Admission & Advising

Requirements for Admission

The following steps are required for admission consideration:

1. Submission of an application for admission.
2. Submission of the official high school transcript or proof of GED.  If the high school transcript or GED is deemed unattainable, this requirement can be waived for students who’ve completed an Associate’s degree.  Students who wish to enter Doane University from a home-schooling environment must submit a transcript or GED certificate.
3. Receipt of official transcripts from all schools attended since high school graduation (including trade or technical schools). All transcripts must be sent directly from the transcript issuing institution to Doane University.
4. Payment of an enrollment fee of $20 for degree and non-degree seeking students and an additional program development fee of $65 for degree-seeking students prior to the first term of enrollment.

Every applicant is considered equally, without reference to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, national origin, disability, age or marital status. 

All transcripts must be received prior to the end of the student’s first term of enrollment. Until all transcripts are received, a student remains in “non-degree-seeking” status. Once the items listed above have been received and reviewed, the student will receive a letter indicating admission status.  Submission of all materials does not guarantee admission.

If an applicant is currently on academic suspension or has a cumulative grade point average below 2.0 from another college or university, the applicant must inform their enrollment specialist of his/her status at the previously attended institution(s).  The applicant’s full academic record is reviewed to determine admission status or additional requirements needed for admission.  If the applicant is not admitted, they may enroll as a non-degree-seeking student.

If admitted with a provisionally admission status, the student must complete a minimum of 6 semester credits within a minimum of two consecutive terms. The student may not enroll in more than 6 credits in their first term. The student must follow guidelines set forth by the Academic Support Center and achieve a GPA of 2.0 or higher in order to maintain their provisional admission status. After completion of the 6 credits, the applicant’s record will be reviewed to determine admission status. Upon full admission, all credits successfully completed during the probationary period may be applied to degree requirements. A student is eligible to receive financial aid as a provisionally admitted student.

If admitted with a probationary admission status, the student must complete a minimum of 6 semester credits within a minimum of two consecutive terms, beginning with the first available term.  These credits may be completed through Doane as a non-degree seeking student, or any appropriately accredited college or university. After completion of the 6 credits, the applicant’s record will be reviewed to determine admission status. Upon full admission, all credits successfully completed during the probationary period may be applied to degree requirements. A student is ineligible to receive financial aid as a non-degree-seeking student or as a probationary student. Financial aid is not available for the credits taken prior to full admission as a degree-seeking student. 

Incomplete or false information is grounds for denial of admission or subsequent dismissal from the university.

Enrollment and Advising

Throughout the admission and orientation process, a student works with a member of the enrollment team. The enrollment specialist reviews transfer credit, discusses the applicant’s work and life experience, and explains the program. The specialist will also ensure a smooth transition into the classroom through a personal orientation experience to prepare the student for long-term success.

Upon registration, the student is assigned to an academic advisor. The advisor explores career possibilities and makes an outline of courses leading to degree completion.  The advisor is the first point of contact for questions about the academic program, classes, registration, and resources needed to successfully graduate. The advising staff works to build personal relationships with students and encourages them to seek help at any time. Time for advising is flexible and meets the scheduling needs of students.

Readmission

Students who discontinue enrollment for a year or more are no longer active students.  To activate your status so you can enroll in courses, contact your Academic Advisor or the Associate Registrar.

International Students - F1

Doane University is authorized under federal law to accept non-immigrant alien students.

In addition to the general requirements for admission, international students must

1. demonstrate English language proficiency,
2. provide official transcripts required for program admission which have been evaluated and translated by a NACES approved member organization,
3. submit official proof of financial responsibility, and
4. submit Passport Information.

Other information for International Students:

• The CPS campuses are not full service; there is no dormitory, cafeteria, library, and very limited student services.
• Students must arrange their own accommodations, meals, transportation, and activities.
• Government regulations require F-1 students to enroll for one full academic year before taking a term off for vacation.
• Government regulations require F-1 students to enroll in at least 6 semester credits per term.
• Government regulations limit the number of online classes F-1 students may take.

