Application for Admission
New and readmit applicants who are U.S. citizens or green card holders may submit applications for William Carey University’s admission consideration at any time. The application for admission is located on the Carey website, Apply to Carey (wmcarey.edu). Undergraduate students can enter as freshmen, transfer, or readmission students, depending on their academic history.
Intentionally giving false information, whether written or oral, to university officials is not permitted. The falsification, alteration, fabrication, omission, or misuse of a form, document, or record provided to the university is prohibited and can lead to rejection, expulsion, or dismissal.
There are separate requirements for admission to the School of Nursing and to the teacher education program of the School of Education. Students interested in these programs should consult program descriptions for program admission requirements.
The university reserves the right to deny admission to any applicant or forbid any students continued enrollment without assigning a reason.
Standards for Admission
Freshman Student Admissions
A freshman applicant is a student who has either a final high school or homeschool transcript; official GED report with passing scores or official HiSET report with passing scores; and less than 12 college credit hours after the high school diploma or GED or HiSET test scores have been earned.
A completed freshman student file contains the following:
- A submitted application for admission Apply to Carey (wmcarey.edu)
- One of the following:
- an official high school transcript with
- a graduation date that occurred before the transcript arrived at WCU
- a 2.0 cumulative GPA on a 4.0 scale
- an accredited or notarized home school credit transcript
- a graduation date that occurred before the transcript arrived at WCU
- a 2.0 cumulative GPA on a 4.0 scale
- an official GED score report recording eligible scores
- GED eligible scores: minimum score of 150 on each of the four content areas or a minimum total score of 600
- an official HiSET score report recording eligible scores
- HiSET eligible scores: minimum score of 15 on all four content areas
- essay score is not measured for admission
- $40 nonrefundable application fee
- Documented proof of two immunizations for measles, mumps, and rubella (MMR) if born on or after January 1, 1957.
- One of the following:
- National American College Test (ACT) official score report recording eligible scores
- Regular admittance scores: 20 or above
- Conditional admittance scores: 17-19
- Free Throw admittance scores: 16-19
- WCU accepts ACT superscores for traditional and conditional admittance. Free Throw admittance requires a minimum single test score of 16
- Residual American College Test (ACT) official report recording eligible scores
- offered by and administered at WCU’s Hattiesburg campus
- scores can only be used at WCU and will not influence state or federal aid.
- Regular admittance scores: 20 or above
- Conditional admittance scores: 17-19
- Free Throw admittance scores: 16-19
- WCU accepts ACT superscores for traditional and conditional admittance. Free Throw admittance requires a minimum single test score of 16.
- For more information: https://wmcarey.edu/page/residual-act
- Official score on the College Entrance Examination Board Scholastic Aptitude Test (SAT).
- Composite SAT score is based on a combination of evidence-based reading and writing + math scores only.
- Regular admittance scores: 1030 or above
- Conditional admittance scores: 920-1020
- Free Throw admittance scores: 880-1020
- WCU accepts SAT superscores for traditional and conditional admittance. Free Throw admittance requires a minimum single test score of 880.
If a student took college classes before the completion of high school or home school, the final and official college transcript is not necessary for WCU admission. However, transfer credits will not be applied to a student’s WCU transcript until a final and official college transcript is provided to the Admissions or Registrar’s Office.
- Final: all courses listed have an associated final grade or notification of withdrawal
- Official: transcript sent to William Carey University from the institution, either digitally delivered or through mail.
Step-Ahead
Step-Ahead is a program for high school students or home school students who wish to enroll in college courses before completing high school. The program is offered on the William Carey University Hattiesburg and Tradition campuses. Admissions as a Step-Ahead student requires a minimum score of 20 on the ACT or 1030 (evidence based reading and writing + math) on the SAT if taken after March 2016 and approval from their high school counselor or home school coordinator. Students wishing to take mathematics must have ACT subscores as follows: for College Algebra (MAT 131) 20+, Trigonometry (MAT 142) 20+, Pre-calculus (MAT 150) 25+, and Calculus with Analytic Geometry I (MAT 151) 26+. An official high school transcript and official ACT or SAT scores must accompany the registration form. When the student elects to begin full-time enrollment with the university following high school graduation, the student must reapply as a degree seeking student.
