ADMISSION

Southwest Texas State University welcomes applications for admission. An application form is provided in the back of this catalog. Those who need additional forms or brochures should visit, write, or call:

Office of Admission	Phone (512) 245-2364
Southwest Texas State University	Fax: (512) 245-8044
429 N. Guadalupe Street	E-Mail: admissions@swt.edu
San Marcos, Texas 78666	SWT web site: http://www.swt.edu

Deadlines for Admission

Students should apply for admission as early as possible. Those still in high school may apply once they have completed six semesters and can provide a preliminary high school transcript showing class rank. Application forms and credentials must be filed by the following deadlines:

Fall Semester	July 1
Spring Semester	December 1
Summer I	May 1
Summer II	June 15

Early application for admission and acceptance into the university means priority in residence hall and roommate selection. See housing policy, page 25.

A non-refundable application fee is required with all applications: $25 for new students; $10 for former and transient students; $75 for applicants considered for admission on the basis of foreign credentials.

Undergraduate Admission Programs

The university has general admission programs for (A) students with no previous college work, (B) students with 1-29 transferable college semester hours, (C) students with 30 or more transferable semester hours, and (D) former SWT students seeking readmission. Southwest Texas will, also, admit recipients of bona fide scholarships designated by the President of the University.

The university also offers special admission options. These are discussed in the section beginning on page 15.

1. Submit an application for admission, application fee and all credentials by the required deadline. High school transcripts must show class rank and SAT or ACT scores. Rank verification may be submitted after six semesters of high school.

2. Take the SAT I or ACT and have your test results sent directly to SWT (code numbers for SWT - SAT: 6667 and ACT: 4178). Your scores will arrive approximately five weeks after the test. Junior year test scores which meet minimum requirements are acceptable. Test scores documented on official high school transcripts may be submitted.

3. Satisfy general admission requirements.

H.S. Rank

SAT I*

ACT

Tests taken before April 1, 1995

Tests taken April 1, 1995 and after

Top 10%	No Min. **	No Min.**	No Min.**
1st Qtr.	800	920	20
2nd Qtr.	900	1010	22
3rd Qtr.	1100	1180	26
4th Qtr.	1200	1270	29

**No minimum scores required but scores must be submitted.

4. Take the following high school courses to ensure adequate preparation for college-level work:

Required Courses

English - 4 years

(college preparatory English courses)

Mathematics - 3 years

(combination of algebra I, algebra II, and geometry, or any mathematics course that requires these as prerequisites)

Science - 3 years

(biology, chemistry, physics preferred; two years must be in laboratory sciences)

Social Studies - 3 years

(world history or world geography - 1 year; U.S. history - 1 year; civics/government - 1 semester; economics - 1 semester)

Foreign Language - 2 years

(two years of same foreign language)

In addition to the courses listed above several other courses are included in a college preparatory curriculum endorsed by the State Board of Education and the Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board. These courses are also recommended for high school students: one additional unit of social studies, a third unit of foreign language, one-half unit of health, one-half unit of fine arts, one and one-half units of physical education, and one unit of computer skills.

1. Submit an application for admission, application fee and all credentials by the required deadline.

2. Satisfy general admission requirements explained in Program A, page 13.

3. Submit an official transcript from each postsecondary institution attended. You must be eligible to return (e.g., free of suspension, dismissal or enforced withdrawal) to all previous institutions regardless of GPA or degrees received.

4. Have a cumulative 2.0 GPA in all transferable college work.

1. Submit an application for admission, application fee and all credentials by the required deadline.

2. Submit an official transcript from each postsecondary institution attended. You must be eligible to return (e.g., free of suspension, dismissal or enforced withdrawal) to all previous institutions regardless of GPA or degrees received. Applications for those with two or more prior suspensions will be reviewed by the director of admission.

3. Have a minimum 2.25 GPA in all transferable work attempted. In calculating your GPA, grades of A, B, C, D, and F are computed as recorded. Grades of W or WP are disregarded. Grades of WF or I are averaged as F. If you have repeated a course, all grades except the first will be used. Grades in non-transferable and technical/vocational courses are disregarded. See page 49, Academic Policies, for specific information and policies for repeated grades and courses.

