Oct 08, 2024  
2023-2024 Academic Catalog 
    
2023-2024 Academic Catalog [ARCHIVED CATALOG]

Admissions



Dean of Admissions: Allison Garris

Office of Admissions
126 Park Avenue
Bridgeport, CT 06604

203-576-4552 • 1-800-EXCEL-UB
Fax: 203-576-4941
E-mail: admit@bridgeport.edu
Internet Home Page:
http://www.bridgeport.edu


Admissions Policy

All University of Bridgeport applications are reviewed and evaluated on an individual basis. The University of Bridgeport admits qualified students regardless of race, color, sex, religion, age, national and ethnic origins or handicap. Applications are accepted and reviewed on a rolling basis throughout the year.

Application

Domestic and International students applying as new first time freshmen or transfer students can do so online at bridgeport.edu/ apply. We accept the Common Application as well as our internal UB application. Students interested in applying as a visiting or non-degree student may do so at bridgeport.edu/ non-degree. There is no application fee for either application.

Application materials can be submitted electronically directly from your prior High School, College or University; Uploaded through your application portal; Emailed to admit@brigeport.edu or mailed to Office of Admissions, 126 Park Avenue, Bridgeport, Connecticut 06604.

For further information, please call (203) 576-4552 or toll free 1-800-EXCEL-UB (3923582) or email admit@brigeport.edu.

All interested students are encouraged to visit the University of Bridgeport to meet with an Admissions Officer and tour the campus.

Undergraduate Applicants

First Year Students

Freshmen candidates must submit:

  1. An application for admission
  2. An official high school transcript or GED (General Equivalency Diploma)
  3. The University of Bridgeport is a test optional institution. Students have the option of submitting SAT/ACT scores or a 250-500 word personal statement on the topic of their choice.
  4. FAFSA (if applying for financial aid)

The University of Bridgeport reserves the right to waive the need for certain documents or to request additional documentation.

Home-Schooled Applicants

The University of Bridgeport welcomes applications from individuals who have completed all or part of their education in a home-schooled environment. Below are the application requirements for home-schooled students:

  • Academic coursework prerequisites
  • Level of achievement (grade-point average)
  • Standardized tests (SAT or ACT)
  • Proof of graduation: Final high school transcript with a school administrator signature and indication of a graduation date

Since some students in home-school programs may not follow a traditional high school curriculum, we may request further detailed documentation of their high school coursework and evaluations of progress as needed.

Transfer Candidates Must Submit

  1. An Application for admission
  2. Proof of high school completion or G.E.D. (General Equivalency Diploma).
  3. An official copy of all college transcripts from each post-secondary institution previously attended. An applicant who fails to indicate attendance at a previous institution at the time of application may forfeit eligibility for admission or transfer credit.
  4. FAFSA (if applying for financial aid) The University of Bridgeport reserves the right to waive the need for certain documents or to request additional documentation.

Transfer credit is awarded only for courses in which a grade of “C” or better is earned.

Additional application materials are required for students transferring into the Dental Hygiene and Nursing. Please see their respective sections below for details.

The status of any applicant admitted before all final, official transcripts are received will be reevaluated upon receipt of the final transcript. Transfer applicants are urged to apply well in advance of the opening date of the term in which they plan to enter. This will enable the student to receive a timely evaluation of their transfer credit and appropriate academic advisement and program planning.

Students are required to complete their last thirty semester hours at the University of Bridgeport and meet course requirements as described in each program to be eligible for a degree. A maximum of 66 credits may be awarded from two-year colleges and 90 credits from accredited four-year institutions. Transfer credit is awarded on a course by course basis.


Articulation Agreements

The University has articulation agreements with the following institutions:

Capital Community College

Gateway Community College

Housatonic Community College

Middlesex Community College

Naugatuck Community College

Northwestern Community College

Norwalk Community College

Tunxis Community College

Westchester Community College


Academic Credit from Non-University Sponsored Instruction

The University of Bridgeport participates in the following testing programs for which students may receive advanced standing upon admission:

  • Advanced Placement Examinations (AP)
  • College Level Examination Program (CLEP)
  • International Baccalaureate Program (IB)

Undergraduate students may earn up to 30 semester hours of credit through these programs. Credits earned through these may not be used to satisfy the minimum University 30-hour residency requirement. Credits transferred in are not included in the student’s credit hours earned at the University of Bridgeport and are not computed in the student’s quality point ratio at the University. These credits are not considered in the total number of UB hours used to determine eligibility for graduation honors.

