Undergraduate Admissions and Orientation

Undergraduate Admissions and Orientation

The Office of Undergraduate Admissions and Orientation serves to recruit, admit, and enroll undergraduate students who are academically prepared to succeed and graduate from the University of Memphis. The Office of Undergraduate Admissions and Orientation attracts freshman, transfer and international undergraduate students to join the University of Memphis student community at Memphis, Lambuth (located in Jackson, Tennessee) and UofM Global (the University of Memphis online degree programs).

The University of Memphis Office of Undergraduate Admissions and Orientation has three locations. The office location for recruitment, campus visits, and orientation are located at 101 Wilder Tower.  The office for Undergraduate application operations is located at 204 Wilder Tower. The Admissions and Orientation Office at the Lambuth campus is located at 705 Lambuth Blvd. Jackson, TN 38301.  All offices are open from 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., Monday through Friday. To contact, please call (901) 678-2111, email recruitment@memphis.edu or visit the Admissions website at http://www.memphis.edu/admissions. 

Come visit the Undergraduate Admissions and Orientation Office for the following assistance: 
• Information on general admission—please use the online form
• To setup a True Blue Tiger account to check application status
• To take a campus tour
• To sign up for New Student Orientation

The New Student Orientation program, which is required for all first time degree-seeking students, is held during the summer for new freshmen and transfer students. The New Student Orientation program equips new students and families with the campus knowledge of curriculum, resources and technology to facilitate their transition and development to become successful students at the UofM.

During New Student Orientation, students meet with an academic advisor, plan their course schedule, and register for classes. Even though advisors help students select the appropriate courses, this does not relieve students of their responsibility to study the Undergraduate Catalog and fulfill all of the requirements for their specific degree program. (Note: Before students attain senior standing, they should consult with the college level advisor or graduation analyst of the college regarding fulfillment of requirements for their degree.)

The University of Memphis offers equal educational opportunity to all persons without regard to race, religion, sex, creed, color, national origin, or disability. Inquiries about admission to any college of the University should be addressed to the Office of Undergraduate Admissions and Orientation. This office receives and processes all applications, evaluates credentials, and admits qualified students. Undergraduate applications may receive full consideration for review if received by the priority deadline dates.  Applications received after that date will be reviewed on a case-by-case basis.

The University of Memphis encourages all those who feel they can benefit from the educational opportunities offered by the institution to submit an application for admission. Consideration is given to educational background, standardized test scores, high school and/or college grades, any college attendance demographics, and any other special talents and/or special circumstances which may affect the applicant’s academic performance.

Certain instructional programs of the University are subject to special admission requirements and are subject to change according to the availability of institutional resources. Students wishing to enter one of these programs of study should check with the appropriate department or division offering the program in order to become familiar with these special requirements. Undergraduate programs with special admission requirements include, but are not limited to, professional degrees in art, music, or theatre (Bachelor of Fine Arts or Bachelor of Music), teacher education, educational services, nursing, and the College of Professional & Liberal Studies.

Students are encouraged to apply as early as possible. Early admission contributes to better orientation, course planning, class scheduling and financial aid and scholarship consideration. High school students planning to apply as freshmen should submit applications as soon as possible after completion of their junior year. The application for fall is usually available in August of the year preceding the upcoming fall term. The application should be completed and submitted online at http://apply.memphis.edu.  The application fee may be paid by credit card or electronic check.

Credentials will be maintained for a 12-month period. After this period, credentials will be destroyed and must be submitted again before an admission decision can be made.

The priority deadlines for submitting an application for admission are: July 1 for the fall semester, December 1 for the spring semester, and May 1 for the summer session. Although application deadlines are listed above, registration for new students occurs much earlier. For example, new fall students register in June. Applications received after these deadlines may be delayed in processing or updated to the next semester.

These regulations are subject to change without notice.

Admission as Degree-seeking Undergraduates

• First-time Freshman Applicants
• Transfer Applicants
• International Students Applicants
• Dual Enrollment High School Applicant
• Readmission (Returning Students) Applicant

Admission as Non-Degree Undergraduates

Applicants who wish to apply in one of the special categories listed below are encouraged to apply by the same deadlines as stated above. While applications may be accepted until the first day of registration for the term for which the student is applying, no guarantee of admission will be made after the deadline has passed. Special category applicants who have attended other colleges will not have their previous college work evaluated for transfer until they have been approved for admission as regular undergraduates. An applicant who has applied as a degree-seeking undergraduate and was denied admission must generally wait a fall or spring semester or six months before applying for admission at the non-degree level.