1. Submit an application for admission, application fee and all transcripts prior to the late registration period for the semester of desired enrollment.

2. Submit official transcripts from every institution attended since last enrolling at SWT. Former students who have taken 30 or more transferable hours since last enrolling at SWT must have a minimum 2.25 GPA in that work.

3. Attest to the fact that no suspensions, withdrawals, or dismissals affect his or her eligibility to return to all previously attended institutions.

Note: A student who leaves SWT due to academic suspension will return on probationary status after complying with the suspension requirements and meeting the readmission criteria outlined above. (See the policy stated in "Readmission Following Suspension" on page 56). Some SWT former students may be eligible for the Academic Bankruptcy Policy (see page 16).

Special Admission Options

Predicted Academic Success Review. Freshman applicants who are in the top three quarters of their classes, and whose high school rank and test scores place them near the general admission requirements, are eligible for an individual review. A limited number of students whose academic record demonstrates potential for academic success at SWT will be offered admission. Factors considered in the review process are class rank, high school courses and grades, and the verbal and math scores of either the ACT or SAT I entrance exams. The review must demonstrate potential for academic success during the freshman year at SWT. Students in the fourth quarter are not eligible for this review.

To be considered, students must submit a seven-semester transcript that includes class rank. Applicants will be notified of their admissibility or inadmissibility beginning March 1 for Summer Sessions I, II and Fall. Spring applicants will be notified beginning November 1. Students in the top quarter may be notified earlier.

Some applicants who are reviewed and approved for admission will be placed on a one-semester contract. This provisional admission is available only during the fall semester.

Early Admission Program. A high school student may apply for admission to SWT and take college course work while completing high school. Requirements for admission are a grade average of B or better, a recommendation from a high school counselor or principal, and that the student meets or exceeds the SWT freshman admission requirements.

Individual Approval. Applicants with no previous college work who have been out of school for at least three years holding a high school diploma or GED equivalent must submit an official high school transcript validating high school graduation or GED completion certificate. The high school transcript, GED certificate, application and application fee must be submitted by the appropriate deadline. No test score is required for admission review. Students whose record demonstrates potential for academic success at SWT will be offered admission. Approval must be granted by the director of admission.

General Education Development (GED) Tests. Students with medical or personal reasons for not completing high school may elect to take the General Educational Development (GED) tests. SWT recognizes the GED tests from an applicant with no previous college work whose high school class has graduated. Students with a GED certificate may be considered for admission provided they meet 4th quarter test score requirements.

Transient Admission. Students who have completed college work and who are working toward a degree at another college or university are eligible to be considered for transient admission. Transient admission is for the summer only. The applicant must complete an application for admission listing all colleges and universities attended. To be admissible as a transient, a student must be in good standing at their current institution. A statement of good standing or current transcript indicating good standing at the institution of current enrollment must be submitted to the Office of Admission. Upon completion of the summer work, the student may request a transcript for use in the home institution. Credit and grade points earned as a transient student at SWT will not be used in determining regular eligibility for admission to SWT.

Special Student Option. Students with prior college work who are not working toward a degree at SWT may be considered for admission as a special student. Students under this designation are limited to a total of 9 semester hours. Special students must reapply each semester by the stated deadline. Students must be eligible to return to each previous postsecondary institution (i.e., free of suspension, dismissal or enforced withdrawal). Approval must be granted by the director of admission.

Work earned as a special student will be applied toward a degree only after the student has reapplied and has met general admission requirements. Courses completed as a special student will not be considered in the general admission decision.

Academic Bankruptcy Policy. Students who have not enrolled in any accredited college or university for five or more consecutive calendar years prior to admission to SWT, may at the time they apply for admission, request permission to declare academic bankruptcy. Under this policy all college-level work done at an earlier date is eliminated from computation of the GPA and none of it is applied toward a degree at SWT. Such work, however, will not be removed from the student's records. Those granted academic bankruptcy are admitted on academic probation.

