Mar 19, 2024  
Mansfield University 2018-2019 Undergraduate Catalog 
    
Mansfield University 2018-2019 Undergraduate Catalog [Archived Catalog]

Admissions


Requirements For Admission

To be considered for admission to Mansfield University, students must graduate from an approved secondary school or have obtained equivalent preparation, for example the GED, as determined by the Credentials Evaluation Division of the Pennsylvania Department of Education. Admission to the University is granted to those applicants who successfully complete college preparatory secondary school work (grades 9-12). Credentials should also include a class rank in the upper three-fifths of the graduating class and a satisfactory score on the Scholastic Aptitude Test (SAT) or the American College Testing Program exam (ACT). The SAT or ACT scores are not required if the applicant is 21 years or older or has been out of high school for two or more years.

Recommended Preparatory Course Work  
 

English
History or Social Studies
Laboratory Science (Bio, Chem)
Algebra, Plane Geometry, Algebra 2
Foreign Language
Electives (academic)
Total

4 Credits
4 Credits
2-3 Credits
3-4 Credits
2-4 Credits
6 Credits
21-25 Credits

Application Procedures

For admission to undergraduate programs, students are encouraged to complete the on-line application at admissions.mansfield.edu. Paper applications are also available upon request. The Admissions Office begins accepting applications after July 1 following the student’s junior year of high school. A complete application should include a $25 non-refundable application fee as well as the following credentials:

  1. An official high school transcript (an official copy must bear the school seal and the signature of an official).
  2. An official copy of the Scholastic Aptitude Test (SAT) or American College Testing Program exam (ACT) results. Test scores reported on an official high school transcript are considered acceptable.

Deadlines For Application

Mansfield University has a rolling admissions policy. We encourage students to apply early. All applications are considered based upon academic credentials and space availability for the entry date requested. Once all credentials and supporting documents are received, the Admissions Committee will provide notification in a timely fashion. Scholarships and space in specific academic programs are also awarded on a rolling basis; therefore, it can be advantageous to apply early in the academic year.

Deadlines for Select Programs

Applicants for Mansfield University’s Health Science Programs including Nursing, Radiologic Technology, and Respiratory Therapy, must apply prior to December 1. These programs have limited space and reach capacity early in the admission process.

When Offered Admission

Applicants offered admission while still enrolled in high school/college are expected to maintain or improve upon the academic achievement presented when the credentials are initially reviewed. Failure to maintain achievement, as reflected on final official transcripts (including class rank, grade point average, and course/credits scheduled), may result in revocation of the offer of admission.

Students offered admission to Mansfield University are required to pay a $125, non-refundable, enrollment deposit by May 1 prior to the fall semester of the year the student plans to enroll. Students accepted into the Nursing program are stongly encouraged to pay the $125 enrollment deposit by March 1 due to limited space in the program.

When you have been granted admission and fail to enroll, the offer of acceptance and the $125 enrollment deposit (if paid) are valid for one year from the initial entry date, provided the academic credentials have not decreased in the meantime and no significant changes in admission policy have been made. After one year, you must reapply for admission as a new applicant and meet the standards for acceptance current at the time of reapplication.

The university reserves the right to establish or change admission standards as it deems necessary.

Admission Categories

If you meet the academic qualifications as outlined above, you will be offered admission to the university as a regular admit for the fall semester. Other admissions categories are described below.

Early Decision

Consideration for an early admission decision for fall entrance is given to candidates who meet prescribed academic requirements as demonstrated by their high school grades and junior year SAT/ACT scores. Applicants who qualify for early decision are notified when we receive the completed application, application fee, official high school transcript, and junior year SAT/ACT scores.

Pathways to Enrollment

Mansfield University offers several pathways to enrollment for students interested in two-year (associate’s) or four-year (bachelor’s) program options (or both).

  1. If you are admissible to the University, but do not meet the academic criteria for a regular admit or you do not meet the preferred academic criteria for the major of your choice; you will be admitted into our Academic Exploration Program (AEP). We will work closely with you to help you transition to the major of your choice (if eligibility is obtained) as well as provide the following resources: Academic Advising Center, Writing Center, Focus program, counseling program, study skills assistance, and free tutoring services.
  2. If you show a potential for success in college, but do not meet the regular requirements for fall acceptance, you may be considered for one of our developmental programs. You may not have completed the recommended high school course sequence or may require preparatory course work to polish your skills. Your high school credentials may rank below the university’s minimum requirements but reveal potential for future success in other ways.