Dual Credit
William Carey University offers a cooperative program in area high schools whereby specific courses may be offered for college credit in addition to high school credit. Approval of courses for college credit is based on criteria including teacher qualifications, curriculum, and instructional methods. Admission as a dual-credit student is only available to qualifying junior and senior-level students at cooperating high schools. Admission requires a minimum score of 20 on the ACT 1030 (evidence based reading and writing + math) on the SAT if taken after March 2016 and approval from their high school counselor. Students wishing to take mathematics must have ACT subscores as follows: for College Algebra (MAT 131) 20+, Trigonometry (MAT 142) 20+, Pre-calculus (MAT 150) 25+, Calculus with Analytic Geometry I (MAT 151) 26 for Calculus I and Statistics. An official high school transcript and official ACT or SAT scores must accompany the application form. When the student elects to begin full time enrollment with the university following high school graduation, the student must reapply as a degree seeking student.
Free Throw
William Carey University provides an opportunity for first-time freshman students who do not meet regular WCU admission requirements and have no college credit hours after high school graduation to participate in the Free-Throw program.
Applicants with an ACT score of 16 or SAT score of 880 to 910 (evidence-based reading and writing + math) are required to participate. Applicants with ACT score of 17-19 or SAT score of 920 to 1020 (evidence-based reading and writing + math) can choose between the Free Throw program and Conditional admittance.
Students must be advised for 12 credit hours of coursework by the Office of Student Assistance for the Free-Throw term. Students must successfully complete the first term with a 2.5 GPA or higher to gain admission to WCU as a transfer student and to apply for further institutional scholarships.
Academic Advising for Freshmen Students
All new students are assigned an academic advisor in their major of interest. The academic advisor will assist the student in designing a program of study that leads to the desired degree. However, the ultimate responsibility in the selection of courses that satisfy degree requirements risks with the student. Course placement in English and math will be based on ACT/SAT subscores. Students who are accepted to the university with an ACT composite score below 20 or 1030 (evidence-based reading and writing + math) on the SAT will be assigned special academic advising.
Credit By Examination
Advanced placement and college credit are awarded to students who have college-level subjects in high school and who have earned the minimum score required by the university on the College Entrance Examination Board Advanced placement tests. No credit will be awarded for scores less than 3, and some academic departments may require a score higher than 3. Credit for knowledge gained by nontraditional means may be substantiated by certain minimum scores on some of the CEEB College-Level Examination Program tests or the American College Test Proficiency Examination Program tests. For more detailed information, see Credit by Examination , under General Academic Regulations. For credit to be given, an official advanced placement transcript must be submitted. To gain credit by examination, an official transcript from the testing agency must be submitted and reviewed by the Office of the Registrar. An official transcript is defined as one mailed or eScripted directly from one institution or agency to another. It bears the institution’s or agency’s seal, the signature of the registrar, and the date of issuance. Transcripts may be mailed to William Carey University, Office of Admissions, WCU Box 13, 710 William Carey Parkway, Hattiesburg, MS 39401.
Transfer Student Admissions
A transfer applicant is a student who has 12 college credit hours or more after an awarded high school or homeschool diploma, or after GED passing test scores or HiSET passing test scores have been recorded.
Applicants receiving a second baccalaureate degree are listed as transfer students. However, they are not eligible for WCU institutional aid.
A completed transfer student file contains the following:
- A submitted application for admission Apply to Carey (wmcarey.edu)
- Final and official transcripts from all colleges attended with
- a 2.0 cumulative GPA
- Final: all courses listed have an associated final grade or notification of withdrawal
- Official: transcript sent to William Carey University from the institution either digitally delivered or through mail.
- $40 nonrefundable application fee
- Documented proof of two immunizations for measles, mumps, and rubella (MMR) if born on or after January 1, 1957.
Nondegree Status Admission
If a student wishes to complete undergraduate courses and not pursue a degree, the student will choose nondegree on the Academic Type section of the online application. A nondegree student is subject to all university regulations governing registration, attendance, and academic standing.
