Admissions

Adams State University welcomes applications from individuals interested in a personalized, high-quality postsecondary education. The admissions process is designed to support the role and mission of Adams State University, valuing opportunity and access for students of all backgrounds.

Undergraduate Admissions Requirements

The Office of Admissions for undergraduates operates on a rolling admissions basis; however, applicants are strongly encouraged to apply prior to August 1 for the fall semester, December 1 for the spring semester, or May 1 for the summer session. Application materials should be submitted to the Office of Admissions, Adams State University, 208 Edgemont Boulevard Suite 2190, Alamosa, CO 81101.

More information about Undergraduate Admissions Requirements is available through the Office of Admissions.

First-time Freshmen

Students may apply for admission any time after the completion of their junior year in high school. In order to be considered for admission to Adams State University, prospective first-time students must submit the following documents:

  1. A completed application for admission — students may apply online at adams.edu/apply
  2. A $30 non-refundable application fee.
  3. Official high school transcripts.*
  4. Optional official ACT or SAT scores**

*All transcripts must arrive at Adams State in an unopened envelope from the sending institution printed within the last 6 months to be considered official.

**Adams State University is test-optional. Test optional means you can choose whether or not to submit your ACT/SAT scores to us to consider for your admissions decision. Applicants who choose not to submit a test score will not be negatively impacted. All ACT/SAT scores must arrive at Adams State either on an official high school transcript or directly from ACT or College Board.

Mail official transcripts and ACT/SAT scores to:

Adams State University
Office of Admissions, Suite 2190
208 Edgemont Blvd.
Alamosa, CO 81101

Applicants will be notified if additional information is needed.

It is recommended that applicants have completed the Colorado Higher Education Admissions Recommendations (HEAR) during high school to be prepared for college:

  • Four years of English.
  • Four years of mathematics (Algebra I and higher).
  • Three years of natural/physical science (two lab-based units).
  • Three years of social science (at least one unit of U.S. or world history).
  • One year of a single foreign language.
  • Two years of academic electives.

Home School Students

First-time students who have completed their secondary education through alternative options such as home schooling should submit documentation of their work (e.g. transcript, portfolio, etc.) in lieu of high school transcripts above.

General Educational Development (GED) Students

First-time students who have completed the GED should submit an official GED score report in lieu of high school transcripts above. Students receiving a score of 150 or above in each content area on the 2014 GED (450 or greater on the 2002 version, or 45 or greater on the 1988 version) will be eligible for admission. This route to admission is not to be used by students with a diploma.

High School Equivalency Test (HiSET) Students

First time students who have completed the HiSET should submit an official HiSET score report in lieu of high school transcripts above. Students receiving a score of 8 on each subtest, 2 on the essay, 45 combined score will be eligible for admissions. This route to admissions is not to be used by students with a diploma.

Find out more about freshman admission requirements

Transfer Students

To be considered for admission to Adams State University, prospective transfer students must submit the following documents:

  1. A completed application for admission (students may apply online at adams.edu/apply)
  2. A $30 non-refundable application fee.
  3. Official transcripts from ALL colleges attended.
  4. Official high school transcripts or GED test scores are required of transfer students with less than 24 transferable credits.
  • Transfer students with 24 or more transferable credits and a cumulative college grade point average of 2.30 or better will be considered for admission into the baccalaureate degree program.
  • Transfer students with a cumulative grade point average below 2.30 will be considered on an individual basis and are strongly encouraged to submit a personal statement and letter(s) of recommendation.
  • Transfer students with less than 24 transferable credits will be considered for admission based on prior transfer work, as well as first-time freshman admissions requirements.

Find out more about transferring to Adams State

Returning Students

Any student who has previously attended Adams State University and has been out for at least three semesters (including summer term) must apply for readmission by completing an application for readmission. Students may apply for readmission in the Office of Admissions or online at adams.edu. Official transcripts from all colleges attended since last attending Adams State University must be submitted to the Office of Admissions prior to being readmitted.

Non-Degree Seeking Students

Students who do not wish to pursue a degree at Adams State University may apply as non-degree seeking students. Non-degree seeking students must submit an avocational application/registration form to the Office of Admissions. Avocational (non-degree seeking) students are not formally admitted to Adams State University and are not guaranteed admission should they submit a formal degree-seeking application at a later date. Avocational students are not eligible for financial aid or scholarships.

High School Concurrent Students

Qualified high school students may be eligible to register for courses on campus at Adams State University. To be eligible for the concurrent enrollment program, students must be approved by their high school and meet all prerequisites, including minimum placement testing requirements, for each course they choose to take. Students choosing to take advantage of this program should contact the Adams State Concurrent Enrollment Program.

