Return to: College of Graduate and Undergraduate Studies

Mission Statement

The Mission of the Life University College of Graduate and Undergraduate Studies is to empower students to achieve successful careers and meaningful lives, based on a vitalistic philosophy that promotes optimum performance and transformational leadership, to produce a positive impact in a dynamic world.

College Organization

Life University currently offers 15 undergraduate majors, as well as programs of concentration and licensure in addition to graduate programs leading to a master’s degree in athletic training, nutrition, psychology and sport health science.  We also offer a non-degree pathway for students interested in completing requirements for admission to the Doctor of Chiropractic program.

Undecided?  Our diverse course offerings provide an opportunity to explore options and determine how your interests, passion and skills define the path to your career.

Academic programs in CGUS are organized into four different departments, each housing a group of majors and minors that complement one another.  You are encouraged to take advantage of the inter-disciplinary nature of many of our programs to maximize your areas of interests.

The Assistant Deans for each of the academic areas report directly to the Dean of the College of Graduate and Undergraduate Studies on issues of program accreditation, academic policy, assessment and program development.  There are four divisions in the College: Liberal Studies, Social Sciences, Natural Sciences, and Sport Health Science. The Division of Liberal Studies includes the Department of General and Transitional Studies, the Department of Business, and the Department of Computer Information Management. The Division of Social Sciences includes the Department of Positive Human Development & Social Change and the Department of Psychology. The Division of Natural Sciences includes the Department of Nutrition and the Department of Biology. The Division of Sport Health Science includes the Department of Exercise Science and the Department of Athletic Training. The Undergraduate Curriculum Committee is responsible for overseeing curricula.

Undergraduate Studies

General Undergraduate Application Procedures and Requirements

A student applying for admission as an undergraduate student is required to submit the following materials to Life University’s Office of Enrollment by the applicable deadline:

1. A completed online application for undergraduate study accompanied by an application processing fee of $50.00. (The fee is non-refundable and constitutes part of the application file/record); and
2. Official high school and/or college transcript(s) from every secondary or post-secondary/institution of higher education attended (if applicable) showing courses, grades, and anticipated or actual date(s) of graduation should be sent directly from the institution where the coursework was completed to Life University’s Office of Enrollment. 
Where appropriate, a GED score report may be submitted/required. Unofficial transcripts may be acceptable for admission consideration initially. (International transcripts require an official international transcript evaluation conducted by an approved international evaluation service. These hours must be equivalent to courses taught at Life University. Equivalency is determined by the department.); and
3. Official SAT or ACT scores (essay/writing sections are optional) must be sent directly to Life University’s Office of Enrollment from the testing agency. Life University’s ACT code is 0845; College Board (SAT, RSAT, and ACCUPLACER) is 7006. Unofficial scores may be initially accepted for admission consideration. Applicants are urged to complete all testing well in advance of applying for admission to Life University. (Please note that if scores for essay/writing sections of SAT/ACT are not submitted, an ACCUPLACER test or other placement test may be required prior to the start of the quarter.); and
4. A signed Technical Standards Form for the applicable program (if required). 

Application Schedule

A student may begin their course of study at Life University in any quarter as applications for admission are accepted quarterly throughout the year. All admissions requirements should be met and all official documentation received in the Office of Enrollment (Admissions) 30 days (60 days for all international students) prior to the beginning of the quarter of intended enrollment. 

Criminal Record

All applicants must reveal whether they have a criminal record and cooperate by providing complete information for its review. A record of serious criminal convictions, particularly for a felony or where a minor is involved, may disqualify an applicant for admission and/or for licensure in most states. 

Application Procedures for International Students

Life University is approved by the Student and Exchange Visitor Program to accept and enroll international students.

Application Materials

In addition to these materials, international students must meet the application and admission requirements for their intended, unique program of study.

