Undergraduate Admission and Expenses

The University of Scranton is a selective institution, offering a flexible liberal arts education in the Jesuit tradition of cura personalis (care for each person and the whole person).

Admission

In reaching the admissions decision, the Admissions Committee of The University of Scranton considers a number of factors: academic ability, intellectual curiosity, strength of character and motivation, as evidenced by the student’s cumulative GPA, class rank, SAT I and/or ACT scores, extracurricular activities, personal essay and letter of recommendation.

University Information

The Office of Undergraduate Admissions offers prospective students a wide variety of information about The University of Scranton through various publications. Prospective students can request materials by contacting:

Office of Undergraduate Admissions
The Estate, The University of Scranton
Scranton, PA 18510
Telephone: (570) 941-7540 or
                      1-888-SCRANTON
Fax: (570) 941-5928
E-mail: admissions@scranton.edu
Web: admissions.scranton.edu

Required High School Preparation

Students wishing to enroll in any of the undergraduate programs offered by the University must have completed a total of 16 or more high school academic units covering grades 9-12. The term “unit” refers to a high school course taught four or five hours weekly throughout an academic year of 36 weeks’ duration. Unit requirements and preferred distribution of secondary courses are given in the table below.

Applicants without high school credit in modern languages may be accepted if they present 16 acceptable units. A single year of language in high school will not be counted as a unit to satisfy the requirements for admission.

Mathematics includes elementary, intermediate and advanced algebra; plane and solid geometry; trigonometry; analysis; and any other college-preparatory course. Applicants for science and engineering programs must include trigonometry and must have earned a grade of 85 in each mathematics course. Applicants for the nursing program should include chemistry and biology in their high school programs.

Science includes biology, chemistry, physics and other college-preparatory courses. Engineering applicants are urged to include physics in their high school preparation.

Submitting an Application

Students should apply during the first semester of their senior year of high school. The early action deadline is November 15. For all applicants, early action offers will be made on December 15. From that time on, all applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis with a one- to two-week turnaround and a preferred final application deadline of March 1.

Students may apply online for free using the Common Application; for more information, visit scranton.edu/apply. Students must also request an official high school transcript from their guidance office and a letter of recommendation from their school counselor.

The SAT (College Entrance Examination Board) or the ACT (American College Testing) exam is accepted. These tests should be taken during the junior year and/or senior year of high school. During Summer Orientation, the University administers its own placement tests. Therefore, applicants are not required to take the SAT II, nor is the writing component of the ACT required.

A select group of students may apply SAT/ACT Optional, as the Admissions Committee recognizes that standardized test scores are not always indicative of a student’s academic ability or potential. To apply SAT/ACT Optional, a student must be in the top 30% of the class or have a 3.0 GPA (4.0 scale) if the school does not report rank. Upon the initial review of the student’s transcript, SAT and/or ACT scores may be requested.

Students applying to certain programs must submit standardized scores and may not apply SAT/ACT Optional. For a list of these excluded programs, and for more information about applying SAT/ACT Optional, visit scranton.edu/testoptional.

Confirmation Fee

Accepted students who wish to confirm their place in the freshman class should submit a non-refundable confirmation deposit by May 1 of $300 for residential students or $150 for commuter students.

Advanced Placement

Applicants who have taken college-level courses in high school may be placed in advanced courses and may be given credits as well. Students who have been accepted for admission and desire to apply for such placement must take the Advanced Placement Examination offered in May by the College Entrance Examination Board, collegeboard.com. Students can have their results sent automatically to the University by providing the school code (2929). For more information on AP credits, visit scranton.edu/APcredit.

Biology, Biomathematics, Neuroscience or Physiology majors, or students who will eventually apply for admission to the Doctor of Physical Therapy program, cannot be granted AP Biology credits. Students pursuing a pre-medical program should be aware that many medical schools do not accept AP credit for required pre-medical courses.

