Undergraduate Admissions

In accordance with its mission, Springfield College’s School of Professional and Continuing Studies seeks applicants who are motivated to achieve social and economic justice and who embody a commitment to the principles of Humanics, community partnership, and academic excellence.

The School’s students are a diverse group; they come from all backgrounds and bring a wealth of knowledge and experience to the classroom. The curriculum relies on this breadth of diversity and experience. Applicants should be prepared to participate fully and contribute to the educational
environment.

The following pages include information about these topics:

To be admitted into the PCS Undergraduate Human Services Program students must have a high school diploma or GED and have a minimum of 15 equivalent college credits from any combination of the following:

• Official college transcripts from a regionally accredited institution with a grade of C- or higher.

• International post-secondary transcripts officially certified by World Education Services (WES), the National Association of Credential Evaluation Services (NACES), or Josef Silny & Associates, Inc.

• Official Joint Services Transcripts (JST), Community College of the Air Force (CCAF) Transcripts, or Coast Guard Institute Transcripts.

• CLEP, DANTES, or DSST college-equivalency examination results.

• Credits earned through professional or organizational training programs or industry recognized licensure programs that PCS has an established articulation in place. For example CDA, EMT, Paramedic, Fire or Police Academies, Community Action Partnership, National Head Start, Certified Addictions Counselor, Substance Abuse Counselor, BEST Apprenticeship Program, CADAC, LAC, LCDC, CSAC, Child Development Associate, CNA, LPN, RN, or the YMCA. Students from the state of Florida may have additional transfer opportunities and should check with their Admissions Assistant at the Tampa Campus.

To be admitted into the PCS Undergraduate Human Services Program students must have a high school diploma or GED and have a minimum of 15 equivalent college credits from any combination of the following:

• Official college transcripts from a regionally accredited institution with a grade of C- or higher.

• International post-secondary transcripts officially certified by World Education Services (WES), the National Association of Credential Evaluation Services (NACES), or Josef Silny & Associates, Inc.

• Official Joint Services Transcripts (JST), Community College of the Air Force (CCAF) Transcripts, or Coast Guard Institute Transcripts.

• CLEP, DANTES, or DSST college-equivalency examination results.

• Credits earned through professional or organizational training programs or industry recognized licensure programs that PCS has an established articulation in place. For example CDA, EMT, Paramedic, Fire or Police Academies, Community Action Partnership, National Head Start, Certified Addictions Counselor, Substance Abuse Counselor, BEST Apprenticeship Program, CADAC, LAC, LCDC, CSAC, Child Development Associate, CNA, LPN, RN, or the YMCA. Students from the state of Florida may have additional transfer opportunities and should check with their Admissions Assistant at the Tampa Campus.

Students wishing to apply for and gain acceptance to the PCS Undergraduate Human Services Program must complete the following steps:

1. Complete the PCS online application before the deadline for the desired term of entry.  

2. Submit evidence of high school completion. This can be an official high school transcript with date of graduation, the actual diploma, or an original GED certificate.  Proof of high school completion is waived if the student completed and has a conferred Associate’s Degree from a regionally accredited institution as evidenced by an official transcript.

3. Submit all required documents: transcripts, certificates of completion, standardized testing results documenting the earning, awarding, or recommending of 15 college-equivalent credits discussed in paragraph 2) a. Above.

4. Once accepted, the Admissions Assistant for the campus will contact the student to schedule and take the ACCUPLACER. The ACCUPLACER determines the level of writing ability of the student. The ACCUPLACER is waived if the student completed an English Composition or other college-level writing courses at a post-secondary institution receiving a minimum grade of B.

5. Once accepted, the campus Student Success Coach (SSC) will contact the student to schedule a time to come to the campus to complete the review of any documents submitted for verification of credits not earned through a post-secondary institution or military training and experience. Also, the SSC will review with the student their final degree plan, full or part-time status, and their first two term course selections.  NOTE: failure to complete this process and provide the necessary supporting documents before the start of classes on the part of the student will result in student delay to the next term. Once the final review of the student’s degree plan/audit is completed, the SSC will register the student for their first-term courses.