Students selected for participation in a developmental program must complete preparatory course work which is based upon diagnostic-placement results and receive tutoring and advising assistance. Upon successful completion of the program, with a minimum of 2.0 GPA, students continue in a matriculated status. There are limited spaces for enrollment in developmental programs. Students admitted into a developmental program, such as an Associate of Arts in Liberal Studies major, are encouraged to seek a change of major into another associate’s or bachelor’s degree program once they have completed 12 academic credits above and beyond any required developmental courses  (MA 0090, ENG 0090) and have a minimum 2.75 GPA, or have completed 24 credits with a minimum of 2.00 GPA.

Housing and Dining Requirement
Benefits of Living On-Campus

All first- and second-year students at MU live and dine on campus. The University established this residency requirement because students clearly benefit from living in an environment designed with their needs in mind. Living on campus is an important part of the MU experience.

Research shows that living on-campus can greatly enhance a student’s educational experience and success. Thus, all first- and second-year students are required to live in Residence Halls and participate in a University-provided dining plan unless they are formally exempted to reside in the primary residence of their parent(s) or legal guardian(s) in which the parent(s) or legal guardian(s) reside full time and which is within a 50-mile radius of the campus. Students fulfill the requirement after spending two years living and dining on campus (post high school). Academic credit hours and/or class status do not exempt one from the policy. This policy applies to traditional first- and second-year students and international students. It also applies to transfer students who have not completed two years of on-campus residency at another university (post high school). Married students, students 21 years of age and older prior to the start of the academic year, and veterans who have been honorably discharged are exempt.

All first- or second-year students requesting an exemption to the Housing and Dining Requirement must complete the appropriate exemption through My.Mansfield under the MyHousing tab. Once the exemption has been filed, the student will then have TWO WEEKS to provide appropriate documentation related to the petition.*

*All rationale and documentation related to exemptions should meet the high standards of the Character (integrity) standard of the Mansfield Creed.

All documentation can be sent to Housing, Dining, and Campus Life, 320 Alumni, Mansfield PA 16933. If you should have any questions please contact Housing, Dining, and Campus Life by emailing housing@mansfield.edu or calling 570-662-4934/570-662-4952.

Additional Benefits of Living On-Campus:

Academic Success: Research has shown that students living on campus report being more satisfied with their college experience, earn better grades and are more likely to graduate than their commuting peers.
Safety and Security: The University employs an on-campus police force with officers working 24 hours a day, all year long. All residences are equipped with modern fire safety alarms/sprinklers in student rooms and all entrances feature electronic card access integrated with camera observation.
Convenience: Be close to everything! You are just a short walk (or Mountie Express ride) from classes, dining facilities, library, fitness center, sporting events, and many other activities.
All-Inclusive Features: the housing costs include laundry, internet access, cable, microfridges and common area cleaning (hallways, bathrooms). All suite options are carpeted, include private bathrooms, and are air conditioned with individual thermostatic controls. Maintenance staff and contractors also respond to problems experienced in a timely manner, allowing you to focus on academic priorities.
Housing Options: On-campus students have the opportunity to request a variety of suite living arrangements to best accommodate their housing needs.
Independence: Learning to balance freedom and responsibility in a protected environment like a residence hall makes the post-college transition easier. Making key decisions for yourself is an important step in the maturing process.
Support: The selected student and trained professional staff in the residence halls are on hand to answer questions and help students succeed at MU.
Connection: There are so many ways to get involved and stay connected. From clubs and organizations to intramurals and club sports to student leadership positions to service/volunteer opportunities, there is something for everyone!
FUN!: Meet new people! Live new experiences! Attend awesome events! An endless array of social activities with new friends, on your floor, in your hall, and all over campus make it easy. Just show up and enjoy! These are the things that lifelong friendships and memories are made of!

College Bound Program

Our College Bound Program is for serious high school learners who know they will go to college, who want to explore their potential for college work, or who want to study subjects not normally available in high school.