International Baccalaureate Policy

The University of Scranton recognizes the academic quality of the International Baccalaureate (IB) curriculum. Students who have completed higher-level (HL) IB courses and who demonstrate a substantial level of achievement as represented by their performance on the relevant IB examination(s), with a score of 5 or better, may earn advanced placement credit. For more information on IB credits, visit scranton.edu/IBcredit.

College-Level Examination Program (CLEP)

Through the CLEP tests, taken before admission, applicants may gain college credit in most academic subjects for work done outside the classroom in jobs, military service, etc., or in non-accredited institutions. For further information, visit collegeboard.com. Students wishing to be considered for CLEP credits should take the CLEP examinations and have the results forwarded to the Office of Undergraduate Admissions.

For more information, please contact the Office of the Registrar and Academic Services at registrar@scranton.edu.

International Students

The University of Scranton has been educating international students since 1946 and remains committed to that tradition. At present, 36 different countries are represented by undergraduate and graduate students.

The University’s Office of Global Education provides international students with advice, support and resources to ensure a smooth transition to a new culture and educational system. Additional information about support programs and services for international students can be found later in this catalog in the section on the Office of Global Education.

The University has a house on campus that serves as a mosque for the use of Muslim students. It is available for daily prayers as well as the Friday prayer.

Students with Disabilities

The University of Scranton complies with all applicable laws and regulations with respect to the accommodation of handicaps and disabilities as these terms are defined in law. The University will provide reasonable accommodations so students can fully participate in curricular and extracurricular activities. Students who need assistance should make timely contact with the Center for Teaching and Learning Excellence at (570) 941-4038. For more information, please visit scranton.edu/ctle.

Special Admission Programs

Gonzaga Program

Our Gonzaga Program, named for St. Aloysius Gonzaga, the patron saint of students, is part of the supportive community at The University of Scranton that shares the more than 450-year-old heritage of Jesuit education. Students in the Gonzaga Program are prepared not just for a career, but for life, as we promote “magis,” a culture of excellence. The Gonzaga Program is designed to support students’ transition from high school to college. Our Gonzaga Program will strengthen critical thinking, reading, writing and verbal skills that are essential for academic achievement at the collegiate level.

Gonzaga students are part of a cohort group for the required Gonzaga coursework which provides smaller class sizes for personalized attention from professors and a collaborative peer support network. In this setting, students can grow their knowledge and skills while working as part of a community and developing leadership skills. The Gonzaga Program is conducted over the course of the freshman year and provides students with courses in research and study skills, as well as writing support, coordinated instruction, academic advising, tutoring and mentoring. Students who successfully complete the courses, including those required in the Gonzaga Program, will have earned sophomore status.

The Gonzaga Program core of courses consists of EDUC 113 - Reading-Research  , First Year Seminars , COMM 100 - (FYOC) Public Speaking , WRTG 105 - College Writing I , and WRTG 106 - (FYW) College Writing II . Members of the Gonzaga Program will be assigned to the same sections for all five of these courses. You will become a member of a community of students with the same goal: to use these courses to improve and sharpen the skills you will need for your college career. The faculty members assigned to these courses also work as a community. Faculty collaborates so that the curriculum emphasizes the connections among the courses and provides the best opportunity to improve verbal and written skills. Students in the Gonzaga Program may be subject to dismissal if they do not successfully complete the core courses with a grade of C or better. For more information, please visit https://scranton.edu/gonzagaprogram or contact the Center for Teaching and Learning Excellence or at (570) 941-4038.

Additional Admission Opportunities & Circumstances

Adult Students

The degree-seeking adult student is someone who is:

• Over the age of 24 upon the first day of the entry term, applying for a first or second Bachelor’s degree, Associate’s degree or a Certificate program.

Adult undergraduate admission at The University of Scranton is based on the applicant’s academic record, life experiences and motivation to continue education. The Adult Freshman and Adult Transfer application can be submitted for free online at scranton.edu/apply. 

