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 14 undergraduate majors,  as well as programs of concentration and licensure in addition to graduate programs leading to a master’s degree in 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 departments in the College: Natural Sciences and General Studies; Nutrition; Positive Human Development and Social Change; and Sport Health Science.  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:

• A completed online or paper application for undergraduate study accompanied by an application processing fee of $50.00. (The fee is non-refundable and constitutes part of the applicant’s admissions credentials.);
• Official high school and 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.  Official transcripts must come directly from the institution where the coursework was accomplished and be sent directly to Life University’s Office of Enrollment.
Where appropriate, a GED score report may be submitted/required.
• Official SAT or ACT scores (essay/writing sections are optional) must be sent directly to Life University Office of Admission from the testing agency. 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, a placement test will be required prior to the start of the quarter in which a student in matriculating.

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 matriculation. 

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, may disqualify an applicant for admission and/or for licensure in most states. 

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 www.lattiss.com. 

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

A student must have at least half-time status in a program of study to apply for financial aid. You cannot combine credits from more than one program to meet the half-time status. If your registration changes from when you were awarded, you must contact the Financial Aid Office. See or call the Financial Aid Office if you are unsure of your financial aid status.

• Undergraduates will be awarded based on 15 hours per quarter.
• Graduate students will be awarded based on 12 hours per quarter.
• Doctor of Chiropractic Program students will be awarded based on 25 hours per quarter.

Failure to pay all charges due on a student’s account will restrict his or her ability to register for future quarters, receive (order/send) official transcripts and diplomas, or graduate with a degree.

Reminder: A student must have at least half-time status in a program of study to qualify for most types of financial aid. For financial aid purposes, half-time enrollment status in Life University’s graduate programs is a minimum of 5 credit hours. 9 credit hours is considered full-time. Students who plan to skip enrolling in classes for one or more quarters should notify the Registrar in writing.

If a student withdraws from a class, refunds of tuition paid are given based on a sliding scale depending on the date of withdrawal from the class. No refund of tuition or fees is made for withdrawn courses when a student is dismissed, suspended, or expelled for disciplinary reasons.

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 specific guidelines 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 minimum academic standards are recommended for full admission into LIFE’s Undergraduate 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 our office. If Writing and Essay Components of the SAT/ACT are not submitted, a placement test will be required prior to the start of the quarter in which a student is matriculating.

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

Life University’s ACT code is 0845; SAT 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 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 official 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, College of Chiropractic or the Graduate 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 (AP/CLEP/IB), dual enrollment during high school, and/or the summer immediately following high school graduation or equivalent, the applicant will be considered a freshman.)

Transfer applicants must have official transcripts forwarded from all accredited institutions, colleges or universities attended.

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

AS.033 [Updated 2/7/18; Effective 1/2/18] See Catalog Addenda   

Students transferring to Life University having earned an Associate’s degree from a regionally 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 [Updated 2/28/18; Effective 1/1/18] See Catalog Addenda   

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 credits, 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 credits 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. For International students, transcripts must be evaluated by Global Education Group, Josef Silny & Associates or World Education Services.
• 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

A transfer applicant must meet the following minimum academic standards for full admission into Life University’s Undergraduate 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. 
• 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 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 attended will be considered for admission on a provisional basis.

For Transfer Students Who Do Not Meet Guidelines for Full Admission

Any applicant who does not meet the Full Admission requirements will be considered for Provisional Admission. You may be considered for admission and may be admitted under these provisional guidelines and required to fulfill requirements before 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 Undergrate programs use earned credits (or hours) from all 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, College of Chiropractic or the Graduate program.

Returning Undergraduate Students

Any previously admitted and 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 Office of 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.

If a previous Life University student remained out of school (from Life University) for three or more consecutive quarters, for any reason, and/or the student left in poor standing, that individual must submit a new application to the Office of Admissions (apply.LIFE.edu) and be reviewed and approved by the Undergraduate Admissions Committee and the Dean.

• If the student has attended other colleges or universities since studying at Life University, official transcripts must be submitted from those institutions.
• Students who have been academically dismissed from their undergraduate studies (from Life University or another institution) must appeal for admission by meeting the following criteria:
  • Must complete a minimum of 24 semester credits/36 quarter credits from an accredited institution of higher education.
  • Returning undergraduate applicants may be subject to committee review if they have been out of school (from Life University) for five years or longer, regardless of their academic standing with Life University.

Admission Status

Accepted – Full: 


This status is assigned to each applicant whose completed record has been evaluated by Enrollment who subsequently recommends that the applicant meets the admission requirements. An applicant will be and is accepted by the Committee and/or the Dean with no outstanding requirements.

Accepted – Conditional:

Students 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.

