Application Review
The Admission Office, under direction of the Vice President for Enrollment, will be responsible for taking a holistic approach to the review of admission applications, admitting those students who have the ability to be successful academically on campus. Admission counselors will be the primary reviewers of applications to determine if minimum criteria have been met. First year students will complete an application for admission and submit a copy of high school transcripts for review. Standardized test scores are optional but will be taken into consideration if submitted. The goal is to admit students who are academically prepared to graduate from Simpson College in four years.
Academic Standards
While reviewing applications, the Admission Office will take into consideration several standards to ensure the academic preparation of students. Core college preparatory classes will be reviewed in the areas of English, math, science, social science and foreign language. 17 credits in these areas should be completed by the end of the senior year. In addition, the rigor of these courses will be taken into consideration with additional weight being given to honors, AP, IB and dual-credit college courses. The quality of the secondary school will also be taken into consideration by evaluating the overall curriculum and percentage of students attending a four-year college or university following graduation. The trending of grades, with particular attention paid to the junior year, and when applicable the first semester of the senior year, will be an important factor in decisions. Special circumstances disclosed to the admission office having a direct impact on grades will be scrutinized. Marginal students who have below a 3.0 cumulative GPA will be reviewed by the Admissions Committee and may be asked to submit additional information including but not limited to teacher recommendations, an additional essay, an interview and quarter or seventh semester grades to then be reviewed by the Admissions Committee. Students who fall well below the standards for admission may be denied by the Vice President for Enrollment. Based on the Statement of Principles of Good Practice, all students may be able to appeal a denial decision with new information. Appeals will be handled by the Admissions Committee. The Admissions Office has a right to bring any application to the Admissions Committee for a final decision.
Special Populations
In addition to all of the requirements expected of a first-year applicant, those that are home-schooled students will also be required to submit standardized test scores.
International applicants will also be required to submit standardized test scores and required financial documents to be considered for admission.
Transfer students with 12 transferable credits may be admitted if the 12 credits have a cumulative GPA of 2.5. If 12 transferable credits are not available both college work and their high school academic background may be considered for both admission and scholarship.
Continuing and graduate students will be required to submit a continuing and graduate application along with transcripts from each of the colleges previously attended. After the application and accompanying records are received, the credentials will be evaluated by the Continuing and Graduate Programs Admissions Committee. Applicants will be considered for acceptance based on: successful academic work at an accredited college or university, work history, prior or current military service and other significant experiences showing evidence of the student’s ability to be successful in a competitive academic environment. If needed, the committee may ask for additional materials including but not limited to recommendations, personal statement or an interview.
Confirming High School Graduation
The admissions office will collect and verify final high school transcripts to ensure students graduated. Final high school transcripts must have the graduation date printed on them and must be official from the high school. Official transcripts will include those sent directly from the high school via mail or a reputable third-party vendor contracted by the high school.
Admission to Graduate Programs
Evaluation of Transfer Credit
Students may petition to their program director for transfer credit to apply to program requirements. The transfer of credit will be evaluated on an individual basis. Students will be asked to provide appropriate documentation regarding previous coursework, including but not limited to an official transcript, course description, and syllabus. In order to be considered for transfer, a course must be from a regionally accredited college or university and graded 3.0/B or better. Courses must have been taken at the graduate level and course content must be comparable to program requirements at Simpson.
Stepping Out/Leave of Absence
Students who interrupt their program enrollment for longer than one semester or three terms must be readmitted to the College and program to resume their degree. For an absence of more than one month, the student should coordinate with their program director and the financial aid office prior to re-entry.
Re-admission
Program schedules and cohort sequencing require that students meet with their advisor for planning and obtain approval from the Program Director before being re-admitted.
Deferral of admission
Accepted students may meet with the Program Director to apply for deferral of admission in exceptional circumstances.
Advanced Standing Program in Criminal Justice
Exceptional students enrolled in the Simpson undergraduate program for at least two years may complete up to three courses toward the MACJ in their senior year if they have a year or more of paid criminal justice experience while simultaneously completing the requirements for the bachelor’s degree. Advanced Standing students with less than a year of paid criminal justice experience may take two courses toward completion of the MACJ degree. The courses eligible for completion for graduate credit are classes that are open to undergraduate and graduate students. These classes include
CJ 300 /CJ 500 - Juvenile and Family Law
CJ 334 /CJ 534 - Crime and Place
CJ 335 /CJ 535 - Inequality and Justice
SCJ 341 /SCJ 541 - Crisis Management and Trauma Intervention
CJ 344 /CJ 544 - Correctional Practices in the U.S.
CJ 360 /CJ 560 - Criminal Law and the Legal Process
Undergraduate students eligible for the Advanced Standing Program must have a 3.5 Simpson GPA and must submit the application and all other relevant documentation for consideration by the MACJ Admissions Committee by August 1st after completing their junior year. Students will register for the 300 level course for 4 credits and the CJ 600 level equivalent for 0 credit. The 600 level equivalent of the course includes requirements that must be satisfied to earn graduate credit. Students in the Advanced Standing Program will complete all requirements expected of graduate students and must earn a B or higher in the course to receive graduate credit. Advanced Standing students will not be considered graduate students until requirements for the bachelor’s degree are completed. After completion of the bachelor’s degree, students complete the remaining core courses and degree requirements for the MACJ. Students should be able to complete both programs in approximately five years and a summer if enrolled full-time.
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