Veterans

Doane University’s programs are approved by the Veterans Administration for veterans and other persons eligible for Veterans Administration benefits.

Doane submits enrollment verification each term, after census, to the Veterans’ administration. After this submission, benefits can be received. Any change in enrollment (dropping or adding hours) must be reported to the VA. It is the student’s responsibility to notify the Doane’s School Certifying Official of any change in enrollment.

Early Enrollment of High School Students

A student who has completed three years of high school and has 14 units may apply for admission as a special student at Doane University. The recommendation of the high school principal is required. This student will pay the normal tuition rate and any additional fees.

Transfer of Prior Learning

A student who has been admitted as a degree-seeking student may transfer credits to Doane for inclusion on the Doane University transcript. College credit may be transferred from a previously attended institution or from nontraditional forms such as training in healthcare, business, industry, and the military. Credit is also awarded for life and work experiences and credit by examination. Only courses in which a grade of “C-” or better was earned will be considered for transfer.   Courses taken pass/fail do not transfer. 

A student may earn a total of 30 credits through any one or combination of the following: credit by examination, learning portfolio, and correspondence credit.  Prior learning assessment cannot be applied toward seminar, capstone, and/or independent study courses.

Students who transfer to Doane may use courses from a previously attended institution to meet requirements for a major or minor at Doane University. If all requirements for the major or minor are met using transferred coursework, the student must enroll in a three- or four-credit senior level course in the major or minor which is not a repeat of any previous course work and must earn at least a grade of “C”. Final determination of all transfer credit is made by the Registrar with the advice and consent of instructors in the appropriate academic disciplines.

Previous Coursework

Previous coursework at the college level may be transferred into the Doane program. Official transcripts must be sent directly to Doane from all colleges attended. Doane accepts a maximum of 90 credits completed at other accredited colleges and/or universities. If an applicant has completed an associate’s degree, diploma, or professional certificate at an accredited two-year college or at an accredited and approved proprietary school, the credits earned are accepted for transfer. A maximum of 60 semester credits may be accepted for transfer from a two-year college. Credit from institutions on the quarter system are accepted at the rate of two-thirds of a semester hour per quarter hour.

If a student did not complete a professional competency (i.e., associate’s degree, diploma, or professional certificate), courses which appear on the transcript are evaluated individually. In this evaluation, a maximum of six credits is accepted in transfer for courses not normally offered at a four-year accredited college or university.

Credits transferred from another institution are entered on the Doane University transcript at no additional cost. The credits count toward the total number of hours earned, but are not included in the GPA calculation.

Military Training and Educational Programs

These programs have been reviewed and evaluated by the American Council on Education for the award of credit. Upon documentation of training, credit is awarded according to the recommendations in the American Council on Education’s Guide to the Evaluation of Educational Experiences in the Armed Services or its guide to Non-Collegiate Sponsored Education. Doane accepts the ACE recommendations listed under the following headings: 1) lower-division baccalaureate/associate degree, 2) upper-division baccalaureate, and 3) graduate degree. Six semester credits are the maximum awarded for any credit recommendations listed under the heading “Vocational Certificate.” The credit is entered on the Doane University transcript at no additional charge. The grade given is “P” (Passed). This grade does not figure into the grade point average and is considered ungraded credit.

Prior Learning Assessment

Testing Option

An undergraduate student can demonstrate they possess the necessary competence to be awarded credit for a particular course by successfully completing a comprehensive examination for a challenged course. The course challenge must be completed prior to the start of the term. In the event that the challenge is not successful, the student will then have the opportunity to enroll in the course. The student is required to present to the appropriate Program Representative a rationale (e.g., related on-the-job learning, certification training) for why a course challenge is plausible.  Areas in which as student can complete a testing option are

• Foreign language assessment - Fee is $75 per credit hour
• Computer competency - Fee is 50% of the current tuition rate