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. This recommendation is presented to the Admissions Committee and/or the Dean of the College of Graduate and Undergraduate Studies. An applicant can be accepted by the Committee and/or the Dean with outstanding requirements. Provisional status will be evaluated again by the Admissions Committee and/or the Dean after completion of the required quarters/terms.

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 get 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 candidates in an undergraduate degree program and, therefore, do not qualify for financial aid.

1. Students applying for student-at-large status should provide an official copy of all high school, undergraduate and graduate transcripts (if applicable) showing courses, grades, and graduation date(s). Transcripts must come directly from the school, college, and/or university where the coursework was accomplished and sent directly to the Office of Enrollment Services (Admissions), Life University.
2. 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.
3. If a student seeks full acceptance status to the undergraduate program, 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 audit a course will be charged $100 per course (+ $20 parking fee, as applicable). Students who wish to audit only portions of a course for course hours will be charged $100 per 30 hours (+ $20 parking fee, as applicable).

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

Denied Admission

This status is assigned to each applicant whose file has been deemed completed by the Office of Enrollment Services, evaluated by the admissions advisor, presented to the Undergraduate Admissions Committee and subsequently denied acceptance by the committee and/or the Dean.

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. For example, an admitted student for Fall 2017 could submit a request to defer their start term to Winter 2018, Spring 2018, or Summer 2018.

• 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.

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.

• Completed Application (online or printed) for the desired program.  Prospective international students may apply online at apply.LIFE.edu.
• Application Processing Fee of $50 (nonrefundable)
• Official Transcripts from all secondary and postsecondary institutions attended. Each official transcript must be translated and evaluated via one of these approved agencies: World Education Services http://www.wes.org , Global Education Group http://www.globaledu.com or Josef Silny & Associates http://www.jsilny.com.  
• Official SAT/ACT scores if applicable for academic level
• Official TOEFL http://www.ets.org/toefl(Test of English as a Foreign Language) or IELTS http://www.ielts.org(International English Language Testing System) scores to demonstrate English language proficiency.
• Life University’s TOEFL code is 5358. A score of a 500 or higher, 173 or higher on the computer-based TOEFL, or 61 or higher on the internet-based 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.

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 30 days prior to domestic term application deadlines.

International Student (F1) Visa & I-20 Guidelines

Before applying and interviewing for an F1 visa, students must first apply for a Form I-20 which proves that the student is eligible for Nonimmigrant F1 status. In order to request a Form I-20 from Life University, students must:

1. Earn admission as a degree seeking student to Life University
2. Submit fully completed I-20 Request Form and Confidential Financial Statement to the Life University Office of Enrollment.

In order to be issued a Form I-20 and F1 visa, U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) requires international students to provide evidence of adequate financial resources to provide for full-time educational and living expenses, such as tuition, living, books/supplies for a one year period. This recent financial statement must be dated within six (6) months of the student’s anticipated quarter start date, translated into US Dollars and issued from a bank or financial institution.

• Financial support documents include: bank statements and/or bank letters (on bank letterhead) which include the name of the account holder, available funds, and account number.
• Funds must be readily available (i.e. savings and/or checking accounts) Investments, real estate holdings etc. are not recommended.
• Documents must be issued and/or translated to English
• Scholarships are acceptable as proof of funding
• Students may have one or more sponsors in order to meet funding requirements

3. Photocopy of passport clearly displaying student’s full, legal name, date of birth, and biographical information.

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 (CLEP, AP, DSST etc.).
2. Earned at or through a regionally accredited institution or testing agency. 

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


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

A maximum of 35 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 in order to insure delivery of scores on time. It is the student’s responsibility to have the Education Testing Service (ETS) 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 Services (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). (subject to change, check with Enrollment for specifics):

Credit hours earned through CLEP or AP 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 of grade and of the lab component is required for AP credit.

Life University recognizes the following AP exams (subject to change, check with Enrollment for specifics):

Life University recognizes the following CLEP exams:

Academic Advisement and Course Placement

Any new student lacking transfer credit for college level English Composition and/or College Algebra must present SAT scores (or ACT scores, including the ACT Assessment Writing Test) upon admission to Life University.

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

SAT, ACT, and ACCUPLACER Requirements

Meeting the minimum SAT Composite of 990 or ACT Composite of 19 does not guarantee admissions into Life University. Students must meet minimum Composite Scores of 990 SAT or 19 ACT, plus minimums in Critical Reading, Math and Essay for the SAT (English, Math and Essay for the ACT) with the total score meeting or exceeding the 990 SAT Composite or 19 ACT Composite.

SAT Requirements

Course Placement for SAT Results

ACT Requirements

Course Placement For ACT Results

ACCUPLACER Requirements

Currently, Life University does not offer any transitional studies (TS) coursework designed for levels below this.