Those who are admitted as non-degree students are not required to have an advisor. However, if non-degree students desire an advisor, they are assigned to the Academic Counseling Center for advising. Non-degree undergraduate students may not take more than 18 semester hours of work in a single term nor may they earn more than 24 semester hours total. This limit may be extended if there has been enrollment at another institution since last attending the University of Memphis.

Non-Degree Applicant

Special Non-Degree Admission Categories

Dual Enrollment High School Applicant

Freshman Admission Requirements

The University of Memphis evaluates candidates for admission on a rolling, space-available basis.  All information provided in support of an applicant, including both academic and non-academic factors, are considered during a comprehensive review of every application. The Admissions Committee evaluates each applicant to determine if there is sufficient evidence to suggest that the student is capable of success at the University of Memphis. At times, more information may be requested by the committee to help make a better, more informed decision.

First-time Freshman Applicants

A high school graduate who has no post-high college enrollment may be considered for admission as a first-time freshman by completing the application for admission and submitting the following to the Admissions Office:

1. A final transcript of all high school credits: Early decisions can be made by submitting partial transcripts (6th or 7th semester). Transcripts hand delivered by the student must be received in a sealed envelope with school’s official insignia. If any courses have been taken for dual enrollment credit, the institution(s) granting credit must be contacted by the applicant and asked to send an official transcript to the University of Memphis, Office of Undergraduate Admissions and Orientation. Students who do not present one unit of American History are required to register for the course during their first or second year at the University.
2. The score report of the American College Testing program (ACT) or the Scholastic Aptitude Test (SAT): The score report is a necessary part of the application and the test date should be no more than five years old at the time of enrollment.
3. A non-refundable application fee of $25.00.
4. Any additional items and information requested in the application materials by the Office of Undergraduate Admissions and Orientation.

Note: the freshmen admit initiative (approved by the university in 2015) is a unique practice that allows the applicants’ file to be completed and decisioned prior to receipt of an application fee.  Moreover, some applicant decisions will be made using self-reported GPA and standardized test scores.  All admitted students will receive correspondence to pay the application fee and submit official academic documents prior to enrollment. 

High School Curriculum Required For Admission

No high school curriculum can assure that a given student will acquire desired learning outcomes; however, the absence of certain components greatly increases the likelihood that the student will not acquire those outcomes and reduces the likelihood that the student will enjoy maximum benefits of a college experience. The justification for colleges’ recommending or requiring specific high school units for admission is to reduce the likelihood that a student will be unprepared for effective work in college and to increase maximum benefits a student may enjoy.

The following specific high school units will receive strong consideration in the review for admission of a freshman applicant. 

Students who do not take one or more of these required courses, may still be considered for admission.

• English (4 units recommended): Units in this category must address reading and literature, writing, speaking and listening, and principles concerning the English language. Extensive experience in reading and writing should characterize all courses.
• Visual And/Or Performing Arts (l unit recommended): Units in this category should include a survey of the arts (visual arts, theater, music, and dance) or active participation in one or more of the arts.
• Mathematics (4 units recommended): Units in this category should include Algebra I, Algebra II, geometry and an advanced course with geometry as a major component. Students are recommended to take a fourth unit in computing, advanced mathematics, or statistics. All college freshmen will benefit by having studied mathematics as seniors.
• Natural And Physical Sciences (2 units recommended): Units in this category should include mathematical skills, fundamental concepts, and some laboratory and field work. At least one unit must address detailed knowledge in the more traditional fields of biology, chemistry, or physics and must include a laboratory.
• Social Studies (1 unit recommended): For students graduating prior to spring 1993, the unit in this category may include: history, government, geography, economics, sociology, psychology, or anthropology. For students graduating in the spring 1993 or thereafter, this unit must come from the following: modern history, ancient history, world history, world geography, or European history.
• US History (1 unit required): This is in addition to the Social Studies requirement.
• Foreign Language (2 units recommended): Two units in a single foreign language are recommended in this category.

These stipulated high school units are not intended to specify what the total high school curriculum should be. Secondary schools seek to meet the needs of various student clienteles, one of which is the college-bound student. The stipulations are an attempt to make a strategic application of academic competencies. They reflect the bridge from specific desired learning outcomes to a list of recommended college admission criteria. That list is composed of high school units presumed most likely to result in the required learning outcomes. For the sake of clarity, one unit constitutes one year of high school study of a given subject.

