Seattle Pacific University admits students with academic characteristics that predict their success in the University programs to which they seek enrollment and who exhibit personal qualities that indicate a contribution to the mission of the University.

In line with its original charter, SPU admits students without discrimination as to race, color, nationality, creed, age, or sex. A strong college preparatory program in high school is recommended and prepares students for success at the university level. In addition to academic ability, such factors as intellectual curiosity, goals, leadership, responsibility, personal and social adjustments, Christian commitment, and a desire to serve the community are considered.

Depending on space available, a waitlist process may be required to manage the entering class. Admission to the ACCESS program may be granted to applicants who have a demonstrated need for study-skills assistance. Admission to the University does not automatically constitute admission to the particular program or school in which a student wishes to study.

Specific admission requirements are located in each academic program section in this Undergraduate Catalog. Seattle Pacific University reserves the right to admit or re-admit any student at its discretion.

You're Invited to Visit the Campus
Words and pictures provide impressions of Seattle, but to fully appreciate it, you must see Seattle in person.

The same is true for Seattle Pacific University. Located in a quiet residential neighborhood, SPU's campus is parklike, combining the latest technology and buildings with longstanding traditions. It's a premier campus only a few minutes from Seattle's bustling, cosmopolitan city center.

College students agree that a campus visit is the best way to discover whether a university is a good match. So we make it easy.

A visit includes transportation to and from commercial carriers, overnight accommodations and discount hotel rates for parents. Meals on campus are provided for student visitors, as are campus tours. There are several opportunities for students to schedule a visit:

Junior Preview. Junior Preview occurs in the spring and offers high school juniors an in-depth look at life on campus. This special weekend event is an opportunity for students to attend classes, meet professors, spend the night on campus in the residence halls, and attend information workshops and athletic/social events.

Senior Preview. This weekend event occurs once in the autumn and once in the winter. It is a special opportunity for high school seniors to attend classes, meet professors, spend the night on campus, and participate in community activities.

SPU Fridays. On special SPU Fridays, small groups of prospective students receive the red-carpet treatment with a personalized itinerary.

Individual Visit. If you can't attend one of the organized events, we will be happy to schedule a personal visit for you on another day. Campus tours are offered twice daily.

To arrange a visit to Seattle Pacific University, give us a call at 206-281-2021 or 1-800- 366-3344 toll free. We'll take care of the details. [Back to top]

Applications are available online, as well as in the Viewbook. Application materials for admission must meet the following dates for each respective quarter:

Each applicant is responsible for providing all items required with the application, including a $45 nonrefundable application fee.

Students desiring financial aid and scholarship consideration should file the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) with the federal processor as soon as possible after January 1 and submit all application materials before February 1. Need-based financial aid award decisions (grants, loans, and student employment) for students who meet these deadlines are processed beginning the second week in March. Merit scholarships (not based on need) are awarded on a rolling basis beginning mid-January. Further information and instructions for financial aid applications may be obtained from Student Financial Services. [Back to top]

1. Application: Complete the Seattle Pacific University Undergraduate Admission Application and send to Undergraduate Admissions early in the seventh semester (first semester of the senior year) along with the $45 application fee and the three required essays.
2. High School Transcript: During the first semester of the senior year, arrange for an official transcript to be sent by the high school last attended. Applicants are also responsible to request that their eighth-semester grades be forwarded upon graduation.
3. SAT or ACT exams: Take either the College Board Scholastic Aptitude Test (SAT-I) (SPU code 4694) or the American College Test (ACT) (SPU code 4476) and submit scores to SPU.
4. Recommendations: Applicants should request an academic recommendation from a teacher or counselor familiar with their academic qualifications and a personal recommendation from a minister, youth leader, employer, or professional associate. (Use forms included with application materials.)

1. Complete the application for undergraduate admission.

2. Transfer students who have completed less than 45 transferable quarter credits or 30 semester units after graduating from high school must submit an official high school transcript and SAT or ACT scores with their application.

3. Send official transcripts from all colleges previously attended.
4. Students who have earned (prior to matriculation at SPU) an approved associate of arts degree (transfer program) from a Washington, Oregon, or California community college or from Central Christian College of Kansas will enter with all University Core and Exploratory Curriculum requirements, including the foreign language proficiency requirement, fulfilled. Most students who have earned an approved Direct Transfer degree enter with 90 credits and junior class standing.  (See the listings at the end of this section for specific degrees accepted under this agreement.)
5. All transfer students should review the Transfer Student section below for further information on SPU's transfer policies.
6. Running Start students should follow the process for high school students.

