• What Every Applicant Needs to Know
• How Can I Apply?
• Transfer Students Are Welcome, Too!
• International Students Enrich Our Community
• Meet the Challenge of the Honors Program
• Apply on Time!
• If You're Serious about Delaware, Apply Early
• High School Work May = College Credit
• Enter Delaware at the Time that's Right for You
• Academic Renewal May Allow You to Start Over
• New Student Orientation Gets You Ready for Success
• Earn an Associate Degree en route to a B.A. or B.S.
• Enjoy Flexibility with Interinstitutional Degree Programs

WHAT EVERY APPLICANT NEEDS TO KNOW

When applying for admission, most students also designate a major field of study, although the College of Arts and Science allows students to enter with an undeclared major status. Admission requirements vary from field to field, and some academic units may require evidence of special skills. Students who apply to the Music Department, for example, will be asked to perform an audition or take a music-skills test. Acceptance to certain programs tends to be competitive because enrollment is limited. Competitive majors include engineering and education.

In evaluating student applications, the Admissions Committee considers a broad range of criteria, including the depth and rigor of the college preparatory program; grades earned in specific courses (especially those related to an applicant's proposed field of study); overall grade-point index; class rank (if available); and standardized test scores. Evidence of special talents and abilities, recommendations from counselors and teachers, leadership qualities and recognition in extracurricular and community activities also can support a favorable decision. But, admission will not be guaranteed to the University or to a specific major, on the basis of specific class rank, test scores, pattern of high-school subjects, or performance.

The University seeks a diverse student body, and it strives to provide equal educational opportunities for all students. Under special circumstances, some promising applicants may not meet all the requirements set forth in this document. The Admissions Committee, therefore, pays particular attention to applications from foreign and returning students; students with disabilities; veterans; and individuals whose secondary education, income level or background have prevented them from meeting all admission requirements. Moreover, Delaware residents whose academic credentials do not initially support admission may reapply after successfully completing courses in the Division of Continuing Education. (For more information about this option, consult with an admissions officer.)

The University of Delaware reserves the right to refuse for good and sufficient reasons enrollment of any applicant.  Any applicant who is refused enrollment will, on written request, be provided with a written statement of the reasons for the refusal of enrollment.

Undergraduate students are free to change majors. But, new students-including freshmen and transfers-must remain in their designated colleges for at least one semester because openings in each college are fully allocated by the time classes begin. As spaces become available, students may apply for transfer to a major within another college. Transfers must be approved by the chair of the receiving department, and by the appropriate college dean. Before considering a transfer, students should contact the prospective department for information on its specific change-of-major requirements.

Final acceptance to certain degree programs may depend on a student's academic performance during the freshman and sophomore years. These programs include education, medical technology, visual communication, criminal justice, liberal studies, athletic training, the program leading to a Bachelor of Fine Arts, and the engineering program that requires simultaneous completion of requirements for bachelor's and master's degrees.

The University is eager to provide educational opportunities for older students, who may pursue an undergraduate degree to expand career opportunities or simply to take part in an exciting intellectual environment. In many cases, mature students can complete degree requirements by completing courses in the Division of Continuing Education. Qualified Delaware residents who are 60 years of age or older and who have been admitted to a degree program may attend undergraduate or graduate classes on a space-available basis without paying the application, course, registration or other fees. Such students must cover the cost of books, laboratory supplies and shop fees.

1. Applicants to the University must be graduates of accredited secondary schools or have equivalent credentials.

 
2. Applicants should graduate in the upper half of their high-school classes, preferably in the uppermost percentiles.

 
3. Applicants are required to submit SAT-I and/or ACT scores directly from the appropriate testing agency. For placement and advisement purposes, applicants are encouraged to submit scores on either the SAT-II (subject tests) or Advanced Placement Tests in their discipline.

 
4. Applicants should have a firm grasp of the basic academic skills of reading, writing, mathematics, sciences and foreign languages, as well as a strong commitment to academic achievement and learning. In some cases, the University may consider alternate proof of ability and seriousness of academic purpose. But, the best evidence is a strong high-school record with a wide range of courses, including the following post-eighth grade course work.  While minimum units are specified below, most of our admitted students take more than the minimum.

 
1. Four years of college preparatory English, including courses with extensive writing components.

 
2. Two years of college preparatory mathematics. (More than two years is recommended for students who wish to pursue degrees in nursing, biology, chemistry, and apparel design. For students in business and economics, engineering, mathematics, physics, computer science, nutritional sciences, and food science, four years of mathematics, including trigonometry, precalculus, or calculus, are strongly recommended.)

 
3. Two years of science, including one year of a laboratory science. (For study in the sciences or in related fields such as nursing, nutritional sciences, food science, or engineering, four years of science, including a physics course, are strongly recommended.)

 
4. Three years of social sciences, which must include two years of history, one of which should be world history.

 
5. Two years of study in the same foreign language. (Four years of study in the same foreign language is strongly recommended.)

Candidates for the Bachelor of Arts degree and many Bachelor of Science degrees must demonstrate intermediate-level proficiency in a foreign language. This requirement can be met in one of two ways:
1. Completion of the intermediate level course (107 or 112) in a given language.