Academic Fresh Start. Under the provisions of the Texas Education Code, Section 51.929, the Academic Fresh Start program was established to allow a Texas resident to apply for admission and elect to have all academic course work earned 10 or more years prior to the requested enrollment date ignored for admission purposes. Individuals who choose Academic Fresh Start, including former SWT students, must meet current published admission criteria for Southwest Texas State University and must submit official records from all colleges attended. For further information, contact the Office of Admission.

International Student Admission. An international student is defined as anyone who is not a United States citizen. However, a permanent resident alien who has completed two or more years in and graduated from a U.S. high school is required to meet the admission requirements established for U.S. citizens (refer to Undergraduate Admission Programs, page 12).

International applicants should complete the International Student Application form. The application and all credentials must be submitted by the required deadline. A non-refundable $75.00 fee (U.S. currency) is required for all international applicants. Freshman applicants who are graduates of foreign secondary schools must demonstrate that they have above average academic achievement and an education equivalent to that of a U.S. high school graduate. Students transferring from foreign institutions must demonstrate above average academic achievement in their postsecondary education. Applicants must submit original academic records (or copies which have been certified by an appropriate school official) of all secondary and postsecondary course work, examination results, certificates awarded, and/or diplomas. A certified English translation must accompany the original academic records if the original records are not in English. Freshman applicants who are graduates of a U.S. high school and who completed at least two years in a U.S. high school must meet the freshman admission requirements established for U.S. citizens. Transfer applicants from within the U.S. must meet all regular transfer admission requirements (see page 14).

All applicants whose native language is not English must present a score of at least 550 on the Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL). Information concerning the TOEFL may be obtained from the Educational Testing Service, P.O. Box 899, Princeton, New Jersey, 08540, U.S.A.

International applicants who meet the established admission requirements but do not yet have the required level of English proficiency (550 on the TOEFL), may be eligible for conditional admission. Conditional admission allows students to begin their full-time study at SWT in the Studies in English Program (SWT/ESL). Formal acceptance into a degree-granting program is contingent upon completion of the intensive English program at SWT and achieving a TOEFL score of 550 or above.

International students who plan to attend SWT on an F-1 student visa must furnish proof of sufficient financial resources for their educational and personal expenses. For the 1996-97 academic year, a minimum of $16,096 is required. An additional $3,100 is needed for persons enrolling in summer sessions. After all academic and financial requirements have been met, SWT will issue a form I-20 to qualified international applicants. A permanent resident alien is not required to furnish proof of financial support and is not issued a form I-20. All nonimmigrant international students are required to carry health insurance as a condition of enrollment at SWT. Students may purchase the group medical insurance made available by the university or provide a comparable medical insurance plan of their own.

For further information, contact the Office of Admission at (512) 245-2802.

Auditing Courses. Those who wish to audit a course must be accepted by the Office of Admission and approved by the department offering the course. Audit status must be declared at registration. Participation in class discussion and examinations is optional with the instructor. Auditors receive no course credit but are expected to attend class regularly. With departmental approval, a student who has audited a course may later take the course for credit.

Transfer Credit

Evaluation of Transfer Credit. Transfer of credit from another institution to SWT involves consideration of accreditation, comparability of course work and applicability of that course work to an SWT degree program. Evaluated transcripts will be sent to the student at the time of notification of the final admission decision. These transcripts will be used by faculty advisers for academic advising.

Regional Accreditation. SWT will consider for transfer credit (subject to other provisions outlined below) course work completed at institutions which have been granted membership or candidacy status in a regional association of the Association of Colleges and Schools, excluding accrediting commissions for vocational or occupational training.

No Regional Accreditation. Course work from an institution which is neither regionally accredited nor a candidate for such accreditation will not be recognized for transfer purposes. Student appeals may be reviewed on an individual basis.