Associate degrees from Washington state community colleges that transfer directly to SPU to fulfill University Core and Exploratory Curriculum requirements include the following:

Bellevue Community College, Associate in Arts and Sciences
Big Bend Community College, Associate in Arts and Sciences
Cascadia Community College, Associate in Integrated Studies
Centralia College, Associate in Arts, Associate in Liberal Arts
Clark College, Associate in Arts
Columbia Basin Community College, Associate in Arts and Sciences
Edmonds Community College, Associate of Arts, Option I
Everett Community College, Associate in Arts and Sciences, Option II
Grays Harbor College, Associate in Arts
Green River Community College, Associate in Arts
Highline Community College, Associate of Arts, Option A
Lower Columbia College, Associate in Arts and Sciences, Plan B
North Seattle Community College, Associate of Arts, Associate of Science
Northwest Indian College, Associate of Arts and Sciences
Olympic College, Associate in Arts and Sciences, Option A
Peninsula College, Associate of Arts or Associate of Arts, Honors
Pierce College, Associate in Arts and Sciences
Seattle Central Community College, Associate of Arts, Associate of Sciences
Shoreline Community College, Associate in Arts and Sciences, Option A
Skagit Valley College, Associate in Arts, University and College Transfer
South Puget Sound Community College, Associate of Arts
South Seattle Community College, Associate of Arts, Associate of Science
Spokane Community College, Associate of Arts
Spokane Falls Community College, Associate of Arts
Tacoma Community College, Associate in Arts and Sciences, Option A
Walla Walla Community College, Associate in Arts
Wenatchee Valley College, Associate in Arts and Sciences
Whatcom Community College, Associate in Arts and Sciences
Yakima Valley College, Associate of Arts

The Associate of Science degree Option 1 and Option 2 are also accepted in transfer to SPU. However, these programs do not automatically fulfill University Core and Exploratory Curriculum requirements. Each program is evaluated depending on the student's intended major at Seattle Pacific University by Student Academic Services.

The associate degree from Oregon that transfers directly to SPU to fulfill University Core and Exploratory Curriculum requirements is the Uniform Oregon Associate of Arts degree.

Students transferring from California junior colleges must complete the IGETC (Intersegmental General Education Transfer Curriculum) as part of their associate degree in order to transfer to SPU with University Core and Exploratory Curriculum requirements fulfilled. [Back to top]

Washington State Running Start Program
Accepted students who have completed college-level coursework under Washington state's Running Start Program will be awarded transfer credit, up to a maximum of 90 credits. They should follow the same admission procedures for students entering directly from high school, plus submit an official community college transcript. The transfer courses must be described in the catalog of an accredited Washington state community college and must be posted on an official college transcript. Students who are currently in the Running Start program and have not yet graduated from high school will be considered for high school scholarships, regardless of the number of credits earned. [Back to top]

Homeschooled Students
SPU recognizes that greater numbers of students are receiving instruction at home instead of through a traditional high school program. Homeschooled students are required to submit application materials as stated for all students. In addition, students should submit a copy of their reading list, and information regarding the curriculum used in their homeschool program. While interviews are not required, they may be helpful. Some homeschooled students may be required to submit a G.E.D. Admission for homeschooled students will depend heavily on test scores, writing ability, and academic curriculum. [Back to top]

Early Admission
Qualified students may enroll at SPU prior to completing all required units in high school. Only those students highly recommended for Early Admission will be considered. Such students should rank among the top students in their class and have high SAT/ACT scores. Requirements include evidence of completion of junior year in high school, outstanding high school record and test scores, and a letter of recommendation from the high school principal approving early college admission and concurrent high school completion at SPU. Evidence of high school completion (high school transcript with graduation date or G.E.D.) is required in order to receive financial aid. Contact Undergraduate Admissions for details. [Back to top]

Advanced Placement/CLEP/International Baccalaureate/PEP
Matriculated students at Seattle Pacific University may earn up to 45 quarter credits through University-recognized testing and advance credit programs. Recognized testing programs are limited to the following; Advanced Placement Testing Program (AP), College Level Examination Program (CLEP), Proficiency Examination Program (PEP), International Baccalaureate (IB), National Council Licensure Exam for Registered Nurses (NCLEX), and SPU's Credit by Examination.  Credits are awarded from only official score reports and using SPU's awarding criteria. These examination credits, plus community college and unaccredited college credits, cannot exceed 90 quarter credits. Credits are evaluated for Exploratory Curriculum requirements at the time a student enters SPU in accordance with the following policies: [Back to top]

Advanced Placement
The following is a list of AP tests and their acceptance at SPU. A score of 3, 4, or 5, unless otherwise noted on the AP exam, will award the student the number of credits listed. If students believe courses may also fulfill major requirements, they may contact the appropriate department for their review.