In addition to completing the process above, applicants must provide the following:

1. Submit proof of an education equivalent to a United States high school diploma. To assist with the determination of educational equivalency, all foreign credentials must be evaluated by an international transcript evaluation service. The completed evaluation should be submitted with the application materials.
2. Contact the admissions coordinator at the campus you would like to attend to arrange an interview.
3. Submit evidence of proficiency in reading, writing and speaking the English language. The TOEFL test may be submitted to fulfill this requirement.
4. Submit a financial guarantee statement, which may be obtained from the campus. A strictly enforced regulation of the United States Immigration Service makes it necessary for us to receive a guarantee of your financial support for the period of time you will be here for study. An accepted international student must deposit $1,000, which will be credited toward tuition charges before the College will issue the U.S. Government’s Immigration Form I-20.

Listed below are the deadlines for submission of applications. The School’s deadlines for submission of complete applications are:

• Fall Term: August 15
• Spring Term: December 15
• Summer Term: April 15

Please note: applicants for financial aid should understand that applying after the deadline may mean reduced financial aid awards for that academic year.

Once the applicant has completed the application process by submitting all required documents, the file is reviewed. All application materials are reviewed to evaluate demonstrated commitment to serving the community, ability to succeed in the program, and ability to complete the program in four to six terms. Files are reviewed as they are completed, so it is advantageous for candidates to complete the application process as soon as possible.

Applicants who meet admissions requirements will be accepted for admissions; applicants who do not will be deferred and advised to wait to acquire needed requirements and apply at a later time. All decisions will be communicated via mail. 

An applicant may appeal an admissions decision by submitting a written appeal to the Dean of the School of Professional and Continuing Studies. An appeal should include all pertinent information the applicant believes should be taken into account in reviewing the admissions decision. Upon receipt of the written appeal and supporting documentation, the Dean reviews the appeal and renders a decision. Applicants are notified in writing of the Deans decision, which is final. Note: Applicants are notified in writing of the Dean’s decision, which is final. Note: Applicants may not register for or attend classes while the appeal is being reviewed.

Due to unforeseen circumstances, applicants accepted into the term to which they have applied may need to defer enrollment. Notification of intent to defer should be made in writing to the Admissions Office of the campus to which the applicant is accepted. If applying for financial aid, the applicant should also notify the financial aid coordinator at that campus, as deferring may impact financial aid. Applicants may defer their enrollment for up to sixteen months, after which point they have to reapply.

Students whose enrollment has lapsed for more than one year are required to seek readmittance through the Admissions Office at the local campus. Students must settle all accounts prior to reenrollment.

Individuals who have not been admitted to the School of Professional and Continuing Studies but who wish to take undergraduate courses may do so as nonmatriculated students, that is, nondegree seeking students. Nonmatriculated status is an appropriate option for individuals seeking personal enrichment, career advancement, strengthening of academic skills, completion of core requirements for a concentration, or exploration of possible admission into a degree program.

Individuals interested in this option must submit a Nonmatriculated Application Form, which may be obtained from the Admissions Office of the instructional campus. Applications should be submitted as early as possible to ensure enrollment and must be received no later than the first class session of the course. Students must have already completed any prerequisites listed for courses for which they intend to register. A maximum of 15 credit hours (equivalent to core requirements for all concentrations) taken as a nondegree seeking student may be applied to a student’s bachelor’s degree program in the School of Professional and Continuing Studies. Registration for additional courses beyond the fifteen credit hours as a nondegree seeking student will require approval from the Dean of the School of Professional and Continuing Studies. Nondegree seeking students are subject to all regulations of the College.

Financial aid is only awarded to students who have been accepted into a degree program. Nonmatriculated students are not eligible to receive financial aid.

The College reserves the right to make whatever changes in admission requirements, fees, charges, tuition, instructors, regulations, and academic programs at its sole discretion prior to the start of any class or term. The College also reserves the right to divide, cancel or reschedule classes or programs if enrollment or other factors so require.