Applicants who wish to provide additional information regarding special talents or circumstances may do so by contacting the Office of Admissions and Orientation.

For additional Information for Non-traditional First-time Freshman Applicants including: GED Applicants (under the age of 21), Homeschooled Applicants, Early Admission Applicants, 21+ First-time Freshman Applicants (21 years of age or older w/a high school diploma or GED) CLICK HERE

Non-Traditional Freshman Admission Requirements GED Applicants (under the age of 21)

Students who have successfully completed the General Education Development (GED) Test or HISET must have official scores sent to the Office of Undergraduate Admissions and Orientation. GED/HISET applicants who apply for admission will be reviewed by the standing internal admissions committee. GED/HISET applicants (under 21 years of age) must take the national ACT/SAT exam or the ACT residual exam (ACT exams used for admission must be less than 5 years old). The minimum GED score that will be considered is 450 (or 45 on the High School Equivalency Test exam prior to the revision). GED/HISET applicants  may be asked to submit a statement of academic and career goals. Emphasis should be placed on experiences that the applicant has had since leaving high school that they believe will make them a successful college student (e.g. military, successful vocational training, etc.).

Homeschooled Applicants

Graduates of home schools must comply with state law by submitting proof of registration with the local education agency which the child would otherwise attend. This documentation must be submitted in addition to the high school transcript.

The score report of the American College Testing program (ACT) or the Scholastic Aptitude Test (SAT): The score report is a necessary part of the application and the test date should be no more than three years old at the time of enrollment.

Applicants who are offered admission with the enhanced ACT English, reading or math subscores less than 19, or the equivalent on the former ACT, will be required to take special basic/developmental courses to develop academic competencies necessary for success in college level courses. Students without valid ACT/SAT scores and without college level credit in math or English will be required to take the ALEKS and Accuplacer test in the appropriate areas. Students who feel they have been misplaced by their ACT/SAT scores are encouraged to take the ALEKS and Accuplacer test, which can place them in a higher level course.

Early Admission Applicants

Academically outstanding high school juniors who have completed three academic years of high school, accumulating at least 15 units of coursework may be considered for early admission if they have the following:

1. A minimum high school cumulative grade point average (GPA) of 3.5 on a 4.00 scale.
2. A minimum ACT composite score of 26 on the ACT or the equivalent on the former ACT.
3. Written recommendations from high school principal and guidance counselor.
4. An interview with U of M faculty/staff committee selecting early admission students.

In addition, they must agree to enroll in freshman English, and, unless successfully completed in high school, courses in American history and economics.

NOTE: Early admission applicants should also check with their high school for specific graduation requirements.

21+ First-time Freshman Applicants (21 years of age or older with a high school diploma or GED/High School Equivalency Test)

Student applicants 21 years old or older who apply for admission will be reviewed by the standing internal admissions committee. All student applicants, in this category, must take the ALEKS and Accuplacer exam; or the national ACT/SAT exam; or the residual ACT exam (ACT exams used for admission must be less than 3 years old). The minimum GED score that will be considered is 450 (or 45 on the High School Equivalency Test exams prior to the revision). Applicants may be asked to submit a statement of academic and career goals. Emphasis should be placed on experiences that the applicant has had since leaving high school that they believe will make them a successful college student (e.g. military, successful vocational training, etc.).

International Undergraduate Admission Requirements

International Undergraduate Applicants

The University of Memphis believes that the presence of a balanced representation of international students on campus will enrich the educational environment of all students. Therefore, the University is authorized under federal law to enroll non-immigrant, students who currently possess a visa. Additionally, the university is authorized to issue I-20 forms to students seeking F1 and J1 visas. Applicants must file complete credentials before May 1 for fall admission; September 15 for spring admission; or February 1 for summer admission. Complete credentials include all the documents listed below.

The international application should be completed and submitted online at http://apply.memphis.edu. All additional required credentials should be sent to the Office of Undergraduate Admissions and Orientation, the University of Memphis, 101 Wilder Tower, Memphis, Tennessee, 38152-3370, U.S.A., or upload via the secure site accessible on the Admissions & Orientation webpage. 

A non-refundable international application and processing fee of $50 (fifty dollars) is required of every international applicant. Preferred payment of the application fee is by credit card. Applicants unable to pay by credit card should mail a check or money order, made payable to the University of Memphis. Applications will only be processed after the application fee is received.