Credit earned by a nondegree student is recorded on the student’s permanent record and may be applied in an undergraduate degree program when the student has satisfactorily changed his or her Academic Type from nondegree to degree seeking.
Nondegree status students are not eligible for federal financial aid or institutional scholarships.
Nondegree Freshmen
A completed nondegree freshman student file contains the following:
- A submitted application for admission Apply to Carey (wmcarey.edu)
- One of the following:
- an official high school transcript with
- a graduation date that occurred before the transcript arrived at WCU
- a 2.0 cumulative GPA on a 4.0 scale
- an accredited or notarized home school credit transcript
- a graduation date that occurred before the transcript arrived at WCU
- a 2.0 cumulative GPA on a 4.0 scale
- an official GED score report recording eligible scores
- GED eligible scores: minimum score of 150 on each of the four content areas or a minimum total score of 600
- an official HiSET score report recording eligible scores
- HiSET eligible scores: minimum score of 15 on all four content areas
- essay score is not measured for admission
- $40 nonrefundable application fee
- Documented proof of two immunizations for measles, mumps, and rubella (MMR) if born on or after January 1, 1957.
- One of the following:
- National American College Test (ACT) official score report recording eligible scores
- Regular admittance scores: 20 or above
- Conditional admittance scores: 17-19
- WCU accepts ACT superscores for traditional and conditional admittance with a minimum 16 single ACT test score.
- Residual American College Test (ACT) official report recording eligible scores
- offered by and administered at WCU’s Hattiesburg campus
- scores can only be used at WCU and will not influence state or federal aid.
- Regular admittance scores: 20 or above
- Conditional admittance scores: 17-19
- WCU accepts ACT superscores for traditional and conditional admittance with a minimum 16 single ACT test score.
- For more information: https://wmcarey.edu/page/residual-act
- Official score on the College Entrance Examination Board Scholastic Aptitude Test (SAT).
- Composite SAT score is based on a combination of evidence-based reading and writing + math scores only.
- Regular admittance scores: 1030 or above
- Conditional admittance scores: 920-1020
- WCU accepts SAT superscores for traditional and conditional admittance with a minimum single test score of 880 (of evidence-based reading and writing + math scores only.)
Nondegree Transfer Admission
A completed nondegree transfer student file contains the following:
- A submitted application for admission Apply to Carey (wmcarey.edu)
- A final and official transcript from the college or university most recently attended with
- A minimum 2.0 cumulative GPA
- Final: all courses listed have an associated final grade or withdrawal notification
- Official: transcript sent to William Carey University from the institution either digitally delivered or delivered through mail.
- $40 nonrefundable application fee
- Documented proof of two immunizations for measles, mumps, and rubella (MMR) if born on or after January 1, 1957.
Readmission to the University
A registered student who does not continue coursework after a fall, winter, or spring trimester and would later like to continue at WCU will return as a readmission applicant, commonly referred to as a readmit applicant. A student who does not register for classes the summer trimester only in not considered a readmit applicant. Also, a previous applicant who attended one WCU academic term but did not receive final grades on his or her transcript would return to WCU using freshmen or transfer student admission procedure respectively.
A completed readmission student file contains the following:
- A submitted application for readmission Apply to Carey (wmcarey.edu)
- A final and official transcript from the colleges or universities the student attended while absent from WCU.
- Final: all courses listed have an associated final grade or notification of withdrawal
- Official: transcript sent to William Carey University from the institution either digitally delivered or delivered through mail.
- One of the following:
- a minimum 2.0 GPA on the student’s WCU transcript if the student did not attend another institution of higher learning while absent from WCU. (provided by WCU)
- a minimum cumulative 2.0 GPA calculated from the student’s WCU transcript and any other attended institutions of higher learning while absent from WCU (calculated by WCU Office of Admissions after transcripts are received.)
- $40 nonrefundable application fee
- This can be obtained from the student’s past WCU undergraduate file if previously paid
- Documented proof of two immunizations for measles, mumps, and rubella (MMR) if born on or after January 1, 1957.
- This can be obtained from the student’s past WCU file if previously supplied by student
Admission Statuses Defined
Students may have several status categories during the life of their applications, depending upon the completion levels of compliance with published admissions requirements.
