Admissions

Print this Page

Office: Admissions Center, Bernon Hall
Telephone: (516) 463-6700; 1-800-HOFSTRA
Hours: Monday through Friday, 9 a.m.-5 p.m.; Saturday, 9 a.m.-2 p.m.

Click on a link to be taken to the entry below.

Hofstra is a selective institution seeking to enroll those students who demonstrate the academic ability, intellectual curiosity, and motivation to succeed, and contribute to the campus community. Students are encouraged to apply by December 1 for the fall semester and November 1 for the spring semester. Applications received after these dates, however, may be considered. Applicants for the part-time or evening program, see the part-time study section of this bulletin.

Applicants who clearly meet or exceed the University’s admission requirements are notified on or about February 1, and on a rolling admission basis thereafter. Prospective undergraduate students who plan to apply for scholarships or other financial aid should have their Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) submitted by February 15 for fall applicants, December 15 for spring applicants.

Students Registering for 12 or More Semester Hours Per Semester

Applicants for freshman admission to Hofstra are evaluated on an individual basis. The Admissions Committee strives to enroll the strongest and most diverse class possible. Successful candidates will have typically been enrolled in a solid college preparatory curriculum in their high school. The Admissions Committee prefers to see an academic program that includes:

• 4 units of English;
• 3 or 4 units of social studies;
• 3 units of mathematics (4 units for engineering applicants);
• 3 units of science (4 units for engineering applicants); and
• 2 or 3 units of a foreign language.

Applicants should submit SAT I or ACT scores to support their application. All applicants must submit an essay and one letter of recommendation from their school counselor or a teacher.

The Admissions Committee also seeks students who show demonstrated evidence of leadership, special talent or interests through extra-curricular activities, volunteer work and other non-academic pursuits

Early Admission

Qualified high school juniors can be admitted to Hofstra based on their achievement in high school courses, test results and academic data, the recommendation of guidance counselors, and an interview to determine their maturity level and ability to cope with both the academic and social aspects of college life.

Early Action

Early action is ideal for students for whom Hofstra is their first choice. This non-binding early notification plan is designed to let applicants know of our admission decision early in their senior year.

To apply Early Action, students submit their application by November 15 and are notified of the admissions decision beginning in mid-December.

Advanced Placement

High school seniors who are admitted to the freshman class and have achieved above-average scores on the College Board tests for Advanced Placement may be granted college credit by having the test scores submitted to the Office of Admissions for consideration.

Standardized Testing Programs

A student may earn up to 30 semester hours of course credit by taking standard written examinations such as the College-Level Equivalency Program (CLEP) or the New York State College Proficiency Examinations (NYSCPE). For credit to be granted, however, the student must receive an above average score, and must have taken the examination prior to the start of the junior year. Hofstra students must obtain the approval of the Credit by Examination Coordinator (HCLAS Dean’s Office) and the chairperson of the appropriate department. These standardized tests are not given at Hofstra.

The total semester hours earned under the Credit by Examination, Credit for Prior Learning and other written standardized testing programs may not exceed 60 credits.

Hofstra Credit By Examination

Undergraduate students with clearly developed strengths may seek to earn course credit toward their degrees by taking special examinations. They must obtain the approval of both the Coordinator (HCLAS Dean’s Office) and the academic chairperson of the department in which the course is given. Credits that may be obtained are restricted by the following conditions:

1. No more than 12 semester hours may be earned under this program (except for full-time New College students who may apply up to 32 semester hours) toward the completion of degree requirements.
2. A grade of C- or better in the examination is necessary for credit to be granted. (Credit may only be earned for a course offered at Hofstra and must be recorded with a letter grade.)
3. A student may not take Credit by Examination in an elementary course in a department once he/she has received credit from an advanced course in that specific area in that department.
4. Students are not permitted to apply for credit by examination for a course in which they have previously enrolled on a credit or noncredit basis unless they receive permission of the appropriate academic chairperson and the appropriate academic dean.
5. Proficiency in a foreign language required of degree candidates may not be acquired through this program or through CLEP.
6. Credits earned under this program may be considered credits taken in residence at Hofstra.
7. Credits earned do not count in the determination of a student’s full-time or part-time status.