*Consult with the Languages Department for placement. [Back to top]

International Baccalaureate
The following is a chart of international baccalaureate higher level subjects and their acceptance at SPU. Unless otherwise noted in the chart, a score of 5, 6, or 7 will earn the student the number of credits listed. If students believe credit for an exam may also fulfill major requirements, they may contact the appropriate academic department for a review. No credit will be awarded for standard level exams.

*Consult with the academic department regarding placement or major requirements. [Back to top]

CLEP/PEP
Students who have completed CLEP exams with minimum scores in the 50th percentile (C grade range) may receive 5 quarter credits for foreign language exams and 5 quarter credits for most of the other exams offered. A listing of tests and transfer credits is available in Student Academic Services. PEP credits are determined on an individual basis.

TRANSFER STUDENT INFORMATION

Students Entering From Regionally or ABHE Accredited Colleges and Universities
Students desiring admission to Seattle Pacific University from another regionally accredited institution or Association for Biblical Higher Education (ABHE) accredited institution will follow the procedures for transfer students. All records submitted for admission become the property of SPU and are considered a part of the student's official file and permanent record. Failure to submit transcripts from all institutions attended, including high school, may result in dismissal from the University. Advanced standing will be determined on the basis of the credentials submitted by the candidate. In every case, however, the following conditions will apply:

1. A transfer student must be in good standing at all prior institutions attended.
2. Transfer students who have successfully completed any number of college credits from an accredited institution at the time of application may not be required to take the American College Test (ACT) or the College Board Scholastic Achievement Test (SAT-I).
3. It is the student's responsibility to ensure that final official transcripts reflecting coursework subsequent to admission are received by SPU. The absence of final coursework will affect the student's class standing, eligibility for financial aid, and progress toward degree completion.
4. The average grade in all courses accepted for advanced standing from each school must be C (2.0) or higher. This means that for every grade of D accepted there must be another grade of at least B or its equivalent for an equal number of credits. Exception: For ABHE accredited institutions, no grade below C (2.0) will be accepted.
5. Transfer associate degrees earned after matriculation at SPU will not be recognized toward fulfillment of Exploratory Curriculum, University Core requirements, and foreign language requirements.
6. A combined total of not more than 90 credits will be accepted from all two-year colleges, approved test programs (AP, CLEP, NCLEX, PEP, and I.B.) and unaccredited schools.  Existing Washington, Oregon, and California community-college associate degree transfer agreements will be honored as they apply to Exploratory Curriculum requirements.
7. Credits in excess of 20 in any one term will not be transferred. This includes courses taken concurrently by media, correspondence, or extension at more than one institution, as well as non-credit courses.
8. An undergraduate transfer student is required to earn a minimum of 45 credits in residence at SPU including 15 upper-division credits in his or her major at SPU to be eligible for a degree. See individual majors for additional degree requirements.
9. One-credit courses, except physical education (PE) activity, applied music, and selected computer courses, ordinarily are not transferable.
10. No more than 3 credits of PE activity coursework and/or varsity sports will be transferred from all transfer institutions combined. [Back to top]

If SPU determines that the institution's credits are acceptable, specific credits may be transferred with the following limitations and conditions:

1. Only college-level academic courses will be transferred. Vocational, technical, and practicum courses will be transferred only with faculty approval.
2. To be accepted a course must have a grade of C (2.0) or better.
3. Only courses of at least 2 quarter credits will transfer (except physical education, selected computer, and applied music).
4. The cumulative GPA of transferable courses must be 2.0 or better (on 4.0 scale).
5. Courses comparable to SPU Exploratory Curriculum categories or courses will apply to the appropriate Exploratory Curriculum and University Core categories.
6. A maximum of 15 credits in biblical studies/theology/church history may be accepted by the University as elective credits only.  No credits may be applied to University Foundations requirements. 
7. Application of credits to major requirements is a determination made by faculty in the individual discipline.
8. The maximum number of credits transferred, when combined with community college and advanced credit/testing programs, will not exceed 90.

