Credits Needed For College

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For admission to Mississippi’s public universities:

Required:

The College Prep Curriculum for students graduating from high school and entering a public institution of higher learning the Fall of 2015 is as follows:

English 4 Carnegie Units
  • All must require substantial communication skills (i.e., reading, writing, listening, and speaking). Compensatory Reading and Writing may not be included.  
Mathematics 3 Carnegie Units
  • Algebra I or its equivalent
  • Math higher than Algebra I (2 units)
Science 3 Carnegie Units
  • Biology I or its equivalent
  • Science higher than Biology I (2 units)
Social Studies 3 Carnegie Units
  • U.S. History
  • World History
  • U.S. Government (½ unit)
  • Economics (½ unit) or Introduction to World Geography (½ unit)
Arts 1 Carnegie Unit
  • Includes any one Carnegie unit (or two ½ units) of visual and performing arts course(s) meeting the requirements for high school graduation.
Advanced Electives 2 Carnegie Units
  • Option 1: Foreign Language I and Foreign Language II
  • Option 2: Foreign Language I and Advanced World Geography
  • Option 3: Any combination of English, Mathematics higher than Algebra I, Science higher than Biology I, Advanced Elective category, any AP course, any IB course
Technology  ½ Carnegie Unit
  • AA course that emphasizes the use of technology as a productivity tool. Instruction should include utilizing various forms of technology to create, collaborate, organize, and publish information. The application of technology as a productivity tool, rather than specific hardware and/or software packages should be the focus of the course.

Recommended:

The College Prep Curriculum for students graduating from high school and entering a public institution of higher learning beginning in the Fall of 2015 is as follows:

English 4 Carnegie Units
  • All must require substantial communication skills (i.e., reading, writing, listening, and speaking). Compensatory Reading and Writing may not be included.
Mathematics 4 Carnegie Units
  • Algebra I or its equivalent
  • Math higher than Algebra I (3 units)
Science 4 Carnegie Units
  • Biology I or its equivalent
  • Science higher than Biology I (3 units)
Social Studies 4 Carnegie Units
  • U.S. History
  • World History
  • U.S. Government (½ unit)
  • Economics (½ unit)
  • Introduction to World Geography (½ unit)
  • Mississippi Studies (or state/local government course in any other state)
Arts 1 Carnegie Unit
  • Includes any one Carnegie unit (or two ½ units) of visual and performing arts course(s) meeting the requirements for high school graduation.
Advanced Electives 2 Carnegie Units
  • Option 1: Foreign Language I and Foreign Language II
  • Option 2: Foreign Language I and Advanced World Geography
  • Option 3: Any combination of English, Mathematics higher than Algebra I, Science higher than Biology I, Advanced Elective category, any AP course, any IB course
Technology ½ Carnegie Unit
  • A course that emphasizes the use of technology as a productivity tool. Instruction should include utilizing various forms of technology to create, collaborate, organize, and publish information. The application of technology as a productivity tool, rather than specific hardware and/or software packages should be the focus of the course.

Notes:

Pre-High School Units Algebra I, first-year Foreign Language, Mississippi Studies, or Computer Applications taken prior to high school will be accepted for admission, provided the course content is the same as the high school course.
Substitutions Advanced Placement (AP) and International Baccalaureate (IB) courses can be substituted for each requirement in the College Preparatory Curriculum.
Course Acceptance A course may not be used to satisfy more than one requirement.
The Required and Recommended College Preparatory Curricula (CPC) are approved by the IHL Board of Trustees, and the IHL Office of Academic and Student Affairs maintains a complete list of courses that can be used to satisfy the CPC requirements. See www.mississippi.edu/admissions/.

 

If you want to go to one of Mississippi’s eight public universities, you should meet ONE of the following criteria: 

All students completing the College Preparatory Curriculum (CPC) with a minimum of a 3.20 high school grade point average (GPA) on the CPC; or
All students completing the College Preparatory Curriculum (CPC) with (a) a minimum of a 2.50 high school GPA on the CPC or a class rank in the top 50%, and (b) a score of 16 or higher on the ACT (Composite); or
All students completing the College Preparatory Curriculum (CPC) with (a) a minimum of a 2.00 high school GPA on the CPC and (b) a score of 18 or higher on the ACT (Composite); or
In lieu of ACT scores, students may submit equivalent SAT scores. Students scoring below 16 on the ACT (Composite) or the equivalent SAT are encouraged to participate in the Year-Long Academic Support Program during their freshman year.

Learn how to get ahead with Advanced Placement Classes

 

NCAA Requirements

If you are an athlete, you must satisfy the NCAA Division I standards for student athletes who are “full qualifiers” or “academic redshirts” are accepted as equivalent to the admission standards established by the Board. Click here for a steps to achieving your NCAA  Eligibility from Freshmen Year to Graduation. NCAA also has a helpful guide 2015-16 Guide for the College-Bound Student-Athlete.

 

Applicants without a diploma from a regionally accredited high school; home school students; international students

The following are documentation requirements for specific groups of applicants:

1. Applicants who have completed high school from a school that does not hold regional accreditation must submit the following:

a. Transcripts reflecting academic performance or a secondary school leaving form

b. ACT or SAT scores

2. Home‐schooled applicants must submit the following:

a. Home‐school transcripts or portfolio summarizing home school education

b. ACT or SAT scores

3. Domestic applicants who have not completed high school must submit the following:

a. Qualifying scores on a state-approved high school equivalency examination

b. Transcripts reflecting academic performance or a secondary school leaving form

c. ACT or SAT scores

4. International applicants who have completed an international or foreign high school may be admitted in another admissions category or must submit one of the following:

a. Transcripts reflecting academic performance or a secondary school leaving form or

b. ACT or SAT scores

All applicants described in this section are subject to the requirements outlined in Policy 602. Freshman Admission Requirements for University System Institutions (sections 602.A and 602.B).  Applicants in this section may validate the College Preparatory Curriculum in an alternate way. Admitting institutions may establish additional admission requirements.

All applicants described in this section may be required, at the discretion of the admitting IHL institution, to appear for an on‐campus interview.