To complete the application file, the candidate must submit the following credentials: official high school records, personal statement, letter of recommendation, and official transcript(s) from all post-secondary institutions. Official transcripts must be submitted whether or not credit was earned. The preferred deadlines for submitting an application are August 1 for fall entry and December 15 for the spring semester. Special Orientation sessions are held for degree seeking students just prior to the start of the respective term.

Transfer credit is reviewed on an individual basis after the student is accepted. Advanced standing will be granted for previously completed courses from regionally accredited institutions when: they are equivalent or comparable to courses at the University; the student receives a grade of C or better; and the courses meet requirements for the degree program. If the student changes the major at a later date, a new review of transfer credits will be made at that time, and the student will be given a written evaluation clearly indicating how transfer credits apply to the new major. In all cases, for a bachelor’s degree, students must earn a minimum of 63 credits at The University of Scranton. It should be noted that most departments require that at least half of the credits in the student’s major be taken here at the University.

Additionally, adult undergraduate students may have the opportunity to earn credit for “experiential learning” outside of regionally accredited college or university instruction such as through work, military service or non-accredited institutions. The primary avenue to seeking such credit is through CLEP examinations (collegeboard.com). In addition, an internal “portfolio” process and credit by exam may be available for certain courses; students wishing to have this learning assessed must document relevant experiences, as well as knowledge gained, for evaluation by faculty from the relevant academic departments. Those evaluators may recommend to the student’s dean the award of credit if applicable to the student’s program of study. A maximum of 30 credits may be awarded for all extra-instructional learning (with the exception of AP) such as CLEP, portfolio evaluation and Scranton credit by exam.

Certificates for Academic Credit

A certificate program is an educational opportunity to gain professional knowledge or training in a specific field before or after pursuing a degree.  The courses a certificate student takes are part of the regular curriculum of the University. Certificate programs are comprised of eight academic credit courses that are recorded permanently on the student’s transcript. Some certificates also include guided learning experiences.

In order to earn a certificate, a student must maintain at least a C average in the certificate courses and must successfully complete any other requirements as stipulated for a specific certificate program. Generally, no more than six credits may be transferred into a certificate program. In certain certificate programs, the required courses may be waived on the basis of prior experience.

The Certificate program offered at the University that are Title IV eligible include:

Health Administration Certificate  

Certificate programs offered at the University that are not Title IV eligible include:

Personnel Management Certificate  

Human Resources Studies Certificate  

Students enrolled in a 24-credit certificate program, taking at least six credits per semester, may be eligible for financial aid. The Financial Aid Office should be contacted for further details.

Application to a certificate program is made online through the Office of Admissions by visiting scranton.edu/apply.

Second Baccalaureate Degree

University of Scranton graduates and persons with good scholastic records and a baccalaureate degree from a regionally accredited institution may apply to earn a second baccalaureate degree at The University of Scranton. The adult application for admission can be submitted for free online at scranton.edu/apply.

Candidates for a second baccalaureate degree are expected to complete a minimum of 30 credits at The University of Scranton beyond the completion of the studies for the first degree, of which at least 15 credits must be in the second degree’s major. Students must complete all requirements for the second degree not covered by the first degree program for the major and cognate courses. All prerequisites for major and cognate courses must also be completed. Official transcripts from all post-secondary institutions attended are required.

No semester hours from the first baccalaureate degree can be used toward this 30-credit requirement. Grades for courses taken by University of Scranton graduates after completion of the requirements for the first baccalaureate degree will have no effect on the final grade point average of the first degree.

Self-Improvement

Students who do not plan to work toward a degree or a certificate must file an online application for admission as a self-improvement student. Those who are applying for personal gain must submit an official transcript from all post-secondary institutions attended; if none, please submit the high school transcript including SAT/ACT scores. Students who are applying to fulfill graduate school prerequisites must submit a listing of prerequisite courses required for entry into the intended graduate program, along with official transcripts from all post-secondary institutions attended. The application for admission can be submitted for free online at scranton.edu/apply.