Role of Admission Office in Determining Transfer Credit. The Office of Admission reviews each course taken at another college or university and makes the initial determination of whether or not a course is transferable. The course is evaluated for transfer credit by comparing the nature, content, and level of transfer credit and appropriateness and applicability of the credit earned to the courses at SWT. Courses transfer to SWT on the same level and with the corresponding grades and number of hours as earned at the other institution. It is sometimes necessary for the transfer student to provide such materials as school catalogs, course descriptions, syllabi, class assignments, or textbooks to assure proper evaluation. The holding of an associate degree from another institution has no effect on the transfer of credit or admission to SWT.

Role of College of General Studies. The College of General Studies will coordinate student requests for review of elective courses (ELNA, ELADV) for application to the general studies requirements.

Role of School Dean and Department Chair of Student's Major. The applicability of credit transferred to a degree at SWT will be the decision of the school dean and the chair of the student's major department. The applicability of transferred credit will be evaluated on a course-by-course basis.

Explanation of Evaluation Symbols. Office of Admission personnel assign evaluation symbols to all courses submitted.

1) Courses which have direct SWT course equivalency will be equated to the SWT course number and be reflected accordingly on the evaluated transcript record.

2) Courses which hold transfer credit value, but which do not have an exact SWT course equivalency will transfer as elective courses. Elective courses will be recorded as: ELNA (for lower level freshman and sophomore courses) and ELADV (for upper level junior and senior courses). Courses transferred at the lower level cannot be equated as upper level courses. The school dean and the chair of the student's major department will determine how these elective courses apply toward the student's degree.

3) Courses evaluated as Technical and Vocational (T&V) are not transferable and not computed in the GPA for admission purposes. In a few specified degree programs, the chair of the student's major department may review the work on a course-by-course basis and recommend to the Admission Office that the T&V credit be recorded on the student's official SWT transcript. Should the student's major change, the applicability of the T&V credit toward the new major will be subject to review by the chair of the student's new major department. Although T&V credit is generally not accepted, a student may validate course work for SWT credit by passing a qualifying exam.

4) Courses which hold no transfer value for either admission or degree purposes are evaluated as Non-Transferable (NT). Generally, these are courses that are remedial, preparatory, or developmental in nature.

5) Physical education activity courses are evaluated as Activity (ACT). These are transferable for admission and degree purposes.

Texas Common Course Numbering System. The Texas Common Course Numbering System was developed to facilitate transfer of general academic courses between Texas public junior and senior institutions. Common courses are included in the Community College General Academic Course Guide Manual, published by the Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board. Common course numbers may be used to determine how freshman and sophomore level courses from Texas public junior institutions transfer to senior institutions.

The common course number has a standardized four-letter prefix followed by a four-digit number &endash; example, ENGL 1301. The four-letter prefix identifies the subject area. Each digit in the four-digit sequence gives additional information about the course. The first digit identifies the course as either freshman level (1) or sophomore level (2). The second digit identifies the number of credit hours a student will earn upon completion of the course. Most often this digit will be a 1, 2, 3, or 4. The final two digits serve to establish the sequence in which courses are generally taken.

In the course description sections of the catalog, the common course number is shown in parentheses &endash; example (ENGL 1301). The following is a list of all the common course numbers currently adopted by Southwest Texas State University. The courses that fulfill the General Studies requirements on page 64 are designated with an asterisk.