The total semester hours earned under the Credit by Examination, Credit for Prior Learning and other written standardized testing programs may not exceed 60 credits.

Students may obtain further details and application forms from the Office of Prior Learning, HCLAS Dean’s Office. There is a fee for taking these examinations, see the Office of Prior Learning section of this bulletin.

Hofstra Credit for Prior Learning

This program is intended primarily for persons 25 years of age and older. It permits students to seek undergraduate credit for college-level knowledge that has been acquired in nontraditional ways. An interested student should first apply to the Coordinator of the Prior-Learning Program, HCLAS Dean’s Office. If the Coordinator approves the application, the appropriate department(s) will be requested to assess the student’s knowledge. The method of assessment may be decided by department policy or may be determined after consultation with the student.

Credits which may be earned in this program are restricted by the following conditions:

1. Credit is awarded for particular courses or elective areas of study offered at Hofstra; credit is not awarded for life experience in general.
2. Prior-learning credit is normally granted with the Pass grade. If a letter grade is necessary to meet graduation requirements, or if the student wishes to apply this credit toward major requirements, special permission of the department in which the course is given and the approval of the appropriate academic dean must be obtained.
3. Credits earned in the Prior-Learning Program may not exceed 50 percent of the required number of major credits, may not exceed 50 percent of the required number of minor credits and may not exceed a total of 60 credits in a baccalaureate degree. The total allowed for an associate degree is 30 credits. On the average, however, six credits have been awarded.
4. Prior-learning credits granted in other institutions may not be transferred to Hofstra except in cases where a formal agreement exists between Hofstra and the other institution.
5. Credit will be entered on the student’s record only after a minimum of 18 semester hours with at least a 2.0 average in residency at Hofstra have been completed. These 18 credits may not be counted toward a student’s last 30 semester hours in a degree program.
6. Credits earned under this program may not be considered credits taken in residence at Hofstra. The total semester hours earned under Credit by

Examination, Credit for Prior Learning and other written standardized testing programs may not exceed 60 credits. There is a fee for earning credits in this program, the Prior Learning section of this bulletin.

Army Cooperative Education Program

Students who meet Hofstra’s admission requirements can be admitted to the University before they enlist in the Army. The University Advisement Office, working with the Military Science Department, provides the student with counseling on Army courses that may be applied to his or her college program of study. Appropriate college credits earned while in the Service are transferred to Hofstra. Upon discharge from the Army, the student enters Hofstra with advanced standing.

Procedure for Admission

1. Write or call the Office of Admission, Bernon Hall, (516) 463-6700, for application forms or visit www.hofstra.edu/ apply.
2. Admission interviews not required unless requested by the Office of Admissions. The applicant should call for an appointment.
3. Applicants should take the SAT I test as administered by the College Entrance Examination Board* or the American College Test (ACT) at one of the times specified and have the scores sent directly to Hofstra University.
4. Upon notification of acceptance by the University and before planning a program of study, the student must return the Admissions Decision/Deposit Form with the tuition deposit of $250 in check or money order payable to Hofstra University. When registering for the semester for which the student has been admitted, the deposit will be credited toward tuition.
5. The tuition deposit is refundable if the Dean of Admissions receives written notification of withdrawal on or before January 15 (for spring applicants), or before May 1 (for fall applicants) of the year for which the student has been accepted.
6. Resident applicants should mail the Residence Hall Application to the Residential Life Office with the $300 room reservation fee at the same time that the Admissions Decision/Deposit Form and the tuition deposit are sent to the Undergraduate Admissions Office. This fee will be deducted from the total residence hall fees for the semester. Refunds are given within the limitations stated in the Residence Halls License Agreement.
7. Each student is responsible for meeting all requirements and stipulations set forth by the Admissions Committee at the time of admission and in the Hofstra University Bulletin in effect at the time of initial enrollment.

Special Admissions

New Opportunities at Hofstra (NOAH)

Students whose high school records have not proven adequate for admission to Hofstra but who have ability and meet the qualifications may apply to the New Opportunities at Hofstra (NOAH) program. See the New Opportunities at Hofstra (NOAH) program section of this bulletin.