Visiting Students

An undergraduate student matriculated to another college or university who wishes to take courses at The University of Scranton and transfer the credit back to their home college may do so as a visiting student. A visiting student online application is required, along with written approval from the dean or other authorized administrator of the home college, for all specified courses to be taken. The University of Scranton does not guarantee transferability of its courses. Reader courses are not available for visiting students. Visiting students taking more than one course in any semester are required to attend orientation. The visiting student application for admission can be submitted for free online at scranton.edu/apply.

High School Scholars/Dual Enrollment Program

Offered to rising juniors and seniors who have demonstrated strong achievement in high school, The University of Scranton High School Scholars Program gives students the chance to earn college credits at a greatly reduced rate. Courses are the same as those offered to college students, giving high school students an opportunity to experience college-level work before entering college.

Dual enrollment agreements exist with several local school districts. These agreements allow for students to use their college credits toward their high school graduation requirements. In addition, some districts have secured state grant funds to help offset the expenses of enrollment. Interested students should check with their guidance offices to see if their school is a participating dual enrollment school.

Eligibility and Requirements

• High school students must have completed their sophomore or junior year with a minimum of a 3.3 (B+) grade point average.
• Students may take one course each term – fall, spring, summer I, summer II – until graduating from high school.
• Students may enroll for a maximum of 3 credits per session. Individual exceptions may be made if GPA/SAT scores substantiate the request.
• Registrations will be processed on a space-available basis. Students will be responsible for tuition and applicable fees.
• Successfully completed courses (C or better) are awarded University of Scranton credits, typically 3 credits per course, and are accepted towards a degree at The University of Scranton.
• Courses may be taken for credit at a special tuition rate of $175 per credit.

High school students must submit the online application, an official high school transcript, a course-specific recommendation from the high school guidance counselor and PSAT/SAT scores may be requested in some cases. For more information, please visit scranton.edu/hsscholars.

Students enrolled in the High School Scholars Program for the fall or spring terms must update their High School Scholars applications with a new transcript, SAT scores (if available) and registration form in order to be able to register for High School Scholars classes in the summer term.

Business High School Scholars Program

The University of Scranton Business High School Scholars Program offers local students the opportunity to take business courses on campus at a greatly reduced rate. Current sophomore and junior students who have demonstrated high academic achievement may apply to start the program in the summer term.

Eligibility and Requirements

• Applicants should be local high school students who will be completing their sophomore or junior year with a minimum of a 3.3 (B+) grade point average.
• Students who have previously participated in the High School Scholars Program can contact Admissions directly for enrollment information.
• Students may take one course each term – Fall, Spring, Summer I, Summer II – until they graduate from high school.
• Students may enroll for a maximum of 3 credits per session. Individual exceptions may be made if GPA/SAT scores substantiate the request.
• Registrations will be processed on a space available basis. Students will be responsible for tuition and applicable fees.
• Successfully completed courses (C or better) are given University of Scranton credit, typically 3 credits per course, and are accepted toward a degree at The University of Scranton.
• Courses may be taken for credit at a special tuition rate of $175 per credit (more than 80% off the regular tuition rate). Financial assistance with tuition and books may be available for eligible students.

High school students must submit the online application, an official high school transcript, a course-specific recommendation from the high school guidance counselor and PSAT/SAT scores may be requested in some cases. For more information, please visit scranton.edu/bhsscholars.

Transfer Student Admission

Any student under the age of 24 who has attended a post-secondary institution after high school graduation and wishes to transfer to The University of Scranton must submit a transfer student Common Application for free online at scranton.edu/apply. To complete the application, the candidate must submit the following credentials: official high school record, SAT/ACT scores (may be requested), personal statement, letter of recommendation, official transcript(s) from all post-secondary institutions attended and Dean of Students Certification and Recommendation Form from all post-secondary institutions attended after high school graduation. Official transcripts must be submitted whether or not credit was earned. The preferred application deadlines are August 1 for fall entry and December 15 for the spring semester.