International applicants should contact the Office of Admissions and Orientation for information on application procedures, qualifications, and admission to the University. Since there is considerable variation among educational systems throughout the world, international applicants will be selected on a competitive basis, after meeting the minimum standards of admission using examination scores, grade point average, relevance of academic background to intended major field of study and recommendations from the World Education Services or any credentialing service who is a member of the National Association of Credential Evaluation Services. More information may be found at http://www.naces.org/. The University often receives more applications than can be approved; therefore, admission may not be granted to all applicants who meet only the minimum requirements.

All transcripts, test scores, and other credentials must be accompanied by an official English translation of these documents and must be on file in the Office of Undergraduate Admissions and Orientation by the stated deadlines before the beginning of registration for the intended term of entry.

Admission Requirements for International Undergraduate Applicants

1. Required Transcripts: Applicants must arrange for the Office of Undergraduate Admissions and Orientation to receive official copies of academic records of the applicant’s attendance at secondary school, college, university, and professional institutions of learning. These transcripts must be sent directly from the high school or college to the University of Memphis. An exception is made for those who hold the bachelor’s degree or its equivalent in that they need not send their secondary school records. Records should list the subjects studied and the grade, mark, or other evidence that each individual subject was completed to the satisfaction of the authorities in charge. If it is impossible for the school to send us an official copy, copies certified by an official at the American Embassy or a known world organization may be acceptable. All records must be in English. Since certificates and records filed for examination are not ordinarily returned, applicants should send certified copies if the documents in question cannot be easily replaced.
2. Freshman Test Required: Applicants to the first year undergraduate level must submit scores on the Scholastic Aptitude Test (SAT) or the American College Testing Program (ACT). These tests are available only in English.  All test scores should be sent directly from the testing agency or the high school to the University of Memphis.
3. Required Test of English Proficiency, for Non-English Speaking Applicants: All applicants whose native language is not English or their primary education was not taught in English must demonstrate English proficiency.  The Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) or the International English Language Testing System (IELTS) are the standard methods to satisfy the English proficiency requirement.   All other methods should be approved by the Office of Admissions and Orientation. The minimum overall TOEFL score considered for undergraduate admission to the University of Memphis is sixty-one (61) on the internet-based test (iIBT) or five hundred (500) on the paper-based test (PBT). The equivalent score on the IELTS is a six (6). TOEFL information may be obtained by writing: TOEFL, Educational Testing Service, Princeton, New Jersey, 08540, U.S.A. IELTS information may be found at their website https://www.ielts.org. All test scores must be sent directly from the testing agency to the University of Memphis.
4. Financial Statement: U.S. visa regulations require that certification of admission be based on both academic acceptance and satisfactory evidence of adequate funds to meet the expenses involved in the student’s program of study. Applicants for an “F-1” student visa must supply, on the Affidavit of Support form provided by the university, sufficient evidence of financial support for themselves and all members of their families who will accompany them to Memphis. This requires that applicants certify that their intent is to attend the university full time and that no employment will be required.

5. Health Certificate Required: Each international student, within 30 days from the first day of classes, must submit a certificate from a licensed U.S. physician or other qualified U.S. medical authority verifying freedom from tuberculosis. Failure to do so shall result in denial of enrollment. In the event that the student either has tuberculosis or has potential tuberculosis requiring medical treatment, continued enrollment will be conditioned upon the determination by a licensed U.S. physician that such enrollment does not present a risk to others and upon the student’s compliance with any prescribed medical treatment program.

   In order to enroll, all international students born after January, 1957, must prove that they have been inoculated with the live measles vaccine (MMR) since January, 1980. Exceptions are made for students who are pregnant or allergic to the vaccine.

6. All international students must purchase a health insurance policy through the university or provide evidence of government sponsored health insurance before they are allowed to enroll.
7. International students will not normally be allowed to register as transient students (those regularly enrolled and in good standing at another institution who desire to attend the University of Memphis for only a limited period of time). During summer sessions, exceptions may be granted only in cases where a student has an outstanding academic record and unusual circumstances are present.
8. International students who wish to apply for readmission to the University must meet the deadlines stated above.
9. International students must become familiar with the regulations of the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) and assume responsibility for complying with these regulations.
10. Prior to the first day of class, international students should be prepared to attend a half-day mandatory new student orientation hosted by the International Students Office. Additionally, all international students must report to the International Students Office with their passport and I-20 for check-in before the first day of classes.