The College Bound Program provides opportunities on-campus, off-campus, and distance education courses for outstanding high school students to develop their academic potential by pursuing college course work. Students who participate in this program take liberal arts or science courses, which are accepted at most colleges or universities in the U.S.

All academic courses meet departmental standards and earn Mansfield University credit. Students seeking approval to take course work through the College Bound Program must demonstrate strong potential for success at the college level.

Applicants must be recommended by their high school guidance counselor and demonstrate the ability to think critically and analytically. In recommending students for the College Bound Program, high school guidance counselors should use, but are not limited to the following guidelines: students who have pursued an academic curriculum in grades 9-12 and have demonstrated mastery of writing, mathematics, reading, and study skills. College Bound applicants must also demonstrate maturity and social skills appropriate for success in college course work. Students who meet the requirements for the College Bound Program are approved to pursue course work but are not admitted as matriculated students.

An approved College Bound candidate is not eligible for financial aid. However, students approved to take course work as a College Bound Student may be eligible for tuition discounts.

Students interested in the College Bound Program must submit an Undergraduate Non-Degree Application available online at http://admissions.mansfield.edu/apply-now/  or by phone at (570) 662-4204.

Dual Enrollment

The Dual Enrollment Program provides an opportunity for participating high school students who plan to pursue post-secondary education and wish to experience college level work to enroll in courses that will provide college as well as high school credit. To see a list of participating high schools and/or to complete the application, please visit http://admissions.mansfield.edu/apply-now.cfm.

Questions about the Dual enrollment process can be addressed through the Admissions Office at (570) 662-4243.

Early Studies Admission

If you are a high school senior who meets our admission requirements and are interested in attending full-time in lieu of attending high school during your senior year, upon final approval and acceptance, you are considered a first-time student at Mansfield University. All policies and procedures applicable to university first-time students apply. Should you select this option, you are responsible for obtaining permission from your high school administration or school board to attend Mansfield University in lieu of your senior year of high school studies.

You must file an application, and pay the $25 application fee, submit official high school transcripts, standardized test scores, and provide the following documentation from either your high school guidance counselor or principal:

  1. A letter stating that you have met your high school graduation requirements by the date you begin your enrollment here, or
  2. A letter stating that you will be taking coursework here to meet your high school graduation requirements. If this is the case, the letter will need to state exactly what courses the high school is requiring you to take here to complete your graduation requirements.

The need to take any developmental course work in the basic skill areas of reading, writing, or mathematics will result in disapproval of the application.

Early studies students are not eligible to receive financial aid because you must have already earned a high school diploma or general equivalency diploma (GED) to be eligible.

Non-Degree Students

Anyone interested in taking courses as a non-degree student is encouraged to apply online at least two weeks prior to the start of the term in which study will begin.

High school graduates or those who hold a General Equivalency Diploma (GED) certificate may choose this alternative route to take course work through the University without formally applying and without taking the SAT or ACT tests.

Approval to take course work as a non-degree student does not imply or guarantee admission to the University or acceptance in a degree program, but it does offer flexible educational experiences for nontraditional students. This program enables individuals to enrich themselves, improve a particular skill for current or future employment, try college courses to see if they want to pursue a degree, or transfer credit to another institution.

Students may earn up to 30 credit hours, exclusive of developmental (0090) course work, and then apply these credits toward a degree program at Mansfield University if admitted. A maximum of 11 credit hours may be scheduled by non-degree students during each academic semester of attendance.

Students may elect to audit courses at Mansfield University if spaces are available in appropriate courses. Credit is not awarded when a course is audited.

Questions about the non-degree process or course/curriculum requirements (outside of Dual Enrollment, which should be directed to Admissions), can be addressed to the Registrar’s office at (570) 662-4202.

Non-degree students are required to meet the University’s minimum academic requirements. Students who fail to meet those requirements at the end of a semester may be administratively disqualified and denied future enrollment at the discretion of the Provost or Dean.

Any student who is not a U.S. citizen must provide a current, valid visa and a TOEFL score (70 electronic or 500 paper) or demonstrate English proficiency. For additional information contact the Registrar office at (570) 662-4202.