1. Complete the International Application for Admission online.
2. Submit official transcripts from all of the applicant’s previous college work. Transcripts should be sent directly from the institution where the coursework was completed to Life University’s Office of Enrollment. *

*All academic credentials earned outside of the United States must be evaluated by an approved international evaluation service before being used in the determination of admissions eligibility and/or the awarding of transfer credit. Life University currently accepts international transcript evaluations from the following services: World Education Services, Josef Silny & Associates, or Global Education Group. In addition to the services listed above, students may elect to choose any evaluation service belonging to one or both of the following professional bodies: National Association of Credential Evaluation Services, Association of International Credential Evaluators, Inc.

3. Official TOEFL (Test of English as a Foreign Language) or IELTS (International English Language Testing System) scores to demonstrate English language proficiency.*

*Life University’s TOEFL code is 5358. A score of 500 or higher on the paper TOEFL test, 173 or higher on the computer-based TOEFL test, or 61 or higher on the internet-based TOEFL test are acceptable for admission. A minimum score of 5.5 on the IELTS is considered acceptable for admission. The test date must be within 2 years of matriculation.

*Applicants from the following countries are exempt from the English language proficiency exam: Australia, Bahamas, Barbados, some parts of Canada, Dominica, Ghana, Guyana, Ireland, Jamaica, Liberia, New Zealand, Sierra Leone, Tobago, Trinidad, United Kingdom or Zimbabwe. Students who have received a four-year degree from the United States are also exempt from an English language proficiency exam.

4. Submit official SAT or ACT scores (with essay score, preferred) *If you have earned 24 or more semester hours of American university transferable college credit according to your international credential evaluation, you may be exempt from this requirement.
5. See the Academic Policies & Information  for additional International Student Information, Rules, Regulations, and Procedures.

*Additional items may be required depending on student’s program of interest

International Application Deadlines

Life University recommends that all international students apply at least one year prior to their intended start date. International students must submit required application materials at least 60 days prior to the start of the quarter.

Financial Aid Information

For additional information and details about financial aid, please visit www.life.edu/financialaid or make an appointment with your financial aid counselor.

Life University endeavors to maintain student costs of education at the lowest possible level without sacrificing quality. Although every attempt is made to offer applicable government financial aid programs to the students, Life University remains a private, non-profit institution and receives no direct support from government funds. See Student Accounts Office policies. 

The University and its various divisions and departments reserve the right to modify and change requirements, rules and fees without prior notice.

Financial Aid Awarding Policy

The Financial Aid Awarding Policy SS.016 can be viewed in the Student Handbook.

Satisfactory Academic Progress and Financial Aid

Effective July 7, 2011 (supersedes all former policies)

The United States Department of Education and most agencies providing financial assistance require students to maintain Satisfactory Academic Progress (SAP) in their course of study to continue receiving funding. Failure to maintain SAP will result in the loss of Federal Title IV financial aid as well as State and other aid.

Federal Title IV financial aid includes the Pell Grant, Supplemental Education Opportunity Grant (SEOG), Subsidized Loan, Unsubsidized Loan, Parent Loan for Undergraduate Students (PLUS), Graduate PLUS loan and Federal Work-Study. State aid includes the Georgia Tuition Equalization Grant (GTEG), HOPE Scholarship and Leveraging Educational Assistance Partnership Grant (LEAP).

The student’s entire academic history is evaluated to determine whether or not he/she is maintaining SAP. This evaluation is not affected by whether or not aid was previously received or whether a student has changed programs. The Federal Student Aid program regulations make no provision for the concept of academic amnesty or grade forgiveness.

Admission Requirements

Admissions Process

For all categories of applications, admissions related documents/data are maintained by Life University’s Office of Enrollment, according to Retention and Disposition of Records guidelines established by the University and related AACRAO guidelines. 

Recommendations for admission status are sent directly to the Dean of the College of Graduate and Undergraduate Studies or through the Admissions Committee. Recommendations for Admission Status, including denial, are confirmed by the Dean. 