* The College Examination Board (address: Box 592, Princeton, New Jersey 08540) will send free of charge to any school or individual a copy of its Bulletin of Information-College Board Admissions Tests, which contains full data concerning application to take the test, fees, and examination centers. This information is also available at the candidate’s high school guidance office.

 †Information on the American College test may be received by writing to: Registration Department, American College Testing Program, P.O. Box 414 Iowa City, Iowa 52240.

School for University Studies

Students with above-average ability who have not achieved their potential in high school may be considered for admission into the Freshman Division. See the Freshman Division section of this bulletin.

Similarly, students with above average ability who have not achieved their potential in a collegiate setting may be considered for admission into the Transfer Division.

Students who have been diagnosed as learning disabled and show above-average intellectual ability may be considered for admission into the PALS Program. See the PALS Program section of this bulletin.

Students wanting to fulfill the requirements of a Bachelor of Arts degree in a manner more flexible than available at most universities will be considered for admission into the Degree Division.

Applicants who enrolled in post-secondary course work at a regionally accredited college or university will be considered transfer students for admission purposes.

Transfer applicants are evaluated for admission on an individualized basis.

Applicants are required to have performed well in a strong academic program. Offers of admission are conditional pending receipt of all official records showing successful completion of academic work in progress. It is the student’s responsibility to see that required final transcripts are sent to the Office of Admission.

During the student’s first semester in attendance, the Office of Admission will review official transcripts and post all transfer credit to the student’s permanent Hofstra academic record.

Full-Time and Part-Time Study

Students who wish to transfer from other colleges to the fulltime program at Hofstra will be considered primarily on the basis of prior college work. Transfer applicants with less than 24 credits of college work are normally expected to meet the University’s standards for freshman admission.

Transfer applicants must ask their previous college (or colleges) to forward official transcript of their college record(s) to the Dean of Admissions at Hofstra. Failure to list on the application form all institutions of higher learning attended is considered cause for denial of admission or dismissal from the University. Students interested in teacher education need to also apply to the Department of Curriculum and Teaching for admission. See the Department of Curriculum and Teaching section of this bulletin.

Credits earned at junior and community colleges (i.e., institutions not offering a baccalaureate degree) are limited for graduation credit to 64 semester hours with the following exceptions:

engineering science programs, 69 credits

business administration programs, 65 credits.

NOTE: switching schools and/or majors may entail loss of credit.

Transfer Credit (Advanced Standing) Policy

1. Transfer credit (advanced standing) will be granted for appropriate courses completed at previous institutions of higher learning in accordance with the ratings contained in the current Report of Credit Given by Educational Institutions of the American Association of Collegiate Registrars and Admissions Officers.
   1. Appropriate courses completed with a minimum grade of C- or the equivalent at fully-accredited institutions are transferable. Grades attained at another institution are not recorded on the Hofstra record and are not included in the grade-point average to meet graduation requirements.
   2. Upon completion of at least 30 semester hours at a fullyaccredited institution, transfer credit will be granted for appropriate courses with D and D- grades for a total of 9 semester hours providing the student has a final cumulative grade-point average of 3.0 or better at this previous institution.
   3. Course credit: appropriate courses completed at fullyaccredited institutions with a grade of D or the equivalent will be considered for course credit without semester hour value. These may not apply toward the total number of credits needed for graduation.
   4. Appropriate courses completed with a minimum grade of B- or the equivalent at partially-accredited institutions are transferable.
   5. C- grades will be acceptable for transfer credit from partially- accredited schools provided that a student has a gradepoint average of 3.2 or better and has completed at least 30 credits at that institution.
   6. A course deemed appropriate for transfer is one which might logically be a part of the course of study offered at Hofstra University.
   7. A non-transferable course is one which would not be found in the Hofstra curriculum. The following is a partial list of non-transferable courses: theology courses in denominational colleges, manual training, television repair, building construction, embalming, and nursing.
   8. The semester hours of transfer credit (advanced standing) allowed a transfer will not necessarily apply to the major selected by the student.
   9. A maximum of 64 semester hours is transferable from a junior or community college with the following exceptions: engineering programs, 69 credits and business administration programs, 65 credits.
   10. A maximum of 8 credits in physical education skills courses may be applied toward graduation requirements. However, credit for the same numbered skills course taken more than twice will not be applicable toward graduation.
   11. The amount of transfer credit per course shall not exceed the amount of semester hour credit allowed at the credit granting institution.