- Accepted: An applicant who has successfully completed all admission’s requirements.
- Conditional: A freshman applicant with a 17, 18 or 19 ACT score or SAT equivalent.
- Probational: A transfer applicant who does not meet the minimum admission academic standards but is allowed to attend William Carey University by action of the admission appeal committee.
- Accepted lacking: A freshman or transfer applicant who has met academic admission standards and is awaiting final acceptance pending receipt of missing supporting documents. Also known as provisional acceptance.
- Incomplete: An applicant who has not supplied necessary documents to be considered for another admission status.
- Rejected: An applicant who has provided academic performance documents that do not meet WCU minimum requirements.
Students with an accepted lacking status are allowed to register their first trimester at WCU. The students must be prepared to
- pay at least 50% of all charges by the end of the first week of class and
- provide all documents required for admission by the end of the first term of attendance.
No financial aid will be processed or paid for students who have not been officially accepted. Accepted lacking students cannot register for or continue coursework during the next trimester at WCU without an accepted status.
Students who do not comply with the admission requirements, or who, upon receipt of official documents, do not meet the minimum standards for admission will be removed from classes, will receive no grades, and will be refunded according to the tuition refund policy. Permission for registration does not indicate official acceptance to William Carey University.
Nondisclosure Statement
A student must certify that he or she is not under suspension from any college or university. Nondisclosure or misrepresentation when completing the application for admission may result in disciplinary action taken on the student, including possible dismissal from the university. In addition, students who find after enrollment that they are ineligible to return to the last institution attended and fail to report this immediately to the office of admissions will be subject to disciplinary action, including possible dismissal.
Academic Renewal
Academic renewal is provided for qualifying undergraduate students who were not successful with their initial college experience and who have not attended college for the previous five years. The policy allows the student to have one or more terms of previous college work forgiven. More information is available in the admissions office.
International Students
William Carey University is authorized by the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) to enroll nonimmigrant alien students on the Hattiesburg campus only. International students may not enroll in online only programs.
International students who wish to be admitted to William Carey University must meet the requirements listed below. They must also meet additional requirements listed in either the freshmen or transfer subsections.
Freshmen students are those students who have attempted less than 12 hours of credit at an institution of higher learning (college or university), and transfer students are students who have attempted 12 or more hours of credit at an institution of higher learning.
- Application—Application for admission can be downloaded from the Carey website (www.wmcarey.edu). Applications may also be requested by mail through the office of international admissions on the Hattiesburg campus. A US$40 application fee, which allows for a student’s application to be processed, should be mailed to the Office of International Admissions at WCU Box 13, 710 William Carey Parkway, Hattiesburg, MS, 39401, or paid online using a credit or debit card after the application process is initiated.
- Academic Records—The following information is required for consideration for undergraduate admissions.
Freshman Students (first time college students):
Official academic records indicating the level of secondary completion or course work completed at a foreign institution(s) must be provided. Properly certified English translations must accompany each transcript. Transcripts may be mailed to William Carey University, Office of International Admissions, WCU Box 13, 710 William Carey Parkway, Hattiesburg, MS 39401.
Transfer Students:
Official academic records indicating course progress from any institution(s) of higher education or official transcript(s) from the U.S. institution(s) attended are required. An official transcript is defined as one mailed directly from one institution to another. All records must be in English before an I-20 from William Carey University is issued. Transcripts may be mailed to William Carey University, Office of International Admissions, WCU Box 13, 710 William Carey Parkway, Hattiesburg, MS 39401.
Official college/university transcript(s) - Academic records from each college/university attended must be provided. Transcripts from institutions of higher learning in countries other than the United States must be evaluated by approved transcript evaluation services before being transmitted to William Carey University. The four approved services are: World Education Services (WES) http://www.wes.org; SpanTran (The Evaluation Company) Click here to access SpanTran; GCE (Global Credential Evaluators) https://www.gceus.com/; and ECE (Educational Credential Evaluators) https://www.ece.org/. William Carey University must receive an official transcript that has been evaluated by one of the four services before the admission file can be processed.
Students transferring from any college or university in the United States must coordinate the transfer of their active SEVIS record from their current institution to William Carey University. The requirements for obtaining such transfers are established by each individual institution. Additional documentation for transfer students may be required by WCU before transferring an active SEVIS record.