Study in the Undergraduate Program is comprehensive, challenging and demanding. Every student is expected to be a professional leader and an example of good character and goodwill in the community. The University has, therefore, set guidelines, standards, and requirements for undergraduate admission. 

Freshman Admission Guidelines

Applicants with fewer than 21 quarter (14 semester) hours of transferable college credit must meet freshman admission standards. Earned transferable college credit by a freshman must meet the 2.0 minimum GPA standard.

Freshman Guidelines for Full Admission

The following are minimum freshman applicant academic standards for full admission to LIFE’s Undergraduate degree-seeking programs:

• An earned 2.0 or higher cumulative GPA (on a 4.0 scale), as indicated on an official high school transcript, or a passing GED score if a HS diploma is not earned.
• A minimum combined SAT score of at least 910 (highest combined Critical Reading/Verbal and Math scores; sub-scores could be from different sittings) or a minimum ACT composite score of 19 (the highest composite score if more than one sitting).

The SAT combined score and subscores and the ACT Composite and sub-scores will be used to assess and determine course advisement and placement and will not be used as sole criteria for admissibility or inadmissibility.

Writing and Essay Components of the SAT/ACT are considered optional. While the specific essay and/or writing sections of these tests are not required for application and/or admission purposes and will not be considered during the admission review, they are used for advisement and placement purposes. Thus, you are encouraged to send all test scores to the Office of Enrollment. If scores for essay/writing sections of SAT/ACT are not submitted, an ACCUPLACER test or other placement test will be required prior to the start of the quarter.

Official test scores, for those who are required to provide these, must be sent directly to Life University Office of Enrollment from testing agencies.

Life University’s ACT code is 0845; College Board (SAT, RSAT, and ACCUPLACER) is 7006.

For a student to be successful at Life University, the completion of the general college preparatory curriculum (CPC), as supported by various state educational guidelines, is highly recommended. The CPC course work pattern is comprised of the following subject area and units/years:

• 4 units of English
• 4 units of mathematics
• 3 units of laboratory science
• 3 units of social science
• 2 units of a second language

Freshman Guidelines for Those Who Do Not Meet the Full Admission Standards

Any freshman applicant who does not meet the Full Admission requirements will be considered for Provisional Admission. You are considered for admission and may be admitted under these provisional guidelines:

• Freshmen who earn below a 2.0 cumulative GPA (from high school transcript).
• Freshmen with less than 21 quarter hours of transfer credit who do not meet minimum admission requirements and/or students who have an SAT combined score of less than 910 or ACT composite less than 19 will be considered for provisional admission.

Acceptance into the Undergraduate program does not imply acceptance into the Didactic program for Dietetics, Graduate programs, or the Doctor of Chiropractic Program.

Transfer Admission Requirements

A transfer applicant is a student who has earned 21 quarter (14 semester) hours or more of transferable college credits after having graduated from high school or equivalent. (*Note: if all college credit was earned by test score credit or credit by exam (AP/CLEP/IB), dual enrollment during high school, and/or the summer immediately following high school graduation or equivalent, the applicant will be considered for admission as a freshman.)

Transfer applicants must have official transcripts forwarded from all institutions of higher education attended.Life University is an active participant in the Technical College System of Georgia (TCSG) and the Georgia Independent College Association (GICA) Transfer Articulation Agreement providing educational opportunities for currently enrolled and prospective students of both TCSG and GICA member institutions.  This articulation agreement ensures transferability of selected courses from a SACS accredited TCSG college to participating GICA colleges and universities. A student having earned a grade of “C” or better in a course identified within the agreement is ensured that course will transfer to Life University. Transfer credit will not be granted for sub 100 level coursework.