TCC #	SWT #	TCC #	SWT #
ACCT 2301	ACC 2361	DANC 1145	PFW 1180G
ACCT 2302	ACC 2362	DANC 1146	PFW 1180H
AGRI 1131	ASD 1110	DANC 1147	PFW 1180A
AGRI 1309	AG 2390	DANC 1148	PFW1180B
AGRI 1315	AG 2379	DANC 1201	DAN 2208
AGRI 1419	AG 1445	DANC 2141	PFW 1180F
AGRI 2317	AG 2383	DANC 2145	PFW 1180I
ANTH 2351	*ANTH 1312	DANC 2147	PFW 1180C
ARTS 1303	*ARTH 2301	DRAM 1120	TH A 2111
ARTS 1304	*ARTH 2302	DRAM 1121	TH A 2111
ARTS 1311	ARTF 1301	DRAM 1141	TH A 2111
ARTS 1312	ARTF 1303	DRAM 1161	TH A 2111
ARTS 1316	ARTF 1302	DRAM 1162	TH A 2111
ARTS 2311	ARTF 1304	DRAM 1330	TH A 1358
ARTS 2316	ARTS 2351	DRAM 1351	TH A 1364
ARTS 2323	ARTS 2321	DRAM 1352	TH A 1365
ARTS 2326	ARTS 2381	DRAM 2120	TH A 2111
ARTS 2333	ARTS 2371	DRAM 2121	TH A 2111
ARTS 2336	ARTS 2331	DRAM 2331	TH A 2338
ARTS 2341	ARTS 2341	DRAM 2336	TH A 1340
ARTS 2346	ARTS 2311	DRAM 2351	TH A 2354
ARTS 2366	ARTS 2391	ECON 2301	ECO 2310
BIOL 1322	FCS 2367	ECON 2302	*ECO 2320
BIOL 1411	*BIO 1410	ENGL 1301	*ENG 1310
BIOL 1413	*BIO 1420	ENGL 1302	*ENG 1320
BUSI 1301	MGT 1321	ENGL 2322	*ENG 2310
BUSI 2301	BLAW 2361	ENGL 2323	*ENG 2320
CHEM 1305	*CHEM 1310	ENGL 2326	*ENG 2380
CHEM 1407	*CHEM 1430	ENGL 2332	*ENG 2330
CHEM 1411	*CHEM 1410	ENGL 2333	*ENG 2340
CHEM 1412	*CHEM 1420	ENGR 2305	TECH 2370
CHEM 2423	CHEM 2410	FREN 1411	FR 1410
CHEM 2425	CHEM 2420	FREN 1412	*FR 1420
COMM 1307	MC 1301	FREN 2311	*FR 2310
COMM 2311	MC 1313	FREN 2312	*FR 2320
COSC 1332	CIS 2371	GEOG 1302	*GEO 1309
CRIJ 1301	CJ 1310	GEOG 1303	*GEO 1310
CRIJ 1306	CJ 2350	GEOL 1403	*GEOL 1410
CRIJ 1307	CJ 2324	GEOL 1404	*GEOL 1420
CRIJ 1310	CJ 2360	GERM 1411	GER 1410
CRIJ 2313	CJ 2355	GERM 1412	*GER 1420
CRIJ 2314	CJ 2330	GERM 2311	*GER 2310
CRIJ 2323	CJ 2315	GERM 2312	*GER 2320
CRIJ 2328	CJ 2310	GOVT 2301	*POSI 2310
DANC 1122	PFW 1180J	GOVT 2302	*POSI 2320
DANC 1128	PFW 1180J	GOVT 2303	POSI 2323
DANC 1133	PFW 1180J	GOVT 2304	POSI 1309
DANC 1141	PFW 1180D	HECO 1320	FSC 1332
DANC 1142	PFW 1180B	HECO 1325	FSC 2329