2. Credits earned at institutions on quarter or term systems shall be prorated with the semester system. NOTE: switching schools and/or majors may entail loss of credit.

3. As many as 30 elective credits graded on a pass/fail basis from another accredited institution may be transferred to Hofstra. Students transferring to Hofstra with more than 30 credits graded on a pass/fail basis must have the approval of the Undergraduate Academic Affairs Committee. For these students, courses graded pass/fail shall not exceed fifty percent of the total credit hours required for the degree. 3. Upon request, subject to approval, college credit may be granted for military, Vista and Peace Corps service by applying for credit for prior learning.
4. A maximum of 30 credits will be granted for above average scores achieved in CLEP, AP and NYSCPE. Transfer credit is not granted for the following: experience, work, professional schools (law, dentistry, etc.), correspondence courses, military service schools, College Entrance Examination Achievement Tests/ SAT II exams.
5. Candidates wishing admission with transfer credit on the basis of nontraditionally acquired prior learning should consult the Office of Prior Learning, HCLAS Dean’s Office for information on assessment procedures. Credit granted through such assessment will be formally recorded only after a minimum of 18 semester hours of credit with a minimum 2.0 average have been completed in residence at Hofstra.

Completion of Baccalaureate Degrees - Residence Requirement

Transfer students who expect to earn Hofstra degrees must meet the University residency requirements. All students must take and pass the Hofstra English Proficiency Exam as a requirement for graduation. At least 15 semester hours in the major field of study and the last 30 hours (the 15 hours need not be included within the last 30 hours) must be completed at Hofstra for the Bachelor of Arts, Bachelor of Business Administration, Bachelor of Science and Bachelor of Engineering.

Most programs leading to a bachelor’s degree require distribution courses. Students who receive transfer credit for courses that are equivalent to those that satisfy distribution requirements may apply these courses to fulfill some or all of their distribution requirements. No student may satisfy distribution requirements at another institution once that student has matriculated at Hofstra University.

For the B.B.A. distribution course requirements, see section the B.B.A. distribution course requirements of this bulletin.

For the Bachelor of Science in Education, the last 30 semester hours must be completed at Hofstra, and the specialization (education) residency requirement, which includes student teaching, is as follows:

art: at least 29 hours
music: at least 30 hours
physical education: at least 25 hours
The Bachelor of Fine Arts normally requires the last 6 semesters of full-time study be taken at Hofstra.

Students who have registered for the semester immediately preceding the one in which they wish to return, but who have withdrawn from all courses during that semester, need not apply for readmission and may register as continuing students.

Students who have interrupted their studies at Hofstra University for a period of 15 months and/or have attended another institution and wish to return to Hofstra must apply for readmission at the Office of Admission.

Applications should be made well in advance of the beginning of the semester. NOTE: Any student who was academically dismissed or suspended from Hofstra and is seeking readmission, must submit a written appeal for readmission to the Academic Records Committee.

The appeal is processed through the University Advise-ment Office. Undergraduate students who have no record of attendance at Hofstra for a period of 15 months or more must follow the requirements set forth in the Bulletin in effect when they are readmitted.

Students Originally Enrolled in Special Programs

Students originally enrolled in special programs (such as NOAH, the School for University Studies, the English Language Program) who have left the program and who are seeking readmission to the University shall be readmitted by action of the Academic Records Committee only after consulting with the special unit to which they were originally admitted.

Inactive Grades

For readmission after an absence from the University for at least five years, the student may elect, by writing to the University Advisement Office, to have all previously earned grades treated in the same manner as transfer grades for purposes of readmission and graduation, but not for purposes of academic honors and graduating class rank. In that case, the student will have to meet the same requirements as apply to all other students. In addition, in order to graduate, students must complete at least 15 semester hours in residence with letter grades other than P with a grade-point average of 2.0 or better. (Refer to specific programs for requirements.)