CGUS Transfer Policy Regarding Associate Degree and General Education Core Requirements Policy

AS.033

Students transferring to Life University having earned an Associate’s degree from a regionally or nationally accredited institution or equivalent, with a minimum of 60 semester credit hours or 90 quarter credit hours and a GPA of 2.0 will enter as a junior and automatically meet the general education core requirements. Students earning an Associate’s degree at Life University and accepted into a bachelor’s degree program at the University will automatically meet the general education core requirements of the bachelor’s degree. 

Students are not automatically exempted from General Education courses that are pre-requisites for upper level courses in the various majors. Approval from the Assistant Dean of the area to waive the pre-requisites will be required.

CGUS Evaluation of Transfer Credit Policy

AS.035 

Life University College of Graduate and Undergraduate Studies (CGUS) generally accepts courses from regionally or nationally accredited colleges, universities or programs provided the work is not of a highly specialized nature and a grade of C or better is earned.  Transfer Credit Practices of Designated Educational Institutions, published by the American Association of Collegiate Academic Registrars and Admissions Officers, is used as a guide in determining acceptability.

If the transfer evaluation does not indicate specific applicability for an acceptable course, general elective credit will be granted.  Coursework completed more than 10 years prior to application will not be considered for transfer credit.

Baccalaureate Transfer Policies

All undergraduate students accepted to Life University with prior college or university course credit will receive an official transfer credit evaluation showing how the courses completed at each previous school will transfer.  Evaluations will include the total number of credits accepted, as well as a course-by-course breakdown indicating how each class may be applied toward CGUS graduation requirements.  Courses may be accepted as upper or lower division general electives, upper or lower division major or minor electives, or as directly equivalent University courses.

Life University uses the following policies to determine acceptability of courses in an undergraduate program:

• For undergraduate programs, an overall maximum of 75% of total credit hours required for the degree will be accepted.
• A maximum of 30 quarter credit hours, combined from the list below can come from alternative credit options:
  • College Level Examination Program (CLEP)
  • Prometric DSST Exams (DANTES)
  • Advanced Placement (AP)
  • International Baccalaureate (IB)
  • American Credit Evaluation (ACE) approved credits
  • National College Credit Recommendation Service (NCCRS) approved credits
• Another 30 quarter credit hours maximum can come from military schools and training.
• All other transfer credits must come from accredited, Life University approved college transcripts.
• The University will not accept transfer credits from a third-party transcript.  Each transfer course must be presented on the college transcript from which the course was completed. International transcripts will require an official international transcript evaluation conducted by an approved international evaluation service.
• Courses with a grade of Pass (P) will be considered if “P” is equivalent to a “C” or better.  This is determined by reviewing the grade scale of the institution where the course was completed.
• The University will not accept any course for credit that is described as having remedial or developmental content.

If a student disagrees with the way credit has been awarded, he or she may appeal through he appeals process as outlined in the University Catalog.

Transfer Guidelines for Full Admission

The following are minimum Transfer Applicant academic standards for full admission to Undergraduate degree-seeking programs:

• Official high school transcripts and official SAT or ACT scores must be submitted for/by transfer applicants with fewer than 36 quarter (24 semester) credit hours of transferable college credit. Unofficial transcripts and test scores may be initially acceptable for admission consideration.
• Transfer applicants must have earned a cumulative college grade point average (GPA) of 2.0 or higher on a 4.0 scale as calculated by Life University. Life University’s Undergraduate programs use earned credits (or hours) from all nationally or regionally accredited colleges attended to compute the grade point average for admission to the programs.
• Transfer applicants who are not eligible to return to their last institution and/or those who have been dismissed from a previous institution will be considered for admission on a provisional basis.

For Transfer Students Who Do Not Meet Guidelines for Full Admission

Any transfer applicant who does not meet the Full Admission requirements will be considered for Provisional Admission. Students may be considered for admission and may be admitted under these provisional guidelines and required to fulfill requirements before and/or while attending.