Scores needed to earn UB Credit for theses exams can be found at: https://www.bridgeport.edu/admissions/undergraduate/admissions-requirements/college-credit.

Standardized Tests-College Level Equivalent Proficiency (CLEP)

UB accepts up to thirty (30) credit hours from the credit recommendations of the College Board’s College Level Equivalent Proficiency (CLEP) exam program. Undergraduate students may earn up to 30 semester hours of credit (one year’s studies) by demonstrating subject area competence through standardized testing. CLEP credit may not be used to satisfy the minimum University 30-hour residency requirement. CLEP credit is not included in the student’s credit hours earned at the University of Bridgeport and is not computed in the student’s quality point ratio at the University. CLEP credit is not considered in the total number of UB hours used to determine eligibility for graduation honors. Information on subject matter and testing procedure is available at the College Board at: clep.collegeboard.org.

Nationally Recognized Evaluations For Credit Recommendations

UB accepts evaluations of non-university sponsored instruction as part of a student applicant’s transfer evaluation. UB accepts evaluations of non-university sponsored instruction from the following nationally recognized institutions:

  • American Council on Education College Credit Recommendation Service: ACE CREDIT recommends academic credit for formal courses or examinations offered by various organizations, from businesses and unions to the government and military.
    • ACE CREDIT includes evaluations on military credits, DSST exams, ALEKS Exams (McGraw-Hill) and many more non-university organizations.
    • The ACTFL Oral Proficiency Interview (OPI), the ACTFL Writing Proficiency (WPT), the ACTFL Reading Proficiency Test (RPT), the ACTFL Listening Proficiency Test (LTP) and the ACTFL Oral Proficiency Interview Computer Test (OPIc) are recommended for college credit by the American Council on Education (ACE).
  • National College Credit Recommendation Service (formerly National PONSI), under the auspices of the State University of New York, Board of Regents, evaluates training and education programs offered outside of the traditional college classroom setting and recommends them for college credit equivalencies. National CCRS coordinates teams of college faculty evaluators and subject matter experts to conduct extensive reviews of education and training programs offered by corporations, unions, religious organizations and proprietary schools.

Credit For Life Work Experience Program (CLWEP)

Some students acquire mastery over course subject matter through prior work or training experience. UB values the university-level knowledge that student’s may have acquired outside the traditional university classroom.

In the CLWEP portfolio assessment, students demonstrate that what they already know is equivalent to what they would have learned in an equivalent college course. A student may have acquired this knowledge through past work, independent reading and study, training programs or in-service courses, volunteer service, cultural or artistic pursuits, hobbies and recreational pastimes, community or religious activities, organizational memberships, adult education, non-credit courses, study abroad, military training not evaluated for credit by ACE, or other experiences. A portfolio enables the student to identify and articulate this knowledge, and potentially earn credit for it.

Students learn the process of identifying areas of course-equivalent learning and portfolio development skills through the CLWEP guidelines and assessment plan.

CLWEP credit may not be used to satisfy the minimum University 30-hour residency requirement. CLWEP credit is included in the student’s semester hours earned at the University and also in the total number of UB hours used to determine eligibility for graduation honors. However, such credit is not computed in the student’s quality point ratio at the University.


Special Instructions for Specific Majors

Dental Hygiene

Students applying as freshman will be considered for entrance into a pre-dental hygiene or pre-nursing curriculum to complete prerequisite courses. Students who successfully complete the freshman courses will enter the clinical program in their sophomore year through the Fones School of Dental Hygiene.

Transfer Students: A student who has attempted 12 or more semester hours at a regionally accredited institution is considered a transfer applicant.