International Students

Adams State University welcomes international students. International applicants need to apply prior to May 1 for the fall semester, October 1 for the spring semester, or February 1 for the summer session. All international students who desire to enter the university must comply with all provisions of the Immigration and Nationality Act. A complete set of credentials, including verification of financial support, must be sent to the Office of Admissions with a formal application for admission and a $30 non-refundable application fee in U.S. dollars. All information must be in English. The college must have proof of English proficiency.

International students should request to have submitted directly to Adams State University official transcripts which have been evaluated by a NACES approved agency to determine US equivalencies for grades, credit hours and institutional accreditation. Payment for evaluation is strictly the student’s responsibility. Only post-secondary level coursework deemed to have a US equivalency will be accepted in transfer.

College- or university-level work completed outside the United States will be accepted for transfer, only if the college or university is accredited by one of the U.S. regional accrediting associations. Other collegiate-level work is acceptable only on the basis of credit by examination. This examination will be conducted by the department chair most closely associated with the academic classes in which the student might wish to transfer. Each department chair will decide whether a written, oral, or credit review of the transcript will be necessary to establish credit.

Credit for coursework from non-accredited schools may be given after completion of 24 credit hours and maintenance of a 2.0 or above cumulative grade point average. After students have earned 24 credit hours, they should petition the department chair over their major area as well as the Vice President for Academic Affairs for approval of this transfer credit.

For out more about International Students at Adams State

Graduate Admissions Requirements

While there are common requirements for acceptance to the Graduate School, each department has unique admission criteria. The admission criteria for each degree are listed in this catalog with each degree plan. Those wishing to apply to any of the master’s degree programs or Ph.D. program at Adams State must hold a baccalaureate degree from a regionally accredited institution for any master’s degree programs and a master’s degree from a regionally accredited institution for the Ph.D. degree program. The following are the common criteria:

  • A completed application for admission to the Office of Graduate Studies
  • $30 non-refundable application fee for master’s programs; $45 non-refundable application fee for Ph.D. program
  • Official transcript(s) from all colleges attended. Official transcript(s) from all higher education institutions must be sent directly from the institution to the Graduate School at Adams State University verifying receipt of the baccalaureate degree and all other higher education coursework. International transcripts must be translated and evaluated (even those that are in English) by a NACES approved agency. No credits will be accepted from non-regionally accredited institutions. Failure to report any previous academic work at another college or university is considered a violation of academic integrity. Transcripts from Adams State need not be requested; however, official transcripts confirming transfer credits are required. Unofficial transcripts or transcripts “issued to student” will not be accepted.
  • Recommendations (see each department for specifics)
  • In general, schools require a 2.75 GPA cumulative GPA from the baccalaureate degree transcript. Schools of Education and Kinesiology and Health Sciences departments require a 3.0 GPA in the most recent 30 to 60 hours of course work. Individual schools may have additional requirements.

Admission Classification

Graduate Student

This classification applies to a student who has been officially admitted to a master’s degree, licensure, or endorsement program. A student may be admitted conditionally or unconditionally.

Graduate Non-degree Seeking Student

This classification is intended primarily for students who desire course credit only and do not wish to pursue a new degree, license, or endorsement. It also applies to students who have applied for admission to a graduate program but have not yet been accepted. Twelve (12) semester hours is the maximum number of credits that will count toward a degree when taken by a student in graduate-non-degree-seeking status. Any coursework above the 12-credit-hour limit will not count toward degree requirements. A student with the status of Graduate Non-degree is not eligible for financial aid or loan deferment.

International Students – Graduate Level

Adams State University welcomes international students. All international students who desire to enter the university must comply with all provisions of the Immigration Act. A complete set of credentials for students planning to reside in the U.S. and verification of financial support must be sent to the Office of Graduate Studies with a formal application for admission and a $30 nonrefundable application fee in U.S. dollars. All information must be in English. The university must have proof of English proficiency. International students seeking F-1 visa status have specific programs eligible for admission.

The equivalent of a U.S. bachelor’s degree must be earned to enter a master’s degree program and a U.S. equivalent master’s degree must be earned to enter a Ph.D. program at Adams State University. Please request an official transcript be sent directly from your school(s) to the Office of Graduate Studies at Adams State. All information must be in English. International students are responsible for having their foreign official transcripts (secondary and/or post-secondary) evaluated by a NACES approved agency to determine what U.S. equivalencies exist for grades, credit hours and accreditation. Official results should be sent directly to Adams State University from one of these services. Payment for this service is the responsibility of the student. Only college or university-level work certified to have U.S. accreditation equivalency by these organizations will be accepted directly in transfer.