Readmission Requirements

Readmission (Returning Students)

Former undergraduate students who wish to return to the University at the same level as when they previously attended and have missed a fall or spring term, must submit an application for readmission. The application should be completed and submitted online at http://apply.memphis.edu. If the student has enrolled at another institution since last attending the University of Memphis, a transcript must be forwarded to the Office of Admissions and Orientation. An applicant will receive favorable consideration only if eligible for readmission under all University regulations, including the grade point average (GPA) for transfer students. (NOTE: International students who wish to apply for readmission to the University must meet the deadlines for new admission for international students.)

Non-Degree Seeking Admission Requirements

Applicants with College Degree

An applicant who has (1) earned a baccalaureate degree from an accredited institution, (2) who desires to take only a limited number of undergraduate courses, and (3) who is not presently working toward a degree at the University of Memphis may be admitted in this category.

Applicants with Previous College Attendance but No Degree

A student currently or previously enrolled in any accredited college or university may be admitted in this category.

NOTE: Transient students (those regularly enrolled and in good standing at another institution who desire to attend the University of Memphis for only a limited period of time) should apply at the non-degree level.

Applicants with No Previous College Attendance

An applicant who has graduated from high school or the equivalent and has never attended another college or university may be admitted in this category with the following conditions:

1. Students are limited to earning a total of 24 credit hours while in the non-degree category.
2. Applicants who are offered admission to this category and who do not have appropriate test scores in English and math who wish to take an English or a mathematics course will be required to take a placement examination prior to enrollment. Based on the results of this assessment, these applicants may be required to successfully complete basic or developmental courses prior to enrolling in degree credit courses.
3. Applicants in the non-degree category are not eligible to receive federal financial aid.

NOTE: Those applicants under 21 who complete their high school work during the calendar year in which they seek admission will not be considered in the non-degree category. These applicants must apply as first-time freshmen.

All non-degree students may, at any time within the stated deadlines, apply to the Office of Undergraduate Admissions and Orientation for reclassification as degree-seeking students, effective at the beginning of the next semester. Admission procedures and requirements are the same as those for degree-seeking undergraduate applicants. Applicants must file an application to be reclassified into this category and supply the following documentation:

1. Provide an acceptable entrance examination score or the equivalent.
2. The high school graduation requirement may be satisfied by any of the methods listed in the first-time freshmen section of the Undergraduate Catalog.

After students are admitted as regular undergraduates, any credit that may have been earned as non-degree-seeking students may apply toward degree programs in the college from which a degree is sought as outlined in the Undergraduate Catalog.

Concurrent Enrollment

Outstanding high school students who have completed the sophomore year may be admitted and register for one college course per term of enrollment concurrently provided they supply evidence of the following:

1. A minimum high school cumulative grade point average (GPA) of 3.20 on a 4.00 scale.
2. An ACT composite score of 22 or above.
3. A recommendation from the applicant’s high school principal or guidance counselor.
4. The course concurrently enrolled students register for must be taken outside of their established school day.

NOTE: Departments may establish additional criteria for their courses.

Audit Only Admission Requirements

Persons who are not enrolled for credit courses may register for audit courses with the approval of the Office of Undergraduate Admissions and Orientation and the appropriate department chair. These students must have the equivalent of high school graduation or be at least 18 years of age.  Tennessee residents who have a permanent and total disability, which totally incapacitates them from working at an income producing occupation, may audit courses at the University of Memphis without paying tuition charges, maintenance fees, student activity fees, or registration fees. Admission to audit will be limited on an individual classroom basis according to space availability. An application fee of $25.00 is required.

Additional Means of Earning Credit

1. Credit for Selected Secondary School Courses

   1. Advanced Placement Credit
      The University of Memphis participates in the Advanced Placement Program of the College Entrance Examination Board. Appropriate credit is awarded for scores of 3, 4, or 5. Advanced placement credit may also apply to certain university requirements and to major requirements. Information about credit awarded may be obtained from the Office of Admissions and Orientation.
   2. International Baccalaureate Program
      The University of Memphis recognizes secondary students’ participation in the International Baccalaureate Program and awards college credit for completion of selected courses. To be eligible for credit, students must earn a score of 4 or higher. Information on credit awarded is available in the Office of Admissions and Orientation.