Below are the application materials required to transfer into the Dental Hygiene program:

  • Completed University of Bridgeport Application
  • Completed Fones School of Dental Hygiene Supplemental Application
  • Transcripts from ALL Colleges/Universities Previously Attended
  • Two Completed Recommendation Forms (one from a professor)
  • Personal Essay of Approximately 500 Words
  • Proof of High School Graduation

The following courses or course equivalents as determined by UB Admissions transfer credit evaluation must be completed:

  • Academic Writing - 3 credits
  • Intermediate Algebra - 3 credits
  • College Level Chemistry w/lab - 4 credits
  • Anatomy & Physiology I w/lab - 4 credits
  • Anatomy & Physiology II w/lab - 4 credits
  • Microbiology w/lab - 4 credits

A minimum grade of C or higher in the prerequisite courses with a combined GPA of 3.0 is required; an overall GPA of a 2.7 or above is required. Students without science prerequisites may begin at the Fones School in a pre-dental hygiene curriculum upon recommendation of the Director. Clinical students must begin in the fall semester of an academic year and attend full time.

Nursing

Students applying as freshman will be considered for entrance into a pre-nursing curriculum to complete prerequisite courses. Students who successfully complete the prerequisite courses will enter the clinical program through the School of Nursing.

Transfer Students: A student who has attempted 12 or more semester hours at a regionally accredited institution is considered a transfer applicant.

Below are the application materials required to transfer into the Dental Hygiene program:

  • Completed University of Bridgeport Application
  • School of Nursing Supplemental Application
  • Transcripts from ALL Colleges/ Universities Previously Attended
  • ATI Test of Essential Academic Skills (ATI TEAS)
  • Two Completed Recommendation Forms
  • Personal Essay of Approximately 500 Words
  • Proof of High School Graduation

The following courses or course equivalents as determined by UB Admissions transfer credit evaluation must be completed:

  • Academic Writing - 3 credits
  • Intermediate Algebra - 3 credits
  • College Level Chemistry w/lab - 4 credits
  • Anatomy & Physiology I w/lab - 4 credits
  • Anatomy & Physiology II w/lab - 4 credits
  • Introduction to College Algebra and Statistics - 3 credits
  • Public Communication - 3 credits
  • Introduction to Psychology - 3 credits
  • Lifespan Development - 3 credits
  • Principles of Sociology - 3 credits
  • Freshman Seminar / Liberal Arts Elective - 3 credits

Admission to nursing programs requires sat­isfactory completion of coursework in the sciences and other areas. To ensure that transfer credit and courses taken at UB fulfill those requirements, students will select courses with the help of an advisor. A mini­mum grade of C or higher in all pre-requi­site courses and a GPA of a 2.5 or above is required. Students without science prereq­uisites may begin the Health Sciences cur­riculum upon recommendation of the Dean.

Non-Degree Applicants

A Non-Degree Student is permitted to take courses for credit on a part-time basis, as a non-degree candidate, as long as the student has met the prerequisites for the course.

A Non-Degree Student may become a ma­triculated student if he or she meets the appropriate requirements for admission. However, a Non-Degree Student is subject to any changes in graduation requirements instituted prior to actual matriculation. Can­didates for matriculation may attend as Non- Degree Students up to the completion of 12 credits. A maximum of 12 credits taken as a non-matriculating student may be applied to a student’s requirements for graduation, with program approval.

Athletics

The University of Bridgeport offers a full program of NCAA Division II intercollegiate sports, including basketball, baseball, cross-country, and soccer for men, and basketball, softball, cross-country, gymnastics, volley­ball, lacrosse and soccer for women. Athletic scholarships are available. All students who wish to participate in intercollegiate athlet­ics are required to register with the NCAA Initial-Eligibility Clearinghouse. For more in­formation and a Clearinghouse registration form, please contact your high school guid­ance office or the UB Athletic Department at (203) 576-4735.


International Applicants

The University of Bridgeport enrolls students from more than 80 nations. To be considered for admission, students must complete an online application at http://www.bridgeport.edu/apply.

