The University of the Incarnate Word actively recruits students who will enrich and be enriched by a small private selective Catholic liberal arts atmosphere. Applicants should demonstrate personal characteristics and qualities that suggest they will be responsible and contributing members of the University community with standards of excellence in the academic, social, physical, and spiritual aspects of life which adheres to a mission statement of Christian service and social justice.
Applications for admission are accepted on a continual, or rolling basis, throughout the year for fall, spring, and summer semesters. However, it is recommended that the application process be completed in a timely fashion, allowing sufficient time to process financial aid awards. Successful applicants to the University are admitted into a general program of study for the freshmen year. Admission to any major at the University is a separate process that begins as early as the first semester of the sophomore year. Upon admission to the University, transfer students with enough transferable credit may seek admission to a particular major. Certain majors, such as nursing, may require specified pre-requisite courses to be completed before admission to the major. Consult individual program listings for such requirements.
All acceptances to the University are provisional pending the receipt of official transcript credentials, i.e., the final high school transcript with graduation date. Continued enrollment in subsequent terms is dependent on receipt of official documents.
The University subscribes to affirmative action to ensure admission without regard to race, color, religion, gender, age, national origin, or disability. Those with non-traditional learning experiences or disadvantaged backgrounds are encouraged to apply.
Freshmen applicants to the University are evaluated using a number of criteria - GPA, high school course difficulty, class rank, SAT and/or ACT test scores, extracurricular activities (including work experience), and letters of recommendation. An interview with an admissions counselor and a visit to the campus are strongly encouraged, but not required. Except in unusual circumstances, applicants to the University must be graduates of an accredited high school or possess an appropriate equivalency. Coursework completed in high school should include a minimum of 16 Carnegie units of the following:
4 units of English
3 units of Social Science
3 units of Mathematics
3 units of Natural Science
2 units of Foreign Language
1 unit of Fine Arts
Individuals who did not finish high school may qualify for admission to the University on the basis of satisfactory scores on the Test of General Education Development (GED) and high school courses via an official transcript. Freshmen applicants out of high school for more than two years and GED recipients are not required to submit SAT or ACT scores.
Under some circumstances, applicants may be asked to take an assessment test and/or arrange for a personal interview to provide further information upon which an admissions decision will be based.
The University welcomes the application of students with academic credit earned at other accredited colleges and universities. Students are required to report all college-level credit attempted and/or completed, and are required to submit official transcripts of such work. The primary factor for consideration of admission of a transfer student is the student's cumulative GPA. Other factors considered for admission include letters of recommendation, a personal interview, extracurricular activities, and work experience. Applicants are advised to have at least a cumulative GPA of 2.5 or better for unconditional admission. Students may be admitted with less than a 2.5 GPA on the recommendation of the Admissions Committee. The Committee reserves the right to place conditions or requirements on the admittance of such a student.
Applicants with fewer than 24 transferable hours of college credit must submit an official high school transcript with the scores of any SAT or ACT exam(s) previously taken. Transfer applicants out of high school for more than two years, or are GED recipients, are not required to submit SAT or ACT exam scores.
Applicants with credit earned at non-accredited institutions, such as trade, technical, and career schools, are advised that such credit is generally not transferable to the University. However, an official transcript of coursework is required for admission consideration.
All courses completed with a grade of C or higher that are normally considered part of an associate or bachelor degree program will transfer to the University of the Incarnate Word. The cumulative grade point average at UIW is based upon all hours attempted, regardless of the grade earned, and to include both transfer and UIW credits. Some transfer work may not apply toward degree requirements. Acceptance of transfer work does not reduce institutional requirements (e.g. residency, advanced hours, etc.). Refer to the institutional requirements sections of this catalog for information pertaining to institutional policies.
It is the student's responsibility to provide the Registrar's Office with an official transcript reflecting completion of the course work. Transcripts from all previously attended colleges or universities, regardless of whether credit was awarded or whether credits apply toward the current program, must be received by the Registrar's Office at the University of the Incarnate Word by the beginning of the first semester of enrollment. Students who fail to meet this admission requirement will not be permitted to enroll for future semesters until all required transcripts are received.