Professional Portfolio

A student can demonstrate mastery of a topic or subject by completing a professional portfolio validating how their knowledge and experience meet course outcomes.   Each program determines whether Assessment of Prior Learning can be used for full or partial credit in a course, or if the validation is given for a combination of courses within the program. For example, in the RN-BSN program, incoming students with professional licensure and on-the-job training can request validation for full or partial credit of a required nursing course.  Key steps of the portfolio validation process include the following:

1. A student enrolls and starts classes at Doane University.  The student requests the course syllabi/course outcomes from the Program Representative (Program Director, Department Chair, or Dean) to determine if validation is possible.
2. During or after completion of the first term at Doane, the student requests permission to seek portfolio validation from the Program Representative. 
3. If approved, the Program Representative will determine the number of credits available for validation. The student will complete the portfolio and will be charged 50% of the regular undergraduate/graduate tuition rate. The student may be directed to enroll in EDU 280  (Higher Education for Adult Learners).  If appropriate, a student should check with their employer to see if the validation charges will be covered by their tuition remission program.
4. The student will be offered resources on how to develop the portfolio.  A faculty member will be assigned to the student to conduct an initial evaluation and will be available for periodic consultation throughout the validation process to direct the student to areas that need more explanation before the final course portfolio is submitted. In accordance with the Higher Learning Commission’s Assessment of Prior Learning Principles, credit is offered for the demonstration of learning, not the identification of learning experiences.  The validation is an opportunity to demonstrate mastery of current college-level work (not outdated information) and the application of that knowledge to lived experiences. To accomplish this requirement, students must clearly articulate in writing how each course outcome has been met.    
5. In addition to the written summary, additional documentation will be required to verify learning experiences. Specific academic programs may have additional program-specific requirements which are available from the Program Representative.  Additional documentation may include but is not limited to the following:
   1. previous academic and professional development coursework;
   2. published articles, research, evidence-based practice;
   3. special accomplishments (musical, artistic, audio-visual);
   4. membership and leadership roles in professional organizations;
   5. professional conferences, seminars, or awards;
   6. certifications;
   7. community service with a letter of support;
   8. letters of verification that speak to the mastery of outcomes (not a letter of reference);
   9. thesis, dissertation;
   10. continuing education; and
   11. other scholarly/academic evidence.
6. A committee of two faculty members with expertise in the course topic will review the portfolio and make a recommendation to the Program Representative for either a satisfactory or unsatisfactory grade according to the student’s evidence to meet the outcomes of the course/program. The Program Representative will grant final approval for portfolio validation.

DANTES Subject Standardized Tests (DSSTs)

Students who are qualified military personnel may establish credit through successful completion of selected subject examinations administered through the Defense Activity for Nontraditional Education Support. Students who plan to take a DSST after enrolling at Doane must receive written approval from the Dean of the College of Professional Studies prior to taking the test. Only tests which are designated as Baccalaureate/Associate Level (B) or Baccalaureate Upper Division (BU) are approved. Tests which are designated as Technical Credit Level/Baccalaureate Level (T/B) are not approved.

College Level Examination Program (CLEP)

College credits may be earned through successful completion of the subject CLEP examinations and supplemental essay section. Credit is not awarded for the general examinations. These tests are administered at a regional CLEP testing center or by the Defense Activity for Nontraditional Educational Support (DANTES) for qualified military personnel. Currently enrolled Doane students who plan to take a CLEP exam must receive written approval from the Dean of the College of Professional Studies prior to taking the exam.

ACT PEP

Doane students have the opportunity to establish credit through successful completion of tests in the areas of arts and sciences, and business. Tests are administered at a regional test center or through the Defense Activity for Nontraditional Educational Support (DANTES) for qualified military personnel. Credit for ACT PEP tests is awarded according to the recommendations of the American Council on Education (ACE).

Testing Policies

Doane will not award test credit if the course has been failed in the past at Doane. A student who receives credit for a course by examination and repeats that course at Doane will have the examination credit removed. Also, students are not eligible to receive credit by examination for a lower-level course after they have completed or begun a course for which the other is a prerequisite.