 
2. Successful completion of an exemption examination by students who have completed four or more years of high school work in a single foreign language.
 
6. Three years of academic electives in fields such as English, mathematics, foreign languages, history, and social sciences or science. Academic electives do not include, for example, sports activities or driver education. The University urges high school students to take as many mathematics and foreign language courses as possible, with special attention to the selection of senior-year courses.

 
7. All entering students must submit a Personal and Family Medical History Form, verifying proper immunization against measles, mumps and rubella.

TRANSFER STUDENTS ARE WELCOME, TOO!

Prospective transfer students should submit secondary school credentials, along with a complete and official post-secondary transcript. (See How Can I Apply?) For transfer students who are Delaware residents, minimum requirements include a C average (or 2.0 grade-point index) in all previous college work. Out-of-state transfer applicants must have a grade-point index of at least 2.5. Some majors require a higher grade-point index, along with specific course work (see descriptions of individual majors).

To be accepted, transfer students must be in good standing with their current or most recently attended institution. The transfer applicant's total academic credentials are considered, including previously achieved grade-point index, the type of institution attended and performance in specific courses relating to the proposed field of study.

The University accepts baccalaureate credits from institutions that are fully accredited by the appropriate regional accrediting association. Credits, completed with a grade of C or higher, must be applicable to a degree program offered by the University. (Acceptance varies from program to program.) Some departments may require applicants to repeat outdated courses and/or course work completed more than seven calendar years earlier.

Transfer students are required to complete their last 30 credits at the University of Delaware. Work completed elsewhere is not included in the overall scholastic index used to determine eligibility for graduation; candidates for the baccalaureate degree must achieve at least a 2.0 grade-point index for work taken at this university.

Foreign students attending the University of Delaware represent over 100 countries. A Foreign Student and Scholar Advisor assists these students in adapting to their new environment and to the American educational system. (Please see chapter on Resources for Students.) English tutoring, orientation seminars, "homes away from home," educational field trips, and participation in community activities are included in the program for foreign students.

In addition to meeting the other requirements for admission, foreign students must submit a confidential financial form, which is available from the Admissions Office.  Also, the student for whom English is not a native language is required to demonstrate proficiency in English by submitting the results of the Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL). Some students may be encouraged to enroll in the University's or another language institute (see Resources for Students), before beginning studies on the campus. The University also offers a special course, English for Foreign Students, for those who need further assistance. Under federal law, the University is permitted to enroll nonimmigrant foreign students.

Students are admitted to the University Honors Program through a special application process. (Read more about the University Honors Program.) Honors students may select any academic major on campus. Although there are no rigid test-score or grade-point cutoffs, certain levels of achievement are typical of Honors students. Most Honors freshmen are in the top 5 percent of their high school graduating class, and nearly all are in the top 10 percent. The program enrolls approximately 450 freshmen each year. Last year, the middle 50 percent of Honors freshmen had high-school grade-point averages between 3.66 and 3.99 (on a 4-point scale), and Scholastic Aptitude Test scores between 1270 and 1390. The Honors Program also welcomes applications from sophomore- and junior-level transfer students. For more information, call (302) 831-1128.

For September (fall semester) admission, all application materials should be sent to the Admissions Office by the deadlline specified in the current admissions application; to be assured full consideration for academic scholarships and first choice of a major, all materials must be received by January 1. For February (spring semester) admission, application materials should be sent to the Admissions Office by the deadline specified in the current undergraduate admissions application.

The University's Early Decision Plan offers an earlier notification date to qualified freshman applicants who select Delaware as their first-choice institution. The application process is competitive, since Early Decision students are typically among the best in the applicant pool. Under this program, students who submit applications by the Early Decision deadline specified inthe current undergraduate admissions application are sent notification of a decision by December 15. Applications are reviewed by the Admissions Committee as well as the Scholarship Committee, which identifies candidates for Early Decision academic scholarships.

Early Decision applicants may be accepted, denied, or returned to the regular applicant pool for further consideration. Admission through this program is a binding commitment. Students offered Early Decision admission must withdraw all other college applications and submit the admission deposit and (if applicable) housing deposit to the University of Delaware by January 15. If the student demonstrates financial need that the University is not able to meet through a combination of loans and/or grants and Federal Work Study, he or she will be released from the Early Decision agreement.

The University recognizes competencies attained through its courses, through courses completed in secondary school, and through independent study. Students who earn scores of 3, 4 or 5 on Advanced Placement tests may earn credit for special competencies. Alternatively, credit based on examination results may be offered for some curricular areas. (See the Earn Credit by Examination section in the Academic Regulations chapter.) Advanced Placement test scores should be sent to the Admissions Office. For more information on Advanced Placement, contact the Admissions Office.

Admission or readmission to the University is granted for a specific semester, fall or spring. All offers of admission or readmission are contigent upon successful completion of all coursework in progress.  The University may cancel the acceptance of any student who fails to matriculate in the specified semester and/or who fails to successfully complete all coursework in progress. Any requests for deferred admission should be submitted in writing to the Admissions Office. The student's credentials are reevaluated in such cases, and the request may be granted, depending on the availability of space. In no circumstance will the Admissions Office return applications and supporting materials once they are submitted for consideration.

