Admissions and Regulations
Transfer Students
Applicants for admission as degree seeking students who have been registered in another college or university are classified as transfer students. They must submit to the Undergraduate Admissions Office complete official transcripts from each previously attended college and an official high school transcript showing graduation and type of diploma. Transfers applying for the fall semester must have all supporting credentials listed above on file in the Admissions Office by August 1. Transfers applying for the spring semester must do so by December 1. Transfers applying for any summer semester must apply by April 15.
For admission as transfer students, students must have pursued courses appropriate to the curriculum at The University of Tennessee at Chattanooga, must be eligible to return to their last institution, and must meet The University of Tennessee at Chattanooga’s continuation standards. Grades for all courses attempted will be used in determining the continuation standards. Students who graduated from high school in 1989 or after and are transferring fewer than 60 hours of semester credit must also meet the minimum high school unit requirements and are required to take UTC’s placement exams unless an exemption is granted. Students who transfer fewer than 12 hours of college level non-developmental coursework must meet the minimum requirements for new freshman (see Applying for Admission). Refer to High School Preparation for high school unit and placement exam requirements.
Students whose records do not meet the standards required by the University for admission will be denied admission unless, in the opinion of the Vice Chancellor for Student Development or his/her designate, acceptance on scholastic probation is justified. If admitted on probation, students will be required to remove high school unit deficiencies within their first 30 hours of enrollment at UTC. Credits earned in such courses do not apply toward any degree requirements, including general education, major or elective requirements.
Transfer courses are usually accepted at full credit value as either specific course equivalents or electives. Credit will not be given to courses that are not appropriate to the curriculum of UTC. After each course from all previous institutions has been evaluated, transfer students will receive an official evaluation outlining how credit has been accepted at UTC.
- Students transferring at least 60 hours from other University of Tennessee campuses or Tennessee Board of Regents institutions will not receive credit for courses with a grade below C.
- Senior level credit is not awarded for courses completed at a two-year institution.
- Transfer students from senior institutions must complete at least 25% of the minimum semester hours required for the degree under the direction of the UTC faculty; the last 24 semester hours must be completed at UTC.
- Transfer students from two-year institutions must complete a minimum of 60 semester hours at a senior institution.
- A student who earns credit at a two-year college during his last 24 hours at UTC may choose not to apply the credit toward graduation.
Students wishing to transfer to The University of Tennessee at Chattanooga from regionally unaccredited colleges and universities must meet UTC’s admissions requirements. Credit is not awarded for courses completed at regionally unaccredited colleges or universities.
Transfer credits accepted by The University of Tennessee at Chattanooga will be entered on the academic record only after the student has registered for classes at The University of Tennessee at Chattanooga. Applicants who fail to declare previous college attendance and to submit transcripts of such records will be subject to dismissal from the University.
Appeals for Admission
Students who are denied admission have the right to appeal the decision to the chancellor of UTC. Appeals must be submitted in writing by the end of the first five class days of the fall and spring semesters and the first two class days of any summer term. Students granted admission by appeal may be required to meet the same conditions as stated above.
Special Cases
Adult Special Status
An applicant 21 years of age or older who wishes to take undergraduate courses, but who does not plan to work toward a degree from The University of Tennessee at Chattanooga, may be admitted as an adult special student. The applicant must give satisfactory evidence of preparedness to take the desired courses. An adult special student must meet the same course requirements as regular students since the special student’s work is graded at the completion of the course. An adult special student may subsequently apply for regular student status at the University. In such a case, the student’s grades will be reviewed and up to 60 semester hours of credit may be counted toward fulfillment of degree requirements. Students who have previously been suspended or dismissed from The University of Chattanooga or The University of Tennessee may not enroll as adult special students. Students with college credit from another institution may not enroll as adult special students.
Non-Degree-Seeking Status
Students who wish to take courses for personal fulfillment or career enhancement can apply as non-degree-seeking applicants. To qualify for this status, students must be at least 21 years of age and must be a high school graduate or have a GED. Non-degree-seeking students can earn a maximum of 60 semester hours; these hours can later be applied toward an undergraduate degree. Students seeking to do so must apply for degree-seeking status at any time prior to or after the 60 semester hours have been completed to assure continued enrollment. Admission as a non-degree-seeking student does not guarantee admission as a degree-seeking student at a later time. Non-degree-seeking students who wish to enroll in upper level courses requiring prerequisites must provide the appropriate department head with an official transcript to verify completion of the prerequisite courses.
Former UTC and/or international students may not enroll as non-degree-seeking students, nor can students who have previously been denied admission to UTC. Non-degree-seeking students are not eligible to receive academic advising or need-based financial aid. Students under this category must maintain a 2.0 grade-point average in order to continue enrollment at UTC.