As part of their admissions packet, students will be sent letters informing them, based on their SAT/ACT test scores, of their placement evaluation and need, upon becoming a student, to take one or more of these courses.

Applicants who submit test scores that fall below the following cutoffs will be considered ineligible for admission:

• SAT: 310 (Math), 350 (Verbal) or 4 (Essay Test Subscore)
• ACT: 13 (Math), 14 (English) or 4 (Writing)
• TOEFL: 60 iBT
• IELTS: 5.5

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 a 500 or higher on the paper based TOEFL or 173 or higher on the computer-based TOEFL, or 61 or higher on the internet-based 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.

Transitional Studies 

The area of Transitional Studies supports the College of Graduate and Undergraduate Studies by identifying students who are not academically prepared to attempt college level courses and by offering learning assisted instruction in writing, math and reading.  The area also provides advisement and academic support to provisionally admitted students.

Goals:

1. Transitional Studies students will develop the basic writing, reading and math skills to successfully complete ENG 101 and MAT 101 (MAT 100).
2. Provisional Students (those that do not meet admission standards) will achieve full admission status with the University.

College entry-level English and Mathematics courses require sufficient minimum SAT or ACT scores or successful completion of the appropriate Transitional Studies (TS) courses.

Based upon SAT/ACT test results or separate placement testing, a student may be required to take classes in one of more of these areas.  Courses offered through TS include:

• TSE 098 – Writing Fundamentals
• TSE 099 – Introduction to Composition
• TSM 098 – Elementary Algebra
• TSM 099- – Intermediate Algebra
• TSR 098 – Practical College Reading
• TSR 099 – Practical College Reading

The above courses carry institutional credit only; they do not transfer into degree programs or courses of study.  These courses will calculate into cumulative GPA and are considered when calculating both academic and financial and SAP eligibility.

Appeals

If there are extenuating circumstances beyond their control, students have the right to appeal their SAP determination. The appeal must be directly relatable to the academic period for which the student is being evaluated and cannot have been previously submitted for review.

Appeals must be submitted in writing using the SAP appeal form obtained by speaking with a Financial Aid Counselor and MUST include supporting third-party documentation. Appeals without supporting documentation will not be accepted. Students are required to submit a statement regarding why the student failed to make SAP, and what has changed in the student’s situation that would allow the student to demonstrate Satisfactory Academic Progress at the next evaluation.

Submitting an appeal does not guarantee approval and if the appeal is denied students will be responsible for paying the Institution any balance owed without Federal funds. The Financial Aid Appeals Committee (FAAC) will consider each appeal on its own merits and the decision of the FAAC committee is final.

During the FAAC review it will be determined if the student can or cannot meet SAP after the next quarter of enrollment. This will be done by looking at the student’s current transcript of completed classes and the GPA for all quarters attended at Life University in the appropriate program.

SAP Academic Plan

Any student who has their SAP decision successfully appealed and cannot meet SAP after the next quarter of enrollment will receive an Academic Plan and be placed on Financial Aid Probation.

The Academic Plan will be individualized and specific to each student in order to put the student on track to successful academic progress in no more than four quarters.

If at any time during an Academic Plan students do not meet the terms of their plan, they will lose their Federal aid and will not be eligible to appeal. If, when presented with the Academic Plan, the student chooses not to accept it, the student will need to pay using other resources until meeting the minimum requirements for SAP.

Students who choose not to appeal or have their appeal denied may regain their eligibility for financial aid by enrolling using their own resources or alternative non-Federal funding and bringing their academic performance into compliance with this policy.

Students who separate from the Institution without appealing when not meeting SAP, lose their right to appeal the decision.

Students returning to the Institution and not meeting SAP upon their return will be responsible for using their own resources or using Private loans.

Once the students are meeting SAP, they must self-identify to the Financial Aid Office and request to be reevaluated for Federal aid.

Definitions:

Financial Aid Probation—A status assigned to a student who has successfully appealed and has had eligibility for aid reinstated. Probation can only be granted if the school determines the student should be able to meet the school’s SAP standards by the end of the subsequent quarter. A student on Financial Aid Probation may receive Title IV funds for one quarter.

Financial Aid Warning—A status assigned to a student who fails to make Satisfactory Academic Progress and has his/her academic progress evaluated at the end of each payment period, and is utilized when an Institution chooses to allow students who fail its progress standards to continue to receive aid.

Obtaining a Second Degree at LIFE

For SAP purposes, students who have earned one degree at LIFE and wish to work toward a second degree will start over again, just as if they were new students.

Transfer Courses

For SAP purposes, transfer courses accepted as credit toward the Life University degree will be counted in the quantitative standard, but not the qualitative standard.