Transfer credit is reviewed on an individual basis after the student is accepted. Advanced standing will be granted for previously completed courses from accredited institutions when: they are equivalent or comparable in nature, content, method of instruction, level and rigor to courses at the University; the student receives a grade of C or better; and the courses meet requirements for the degree program. A grade of Pass or Satisfactory is not acceptable for transfer credit.   For courses in a sequence, students need to demonstrate sufficient preparation to succeed in the next course in the sequence. If the student changes the major at a later date, a new review of transfer credits will be made at that time upon a student’s request, and the student will be given a written evaluation clearly indicating how transfer credits apply to the new major.

The University shall determine if it will accept credits granted by an institution outside the United States on a case by case basis.  Institutions outside of the United States must be recognized as degree granting institutions by their home country.  A standardized international credit evaluation, such as WES, is required in order to determine transfer credit equivalency(ies). 

Students who have taken Advanced Placement (scranton.edu/APcredit), International Baccalaureate (scranton.edu/IBcredit) or CLEP (clep@info.collegeboard.org) credit exams may be given credit as well. Official test score reports must be submitted to the Office of Admissions for review. 

In all cases, for a bachelor’s degree, students must earn a minimum of 63 credits at The University of Scranton. It should be noted that most departments require that at least half of the credits in the student’s major be taken here at the University. Transfer credit is recorded as a grade of “TC” on the student’s transcript.  Credits earned through transfer or credit exams become part of the student’s permanent academic record.

Special Orientation sessions are held for transfer students just prior to the start of the respective term. All official documentation should be sent to: Office of Transfer Admissions, The Estate, The University of Scranton, 800 Linden Street, Scranton, PA 18510. 

For more information, please contact Deborah A. Lipinski, Senior Assistant Director of Transfer & Adult Admissions, at (570) 941-4839 or transfer@scranton.edu.

Validation of Business Transfer Courses

Students may validate courses taken at a non-AACSB institution by successfully completing one or more advanced courses in the subject for which the course in transfer is a foundation course. Approval is granted by the Dean of the Kania School of Management. This applies only to lower-division transfer courses which the University offers at the upper-division level.

Tuition Payments

Each semester an invoice for your registered coursework, room and board if applicable, will be made available on your my.scranton portal. An ebill notice will be sent to your Scranton email account. The semester charges are payable by the due date listed on the invoice. You can return the Remittance Form available with your ebill with a check, pay via e-check or credit card (fee attached) using the ebill, enroll in a monthly payment plan, or complete a loan application through Financial Aid to pay the balance.

Without exception, lab fees must be paid for all courses with a lab requirement. Also, the University Fee must be paid by all College of Arts and Sciences, Panuska College of Professional Studies and Kania School of Management students registered for courses.

No student shall be permitted to receive any degree, certificate or transcript of record until the student’s financial account with the University has been settled. For students who graduate or withdraw from the University, any financial account not settled with the University Bursar’s Office will be forwarded to an external collection agency. At the time an account is placed with an agency, collection costs become the responsibility of the student, and they will be added to the balance due to the University.

Monthly Payments

The University accepts monthly payment through participation with Nelnet Business Solutions.  For information regarding our monthly payment plan, please go to scranton.edu/financialaid.

Tuition Insurance

The University, through A.W.G. Dewar, Inc., provides the Tuition Refund Plan (TRP). The plan helps protect your educational investment. When combined with the University’s published refund policy, reimbursement totaling 100% of tuition and room and board charges billed by the University will be made if you must withdraw from a term because of a personal illness or accident. In case of withdrawal due to a mental or nervous disorder, 60% of the above charges are covered. Application information is available from the Bursar’s Office or you may call A.W.G. Dewar, Inc. at (617) 774-1555.

