Marymount wishes to attract students whose educational interests and intellectual abilities are consistent with the goals and character of the University. The University's undergraduate curriculum provides a balance between liberal arts education and career preparation. The curriculum also prepares students to become educated citizens in a complex society and equips them with the skills and knowledge necessary for entry or advancement in their chosen career fields.
In reviewing applications for admission, Marymount University places primary emphasis on the strength of an applicant's academic record-the high school record for an entering freshman or the prior college studies of a transfer student. The University also takes into consideration national test scores, breadth of academic preparation, positive recommendations, and personal character in making its decisions. All submitted documents become University property and cannot be returned.
A confidential medical examination record that includes a complete record of immunizations is required for all undergraduate students. This record must be completed before the student may register for classes. The form is available from the Admissions Office or the Student Health Center.
Some students are required to have accident and/or health insurance. For details, please see "Insurance" on page 22.
At Marymount, a freshman student is defined as a first-time college student. Most freshmen enroll at the University directly out of high school.
Applicants to the freshman class may be considered for admission if their high school grade point average (GPA) exceeds a 2.5 or better on a 4.0 scale; their combined SAT scores are within 100 points of the national average; and their academic preparation, recommendations, and character indicate that they are qualified to undertake Marymount University programs.
The following minimum high school courses are recommended:
| English | 4 units |
| Foreign Language | 3 units |
| Mathematics | 3 units |
| Science | 2 units* |
| Social Studies | 3 units |
*It is strongly recommended that applicants to the School of Health Professions programs have completed high school biology and chemistry. Other secondary-level science experience will be considered in special cases.
Applicants who do not meet these regular admission norms are referred to a committee that uses an academic potential predictor to admit those who (it believes) have the best potential for success.
Applicants must submit the following items to be considered for admission:
A transfer student is defined as a student with a semester or more of college experience at another accredited college or university.
To be considered for admission, transfer applicants with 30 or more college credits must present a grade point average of at least 2.0 on a 4.0 scale from previous postsecondary institutions. Transfer applicants with fewer than 30 credits must also meet freshman admissions requirements. Please refer to individual School sections for additional requirements for specific programs. Nursing program applicants should note additional requirements beginning on page 125.
Applicants who have been enrolled in a college or university prior to applying to Marymount must submit the following:
Students who have been admitted for transfer to Marymount University will receive a formal transfer evaluation by the University registrar. It is the responsibility of the student applicant to provide the transcripts necessary for this evaluation. Marymount only accepts coursework for transfer credit from an institution accredited as degree-granting by a regional accrediting body for higher education at the time the coursework was completed. For more information on transfer policies, please see page 36.
To facilitate the entrance of transfer students from Northern Virginia Community College and Montgomery College in Maryland into baccalaureate programs, the University has articulation agreements with these institutions. These agreements inform students of course equivalencies between institutions. Information about these equivalencies is available from counselors at Northern Virginia Community College and Montgomery College, from Marymount University's Office of Admissions, Marymount's Academic Success Center, and the University Web site.
An international student is defined as an individual wishing to enroll who is neither a U.S. citizen nor a permanent U.S. resident.
Visitors in B-1/B-2 status are not eligible to register. These individuals must change their status to an F-1 student visa in order to study at Marymount. F-1 visa international undergraduates may only enroll full time as degree-seeking students. Contact the International Student Services Office for more information regarding this immigration regulation and other immigration-related questions.
Eligible international students must submit the following items to be considered:
The application must be received in the Admissions Office by the following dates, depending on where the applicant is presently residing:
International students in need of an I-20 form must adequately document financial resources for the program's duration. An I-20 will be issued when the applicant has been admitted, an original financial certification has been received, and a deposit has been paid. In cases where the applicant has been previously enrolled in the United States, a Transfer Clearance Form must be submitted.
The University offers an Honors Program for undergraduate students wishing to augment their academic experience with a specialized curriculum designed to provide greater depth, breadth, and challenge. The program's 21-credit course requirements can be integrated into any major.
Any student may apply to the Honors Program, but admission is competitive and limited to a maximum of 20 new participants each year. Applicants will be chosen based on a variety of credentials. The following criteria are recommended for those seeking program admission:
Those seeking admission to the program must submit an Honors Program application in addition to the general University admission application. Applicants must also submit an application essay and recommendations. Those admitted to the program are eligible for additional scholarship support.
For details about the Honors Program curriculum, please see pages 46-47. Additional criteria and application requirements can be found on the program's Web site: www.marymount.edu/honors.
All applicants to these programs must submit a completed application, along with a $35 nonrefundable application fee. Applicants should also see the School section offering the desired certificate program to learn of possible additional admission requirements.