Prior Learning Credit

You may contact our Student Registration and Financial Services Office to learn more about credit for prior learning. You may also visit: www.learningcounts.org/

Senior Citizens Program

Mansfield University offers tuition waivers to senior citizens who are receiving Social Security retirement benefits and are at least 62 years of age (or minimum age as defined by the federal Social Security Administration). Senior citizens may register for courses offered in the fall, spring, and summer sessions. Classes may be audited or taken for credit. Interested students must complete a Senior Citizen Tuition Waiver form available online at https://esd.mansfield.edu/tuition-and-fees/index.cfm or at the Student Registration and Financial Services Office. Along with the waiver form, you must submit proof of benefits (copy of monthly check or statement from the Social Security Office). Since only tuition is waived, students are charged the miscellaneous fees associated with the number of credits requested. For more information, contact the Registrar’s Office at (570) 662-4202.

Visiting Student Program

The Visiting Student Program allows students enrolled full-time at Pennsylvania State System of Higher Education universities to enroll at sister institutions for a limited period. A student wishing to enroll at Mansfield University as a visiting student must receive permission from the home university. To qualify, a student must have satisfactorily completed at least 27 credits at the home university and be in good academic standing. A student may take a maximum of 18 credits in a single semester and up to 12 credits of summer work as a visiting student.

Applications for visiting student status are submitted to Mansfield University’s Registrar’s Office for approval. The completed visiting student application (available from the home institution) provides verification of good academic standing. No further credentials are required for admission into the visiting student program at Mansfield University.

Each visiting student should request that a Mansfield University transcript be forwarded to the home campus after courses have been completed. Mansfield University assigns credits and grades in accordance with its own policies and procedures.

Special Art/Music Program Requirements

Applicants for an Art degree must satisfy general college admission requirements. While not required to submit an art portfolio for admission in most cases, students may be asked to do so, and may need to present their portfolio to the Art Department for the purpose of course placement. For further information contact the Art Department (570) 662-4500.

Applicants for a Music degree, having satisfied the requirements for general college admission, must audition for acceptance into Music programs. Acceptance is based upon a demonstration of both musical aptitude and accomplishment. For further information, contact the Music Department (570) 662-4710.

Transfer Admission

Students who have attempted college coursework elsewhere after high school graduation are considered Transfer Students. Students are normally eligible for transfer admission if they have attained an overall 2.0 cumulative grade point average (GPA) at accredited post-secondary institutions. Exceptions are as follows: Radiologic Technology and Respiratory Therapy, 2.5 GPA; Social Work, 2.5 GPA; Nutrition & Dietetics, 2.7 GPA; Nursing, 2.7 GPA; Education, 3.0 GPA. Credit is awarded for college-level courses completed in accredited colleges/universities. “Accredited” is defined to include any of the seven regional accrediting bodies only, e.g., The Middle States Commission on Higher Education for this region. Credits presented from non-accredited colleges or universities are not necessarily eligible for transfer consideration. Options for evaluation of prior learning from a non-accredited institution should be discussed with the Registrar’s Office.

Please note that transfer admission into the traditional BSN program is offered on a highly competitive and space-available basis.

All transfer applicants are encouraged to apply online at admissions.mansfield.edu. The $25 application fee is waived for students who have earned an associate’s degree prior to attending Mansfield University. Otherwise, transfer applicants should submit the $25 application fee. Transfer students must submit the application along with official transcript(s) from all post-secondary institutions previously attended to the Admissions Office. Mansfield University has a rolling admissions policy. All interested applicants are encouraged to apply early. Applications will be considered based upon academic credentials and space availability for the entry date requested.

If AP or IB credits were completed in high school, applicants must have official score reports/transcripts submitted to the Admissions Office for consideration of credits.

Students transferring from a non-accredited institution may opt to gain alternate credits through completion of CLEP exams. For information you may contact Wanda Labar at wlabar@mansfield.edu, 570-662-4771 or visit South Hall 212.

Applicants who have earned fewer than 30 credits in college-level work are required to submit an official high school transcript. If SATs/ACTs were completed, applicants are encouraged to submit an official score report, but they are not required with an acceptable transfer GPA.