TCC #	SWT #	TCC #	SWT #
HECO 1328	FSC 2333	MUSI 2216	MU 2262
HECO 2311	FSC 1337	OFAD 2301	MGT 1325
HIST 1301	*HIST 1310	PHED 1164	PFW 1101
HIST 1302	*HIST 1320	PHED 1301	PE 1310
HIST 2311	*HIST 2310	PHED 1304	H ED 1310
HIST 2312	*HIST 2320	PHED 1306	H ED 2354
HIST 2321	*HIST 2311	PHED 1333	PE 2365
HIST 2322	*HIST 2312	PHED 1336	REC 2335
HORT 1301	AG 2379	PHED 1346	H ED 2338
JAPN 1411	JAPA 1410	PHIL 1301	*PHIL 1305
JAPN 1412	*JAPA 1420	PHIL 2303	PHIL 2330
JAPN 2311	*JAPA 2310	PHIL 2316	PHIL 2311
JAPN 2312	*JAPA 2320	PHIL 2317	PHIL 2312
MATH 1312	MATH 1311	PHYS 1105	*PHYS 1110
MATH 1314	*MATH 1315	PHYS 1111	PHYS 1140
MATH 1316	MATH 1317	PHYS 1305	*PHYS 1310
MATH 1324	*MATH 1319	PHYS 1307	*PHYS 1320
MATH 1325	MATH 1329	PHYS 1311	PHYS 1340
MATH 1342	MATH 2328	PHYS 1312	PHYS 1350
MATH 1348	MATH 2363	PHYS 1401	*PHYS 1410
MATH 2412	*MATH 2417	PHYS 1402	*PHYS 1420
MATH 2413	*MATH 2471	PHYS 2425	*PHYS 1430
MATH 2414	MATH 2472	PHYS 2426	*PHYS 2425
MUSI 1104	MU 2123	PHYS 2427	*PHYS 2435
MUSI 1157	MUSE 1121S	PSYC 2301	*PSY 1300
MUSI 1158	MUSE 1121S	PSYC 2306	PSY 2311
MUSI 1166	MUSP 1111T	PSYC 2314	PSY 2315
MUSI 1167	MUSP 1111T	PSYC 2315	PSY 2350
MUSI 1181	MUSP 1108W	RUSS 1411	RUSS 1410
MUSI 1182	MUSP 1110W	RUSS 1412	*RUSS 1420
MUSI 1183	MUSP 1131Z	RUSS 2311	*RUSS 2310
MUSI 1188	MUSP 1111U	RUSS 2312	*RUSS 2320
MUSI 1189	MUSP 1111R	SGNL 1401	CDIS 1410
MUSI 1208	MU 2203	SGNL 1402	CDIS 1420
MUSI 1209	MU 2204	SGNL 2301	CDIS 2310
MUSI 1216	MU 1210	SGNL 2302	CDIS 2320
MUSI 1217	MU 1212	SOCI 1301	*SOCI 1310
MUSI 1303	MU 2310	SOCI 1306	SOCI 2320
MUSI 2157	MUSE 2121S	SOCW 2361	SOWK 1350
MUSI 2158	MUSE 2121S	SPAN 1411	SPAN 1410
MUSI 2160	MU 2141	SPAN 1412	*SPAN 1420
MUSI 2161	MU 2141	SPAN 2311	*SPAN 2310
MUSI 2166	MUSP 2113T	SPAN 2312	*SPAN 2320
MUSI 2168	MUSP 2113S	SPCH 1144	COMM 2111
MUSI 2181	MUSP 1112W	SPCH 1145	COMM 2111
MUSI 2182	MUSP 1114W	SPCH 1311	*COMM 1310
MUSI 2188	MUSP 2113U	SPCH 1315	COMM 2338
MUSI 2189	MUSP 2113R	SPCH 1318	COMM 1315
MUSI 2212	MU 2260	SPCH 1342	COMM 1340

TCC #	SWT #	TCC #	SWT #
SPCH 2144	COMM 2111	SPCH 2333	COMM 2330
SPCH 2145	COMM 2111	SPCH 2335	COMM 2325

Transcripts. Official SWT transcripts separate transfer course work and grades from SWT course work and grades. The transfer grade point average is used to determine eligibility for admission purposes. Credits transferred are included in the total hours the student has earned, but the grades and quality points are not transferred and do not affect the student's grade point average at SWT.

Maximum Hours Accepted. SWT will apply to a specific degree no more than 66 semester hours from an accredited junior/community college (at the approval of the individual dean, 6-8 hours may be added). At the time of the transfer, all transferable work completed at a junior/community college will be recorded on the official transcript. If the number of hours transferred from a junior college exceeds 66 hours, it will be the responsibility of the department chair to recommend to the academic dean how the student will satisfy degree requirements.

Resolution of Transfer Disputes for Lower-Division Courses.

a. The following procedures shall be followed by public institutions of higher education in the resolution of transfer credit disputes involving lower-division courses:

1. If an institution of higher education does not accept course credit earned by a student at another institution of higher education, the receiving institution shall give written notice to the student and to the sending institution that transfer of the course credit is denied.

2. The two institutions and the student shall attempt to resolve the transfer of the course credit in accordance with Board rules and/or guidelines.

