharged or released from a period of not fewer than ninety (90) days of active duty uniformed services; or
  • is a person who is the spouse/dependent of an individual currently serving as a member of the active, uniformed services of the United States on full-time, active duty status of more than thirty (30) days and is using Chapter 30 or 33 GI Bill benefits; or
  • is a recipient of the Marine Gunnery Sergeant John David Fry Scholarship and is using it as a GI Bill benefit.

Military Reserve Member on Full-Time Active Duty. Regardless of the residency of the student, dependent children or a spouse of a person who is currently serving as a member of the military reserve on full-time active duty of more than thirty (30) days and for whom Oklahoma is the home of record shall be eligible for in-state status.

Reserve Officer Training Corps (ROTC). A student shall be eligible for in-state status regardless of the residency of the student if the student is a person who is participating in or has received a partial or full scholarship from the Air Force Reserve Officers' Training Corps, Army Reserve Officers' Training Corps or the Navy/Marines Reserve Officers' Training Corps. “Participating” is defined as any student who is fully and actively participating in all aspects of the ROTC program (class, physical fitness training, leadership training (lab).

Reclassification. In addition to the aforementioned criteria, an independent person seeking to be reclassified as a resident of Oklahoma must meet the following criteria for the current and immediately preceding year:

  1. The person must not have been claimed as an exemption for state and federal tax purposes by their non resident parents.
  2. The person is self supporting as evidenced by having provided the majority of funds for their own upkeep.
  3. The person must have maintained a continuous residence in Oklahoma for the period set forth above.