Credit submitted for transfer to the University of the Incarnate Word must be recorded on an official transcript received by the Registrar's Office from the institution where the credit was earned. Once submitted for admission or transfer consideration, the transcript becomes the property of the University of the Incarnate Word and cannot be released back to the student. The transfer of course credit will be determined by the Office of the Registrar on a course-by-course basis. Course content will be determined from the catalog description or the course syllabus issued by the transferring institution.
The following policies will be used by the Registrar when evaluating transfer credits.
Students transferring to UIW from an institution of higher education that is not accredited by one of the regional accrediting associations may validate the work taken at the institution by:
A student may receive up to 12 semester hours of credit for lower-level undergraduate religious studies by successfully completing a post-secondary program of religious education. The criteria are available from the Religious Studies Coordinator.
The University of the Incarnate Word recognizes and accepts in transfer credit for military training courses. Some transfer work may not apply to degree requirements. An official military transcript must be sent to the Office of the Registrar for evaluation.
See Credit by Examination (refer to Chapter 5, Credit by Examination, Certification, or Correspondence Policies).
Admission Requirements for Extended Academic Programs
To be eligible for this matriculation, students must meet the following criteria:
These conditions and requirements of Conditional and Non-Degree seeking admission will be stated in the admissions letter. Students who do not meet all requirements in the time frame stated will be removed from eligibility to enroll
This is an online program that is delivered to enlisted personnel of the US army. In the event that a student is accepted into the Universe Online program, it will be stipulated by the University that the soldier is the holder of a high school diploma/GED based on GoArmyEd program requirements and assurances. Students in this program are active duty military, so age restrictions will not always apply when they are demonstrated to be good candidates for the online learning environment. Students in the GoArmyEd program will be accepted for Non-Degree seeking status upon presentation to the Universe Online program. GoArmyEd students who are attending another host institution in the program are permitted to take courses at the university and are not required to submit a letter of "good standing" or official transcripts. Additionally, they are not limited to 24 semester hours, per institutional agreement with the U.S. Army. Conditions for admission, both Conditional and Unconditional, are identical to those stated above.
This agreement will enhance the opportunities for baccalaureate degree completion for students enrolling at ACCD institutions. Qualified students applying for admission to Palo Alto, St. Philips, San Antonio, or Northwest Vista have the option of simultaneously enrolling in the University of the Incarnate Word. This agreement will facilitate transfer of community college credit to UIW and encourage students to complete their baccalaureate degree at the University. For more information contact the Office of Admissions. Students interested in being dual enrolled at San Antonio College and University of the Incarnate Word can also take courses at the Dual Enrollment Center located on 1621 N. Main. Contact (210) 223-5747 for further information.
The University is approved to offer university work under the GI Bill. An on-campus Veterans Affairs Certifying Official provides assistance in obtaining educational benefits under all veteran-related programs. For information, contact the Registrar's Office.
The University offers a degree completion program to meet the needs of military personnel provided admission requirements are met. The University grants credit for courses taken in military service schools and for USAFI, CLEP, University GED examinations, and DANTES.
The University of the Incarnate Word is a member institution of the Servicemembers Opportunity Colleges (SOC) and sponsors the Concurrent Admissions Program (ConAP) with the United States Army. The program grants early admission to qualified enlisted men and women to facilitate credit transfer and matriculation to the University following discharge. For more information, contact the Office of Admissions.
Requests for service school credit or examination credit must be documented by the following:
The University welcomes the applications of international students. Although a rolling admission policy is in effect, it is recommended that students apply to the University no later than 60 days prior to the beginning of the semester the student plans to attend. Accordingly, international students must submit the following to the Office of Admissions (missing information may result in processing delays affecting admission):
International students whose English skills are insufficient to be admitted to regular university courses are required to take ESL courses (non-credit). ELS courses are taught by ELS Language Centers, a division of Berlitz International. Fees for ELS courses are non-tuition costs, and are not covered in UIW exchange agreements. All exchange students will be expected to pay out-of-pocket cost for ELS courses. Students from non-English speaking countries will receive a waiver from the foreign language core requirement. For further information, please contact the Registrar's Office.
Although most freshman applicants will not enter the University of the Incarnate Word until after high school graduation, the University will consider applications from well-qualified candidates who have not yet completed their high school program. Such students must show evidence of maturity and the ability to profit from University course work before graduating from high school.