Alumni Discount

Individuals who have previously earned a baccalaureate degree from The University of Scranton and are taking undergraduate, credit-bearing courses are eligible for 50% tuition reduction.

Family Tuition Reduction

The family tuition-reduction policy applies whenever two or more dependent children from the same family are in attendance during the same semester at the University as full-time undergraduate students. The reduction also applies whenever at least one dependent child in a family is in attendance at the University as a full-time undergraduate student and a parent is enrolled full-time as an undergraduate student. The tuition deduction is equivalent to each student’s semester tuition multiplied by 10%. The Family Tuition Reduction form must be completed each year to receive the reduction for that year. Forms and additional information may be obtained from the Bursar’s Office (Web site: scranton.edu/bursar).

Tuition Policy for VA Education Benefit Recipients

Students eligible for entitlement to educational assistance through the VA under Chapter 31, Vocational Rehabilitation and Employment or Chapter 33, Post- 9/11 GI Bill®  benefits must submit a Certificate of Eligibility or Statement of Benefits from the VA to the University. Students are also required to complete the University form, Request for Certification, each semester which permits us to certify eligibility to the VA for that semester timeframe. Upon meeting these requirements and calculation of VA expected benefits that will cover the student balance, the University will not impose any penalty which includes the assessment of late fees, denial of access to classes or require a covered individual to borrow additional funds due to the delayed disbursement of funding from the VA under chapter 31 or 33.

Tuition Policy for Senior Citizens

Persons 60 years of age or older may audit undergraduate courses at the University at no tuition charge on a “space-available” basis. Fees and other costs of courses (e.g., textbooks) are assessed at the normal rate. The student must complete the senior-citizen-tuition waiver form and the registration process.

Persons 60 years of age or older may take undergraduate courses for credit at 50 percent tuition. These reductions are applicable only after the person has applied for and received any form of financial assistance normally available (e.g., state and federal assistance, employer reimbursement). The student must complete the senior-citizen-tuition waiver form and the registration process.

Senior-citizen students must complete the full application process, including submission of all official transcripts.

Tuition Refunds

The tuition refund calendar applies to all University students. The amount of tuition refund is dependent on the formal date of withdrawal. Both tuition and fees are refundable during the 100% refund period of a semester. During the partial refund periods, the refund percentage applies only to tuition; laboratory and special service fees are not refundable.

A student billed flat-rate tuition who drops a course(s) within a semester, yet remains enrolled for the semester, may be entitled to a refund following the calendar under two scenarios. If the total course load remaining is below the flat-rate tuition minimum credit load (12 credits), then an applicable refund will calculate. Or, if prior to dropping the course(s), the student’s course load was greater than the flat-tuition maximum credit load (18 credits), an applicable refund will calculate.

Recipients of Federal Title IV Financial Aid who completely withdraw are governed by the Federal Refund Policy detailed in the Financial Aid section of the catalog.

Health Insurance

All students must be covered by adequate health insurance. Unexpected serious illness or injury can have a great impact on college financial plans. University fees cover visits to Student Health Services with care by registered nurses, nurse practitioners or physicians. However, care by community providers such as laboratory, X-ray, private physician or specialists, hospital emergency department visits, or hospital admission are subject to insurance coverage or private payment. Students may contact Student Health Services for further information.

Student Identification Cards

The University of Scranton provides students with a “one card” photo-identification system – the Royal Card. Every student attending the University must have a current Royal Card. This card must be presented upon demand for student services in the fitness center, athletic facilities and library. The Royal card is used for management of meal plans in the dining facilities, access to residence halls and secured administrative buildings, photocopying and printing in the library, and as a debit card account for many Point of Sale, vending and laundry locations on campus. For more information about the Royal Card, contact the Technology Support Center at (570) 941-4357 or scranton.edu/royalcard.

Tuition and Fees 2020-2021

Adult Undergraduate Tuition and Fees 2020-2021