Admissions

ADMISSIONS POLICIES

Admissions Criteria: Because the purpose of Maranatha Baptist University is to develop leaders for local church ministry, only students with a clear testimony of personal salvation by faith in Jesus Christ may enroll in the main campus programs. Students should also manifest good character, a dedication to purpose, a willingness to learn, and a sincere desire to know and do God’s will.

Attendance at Maranatha Baptist University main campus is a privilege reserved for those students who are in harmony with the University’s mission and ethos. Students who submit an application are agreeing to abide by the rules and the standards of the University (www.mbu.edu/slh). All qualified applicants will be accepted without regard to gender, race, color, physical disability, or national or ethnic origin. An application from a divorced person or one married to a divorced person will not be processed for main campus attendance.

Educational Preparation: Although the university does not prescribe secondary school course requirements, applicants must be a high school graduate or equivalent and should have at least 16 units of completed high school work. The following chart is a suggestion for coursework: • English (grammar, composition,

and literature): 4 units • Social Studies (history, government, and geography): 3 units • Mathematics (algebra and geometry): 3 units • Science (biology, physical science, and chemistry): 3 units • Foreign Language (in a single language): 2 units • Physical Education: 2 units • Word Processing: 1 unit

Irregularities in high school preparation will be considered on a caseby-case basis by the Admissions Committee. An applicant who earns a GED, low grades in high school, a low composite ACT score, low grades for college work at other institutions, or who applies from a non-English speaking country may be required to participate in the Academic Success program as a condition for enrollment. The application, autobiography, and character references are also used as indicators to help determine an applicant’s Academic Status. (See Academic Status.) Occasionally, the admissions committee accepts a student on Guest Student status, which allows the student to take classes without pursuing a degree.

Application Process: Variations on the application process for new students, transfers, graduate students, former Maranatha students, foreign students, and guest students

are listed online: mbu.edu/mbuadmissions/faq/. Part-time students (students enrolled in fewer than 12 semester hours) should also follow the basic admission process:

1. Apply online at mbu.edu/apply. 2. Pay $50 application fee (non-refundable). 3. Submit high school transcripts and character references. 4. Take the ACT (code: 4604) or SAT (code: 2732) and mail scores to the Admissions Office or, if you are a transfer student, mail other college transcripts. 5. Return the signed Confirmation

Form and pay the $175 deposit (non-refundable, but applicable towards semester bill) if accepted. 6. Return a signed Student Life

Agreement. 7. Complete MBU 101 orientation. 8. Apply for financial aid. 9. Register for classes and submit medical information. 10. Attend Jumpstart (Friday/Saturday before school starts in the fall).

Residential Guest Students:

Students who are not working toward a degree at Maranatha and who are taking only one class per semester do not need to follow the regular admissions process. A maximum of 12 semester hours may be completed while in this status, but each course must be registered for separately. Once the guest student accumulates 12 semester hours or decides to pursue a degree, he or she must formally apply for acceptance before enrolling in additional classes.

Home School Graduates: Maranatha supports the right of parents to educate their children at home and will

admit students based on transcripts produced by the parent or home school agency. The transcript should include courses taken, credits and grades earned, date of graduation, and signature of the parent certifying the student met the requirements for graduation from their home school.

Nursing Program Applicants:

See School of Nursing, pg. 182, for specific admission requirements.

See Coursework Policies section for information about CLEP, AP, classes transferring, and correspondence work.

Returning Former Students: A student who wishes to return to study at Maranatha after absence from the main campus for one or more semesters must complete the Former Student application for Admissions. The specific requirements for re-admission vary depending on the number of semesters the student has been absent from main campus. The student will update personal information, including recent educational experiences, and submit a short essay describing his or her activities since leaving Maranatha. Most students complete this online form in a matter of minutes, but information can be saved to allow completion at a later date.

Before readmittance, the admissions committee will review the pastoral reference, academic transcripts, and discipline records. Any outstanding balances must be paid before beginning classes.