When a student leaves the University and later applies for readmission, he or she may wish to enter with a 'clean slate.' In such cases, academic deficit points may be pardoned through an academic renewal process. Students who return to the University after a separation of at least five calendar years are eligible for academic renewal if they earn a C in each course for 12 semester hours after returning to the University.

The following regulations govern this option:

1. Students must consult with the dean of the college in which the student plans to major, and course selection must be approved in writing before the student registers.

 
2. Readmitted students are eligible for academic renewal after successfully completing 12 credit hours worth of course work after return to the University, but students must apply for consideration. The process is not automatic.

 
3. All courses and grades will remain on the student's transcript. Courses set aside under the academic renewal policy will be identified.

 
4. Courses completed prior to readmission with a grade of C-minus or better may be counted toward the degree, but they will not be included in the student's grade index.

 
5. Academic renewal can be granted only once during the student's enrollment at the University.

New Student Orientation takes place in two phases. Phase One helps students accomplish academic tasks that must be completed to ensure a smooth first semester, and Phase Two eases the actual transition into the University environment. Orientation information is mailed to all new students.

Phase One. During the months of July (for the fall semester) and January (for spring), all new students are strongly encouraged to spend one full day on campus, participating in the first phase of New Student Orientation activities. (Special orientation activities are planned for parents, too.) Student activities typically include placement testing, a meeting with an academic advisor, registration for first-semester classes and opportunities to meet new and current students. After completing these activities, students receive their fall class schedule and official University of Delaware identification card, the UD#1 card.

Phase Two. To help students feel welcome and clarify their role in the University community, a second phase of orientation takes place  just prior to the fall and spring semesters. These activities-including informal meetings, group discussions, workshops, and social activities-give students a chance to meet faculty, staff and other classmates. Students also are encouraged to explore academic and co-curricular opportunities.

Students who satisfactorily complete the first 50 percent of curricular requirements for certain baccalaureate programs may earn an Associate in Arts (A.A.) or Associate in Science (A.S.) degree in either of two colleges: Arts and Science or Agricultural Sciences. A minimum of 60 credits is required for the Associate in Arts degree, while the Associate in Science degree requires a minimum of 60 to 62 credits. For part-time students, an associate degree can be a valuable intermediate goal, bridging the period between matriculation and the completion of a four-year baccalaureate degree. Students who hold jobs during the day may earn an associate degree by attending evening classes on a part-time basis.

Admission Requirements. Admission requirements for associate degrees are identical to the corresponding baccalaureate degree requirements. Prospective students must demonstrate scholastic aptitude, motivation for academic attainment, and adequate preparation for the degree curriculum. Successful completion of appropriate Continuing Education courses may satisfy these requirements in some cases.

Credits from another institution may be transferred. To be eligible for an associate degree, however, the student must complete more than half the required credits at the University of Delaware. Continuing Education students who have not yet been formally admitted to an associate-track program are encouraged to apply at the earliest possible date. (To receive an associate degree, Continuing Education students must earn at least 12 credits after formal admission to the University.)

Degree Requirements. Students seeking an Associate in Arts degree must complete the elementary-level course in a foreign language. For an Associate in Science degree, students should complete the elementary-level language course only if it is required for the corresponding Bachelor of Science degree. A minimum grade-point index of 2.0 is required for all associate degrees. One semester before completing all degree requirements, students must take part in a degree-checkout session, coordinated by the office of the appropriate college dean. Except for students in the Parallel Program, candidates should be enrolled in the degree-awarding college.

General Information. For more information about associate degrees and admission requirements, or for catalogs and needed forms, call the Office of Admissions (302/831-8123), the Division of Continuing Education ACCESS Centers (302/831-2741), the College of Agriculture and Natural Resources (302/831-2508), or the College of Arts and Science Advisement Center (302/831-1281). Educational counseling and academic advisement are available at the ACCESS Centers at locations in Wilmington, Newark, Dover and Georgetown. Students also may wish to refer to the College of Arts and Science and College of Agriculture and Natural Resources chapters of this catalog.

The University of Delaware, through an agreement with Delaware Technical & Community College, offers baccalaureate degrees to students who complete associate degrees in specific technologies. Students living in Kent and Sussex Counties may complete degree requirements by taking courses at University facilities in southern Delaware. It may be possible for part-time students to complete all course work during the late afternoon and evening. For information on associate/bachelor's degree programs currently offered, please consult the contacts listed below.
 

Criminal Justice	Professor Eric Rise	831-8679
Early Childhood Development and Education	Dean Susan McLaughlin	831-2301
Engineering Technology	Professor Kenneth Lomax	831-2468
Family and Community Services	Dean Susan McLaughlin	831-2301
General Agriculture	Dean Lesa Griffiths	831-2508
Hotel, Restaurant and Institutional Management	Dean Susan McLaughlin	831-2301
Medical Technology	Professor Anna Ciulla	831-2849

 

Back to  Home Page | Back to  Catalog Contents

---

Questions?