3. If the transfer dispute is not resolved to the satisfaction of the student or the sending institution within 45 days after the date the student received written notice of denial, the institution whose credit is denied for transfer shall notify the Commissioner of the denial.

b. The Commissioner of Higher Education or the Commissioner's designee shall make the final determination about the dispute concerning the transfer of course credit and give written notice of the determination to the involved student and institutions.

c. All public institutions of higher education shall publish the procedures described in subsections (a) and (b) of this section in their undergraduate course catalogs.

d. All public institutions of higher education shall furnish data to the Board on transfer disputes as the Board may require in accord with its statutory responsibilities under Section 61.078(e) of the Education Code.

e. If a receiving institution has cause to believe that a course being presented by a student for transfer from another school is not of an acceptable level of quality, it should notify the Commissioner of Higher Education. The Commissioner may investigate the course. If its quality is found to be unacceptable, the Board may discontinue funding for the course.

Non-Traditional Credit

Students admitted to SWT may earn academic credit for learning or experience they have completed before enrolling. Three types of non-traditional credit are summarized below. For further information, contact the Office of Admission at (512) 245-2364.

Credit for Experiential Learning. The Office of Occupational Education is the only academic unit at SWT that awards academic credit for experiential learning. Such credit is validated after enrollment at SWT according to established criteria and is forwarded to the Office of Admission for posting to the student's record. Should a student change majors, the validation of extra-institutional credit will be re-evaluated by the new department. For information call (512) 245-2115.

Military Credit. The Office of Admission will review course work from educational experience obtained in the Armed Forces. Four hours of physical education activity credit will be awarded by the Office of Admission upon receipt of Form DD214 that verifies one year of active military duty. For other course work to be considered for transfer credit, the student must submit Form DD295 or an official AARTS transcript. The Office of Admission will use the "Guide to the Evaluation of Educational Experience in the Armed Services" for evaluating the course work. Evaluations will be completed after enrollment and transfer credit is subject to approval by the student's major department. Credit from the Community College of the Air Force will be recorded as technical and vocational with the exception of four hours of physical education activity credit.

Credit-by-Examination. Credit earned through examination may be awarded SWT transfer credit when listed on an official transcript of the college or university where the student has been enrolled. Such credits are evaluated by transfer credit criteria and awarded grades of credit (CR) only.

For further information on credit by examination offered at SWT, contact the Testing, Research-Support and Evaluation Center (TREC) at (512) 245-2276. See also page 85.

Campus Visits

Students and their parents are welcome to visit SWT any day the university is open. Drop-in visitors are welcome but a call or letter a few days in advance will help the admission staff give the best possible service. When classes are in session, campus tours are available Monday through Friday, from 10 a.m. through 2 p.m. Although university offices are closed on weekends, an information center is open (except on holidays). Weekend visitors should go to the LBJ Student Center.

College Day at SWT is a special Saturday when prospective students and their families visit the campus to learn about academic programs, services, activities, and admission. College Days are normally scheduled for one Saturday in the fall and two in the spring. For information on specific dates, contact the Office of Admission at (512) 245-2364.

New Student Orientation and Registration for Classes

Freshmen and transfers entering SWT for the first time must attend New Student Orientation. These special programs for freshman and transfer students are held before each semester to provide information about student services, class scheduling, and registration. These sessions also include academic advisement for new students. All new freshmen and transfers who have fulfilled SWT's admission and housing requirements will be mailed orientation information prior to the semester for which they plan to enroll.

Prior to orientation and registration, it is recommended that each student have a completed medical history form and an immunization record or approved exemption certificate on file at the Student Health Center. There should be evidence of freedom from infectious tuberculosis and adequate levels of immunity, acquired naturally or by immunization against the following diseases: tetanus; diphtheria; poliomyelitis (I, II, III); measles, mumps and rubella (MMR). A medical history form will be enclosed with the student's letter of acceptance. For further information, call the Student Health Center at (512) 245-2161.