- Language Proficiency—Students who are not from nations where English is considered the official or second language are required to take either the Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) or the International English Language Testing System (IELTS). A minimum score of 523 is required on the paper-based TOEFL; a minimum score of 193 on the computer-based TOEFL; or a minimum score of 70 on the internet-based TOEFL. Students who wish to take the IELTS must meet the minimum requirement score of 5.5. Students who do not meet the minimum English proficiency required are invited to apply for admission to the William Carey University English Language Center.
- Certification of Finances—Proof of financial support for the duration of the international student’s stay in the United States is required. This document can be downloaded from the Carey website (www.wmcarey.edu).
- Health Requirements—Documented proof of two immunizations for measles, mumps, and rubella (MMR) if born on or after January 1, 1957. Additionally, each student must complete a tuberculosis screening (chest x-ray and Interferon Gamma Release Assay IGRA) performed in the United States and submit the results to the office of international admissions prior to starting class. A tuberculosis skin test does NOT meet this requirement.
- Major Medical Coverage—All international students are required to have a policy with the university. students will be assessed for the policy coverage at the beginning of each trimester. More information on the health insurance policy adopted by William Carey University is available online (www.wmcarey.edu).
- Advance tuition Payment—An advance tuition payment of US$500.00 is required before arriving to William Carey University. This advance covers the on-campus housing prepayment (US$150.00) and any other initial or miscellaneous expenses associated with the first academic term at William Carey University. This advance payment is nonrefundable.
Additional Information—In order to receive an F-1 visa, international students must schedule an appointment with the nearest U.S. consulate or embassy in their country within 90 days of departure. They must take along their documentation, letter of acceptance, and Form I-20 for presentation and review. The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) recommends the entering student be honest and have copies of all documentation sent to William Carey University available for review by the U.S. custom official at the consulate, embassy, or U.S. port of entry. Custom officials may at any point of the student’s travel to the United States deny him/her entry into the country. WCU cannot act on behalf of students with pending visa appointments, or interfere with U.S. government functions in order to influence or expedite processes.
International students should refer to the university calendar for dates of trimester breaks and religious and national holidays (i.e. Thanksgiving, Christmas) in preparation for holiday travel and for end of year travel.
Questions or concerns should be directed to the director of international admissions on the Hattiesburg campus, 601-318-6103, 800-962-5991 (toll free), or admissions@wmcarey.edu
English Language Center
The English Language Center (ELC) prepares students to use English effectively when English is not the primary, native language. The ELC program grants students certificates of completion that are used to waive the language examination requirements at William Carey University for undergraduate or graduate study.
William Carey University is authorized by the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) to enroll nonimmigrant alien students on the Hattiesburg campus only. The English Language Center does not conduct online courses. International students who wish to be admitted to the English Language Center must meet the requirements listed below.
- Application—Application for admission can be downloaded from the Carey website (www.wmcarey.edu). Applications may also be requested by mail through the office of international admissions on the Hattiesburg campus.
- Application Fee—This one-time US$40 application fee, which allows for a student’s application to be processed, should be mailed to the Office of International Admissions at WCU Box 13, 710 William Carey Parkway, Hattiesburg, MS, 39401, or paid online via credit or debit card..
- Academic Records
- Freshmen students (first time college students): Official academic records indicating the level of secondary completion or course work completed at a foreign institution(s) must be provided. Properly certified English translations must accompany each transcript.
- Transfer students Official academic records indicating course progress from any institution(s) of higher education or official transcript(s) from the U.S. institution(s) attended are required. An official transcript is defined as one mailed directly from one institution to another. All records must be in English before an I-20 from William Carey University is issued.
Transcripts may be mailed to William Carey University, Office of International Admissions, WCU Box 13, 710 William Carey Parkway, Hattiesburg, MS 39401. Academic records from each college/university attended must be provided. Transcripts from institutions of higher learning in countries other than the United States must be evaluated by approved transcript evaluation services before being transmitted to William Carey University. The four approved services are: World Education Services (WES) http://www.wes.org; SpanTran (The Evaluation Company) Click here to access SpanTran; GCE (Global Credential Evaluators) https://www.gceus.com/; and ECE (Educational Credential Evaluators) https://www.ece.org/. William Carey University must receive an official transcript that has been evaluated by one of the four services before the admission file can be processed.