2. Credit for Instruction in the Armed Services

An official evaluation of armed services instruction is made after a student is accepted as a regular undergraduate student. Credit awarded for completion of services schools will be governed by recommendations at the baccalaureate level from the current Guide to the Evaluation of Educational Experience in the Armed Services. Military transcripts, for example SMART or AARTS, must be presented to the Office of Admissions and Orientation. Upon presentation of a copy of the veteran’s report of separation (DD Form 214) to the Office of Admissions and Orientation, six semester hours of health and physical education credit will be awarded. Veterans with less than one year of continuous full-time service who have completed basic training while on active duty will be awarded credit as recommended in the Guide to Evaluation of Educational Experiences in the Armed Services.

3. Credit for Non-collegiate Sponsored Instruction

Credit is awarded for non-collegiate sponsored instruction offered by corporations, associations, labor unions, government agencies, and training providers which has been evaluated by the National College Credit Recommendation Service of the American Council of Education and recommended in the current NCCRS guide. The Office of Admissions and Orientation should be contacted for information.

4. Credit by Examination

Credit by examination is awarded based upon standardized examinations and upon examinations administered by departments of the University for specific courses and for placement. Students may not take an examination for credit in a course previously taken for credit, with the exception of lower division transfer courses that the student wishes to validate for upper division credit. Students may, however, take an examination for credit in a course that was audited or in courses at a lower level than a course taken for credit.

a. CLEP and DANTES Standardized Examinations

The University of Memphis awards credit for standardized examinations of the College-Level Examination Program (CLEP) of the College Board and for standardized examinations of the Defense Activity for Non-Traditional Education Support (DANTES). Credit awarded is based upon credit recommendations and minimum scores recommended by the American Council on Education. CLEP and DANTES credit may also apply to certain University requirements and to major requirements. For information on credit awarded, test dates, and fees, contact the Testing Center.

b. Departmental Examinations

Almost all courses in the undergraduate curriculum, except for those with laboratory, research, or performance requirements, are available for credit by examination. Students who believe that they have already mastered the material of a particular course offered at the University of Memphis may take a departmentally administered examination for credit in that course.

To apply for credit by examination, a student must be enrolled at the University of Memphis and have a GPA of 2.00 or above. Students can access the online Credit by Exam application to begin the approval process. Students pay $60 per course, plus $15 per credit hour in excess of three (3) credit hours per course (see Fees and Charges) prior to taking the exam. To receive credit, the student’s examination grade should be the equivalent of a “C” or above. Credit is indicated on the student’s record as CR.

5. Upper Division Credit by Validation Examination

Credit for courses at the freshman or sophomore level is transferred as lower division credit even though the content may be equated to University of Memphis upper division (junior/senior) level courses in some cases. In order to receive upper division credit for a lower division course that has an upper division equivalent, the credit must be validated through appropriate departmental examinations, portfolios, or other documentation. Contact the department to see if this option is available, to make application and to obtain information. There is no fee for validation examinations.

6. Credit for Course Placement and Completion (Retroactive Credit)

Some departments offer the opportunity to receive credit by course placement and completion for selected courses. Students who receive prior approval from the department chair may enroll in a University of Memphis course at the level for which they feel previous instruction or experience qualifies them. Upon completion of the course, they receive credit for certain sequential courses numbered lower than the one in which they enrolled. Recording of credit for the lower numbered course(s) is contingent upon completion of the higher level course with a minimum grade of “C”. Upon completion of the course, approval of the chair of the department and payment of fees are required for credits to be recorded. (See Fees and Charges)

Students who place out of one or more lower-division language courses in the Department of World Languages and Literatures (WLL) and who subsequently enroll in and complete a higher-level course with a C or better may be eligible for retroactive credit in the lower courses (1010 through 2020, as appropriate).

Students may apply for the following credit:

1. Completed 1020 with a grade of C or better: may apply for 1010 (3 hours)
2. Completed 2010 with a grade of C or better: may apply for 1010 and/or 1020 (3-6 hours)
3. Completed 2020 with a grade of C or better: may apply for any of 1010, 1020, 2010 (3-9 hours)
4. Completed upper-division course with a grade of C or better: may apply for any of 1010, 1020, 2010, 2020 (3-12 hours)

A student wishing to apply for retroactive credit must contact WLL either by coming to Jones Hall 108 or emailing the department at wll@memphis.edu, indicating for which courses credit is being requested.  Upon verification that the student has completed the appropriate higher-level course with a grade of C or better, the department will send a request to the Registrar’s Office to register the student in the current term’s retroactive credit sections for which the student will be awarded credits.   