Orientation and Advisement

At the start of each quarter, an orientation program is conducted for all new students. All new undergraduate students must participate in orientation before being allowed to finalize enrollment for the quarter. The orientation program will acquaint new students with the campus, academic programs, policies and other institutional programs and services. Students accepted into the Undergraduate Program will receive an acceptance packet prior to orientation that will contain information regarding orientation, advisement, registration and course offerings along with dates and times for these activities.

All students will be assigned a permanent advisor and must meet with him/her before being allowed to enroll for the quarter. Advisement usually occurs during orientation. At this time, students will determine their courses of study in the undergraduate program and class schedules for the upcoming quarter. Lab assignments are on a first-come, first-served basis and will be determined during advisement.

PASS (Progressive Advisement for Student Success) Advisors

The PASS office plays a large role in students’ holistic experiences at Life University. The Director of Student Advocacy and Advisement and a team of PASS advisors work closely with many of the other offices around campus to ensure that student needs are met and questions are answered. The PASS advisors make contact with students after acceptance by the enrollment management team and discuss orientation and class schedules for the students’ first quarter. They also work with students to ensure needs are met with financial aid paperwork and housing arrangements.

First Year Experience Course Series

After orientation, members of the PASS advising team teach the First Year Experience FYE 101  and FYE 103  series, helping students further orient to the LIFE campus and culture. Topics covered include LIFE library resources, University policies, academic advising and planning, motivation, financial health, academic skills (learning styles, time management and study skills), various assessments to engage students in discussions about these topics and presentations by a variety of campus offices and resources. These topics in FYE include all six elements of health in the Wellness Lifestyle on campus (physical, emotional, social, intellectual, spiritual and environmental), providing students with resources and tools to become knowledgeable and resourceful students and citizens.

General Policies

1. Students are subject to all academic and disciplinary rules published by and contained within the “Honor Code” of Life University.
2. Students may enroll for a maximum of 20 hours per quarter. Any combination of undergraduate classes totaling 12 hours per quarter is considered full-time enrollment.
3. Students interested in applying for financial aid should be enrolled full-time, at least 12 hours per quarter (Students may still qualify taking as few as six hours in a given quarter).
4. A full-time D.C. student in good academic standing may take an additional six hours per quarter as a means of obtaining a degree in the Undergraduate Program in order to complete both degrees in a timely manner. Students enrolled for less than 11 hours in the D.C. program who have chosen to be part time and are not on probation may take up to three classes or 15 hours in the Undergraduate Program.
5. If a student fails (grade of “F”) the first part of a sequential set of courses (e.g., CHM 111, PHS 111, BIO 111, CHM 211), the student cannot proceed to the second session of the course. If a student receives a grade of “D,” the student can proceed to the second part. However, a grade of “C” or better must be attained in any required prerequisite for entrance into the Doctor of Chiropractic program.
6. Criteria for independent study for courses in the undergraduate program:
   1. Independent study is awarded in the final quarter 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:

Students enrolling in Life University directly from high school must obtain written consent from the College of Graduate and Undergraduate Studies Dean’s Office in order to enroll in accelerated courses. For more information concerning accelerated courses, please refer to the Department of Natural Sciences within this section. Prerequisite information is contained in the course descriptions .

Prerequisite for Undergraduate Classes:

College-level Algebra, Trigonometry or Pre-Calculus is required in order to enroll for physics and chemistry courses. No equivalent courses will be substituted. These math courses must be passed with a grade of “C” or higher.

Minor Programs:

A minor program is a prescribed area of academic study defined by the particular department consisting of at least 20 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 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 Deficient Grades (Incompletes) That Are Not Converted Within Two Weeks Of The Next Quarter Will Automatically Be Converted 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.

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.

Department of Transitional Studies

The Department of Transitional Studies supports the College of Undergraduate Studies by identifying students who are not academically prepared to attempt college level courses and by offering learning assisted instruction in writing, math and reading. The Department also provides advisement and academic support to provisionally admitted students.

Goals:

1. Transitional Studies students will develop the basic writing, reading and math skills to successfully complete ENG 101  and MAT 101  (MAT 100 ).
2. Provisional Students (those that do not meet admission standards) will achieve full admission status with the University.

College entry-level English and Mathematics courses require sufficient minimum SAT or ACT scores or successful completion of the appropriate Transitional Studies (TS) course(s).

Based upon SAT/ACT test results or separate placement testing, a student may be required to take classes in one or more of these areas (See Course Descriptions ).

Courses offered through TS include:

TSE 098 - Writing Fundamentals  *
TSE 099 - Introduction to Composition  *
TSM 098 - Elementary Algebra  *
TSM 099 - Intermediate Algebra  *
TSR 098 - Practical College Reading  *
TSR 099 - Practical College Reading  *

* Institutional credit only; does not transfer into degree programs or courses of study; will calculate into cumulative GPA and are considered when calculating both academic and financial aid SAP eligibility.

Graduate Studies

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