There is no minimum number of credits required to transfer to Mansfield University.

Students approved for transfer to Mansfield University but who are still enrolled at another institution are granted admission on a provisional basis until all records from the previous institution have been reviewed and finalized.

Mansfield University participates in the Pennsylvania Transfer and Articulation Center. Students may access this site online and learn how their credits at Pennsylvania Community Colledges and other institutions transfer to Mansfield University. www.patrac.org/Student/tabid/194/Default.aspx

Health Science programs require completion of algebra, biology, and chemistry with a grade of C or better at the college level.  (Can be considered at the high school level, with grade of B or better.) See individual program pages for specific admission requirements. 

Transfer Credit Evaluation

Following acceptance into the university, an evaluation of courses taken at previous institutions is made in consultation with the appropriate academic departments.

Credits are evaluated on a course-by-course basis. Exceptions to this policy are specified in the State System of Higher Education Academic Passport for students transferring from Pennsylvania community colleges and transfer agreements between Mansfield University and many two-year institutions.

Actual grades and the grade point average (GPA) do not transfer from any previous institution; only the credits earned transfer. Although completion of remedial courses is recognized, credit does not transfer.

The number of credit hours that transfer from another institution cannot be more than the number awarded for completion of course work at that college/university.  For example, Introductory Biology might carry three credits at another institution and three credits would be given in transfer for such course even though the equivalent biology course at Mansfield is four credits. Furthermore, if a U.S. History course is four credits at another institution, four credits would be given in transfer even though U.S. History at Mansfield University is a three-credit course.

Because of the time necessary to develop skills required by the music curriculum, music students are advised to transfer as early as possible. Otherwise, it becomes increasingly difficult to complete the curriculum within the normal four-year span of time.

Credits in the music area must be validated by examination before they are accepted for transfer. This is to insure that the student is capable of successfully completing the remaining required courses.

Transfer students seeking to appeal the equivalency and/or application of their transfer credits to a degree program may do so through the Registrar’s Office at registrar@mansfield.edu.

Maximum Credits Accepted in Transfer

There is no limit on credits accepted from regionally accredited four-year colleges and universities. Mansfield University will accept in transfer a maximum of 67 credits of coursework from two-year junior or community colleges. Students must have earned a minimum 2.0 GPA from prior institutions to be eligible for transfer of courses with a grade of D. Transfer credit will be applied as appropriate to satisfy general education courses, courses required by the major, and elective courses. To earn a Mansfield University degree, students must complete 50% of their major courses at Mansfield University and a minimum of 25% of the total degree credit requirements at Mansfield University. To complete a minor, 50% of minor requirements must be completed at Mansfield University.

International students who wish to transfer credits to Mansfield University are required to have all transcripts evaluated by a service such as World Academic Research Center. http://www.foreigndegrees.com/ or World Education Services http://www.wes.org.application/. Credit cannot be awarded unless an evaluation service is used.

Readmission of Former Students

Any degree-seeking student who has not been in attendance during the previous semester must apply for readmission to the university through admissions.mansfield.edu (choose the “Apply now” link and select the Returning Student online application).

There is no application fee.

Students readmitted following a break of more than one semester fall under all university policies in effect at the time of readmission. Before students are readmitted, they must clear all outstanding University-related debts.

Academic Amnesty

The Academic Amnesty Policy allows certain students who have been separated from the University to return and not be unduly disadvantaged by their prior academic records. A student may be granted Academic Amnesty only once. Once granted, its conditions cannot be altered. Conditions for Academic Amnesty are as follows:

  1. A student must be separated from the University for at least five years before being eligible for Academic Amnesty.
  2. All grades for courses taken prior to the point at which Academic Amnesty is granted will remain on the academic transcript and academic history, but the cumulative GPA will be represented as “0.00.”
  3. Only those courses that reflect a grade of C or better and were earned at Mansfield University prior to readmission will count as credit hours earned toward graduation. Courses with grades of C- or less will not count toward graduation.
  4. A student will be placed on probation for the initial returning semester.
  5. A student must achieve a minimum grade point average of 2.00 by the end of the second semester. Failure to achieve the 2.00 minimum GPA will result in permanent dismissal from Mansfield University.