• Transfer applicants who have earned a cumulative college grade point average (GPA) of lower than 2.0 on a 4.0 scale as calculated by Life University. Life University’s Undergraduate programs use earned credits (or hours) from all nationally and regionally accredited colleges attended to compute the grade point average for admission to the programs.
• Applicants who have a cumulative GPA below 2.0 will need to write an appeal letter, and their file will be sent to the committee for review.
• Transfer Applicants who are not eligible to return to their last attended institution and/or those who have been dismissed from a previous institution must provide written   explanation and appropriate documentation in an appeal letter to the Undergraduate Admissions Committee.

Acceptance into the Undergraduate program does not imply acceptance into the Didactic program for Dietetics, Graduate programs, or College of Chiropractic.

Returning Undergraduate Students

Any previously enrolled undergraduate student who left in good standing and who has not been enrolled at Life University for less than 3 consecutive quarters must first petition for readmission to the Registrar’s Office. If this describes you/your scenario, you are expected to complete and submit to the Registrar’s Office the Readmission Application. This requirement does not apply to Dual Degree students who are enrolled at Life University for consecutive quarters in either declared program, including those enrolled in the DC program. Students who “sit out” from one of their programs while enrolled in the second program will not need to complete the Readmissions Application.

Former Life University students that must apply for readmission through the formal admissions process include:

• Students who have not been enrolled at Life University for three or more consecutive quarters
• Students who last attended as a transient student
• Students who are returning after academic dismissal
• Students who wish to change their status (such as transient to degree seeking, degree seeking to non-degree) 
• A new application to the Office of Admissions (apply.LIFE.edu) must be submitted, reviewed and approved by the Undergraduate Admissions Committee and the Dean.  Students who have been academically dismissed from their undergraduate studies at Life University may appeal for admission by meeting the following criteria:
  • Must successfully complete a minimum of 24 semester credits/36 quarter credits from an accredited institution of higher education.

Admission Status

Accepted – Full: 
This status is assigned to each applicant whose completed record has been evaluated by the Office of Enrollment which subsequently recommends that the applicant meets the admission requirements and has submitted all required documentation. 

Accepted – Conditional: Applicants who have met minimum admission requirements but who are unable to provide one or more of the required application materials may be admitted conditionally in some instances and required to submit satisfactory final documents/credentials before explicit deadlines provided.

Applicants will be designated as conditionally accepted pending the receipt of their official transcripts indicating completion of prerequisite coursework and/or other required documentation. In cases in which coursework is completed but delivery of official transcripts and/or test scores is pending, enrollment may be permitted.

Upon completing conditions successfully, the applicant’s status will be, converted to an updated admission status if all conditions are met on or before the first day of classes.

Accepted – Provisional: This status is assigned to each applicant whose record has been evaluated by Enrollment who subsequently recommends that the applicant does not meet the admission requirements for full acceptance. This recommendation is presented to the Admissions Committee and/or the Dean of the College of Graduate and Undergraduate Studies. An applicant may be accepted by the Committee and/or the Dean with outstanding requirements.

Upon completing the provisions of acceptance successfully, the applicant’s status will be converted to an updated admission status if all provisions are met on or before the first day of classes.

Non-Degree Seeking Students

Accepted – Student-at-Large: Student-at-large status, which includes Auditing or Transient students, is designed for students who wish to take a limited number of undergraduate courses that are related to their personal interest, academic or professional background. Students who do not necessarily want to receive a degree from Life University or who do not meet the requirements for full standing or provisional admission acceptance may apply for student-at-large status and, at a later time, apply for full standing. Students accepted under this status are not enrolled as degree seeking students in an undergraduate degree program and, therefore, do not qualify for financial aid.

1. There is no limit to the number of hours that may be accumulated as a student-at-large, but if the student seeks to matriculate as a student in full standing and subsequently earn a degree, the last academic year of said degree must be taken as a full standing admitted student.
2. If a student seeks acceptance status to the undergraduate program as a degree-seeking student, all required admissions materials must be submitted for review. It is the prerogative of the Undergraduate Admissions Committee and/or the Dean to accept or reject the application for undergraduate study.