International Candidates Must Submit:

  • Completed University of Bridgeport Application
  • An official transcripts of all previous academic work along with a literal English translation
  • Proof of English Language Proficiency
  • Other application materials as defined by the academic program of interest
  • Documentation that sufficient funding is available to meet the University’s tuition and fees and living expenses

English Language Requirements

Those whose native language is not English are also required to show English language proficiency. Proof of English Proficiency by exam must be complete within 2 years of application submission. You can demonstrate proof of English Language competency by meeting any one of the criteria listed below:

Graduate Requirements

  • TOEFL - 80 (IBT)
  • IELTS - 6.0
  • Duolingo - 95
  • PTE - 58
  • EIKEN - Grade Pre-1
  • WAEC, WASSE, CXC, etc. on English Language exam - “C”
  • Proof of completion of Advanced Level at the University’s English Language Institute (ELI)
  • An official letter certifying completion of ELS (English Language Services) Level 112

Undergraduate Requirements

  • TOEFL - 75 (IBT)
  • IELTS - 6.0
  • Duolingo - 90
  • PTE - 58
  • EIKEN - Grade 2A
  • WAEC, WASSE, CXC, etc. on English Language exam - “C”
  • Proof of completion of Advanced Level at the University’s English Language Institute (ELI)
  • An official letter certifying completion of ELS (English Language Services) Level 112
  • SAT Evidence-Based Reading and Writing Score - 450
  • ACT Exam English Section - 19
  • International Baccalaureate (IB) program “English A” Higher Level examination - 4
  • Graduation from an accredited American high school
  • One Semester of College English Composition from an accredited American university - “C”

You must demonstrate English language competency in one of the ways listed above. If you don’t demonstrate English language competency in one of these ways prior to registration, you will be given the University English Language Assessment Battery (ELAB) test upon arrival. If you pass at a satisfactory level, you may begin classes.


Graduate Applicants

Applicants to the University of Bridgeport Masters programs are required to have an undergraduate degree from an accredited institution or from a recognized international university with the exception of students applying to select programs within the Acupuncture Institute and the Doctor of Chiropractic degree. Applicants to the Doctoral programs are required to have a Masters degree. Official transcripts of all previous course work should be sent directly to the Office of Graduate Admissions.

Admission decisions are primarily based on the degree required for the academic program for which the student is applying to. Applicants may send unofficial transcripts of their most updated coursework and/ or degrees. A prospective student who is currently completing undergraduate study should submit an official transcript complete to the date of application. In most cases, an admission decision will be made on the basis of a partial transcript, contingent upon completion of the admission requirements. Course registration is permitted with unofficial transcripts on file, but an admissions hold will be placed on the student’s account to identify documents are outstanding. Official copies for each institution attended must be received by the Office of Admissions prior to registering for the second semester.

Generally, students may be admitted for any term - fall, spring or summer. Should a student be unable to enter the university during the term for which admission is granted, the student must submit a new updated application for the start term they hope to enroll in.

Please refer to the individual graduate program for admissions requirements specific to that major.

Graduate Transfer Credits

The Dean of the individual Colleges/Schools/Institutes may allow up to six semester hours (eight hours in the case of laboratory courses) of graduate transfer credit from a regionally accredited college. The courses should have been completed recently with a grade of “B” or better and be comparable to UB’s Graduate courses. Specific colleges of the university and certain programs have additional requirements for admission, details of which are included in the individual program listing in this catalog.

Graduate Admission Interviews

Select graduate programs require an interview as part of the admissions process. Please refer to the individual program listing in this catalog.

Scholarships

The University offers scholarships for select graduate programs based on a student’s GPA and submitted transcripts from all schools attended. Students are automatically considered for a scholarship as part of the admissions process.


Interviews, Information Sessions and Campus Tours

We encourage applicants to meet with a member of the Graduate Admissions staff and their respective academic department to discuss academic and career goals as well as the particular concerns of admission and fi­nancial assistance. The Office of Admissions is located on the 6th floor of the Magnus Wahlstrom Library.

For more information about interviews, in­formation sessions, and campus tours please contact the Office of Graduate Admission at (203) 576-4552 or toll-free at 1-800-EXCEL-UB, gradadmissions@bridgeport.edu, or visit the website at www.bridgeport.edu.


Scholarships

The University offers scholarships to many Undergraduate and Graduate students who have a successful high school or college re­cord. UB is known for its affordable private school education. The University believes that a student’s achievement should be rec­ognized and rewarded. With this goal in mind, UB’s unique scholarship program re­wards academic excellence, community ser­vice, leadership and special talent.