- Language Proficiency—Students who are not from nations where English is considered the official or second language are required to take either the International English Language Testing System (IELTS). A minimum score of 433 is required on the paper-based TOEFL; a minimum score of 120 on the computer-based TOEFL; or a minimum score of 40 on the internet-based TOEFL. Students who wish to take the IELTS must meet the minimum requirement score of 3.5.
- Certification of Finances—Proof of financial support for the duration of the international student’s stay in the United States is required. This document can be downloaded from the Carey website (www.wmcarey.edu).
- Proof of Immunizations—Documented proof of two immunizations for measles, mumps, and rubella (MMR) if born on or after January 1, 1957. Additionally, each students must have a chest x-ray and Interferon Gamma Release Assay (IGRA) performed in the United States and submit the results to the office of international admissions prior to starting class.
- Major Medical Coverage—Proof of medical coverage while attending an institution of higher education in the United States is required. All international students are required to have a policy with the university. Students will be assessed for the policy coverage at the beginning of each trimester. More information on the health insurance policy adopted by William Carey University is available online (www.wmcarey.edu).
- Advance Tuition Payment—An advance tuition payment of US$500.00 is required before an I-20 from William Carey University will be issued. This advance covers the on-campus housing prepayment (US$150.00) and any other initial or miscellaneous expenses associated with the first academic term at William Carey University. This advance payment is nonrefundable.
Additional Information—In order to receive an F-1 visa, international students must schedule an appointment with the nearest U.S. consulate or embassy in their country within 90 days of departure. They must take along their documentation, letter of acceptance, and I-20 for presentation and review. The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) recommends the entering student be honest and have copies of all documentation sent to William Carey University available for review by the U.S. custom official at the consulate, embassy, or U.S. port of entry. Custom officials may at any point of the student’s travel to the United States deny him/her entry into the country. WCU cannot act on behalf of students with pending visa appointments, or interfere with U.S. government functions in order to influence or expedite processes. International students should refer to the university calendar for dates of trimester breaks and religious and national holidays (i.e. Thanksgiving, Christmas) in preparation for holiday travel, or end of the year travel.
Questions or concerns should be directed to the director of international student affairs on the Hattiesburg campus, 601-318-6103, 800-962-5991 (toll free), or admissions@wmcarey.edu.
Applications for Housing
The housing application must be returned to the housing office. A $150 prepayment is required to reserve a room in a residence hall in Hattiesburg. The prepayment is refundable if a written request is made 30 days prior to the first day of classes.
Housing Policy for Single Students
Philosophy for Residential Life
The university holds to the philosophy that living on campus provides an increased opportunity for developing better student relationships, encourages the exchange of cultural and intellectual thought, and promotes an environment for living and learning as part of the overall educational mission of the university.
Residence Regulations
All full-time undergraduate students on the Hattiesburg campus are required to live on campus and participate in a university meal plan unless they meet one of the following criteria: age 21, commute from home of parents (50 mile radius), are married, or have children. Residence hall students who turn 21 by the start of the term in which they wish to live off campus, have senior classification, and are in good standing with the university may apply to live off campus. Any unmarried student under age 21 living off-campus without official approval will be required to pay full room and board charges for the trimester in which the violation occurs.
Students must furnish their own linens, pillows, and, if desired, window curtains. Mini-blinds are furnished.
Housing is not provided on the Tradition campus.
The university reserves the right to inspect rooms and to move any student to another assignment for reasons of space management or for the maintenance of order. At the beginning of each school term, students without roommates may choose one of three options: 1) move together voluntarily with another student who is without a roommate, 2) be reassigned with another student who is without a roommate, or 3) pay the private room rate. Whatever the option chosen, the student must coordinate his or her actions with the resident hall director on the Hattiesburg campus.
Students will not be allowed to remain in student housing for any period of enrollment in which they are not registered for course work.
The university has a zero tolerance policy for theft and illicit drugs in university housing.
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