Except as outlined above, the conditions for students entering from accredited colleges will apply. A student transferring from an unaccredited college may be required to present acceptable scores on either the College Board Scholastic Aptitude Test (SAT-I) or the American College Test (ACT). [Back to top]

SPU considers the University Foundations requirements to be at the heart of its approach to higher education. Therefore, each transfer student is expected to complete these requirements at SPU. Transfer students with junior or senior standing upon admission will complete 10 credits in Foundation studies with 5 credits in UFDN 3001, Christian Scriptures, followed by 5 credits in UFDN 3100, Christian Theology. Each transfer student with freshman or sophomore standing upon admission will complete the full 15-credit requirement by completing UFDN 1000, UFDN 2000, and UFDN 3100.

If a transfer student has taken Bible or theology courses at a member institution of the Christian College Consortium, up to 10 credits may be accepted toward the fulfillment of the University Foundations requirement.  Transfer of credit towards Foundation requirements from any other regionally accredited Christian college or ABHE-accredited Bible school may be granted only by petition process. In all cases, students must complete at least 5 credits of coursework in the School of Theology (UFDN or THEO discipline) at Seattle Pacific University.  (UFDN 3100 Community Bible Study may not be used to fulfill this requirement.) [Back to top]

International Students
The goal of the international student program is to provide educational opportunities for qualified students from a variety of cultural backgrounds. SPU seeks to admit students who would most benefit from the distinctives of the institution.  International students entering from U.S. schools must submit the same applications, transcripts, letters of recommendation, and test scores as other entering freshmen or transfer students, as well as the following (please refer to the International Admission application): Students desiring to enter directly from a U.S. high school, college, or university must:

1. Submit a TOEFL score of 550 minimum (213 on the computer-based test or 80 on the iBT/Next Generation TOEFL exam).
2. Provide an official confidential statement of financial support in U.S. dollars (such as an official bank statement) covering each year of intended enrollment, and supply an Affidavit of Support.
3. Submit two recommendations and three essays (use the International Admission Application for forms).

Students who intend to enter directly from schools in foreign countries must have a grade point average equivalent to a 3.0 in the grading system used in this University. The Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) is required of all non-native English speaking international students. Graduates of high schools in countries where the school system provides for less than 12 years of instruction before college are expected to complete at least 12 years of schooling in their own country before being admitted to SPU. Students may receive college credit for A-level exams if their marks are very high. Students may meet the SPU English proficiency requirement for admission by completing the ACE language program and receiving a full recommendation from the American Cultural Exchange Program (ACE) on the SPU campus prior to admission to SPU. Students who receive a full recommendation from ACE are not required to submit a TOEFL score.
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Non-Matriculated International Students
Undergraduate international students may take no more than 45 credits toward a degree before being formally admitted to the University, and post-baccalaureate students are limited to 15 such credits. Non-matriculated students (those who have not been formally admitted to the University) are expected to submit an acceptable official TOEFL score (a minimum score of 550 for the paper version of the test or 213 for the computer-based test or 80 on the iBT/Next Generation TOEFL exam) to Student Academic Services, and must pay for their courses at the point of registration. Students seeking to enroll in courses at SPU while attended another institution must also submit a letter of permission from their host institution. SPU welcomes international students and encourages them to seek full admission to the University at the earliest opportunity. [Back to top]

U.S. Residents and Citizens Who Are Non-Native English Speakers
Students whose first language is not English and who wish to enter SPU directly from high school or to transfer from another institution must demonstrate English proficiency. This may be demonstrated in a number of ways, including submitting a satisfactory Scholastic Aptitude Test (SAT-I) Verbal score, satisfactory performance in high school or college-level English courses, or TOEFL score.

To Accept an Offer of Admission
Applicants will receive a letter of their acceptance/denial to the University. To accept an offer of admission, follow these steps:

1. Advance Payment. A $200 advance payment is the student's acknowledgment of intention to enroll. This payment should be submitted to the Office of Undergraduate Admissions. This guarantees a place in the entering class and allows the student to register for classes. This payment is credited to the student's account and is applied toward the initial tuition payment. The advance payment should be submitted on or before May 1, 2007, the national candidates' reply date.
   
   Housing Registration. All students, upon admission to the University, will be mailed detailed housing materials, including information on the housing application process and room reservation deposit.
   