Accepted – Transient: Transient students are those who are admitted to Life University to take a selected course or courses, but who are not transferring credits from another educational institution toward a degree at Life University.

A transient student must submit the following to be admitted:

1. A completed Life University application.
2. A letter from the home institution indicating that the student is in good academic standing.
3. Documentation of completion of prerequisites required for specific courses to be taken.

Accepted – Auditing: Students-at-large wishing to audit classes at Life University may apply at the Office of Enrollment Services (Admissions). Auditing placement is based upon registration seating availability. Proper paper work obtained from both the Office of Enrollment Services (Admissions) and the Office of the Registrar must be filed before the quarter begins. No credit is granted for courses scheduled on an auditing basis. Students are not permitted to change to or from an auditing status except through the regular procedures for admissions acceptance and registration schedule change. The grade for auditing is “AU” for Audit and students will not be permitted to have the audit grade changed at any future date.

Auditing is available to students, staff, and faculty as well as interested persons from the general public.

Students who are auditing are not allowed to take tests but may, at the instructor’s discretion, observe practical/lab examinations.

Offer of Admission Acceptance and Confirmation

An applicant admitted to Life University is expected to enroll in the academic program and the quarter for which they have applied and been admitted.  The admitted student may request to defer their start term within 3 quarters from the quarter for which they were originally accepted.

• The deferral request must be submitted in writing to the Office of Enrollment (Admissions) a minimum of 30 days prior to the start of the quarter for which they were originally admitted. The request can be submitted by email to the student’s enrollment specialist via email or mail, specifying their name and original term of admission and specifying the term for which they wish to defer their enrollment as well as a brief description of the reason for the deferral.
• Requests received after this timeframe are ineligible for consideration, and a new application must be submitted as well as any required documents and/or application processing fees.
• An admitted applicant failing to give notice and secure prior approval of a deferral will be required to reapply for admission.
• If a request to defer an admission is considered and accepted, the student will be held to the admission standards in effect during their actual entrance date.  Life University reserves the right to request any or all of the required admission materials, updated credentials or documentation, and/or application processing fees for reapplication.
• In order to accept an offer of admission, confirm plans to enroll, and reserve a seat in the entering class, admitted students are required to submit the applicable enrollment deposit before the start of the term. (The required and established academic level deposit amounts are or will be posted on the terms and deadlines website).
• The enrollment deposit is non-refundable and non-transferable within 30 days of the quarter’s start date. Please note that the full amount of the enrollment deposit will be credited toward the student’s first quarter tuition bill.
• The refund or transfer request can be submitted by email to the student’s enrollment specialist via email or mail, specifying their name and original term of admission and specifying the term for which they wish to defer their enrollment or their refund request as well as a brief description of the reason for the deferral or the refund.
• Late applications (completed after published deadlines) that are considered for and earn admission may be required to submit the enrollment deposit within 7 days of the admission notification.

Denied Acceptance

This status is assigned to each applicant whose file has been deemed complete and evaluated by the Office of Enrollment, presented to the  Admissions Committee and subsequently denied acceptance by the Committee and/or the Dean of the College.

Academic Advisement and Course Placement

Any new student lacking transfer credit for college level English Composition and/or College Algebra must present SAT/ACT scores including the essay portion of the test upon admission to Life University. If the essay portion of the SAT/ACT was not taken, the student will be required to take an Accuplacer test for course placement prior to the start of the quarter in which they intend to matriculate.

Exemption from testing may be considered with satisfactory completion of certain college level courses.