F-1 international undergraduate students are not eligible to enroll in undergraduate certificate programs.
A nondegree undergraduate applicant is an individual who intends to enroll in a limited number of courses to increase vocational fitness, learn about recent developments in a field of interest, or transfer credits to a home institution. Nondegree applicants must submit the following items:
An F-1 visa student is not eligible to apply as a nondegree student. F-1 visa undergraduate students may only be admitted to the University as degree-seeking students. Please see page 15 for admission requirements and procedures.
No more than 30 credit hours of undergraduate courses earned as a nondegree student at Marymount University are applicable to undergraduate degree requirements or electives. Nondegree students are not eligible for financial aid and may not live on campus.
Visiting nondegree students from institutions outside the Consortium of Universities of the Washington Metropolitan Area receive academic advising through the Academic Success Center.
Students enrolled in off-site programs through Marymount's Office of Corporate Outreach are required to submit official transcripts and, depending upon their academic objective, follow admission requirements consistent with degree- or certificate-seeking students.
Students who complete certificate programs and wish to be admitted as degree-seeking students must apply for admission to the degree program. Completion of a certificate offering does not guarantee admission to a degree program.
Marymount participates in a number of programs that award credit to students for achievement or work experience, such as:
Advanced Placement (AP): Marymount University participates in the College Board Advanced Placement Program and awards college credit to entering students with qualifying scores. Applicants who seek advanced placement because they have taken one or more of the Advanced Placement Examinations should have the examination results sent to the Office of Admissions prior to enrollment. First-semester freshmen who have earned scores of 3, 4, or 5 may be granted credit (without grades). Advanced credit earned in this manner by entering freshmen will fulfill any University or departmental graduation requirement. Transfer students must have the scores sent directly to Marymount's Office of Admissions if they wish to receive credit. For a list of AP subject examinations, the Marymount course for which a student may earn credit(s), and the score required to earn those credit(s), please see the AP information on the Web at www.marymount.edu/ registrar/acbe04-05.html.
College-Level Examination Program (CLEP): Marymount University also participates with the College Board in this program. Credit may be awarded for the CLEP subject examinations depending upon the score earned. The University follows the guidelines recommended by the American Council on Education (ACE) for awarding credit. The student's University record will carry a notation of credit, but no grade will be awarded. The University does not recognize credits earned by CLEP general examinations. Undergraduate students interested in receiving credit for CLEP examinations should arrange for their official score reports to be sent directly from Educational Testing Service to the Office of Admissions.
For a list of CLEP subject examinations, the Marymount course for which a student may earn credit(s), and the score required to earn those credit(s), please see current CLEP information on the Web at www.marymount.edu/registrar/acbe04-05.html.
International Baccalaureate (IB): A student who does work based on college-level studies in an International Baccalaureate program in a secondary school may take the Higher Level Examinations. Subjects examined at the higher level with an earned grade of either 6 or 7 will be considered for transfer credit. Any student interested in receiving credit for the Higher Level Examinations of the International Baccalaureate program should arrange for an official grade report to be sent directly to the Office of Admissions. If credit is awarded, the student's University record carries a notation of credits, but no grade is recorded.
French Baccalaureate: Credit is granted for subjects with a minimum grade of 10. No credit is awarded for English or French language.
A-Levels: Credit is awarded for grades of A, B, or C. No credit is awarded for O-Level work.
DANTES/PONSI: Marymount University follows ACE guidelines for awarding credit applicable to a student's program.
Portfolio Assessment and Credit by Examination: Marymount University's Portfolio Assessment and Credit by Examination (PACE) program gives students the flexibility they need to complete their bachelor's degree with less financial and time commitment than traditional programs. Through PACE, students can utilize the knowledge and experience they have gained through independent study, work, travel, volunteer activities, and life experience to earn up to 30 credits toward their undergraduate degree.
To qualify for Marymount University's PACE program, students must be currently enrolled in a Marymount University degree program.
To earn credits through portfolio assessment, students must:
To earn credits by examination, students must:
Marymount University gives transfer credit for CLEP subject examinations with passing scores as determined by current DANTES standards, which are subject to change. Credit is not given for CLEP general examinations. Contact the Office of the Registrar for current information.
Acceptance of course credits earned elsewhere for credit toward degree requirements is at the sole discretion of Marymount University. No more than 30 undergraduate credits can be earned by a Marymount student through any combination of CLEP, ACT/PEP, DANTES examinations, or assessment of portfolios of prior learning administered through the Liberal Studies program. None of these 30 credits may be used to complete the residency requirement for graduation from Marymount.