Procedure:

  1. The student is evaluated for admission through the normal processing of the readmission application in the Registrar’s Office.
  2. The student is referred to an advisor for review of academic standing.
  3. The student submits a petition for Academic Amnesty to the Petition Committee.

*Disclaimer:  Academic Amnesty by Mansfield University does not guarantee that other institutions or employers will accept the standards of said policy. Many graduate and professional degree programs disregard undergraduate institutional policies, and compute the undergraduate GPA utilizing all hours attempted when determining admission.  Mansfield University makes no guarantees as to how employers, certifying agencies, or other higher education institutions, including graduate school, professional schools and their common application systems (CAS), or other offices interpret the transcript of a student utilizing the Academic Amnesty policy.

It is the student’s responsibility to determine the implications of the Academic Amnesty GPA for each institution’s admissions process.

Principles Of Enrollment Management

Mansfield University endorses enrollment management principles and reserves the right to limit the total number of first-time, transfer, and readmission students within specific degree programs, as well as the total entering class at date of entry. Official entry dates occur in the summer, fall, and spring each academic year. A student may be offered admission to a waiting list based upon these principles. Assignment of confirmed spaces is made after a comprehensive review of academic credentials.

Summer School

Summer School at Mansfield University is designed to meet the needs of a variety of students. A wide range of educational opportunities include credit courses for undergraduates, non-degree, and graduate students, as well as workshops, ACT 48, travel abroad credit and non-credit courses, and seminars in the liberal arts, teacher education, and other fields of study. Summer courses include an array of online courses as well as traditional classroom experiences. Those who are interested can visit the website at summer.mansfield.edu to view course offerings.

Summer sessions are open to any student who has earned a high school diploma, a GED certificate, or as part of our dual enrollment program and College Bound programs for high school students.

Continuing university students, including new students, who wish to accelerate their programs of study will find both general education and other courses in a variety of academic disciplines. Students from other colleges and universities may take courses through Mansfield University. They are advised to first ensure that their home institutions will accept credits earned.

Teachers and graduate students will find courses in the summer program to serve a variety of needs. They may enroll to complete requirements for permanent certification, take refresher courses in their field of specialization, earn certification in a new field, or take academic coursework to meet ACT 48 requirements.

The policy regarding the number of credits for which a student may register during the summer sessions at Mansfield University is as follows: Students may not take more than six credits during either session, or more than 12 credits across the summer without the approval of the Academic Deans.

Housing is available on campus for summer students.

Distance Education: Online and Interactive Video

Mansfield University offers opportunities for learning in a variety of settings and via various methodologies. Recognizing the unique needs of learners, we have online undergraduate and graduate courses and programs, as well as televised interactive courses.  For further information about distance education, call 800-661-3640 or email online@mansfield.edu. Visit Online Learning at Mansfield University’s website for critical information, resources available, and directions related to responsibilities in taking a course online at Mansfield University. Website: http://www.online.mansfield.edu

A wide range of resources and services are available to support teaching, learning, and research for on-campus students and for distance education. Detailed information about the library’s collections and services is available through the home page at http://lib.mansfield.edu/ and more specifically http://mansfield.libguides.com/distance for our online population. Another important contact point is the Information Desk (Reference) Ask a Librarian or libref@mansfield.edu. Distance Education students will be mailed their library access bar code or may find this code at http://lib.mansfield.edu/faq/library-id-number-lookup/.

Prospective Students

Due to federal regulation, all universities offering distance education in states other than their own must receive authorization from those states to do so. If you are considering an online academic program that will lead to a professional license in your state, it is highly recommended that you seek guidance from the appropriate licensing agency in your home state before beginning a program at Mansfield University.

Online @ Mansfield University Complaint Process

Federal legislation (Higher Education Opportunity Act of 2008) requires colleges and universities to provide students with information necessary to make informed decisions concerning their educational experiences. One important item relates to student complaints. Mansfield University strives to serve its students fairly and equitably. If, however, a student has a complaint, we have the following process in place to assist the student in resolving the complaint.