SAT, ACT, and ACCUPLACER Requirements

SAT, ACT and ACCUPLACER Advising and Course Placement Guidelines

The following scores are considered baseline thresholds for course placement. SAT scores reflect the newly revised SAT test:

• English – ACT writing score of 8; SAT essay of 18; If ACCUPLACER Essay of 8.
• Math – ACT math score of 20; SAT math score of 510; or ACCUPLACER Next Generation Math of 245

Admitted students will be informed, based on their SAT/ACT test scores, if they are required to take an ACCUPLACER test or other placement test and submit their scores prior to the start of their first quarter.  In many instances, placement in English and Math courses will be based on ACT/SAT or ACCUPLACER test scores.

TOEFL (Test of English as a Foreign Language) Test

From international applicants/prospective students, Life University may require (see related admission requirements) the TOEFL iBT, which replaces earlier paper and computer-based versions of the test. Exceptions are made for the period during which ETS is transitioning to the new test and for those students in whose home countries the iBT test may be unavailable.

The Life University TOEFL code is 5358. A score of 500 or higher on the paper TOEFL test or 173 or higher on the computer-based TOEFL test, or 61 or higher on the internet-based TOEFL test are acceptable for admission.

IELTS (International English Language Testing System) Test

International applicants/prospective students may also elect to sit for the IELTS exam in lieu of the TOEFL test. A minimum score of 5.5 on the IELTS is considered acceptable for admission.

*Applicants from the following countries are exempt from the English language proficiency exam: Australia, Bahamas, Barbados, some parts of Canada, Dominica, Ghana, Guyana, Ireland, Jamaica, Liberia, New Zealand, Sierra Leone, Tobago, Trinidad, United Kingdom or Zimbabwe. Students who have received a four-year degree from the United States are also exempt from an English language proficiency exam.

Transfer Credit

Students shall receive transfer credit for transferable college courses that are substantially equivalent to those of Life University in content, quality and contact hours. In order for a student to receive transfer credit, the course(s) under consideration must have been:

1. Work equivalent to undergraduate college level or above (e.g. 100 level or above and/or not developmental, pre-college, or remedial; acceptable credit by exam scores)
2. Earned at or through a regionally or nationally accredited institution or approved testing agency, if credit by exam. 

3. Satisfactorily completed with a minimum grade of “C” or better (grade “P” = pass may also be considered). 


International credits may be considered based on the submission of official international transcripts, and an official international transcript evaluation conducted by an approved international evaluation service. These hours must be equivalent to courses taught at Life University. Equivalency is determined by the department.

College Level Examination Program (CLEP) and Advanced Placement (A.P.)

A maximum of 30 total quarter hours may be earned toward a degree by CLEP and/or AP credit. A maximum of 10 quarter hours of coursework achieved by CLEP or AP may be applied toward credit in any one discipline (i.e. business, history, humanities, math or social sciences).

CLEP tests may not be taken in place of courses that include a substantial lab or research component, such as Biology, Chemistry, and Physics.

Students must wait three months to retake a CLEP exam for which they did not receive a score of 50 or above. 

Exams should be taken at least one quarter before graduation (or enrollment if being used for admission consideration) in order to insure delivery of scores on time. It is the student’s responsibility to have the testing agency forward the scores to Life University. Students currently enrolled in the College of Graduate and Undergraduate Studies should have their scores sent to the Registrar’s Office, and students not yet registered should send scores directly to the Office of Enrollment (Admissions).

For AP credit, students must receive a score of 3 or higher on the test (for laboratory sciences, one must score a 4 or higher). This information is subject to change. Please check with Enrollment or the related website for specifics.

Credit hours earned through CLEP,  AP, or other exams for credit do not count toward a student’s grade point average (GPA).

Note: Laboratory science credit to be applied toward entry into the chiropractic program may not be earned through CLEP Certification and AP credit requires a lab component.

