Admissions Policies and Procedures

The following admission requirements apply to residency and on-campus students. (Admissions guidelines for the External Studies/Online program is found under the Online Program section). Admission to Messenger College is granted to all applicants who meet the College admission requirements and are duly approved by the Messenger College Admissions Committee. Consideration will be given each applicant without regard to race, color, creed, national origin, gender, handicap, or age. However, attendance at Messenger College is a privilege and not a right. Such a privilege may be forfeited by any student who does not abide by the standards and regulations of the College. For degree-seeking students, application for admission should be made on the forms provided through the Office of Admissions. These forms should be on file in the office of Admissions well in advance of the beginning date of the semester in which the student plans to enroll. To complete the application process, the applicant must file the following with the College:

• Application Form

• Health Form

• ACT or SAT scores (for first-time college students)

• Three references: one from the pastor of the applicant, and two from employer/professional acquaintances

• An official transcript from the applicant's high school and any previous post-high school studies. The transcript must be mailed directly to Messenger College for the source institution.

• A brief biographical sketch (one to two pages)

• A non-refundable application fee of $35

• Non-degree seeking students are required to submit only an application and a biographical sketch. Once a complete application has been received by the office of Admissions, the application will be reviewed by the Admissions Committee. The applicant will be officially notified by mail of the committee's decision.

Academic Requirements for Admission

Applicants are required to be high school graduates with a satisfactory record of achievement. A “C” average in college preparatory work or standard high school level courses is conventionally considered the minimum. The Admissions Committee will handle, on an individual basis, those with nonstandard and special education high school records. Applicants who do not have a high school diploma may be admitted if they can provide a GED certificate.

Applicants who were home-schooled must have adequate records or a GED certificate.

Applicants who do not have a high school diploma or the GED certificate may be admitted as special students on individual merit of available records or tests indicating the ability to profit from the education offered. Applicants who present unfavorable academic records may (1) be denied admission, or (2) be admitted with restrictions and on academic probation. This probation may be lifted by the satisfactory completion of 30 semester hours. First time applicants to Messenger College will be asked to submit ACT or SAT scores to the College upon application. These scores will be considered in connection with assessment testing for placement purposes in English Composition and Mathematics.

Transfer of Credits

A student transferring from another college or university is not at liberty to disregard collegiate record and apply for admission on the basis of his/her high school record. An official transcript of all academic work must be on file in the office of the Registrar. Inasmuch as a “C” average is required of students for graduation from Messenger College, only such work completed in another institution with a grade of “C” or better will be accepted for transfer. Credits are accepted from institutions accredited by accrediting agencies recognized by the U.S. Department of Education insofar as the credits are applicable to the degree program of the studies at Messenger College. In accepting credits from non-accredited colleges, the Vice President of Academic Affairs will decide each case on its merits. The general policy of Messenger College is to allow credits only on a limited basis and to require validation by the satisfactory completion of 30 semester hours at Messenger College.