Early entrance candidates must submit completed application and fee, an official high school transcript, SAT and/or ACT scores taken, and supporting letters of recommendation from the student's guidance counselor and/or principal. Approval from the student's high school and University faculty is required to be admitted and enrolled under this program.
Applicants who are home schooled are required to submit a copy of their home school curriculum, SAT or ACT exam scores, and a letter of explanation regarding home school environment. An interview, letters of recommendation, and assessment testing may be required in some circumstances.
In this program, selected high school seniors may earn 12 to 18 hours of college credit while completing the requirements for high school graduation. The program grants dual credit for courses that have counterparts at the high school level. Students are eligible for any course available to an entering University freshman. As in the case of other University students, exceptions to prerequisites are handled on an individual basis. All Senior Connection courses are taught by the University of the Incarnate Word faculty with the same syllabus, same textbook, and same rigor as any other section taught on the campus. Senior Connection courses are open to any University of the Incarnate Word student for whom the scheduled time is more appropriate than other sections of the same course. Senior Connection students must have the approval of both high school administration and their University advisor before registering for courses. As with other University of the Incarnate Word courses, some Senior Connection courses utilize facilities of St. Anthony Catholic High School during day hours.
Students not wishing to receive a degree from the University of the Incarnate Word and who have not completed a bachelor's degree may be admitted to the University based on the same requirements as a degree-seeking student. Consult the bulletin under the sections 'Admission of New Freshmen' and/or 'Admission of Transfer Students' to determine applicable admissions requirements. The applicant, if accepted, would matriculate as an undergraduate non-degree-seeking student.
A degree-seeking student in another University may, upon authorization by the institution, enroll in approved courses at the University of the Incarnate Word as a transient student without submitting an official transcript. A letter of good standing or a letter of permission from the home institution's Academic Dean or Registrar may be submitted in place of the transcript. An application for admission must also be on file in the Office of Admissions.
A student may accumulate no more than 24 semester hours under the non-degree seeking status without special clearance from the Registrar. Approved international exchange students may petition to accumulate hours beyond the 24-hour limit.
A student who holds a degree from an accredited college or university may take additional courses. An official transcript from the institution from which the degree was received should be submitted, as well as an application for admission to the University. Post-baccalaureate/post-master's students may accumulate no more than 24 undergraduate hours without special clearance. In addition, they may take no more than 9 hours at the graduate level without being admitted to a graduate degree program.
University of the Incarnate Word students who have been absent from the University for one full academic semester (Fall/Spring) or more must apply for re-admission to the University. This no-fee application is available through the Office of Admissions. Official transcripts of all coursework completed while absent from the University must be submitted prior to re-admission.
Students who left the University on academic probation or enforced withdrawal are advised to show evidence of positive life change and/or academic progress in support of the application in addition to the requirements listed in the prior paragraph. All such decisions are referred to the Dean of Enrollment in consultation with the Director of University Advising.
See Graduate Bulletin.
Applicants denied admission to the University may appeal the decision by completing the appeal process form available at the Office of Admissions and on the university's website. The form should specify the reason(s) for the appeal, and relevant new information (updated GPA, increased rank, letters of recommendation, new SAT/ACT scores, etc.) should be include.
Appeals will be review by the Dean of Enrollment in collaboration with the Director of the University Advising Center and/or Vice-President for Academic and Student Affairs, and the Vice-President for Administration.
Persons who have not been admitted to the University may apply for permission to audit a course without credit. Courses audited are not applicable towards a degree, and permission to audit does not constitute admission to the University. For further information on auditing a course, contact the Registrar's Office.
In compliance with Section 97.63 of the Texas Administrative Code, all full-time students at the University must provide proof of immunization for measles, mumps, and rubella (MMR 1 and 2), and a Tetanus/Diphtheria (TD) booster received within the last 10 years during their first semester of enrollment. Lacking such verification, students should obtain the required immunizations from their private physician or through their local Public Health Department.
It is recommended but not required for any undergraduate less than 25 who wish as to reduce their risk of meningococcal disease to consider vaccination. Freshmen should consider the meningitis vaccination preferably at entry into college and if they are going to live in dormitories or residence halls.
Students enrolled in Health Care majors, which will involve direct patient contact (Nursing, Nutrition, and Nuclear Medicine) are subject to more stringent immunization requirements prior to being admitted to clinical settings. For further information, contact Health Services at (210) 829-6017.