Life University recognizes the following AP exams:

(subject to change, check with Enrollment or the related website for specifics)

Life University recognizes the following CLEP exams:

(subject to change, check with Enrollment or the related website for specifics)

Undergraduate Independent Study

Criteria for independent study for courses in the undergraduate program:

1. Independent study is awarded in the final 30 quarter credit hours to students who have scheduling conflicts and/or need special academic requirements.
2. Independent study may be request for a maximum of five credit hours (and no more than 25 total credit hours for the quarter).
3. Independent study must be approved by the Dean or the Dean’s designate.
4. Independent study will not be allowed for courses with labs; i.e. science or computer-intensive courses.

Accelerated Courses:

Undergraduate students who have a GPA of 2.5 or above and are not currently on a provisional or probational academic performance contract may enroll in accelerated courses.

Minor Programs:

A minor program is a prescribed area of academic study defined by the particular department consisting of at least 25 quarter hours of 300 and/or 400 level courses in the specific discipline (minor). These hours will not duplicate hours for any degree and will come from Area VI and/or Area VII of the discipline’s curriculum.

Double Major Programs:

A major program is a prescribed area of academic study defined by the particular department consisting of at least 30 quarter hours of 300 and/or 400 level courses in the specific discipline (major). These hours will not duplicate hours for any other degree and will come from Area VI and/or Area VII of the discipline’s curriculum.

Dual Degrees:

A student must earn a minimum of 45 quarter hours of residency credit to obtain a second baccalaureate degree and meet all requirements for a second degree, including prerequisites, in excess of the credit hours required for any previous degree earned. The student must earn the first baccalaureate degree from a regionally or nationally accredited institution.

An associate degree may be earned by a student who has completed all requirements of a baccalaureate or another associate degree. This degree requires a minimum of 25 quarter hours of residency credit in excess of the credit hours required for any previous degree earned. The student must earn the first degree from a regionally accredited institution.

Class Attendance:

(Refer to section on Academic Policies & Information .)

Deficient Grades:

When a student has received an incomplete grade in any subject, it is the responsibility of the student to see that the situation is resolved within the first week of the next quarter.

All incomplete grades that are not converted by Friday of Week 2 of the following quarter will automatically convert to an “F”.

NOTE: A grade of “F,” “WF,” “NP” or “WNP” is not removed from the permanent record nor is an “F” and “WF” removed the calculation of the cumulative average when the course is repeated. When students receive an “Incomplete,” they must consult with the instructor to determine what coursework/exams are necessary to remove the Incomplete.

Final Examinations:

Final examinations are compulsory at the scheduled date, time and place as published at the beginning of each quarter. Exceptions are granted by permission of the instructor and written approval of the Dean of the College. Students are required to follow the procedures established for taking final exams:

1. Student IDs are required before being allowed to take any exam and must be displayed throughout the final exam period.
2. Only appropriate writing instruments, calculators (if appropriate) and other materials authorized by the instructor are allowed in the testing area.
3. None of the following items will be permitted: hats, purses, briefcases, knapsacks, radios, beepers, head phones, smart phones, or books, notes or papers of any kind. Children are not permitted in the testing area.
4. Students will not be permitted to enter the testing area after the last test paper has been distributed and the formal commencement of the test has begun.
5. Students are required to exit the testing area immediately after completing the test. No loitering in the halls outside the test area is permitted.

*Participation in Graduation Ceremonies

Life University holds four graduation exercises on campus per year for the College of Chiropractic and two for the College of Graduate and Undergraduate Studies. Students may only participate in a graduation ceremony if they have completed or are scheduled to complete all requirements by the date of the graduation ceremony. Undergraduate and Master’s students who complete their degree requirements in September will be eligible for the December graduation ceremony.

Undergraduate and Master’s students who complete their degree requirements in March will be eligible for the June graduation ceremony. The University reserves the right to alter the minimum requirements for participation in the graduation ceremonies. No one will be considered as having graduated until all requirements are fulfilled.

*This information in an excerpt from the 2016-2017 Student Handbook.

Graduate Studies

Please visit Graduate Studies  to learn more about LIFE’s graduate programs. 

Return to: College of Graduate and Undergraduate Studies