Augustana University

What is the accreditation of Augustana University?

Augustana University is institutionally accredited by the Higher Learning Commission (HLC). Institutional accreditation evaluates the university as a whole; it is different from accreditation or approval that may apply to a particular professional program.

HLC accreditation is important for institutional eligibility to participate in federal student aid programs. It can also matter when students seek further education or transfer credit, but another institution makes its own decision about whether to accept particular courses. Students considering a licensed profession, especially nursing or teaching, should separately verify the current program approval, any applicable specialized accreditation, and the licensing rules in the state where they intend to work. Institutional accreditation alone does not establish eligibility for every professional license.

What are the admission requirements at Augustana University?

First-year applicants to Augustana generally apply with a secondary-school academic record showing completion of high school or an accepted equivalent. Admissions information identifies the high school transcript and GPA as required parts of the review; class rank and recommendations may be considered but are not required.

Augustana does not have an open-admission policy. In the reported first-year admissions cycle, it admitted 2,044 of 3,017 applicants, an acceptance rate of about 68%. That describes a past applicant pool, not an individual applicant's likelihood of admission. SAT and ACT scores were considered but not required in the reported admissions criteria. Among enrolled first-year students, 7% submitted SAT scores and 53% submitted ACT scores, so the reported score medians describe test submitters rather than the entire class.

Applicants whose first language is not English may need to document English proficiency; the reported admissions criteria identify TOEFL as required. International applicants should confirm which tests and exemptions Augustana currently accepts. Applicants to programs with clinical, performance or professional components should also check for requirements that arise after general university admission. Because forms, deadlines and test policies can change by entry term, the current admissions instructions should govern an application.

What are the application fees and waivers at Augustana University?

Application charges should be checked for the specific Augustana University application route and applicant category before submission. An application fee, if charged, is separate from an enrollment deposit or any later housing payment.

Applicants using the university's application or a shared application platform should review the fee shown before submitting and, if needed, request an available waiver through that route in advance. First-year, transfer, international and graduate applications need not use identical procedures. A student who qualifies for a need-based application-fee waiver should confirm the required documentation before paying, because paying first may not be reversible.

What types of ROTC programs are available at Augustana University?

Augustana students have a reported Air Force ROTC option through a cooperating host institution rather than an Air Force ROTC unit operated on Augustana's campus. Participation through another school can require travel and a schedule that accommodates military-science courses and training.

Students interested in commissioning should confirm the current cross-enrollment arrangement directly with Augustana and the ROTC host before planning a semester around it. They should ask which branch programs are presently open to Augustana students, where training takes place, and how ROTC courses count toward a degree. ROTC scholarships have separate selection rules; participation and scholarship awards can carry service obligations, so those terms need to be understood before accepting an offer.

What are the requirements for transfer students at Augustana University?

Augustana accepts transfer applicants and generally considers credit earned at other accredited institutions. Fall and spring entry are reported options, but admission to the university and acceptance of each prior course are separate decisions.

A transfer applicant should expect to provide official college transcripts and follow any instructions for prior high school records. Course evaluation depends on such factors as the sending institution, course content, grades and the requirements of the intended Augustana major. Augustana also reports accepting Advanced Placement and CLEP credit; applicants should verify current score thresholds and whether a credit fulfills a major requirement or only counts as an elective.

For a useful degree-completion estimate, request a written evaluation that shows both transferred credits and remaining requirements. This is especially important for sequenced majors, teacher preparation and nursing, where a large number of accepted credits may not translate into the same number of semesters saved.

What types of study abroad programs are available at Augustana University?

Augustana offers international education opportunities that can include longer study-abroad experiences and shorter, course-connected travel. The right option depends on a student's major, academic calendar, finances and the approval required for credit.

Students should distinguish a course led or arranged by Augustana from an exchange or outside-provider program: the application process, tuition treatment, housing arrangements and transfer of credit may differ. Before making nonrefundable travel commitments, they should obtain approval for how proposed courses will satisfy degree requirements. Financial aid eligibility, scholarships, passport and visa needs, and any clinical or student-teaching schedule also warrant early review.