Mansfield University encourages all students regardless of their residency, to FIRST initiate an attempt for resolution by following Mansfield University’s Academic Standards: Due Process/Complaints.  If an issue cannot be resolved by this internal process, a complaint may be filed with the Pennsylvania State System of Higher Education.  Students located outside Pennsylvania may also choose to file a complaint with the appropriate agency in your state of residence.  A list of the appropriate agencies is maintained by the State Higher Education Executive Officers (SHEEO).

If you are unable to resolve an issue internally, you may contact the appropriate state agency. We ask that you attempt to resolve complaints with the University internally before involving an outside agency.

Hybrid Courses

A hybrid course is a blend of face-to-face instruction with online learning. In a hybrid course, a significant part of the course learning is online, and the amount of classroom time is reduced. A course that is largely classroom based may include a combination of online or web-based components and requirements in addition to the classroom experience.

International Studies

Many opportunities are available for international students at Mansfield University.  International students accepted to Mansfield University are automatically considered for scholarships based on their academic achievement.

International Requirements for Admission

Applicants are required to send official certified copies of all academic records by postal mail to the Mansfield University Center for International Cooperation and Exchange in the Office of Admissions.  Academic records should be sent directly from the academic institution attended and contained in a sealed envelope.

Transfer applicants should also request that original language transcripts, accompanied by certified English translations, be sent directly to the admission office by an official from each college or university previously attended. These records should also be sent to a certified credential evaluation service (www.WES.org or www.AACRAO.org) with a request that the evaluation results be mailed directly to the Mansfield University Center for International Cooperation & Exchange.

Applicants from countries where English is not the official language are required to submit official results of the Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) Examination, the International Language Testing System (IELTS) exam, or the Scholastic Aptitude Test (SAT).  Applicants from countries where English is the official language must submit the Scholastic Aptitude Test (SAT). A TOEFL score of 65 on the internet-based exam, 525 on the printed exam, or 5.5 on the IELTS exam indicate sufficient English proficiency.  English as a Second Language (ESL) classes are available for applicants who are not fully proficient in English.

International Admissions Process

Applicants must submit the following documentation as part of the admissions process:

  1. General Application (online)
  2. $25.00 Application Fee
  3. Official Transcripts
  4. Official results of either the TOEFL, IELTS, or SAT
  5. Financial Aid Certification Form (online)
  6. W-8BEN Form (online)
  7. Financial Documentation
  8. A copy of current passport which must be valid for at least six months after entry into the United States on a student visa.
  9. Two letters of Recommendation.
  10. See Admissions Process statement below.

Admissions Process

Applicants are encouraged to submit their application and all required documentation at least three (3) months prior to their desired semester start dates. This allows adequate time for processing the application and academic documents.  All applications/forms are available online at http://admissions.mansfield.edu/international-students/index.cfm.

Transfer Students

International students who wish to transfer credit to Mansfield University are required to have all transcripts evaluated by a service such as World Academic Research Center http://www.foreigndegrees.com/ or World Education Services http://www.wes.org/application/. Credit cannot be awarded unless an evaluation service is used.

Non-Credit Programs

A complete schedule of non-credit courses is available at www2.mansfield.edu/non-credit-courses/.

Municipal Police Training Academy

Under PA ACT 120, an approved 919 hour training program is required to become a municipal police officer in the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania. Mansfield University is an approved school by the Municipal Police Officers’ Education and Training Commission (MPOETC).  Our academy provides each cadet with the professional skills and knowledge necessary to become successful law enforcement officers.  Our full time academy meets 40 hours each week, while our part-time program meets 20 hours each week, evenings and weekends.  Graduates of the police academy may earn up to 19 hours of college credit following approval of an application. For more information go to http://www.mansfield.edu/police-academy/

Partial Waiver of Police Academy for Former Federal Law Enforcement and Military Police Officers

PA Act 165 of 2012 allows former Federal Law Enforcement Officers and former Military Police Officers to obtain a partial waiver of the Act 120 Basic Training.  The Municipal Police Officers’ Education and Training Commission has approved a 295 hour course, as well as optional courses if needed, to comply with Act 165. Interested applicants can apply to MPOETC for an equivalency review to receive approval to attend the partial waiver academy.  For more information go to http://www.psp.pa.gov/MPOETC/training/Pages/Federal-Law-Enforcement-and-Military-Police-Officers.aspx