7. Credit for Experiential Learning by Assessment

Students seeking degrees in the College of Communication and Fine Arts, College of Education, and College of Professional & Liberal Studies, and some programs in the Fogelman College of Business & Economics may be granted credit for college level knowledge and understanding related to the student’s major area of study and gained from work experience, life experience, or non-college instruction. The student who wants an assessment of such learning prepares a portfolio that describes and documents the learning. Portfolios are assessed by faculty who teach in that area.

Assessment by portfolio is reserved for knowledge and competencies which do not readily fit into the credit by examination procedures described above. More detailed information about procedures may be obtained from the individual colleges. 

8. Credit for ACT Test Scores

a. English Composition

The University of Memphis awards 3 hours of credit for ENGL 1010 to students with an ACT English subscore of 29 or above. Students who have previously taken ENGL 1010 and earned a passing or failing grade are not eligible. ACT scores for this credit are valid for 3 years.

b. Mathematics

The University of Memphis awards 3 hours of credit for MATH 1710 College Algebra to student with an ACT Math subscore of 29 or above. Students who have previously taken MATH 1710 and earned a passing or failing grade are not eligible. ACT scores for this credit are valid for 2 years.

Course Credit vs. PLA, ELA, CLEP, and Test Scores

In the case of an earned grade and an eligible CLEP or ACT/SAT score, the grade will supersede the exam or test score and stand as the official credit on record.  ELA, PLA, and/or an exam score will not replace an earned grade for the same course.

Testing and Placement

Learning Support at The University of Memphis permits students to enroll in prescribed courses to develop the academic competencies necessary for success in college level courses. Major components of the program include testing and placement in appropriate level courses. More information can be found at http://www.memphis.edu/acc/learning/index.php.

English 

Students admitted to the University of Memphis as beginning freshmen will be placed in appropriate English courses based on ACT/SAT subscores that are less than 5 years old.

• Students with ACT English and Reading subscores below 18 (or the SAT equivalent) are required to enroll in prescribed English courses. Students must check with their advisor to determine which English course is appropriate for them.

• Students with ACT English and Reading subscores below 19 (or the SAT equivalent) are required to enroll in ACAD 1100 .

If students feel they have been misplaced by their ACT subscores in English and reading, they may take the ACCUPLACER test to attempt to place in a higher level course.

Students without ACT or SAT scores will be required to take the ACCUPLACER placement test to determine if they have the appropriate academic skills to successfully complete college level courses. Depending on the results of this test, students may be required to take one or more prescribed courses. ACCUPLACER testing is required of students whose ACT (SAT) scores are more than 5 years old, transfer students with no college level credit in English, and non-degree seeking students before enrollment in English.

Students must successfully complete prescribed course requirements before enrolling in the next level course.

Math

Students admitted to The University of Memphis as beginning freshman are placed in MATH courses on the basis of ACT MATH subscores (or their SAT equivalent) that are less than 5 years old. 

Admitted transfer students are placed in MATH courses on the basis of either a valid ACT/SAT MATH subscore or previous college level math coursework.

• Students whose scores are expired (more than five years old) or who do not have ACT/SAT MATH subscore are required to take the ALEKS placement assessment (https://www.memphis.edu/aleks/) before enrolling in a math course.   

• Students with a ACT MATH subscore less than 15 (or an SAT equivalent) are required to take the ALEKS placement assessment before enrolling in a math course. Student in this category are also encouraged to make use of the ALEKS learning modules at (https://www.memphis.edu/aleks/learning_module/index.php).
• Transfer students with no college level credit in math and no valid ACT/SAT subscore  must take the ALEKS placement assessment before enrolling in a math course.
• Non-degree seeking students without previous college coursework or without a valid ACT/SAT must take the ALEKS placement assessment before enrolling in a math course.

An ALEKS score is valid for 6 months.  Any student who takes ALEKS for placement should be sure to enroll in the appropriate mathematics course as soon after taking the ALEKS as possible.  After 6 months, the student must begin the process again (or use a valid ACT/SAT MATH subscore for placement).

Enrollment  in  MATH  courses  is  restricted  to  students  who  have  the proper  pre-requisites  or  placement  scores. Self-placement without proper pre-requistes or placement scores is not permitted.

Please refer to the table below to determine appropriate placement.