2. Health Record. Along with the notification of admission, each student will receive a medical health history form, to be completed and returned to Health Services. This medical history is required of students who are (1) entering SPU for the first time, (2) returning after an absence of more than one calendar year, or (3) have previously attended Summer Session(s) but are entering regular University classes for the first time. Health insurance is available to all matriculated students. Insurance information is available in Student Financial Services and Health Services.

All international students are required to enroll in the University Student medical insurance plan. Any exceptions to this requirement are subject to the approval of the Health Center. Proof of comparable coverage from a provider based in the United States or an acceptable reciprocal agreement is necessary for waiver approval.
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Application for Re-Admission
If a student has been away from SPU for fewer than nine quarters after completing courses as a matriculated student, that student is still considered an �active� student at SPU. He or she may register for classes at SPU without completing paperwork for undergraduate admissions. Any transfer work completed during the student's absence must be submitted to Student Academic Services. The student will be responsible to complete the same degree requirements as expected upon his or her first quarter of matriculation at the University. An associate degree completed while a student is considered �active� at SPU will not be recognized. Students who would like to re-enroll after nine quarters (two years) have passed must submit all new application materials. The Office of Undergraduate Admissions will inform the student if additional credentials need to be submitted. Admission will be governed by the policies regulating the admission of the level the student is reactivating under (a student who was admitted to SPU out of high school and is reactivating after attending another institution is now considered a transfer student.) Undergraduate and post-baccalaureate students who have interrupted their study at SPU for more than two calendar years will graduate under the requirements listed in the Undergraduate Catalog current at the time of re-entry. Class standing will be recalculated to include all credits earned and transfer credits accepted prior to readmission.
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ACCESS Program
The ACCESS program is offered to students who would benefit from additional personal and academic support during their first year at SPU. This program provides individualized academic support, monitoring, and advising. Additionally, students enroll in two study-skills classes to equip them for college course expectations and to clarify educational and professional goals. Participation in the ACCESS program may be an expectation for some students upon admission or may be a voluntary option. The charge for three quarters of participation is $300. Questions about the program can be directed to the Center for Learning at 206-281-2475. [Back to top]

Disability Student Services
The University assists with program access through a variety of services for students with disabilities. Any student requiring special assistance should contact Disability Support Services in the Center for Learning at 206-281-2475 to make arrangements for an intake interview to determine the level of assistance needed. Students are required to provide documentation of the nature of their disability at that time. [Back to top]

New Student Advising and Registration Program (NSARP)

All new undergraduate students, including transfer students, receive initial advisement and register for classes as part of NSARP before the first quarter of matriculation. NSARP is a one-day program that provides students with the opportunity to confer with an advisor about the selection of classes, register for classes, receive an official University ID card, and make financial arrangements. Once students have completed the program, they will be prepared to go through New Student Orientation.

Orientation of New Students and Families
New Student Orientation sessions are held each quarter. Autumn Quarter orientation includes four days of orientation to the academic and social community of SPU. Brief orientation sessions are offered Winter Quarter and Spring Quarter. All of these sessions are designed to help new students prepare for the academic, spiritual, and social life at SPU. They also offer opportunities for students to become better acquainted with the University and its programs of study, and to meet faculty and classmates. Attendance at orientation is required and provides students with the essential information for a successful transition to University life. [Back to top]

Post-Baccalaureate Admission
Students who have been awarded a baccalaureate degree and wish to complete a second undergraduate degree may apply through Undergraduate Admissions. Students should contact Undergraduate Admissions for the Post-Baccalaureate Admission Application. Required materials for admission consideration include a completed and signed Post-Baccalaureate Admission Application, $45 application fee, one letter of recommendation addressing character and academic ability, an official copy of the final transcript from the institution that granted the baccalaureate degree (showing the granted degree), any additional transcripts showing post-baccalaureate work, and a response to the essay question found in the application for admission. While SPU may recognize a bachelor's degree from a school that holds accreditation from the ABHE (Association for Biblical Higher Education), the state of Washington does not recognize these institutions when issuing teaching certificates. Therefore, post-baccalaureate students admitted to SPU from institutions that are not regionally accredited must complete an additional bachelor's degree or a master's degree along with the teacher certification program if they wish to obtain teacher certification for the state of Washington.

Note to SPU graduates: SPU graduates do not need to submit a letter of recommendation. Only transcripts reflecting work at other institutions must be submitted.

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