Admissions
Life Experience = College Credit
Students seeking Credit For Prior Learning will register for the course APS 3313 Portfolio Development.* This course should be taken during the first semester of enrollment. Generally, credit is given for life experience in specific course areas such as Biblical Preaching, Counseling, Computer Science, Business, etc. Students must apply these credits toward the requirements of their particular degree plan. These credits do not count toward residency requirements. Students receive a Manual of Assessment of Experiential Learning when they enroll in the course, APS 3313 Portfolio Development.
At the close of the semester, students submit their portfolios for evaluation to the Portfolio Assessment Committee. This committee is comprised of Nelson faculty members representing the various disciplines at the University. After the committee evaluates the student’s portfolio, they will approve or deny credit for the portfolio. This committee also determines the number of hours awarded as credit. The decision of the Portfolio Assessment Committee is considered final.
Students can apply for credit on the basis of Credit for Prior Learning (CPL) and receive full college credit up to 37.5% of their degree requirements, depending upon their particular degree plan and their level of experiential learning. All non-traditional credit is counted in the 37.5% allowed. Non-traditional credit includes credit for Advanced Placement scores, ACT scores, CLEP scores, up to 12 hours of correspondence and Credit For Prior Learning.
Credit For Prior Learning Statistics
New research from Council for Adult and Experiential Learning (CAEL) and Western Interstate Commission for Higher Education (WICHE) found that adult students who participate in CPL are 17% more likely to complete a degree, compared to those without CPL.
*Credit For Prior Learning is not available to Education majors, graduate students, or students pursuing any associates degree.
Admissions Requirements
Religious Experience
All applicants admitted for studies at Southwestern must evidence a born again spiritual experience as defined by the following passages of Scripture: John 3:3; Ephesians 2:8-9; Titus 2:11; 3:5-7; and I John 1:7-10. Applicants are expected to have accepted Jesus Christ as their personal Savior and Lord and be striving to live a Christian lifestyle. A Christian character reference is required (not required for licensed or ordained ministers with the Assemblies of God or other recognized denominations) as part of the application process.
It is the purpose of the University to establish in students high standards of Christian conduct and to encourage them to maintain high standards of conduct. Applicants who are engaging in conduct that is generally regarded as less than exemplary will be denied admission.
Undergraduate On-campus
Completed and signed application for admission
Applicants must submit scores from the American College Test (ACT), Classic Learning Test (CLT) or Scholastic Aptitude Test (SAT) taken within the last 5 years. The ACT test is preferred. The minimum score required for the ACT/SAT/CLT are:
- ACT – 19+
- CLT – 64+
- SAT I (January 2016 and earlier) – 1350+ (CR+M+W)
- SAT R (March 2016 and later) – 990+ (ERW + M)
- ACT code: 4182, SAT code: 6669
High School Transcript – Official high school transcript showing date of graduation and minimum GPA of 2.0* from an accredited public or private high school, home school, or proof of high school equivalency (GED)
College Transcripts – Official transcripts from each college attended (sent directly from the college to Nelson), make sure to include colleges/universities at which you earned any dual-credit or had concurrent enrollment
Undergraduate Online
Completed and signed application for admission
Official transcripts from each college attended. For transcripts to be official, they must be sent directly from your previous college or university to the Nelson Admissions Office (1200 Sycamore St, Waxahachie, TX 75165)
Official high school transcript showing date of graduation and minimum GPA of 2.0* from an accredited public or private high school, home school, or proof of high school equivalency (GED) (unless transferring 21 hours or more) . If at least 21 hours of general education credit from an accredited college/university transfer, we may not require High School transcript for acceptance.
Placement Test Scores (If at least 21 hours of general education credit from an accredited college/university transfer, we may not require a placement test for acceptance).
Nelson Graduate School
Conferral with a regionally or professionally accredited bachelor’s degree
Minimum 2.5 cumulative undergraduate grade point average
GRE scores for applicants to the Counseling and Psychology programs
Admissions process
- Essay
- References
- Official transcripts from each college attended (sent directly from the college to Nelson
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*Students who do not meet the minimum academic admissions requirements may be considered for admission on a case-by-case basis as determined by the Admissions Committee. Contact your Admissions Counselor ( On Campus Admissions Counselors | Online Admissions Counselors ) for more information.