Residency for Tuition

The determination of residency classification for tuition purposes is governed by statutes enacted by the Texas Legislature and rules and regulations promulgated by the Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board. Following are statutes covering some of the more common residency situations. They are neither exhaustive nor complete and should not be interpreted as such. Full regulations are given in the Coordinating Board publication Rules and Regulations for Determining Residence Status. This publication and further information is available from the Office of Admission.

A student's status as a resident, non-resident or foreign student will be determined by the Office of Admission prior to enrollment. The student is responsible for registering under the proper residence classification. Any change in residency status must be reported to the Office of Admission.

Minors and Dependents. Statute: Section 54.02(a)(3) "Dependent" means an individual who is claimed as a dependent for federal income tax purposes by the individual's parent or guardian at the time of registration and for the tax year preceding the year in which the individual registers.

Section 54.052(c) An individual who is under 18 years of age or is a dependent and who is living away from family and whose family resides in another state or has not resided in Texas for the 12-month period immediately preceding the date of registration shall be classified as a nonresident student.

Section 54.052(d) An individual who is under 18 years of age or is a dependent and whose family has not resided in Texas for the 12-month period immediately preceding the date of registration shall be classified as a nonresident student, regardless of whether he has become the legal ward of residents of Texas or has been adopted by residents of Texas while he is attending an educational institution in Texas, or within a 12-month period before his attendance, or under circumstances indicating that the guardianship or adoption was for the purpose of obtaining status as a resident student.

Section 54.055 An individual who is 18 years of age or under or is a dependent and whose parents were formerly residents of Texas is entitled to pay the resident tuition fee following the parents' change of legal residence to another state, as long as the individual remains continuously enrolled in a regular session in a state-supported institution of higher education.

Foreign Students. Statute: Section 54.057(a) An alien who is living in this country under a visa permitting permanent residence or who has filed with the proper federal immigration authorities a declaration of intention to become a citizen has the same privilege for qualifying for resident status for fee purposes under this Act as has a citizen of the United States. (Note: In the case of a dependent student, both the student and a parent must have permanent resident status. Persons granted permanent resident status while in Texas must wait a minimum of 12 months from date of issue to request resident status for tuition purposes.)

Married Students. Statute: Section 54.056 A student who is a resident of Texas and who marries a nonresident is entitled to pay the resident tuition fee as long as the student does not adopt the legal residence of the spouse in another state.

Independent Individuals Over 18. Statute: Section 54.052(e) An individual who is 18 years of age or over who has come from outside Texas and who is gainfully employed in Texas for a 12-month period immediately preceding registration in an educational institution shall be classified as a resident student as long as he continues to maintain a legal residence in Texas.

Section 54.052(f) An individual who is 18 years of age or over who resides out of the state or who has come from outside Texas and who registers in an educational institution before having resided in Texas for a 12-month period shall be classified as a nonresident student.

Section 54.052(g) An individual who would have been classified as a resident for the first five of the six years immediately preceding registration but who resided in another state for all or part of the year immediately preceding registration shall be classified as a resident student. (Note: The parent(s) of dependents must return to the state to live in order for the dependent to be considered a resident.)

Reclassification. Section: 54.054 A nonresident student classification is presumed to be correct as long as the residence of the individual in the state is primarily for the purpose of attending an educational institution. (Students seeking reclassification should contact the Office of Admission for further information.)

Exceptions. A non-resident may qualify to pay in-state tuition if:

1) The student or his/her spouse or parent is a member of the Armed Forces or a commissioned officer of the Public Health Service and is stationed in Texas. (Military and Public Health Service personnel who maintain their official home of record or legal residence as Texas are considered to be Texas residents.)

2) The student or his/her spouse or parent is employed at least half-time by Southwest Texas State University in a teaching or research assistant position related to his/her major, or the student or his/her spouse or parent is employed at least half-time by a Texas public institution of higher education as a teacher or professor.

3) The student holds a competitive scholarship from SWT of a least $1000 for the academic year or summer awarded by an official SWT scholarship committee.

4) The student or his/her spouse or parent has located in Texas as an employee of a business or organization that became established in this state as part of the program of state economic development and diversification. (Note: Contact the Office of Admission for list of qualified employers.)

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Last Updated: 2/25/1997