UNDERGRADUATE ADMISSIONS
ADMISSION OF STUDENTS
At Dallas Baptist University, students learn to exemplify servant leadership and integrate Biblical faith and academic learning in their daily lifestyle, relationships, education, and career decisions.
DBU seeks students who are looking for a family environment in which to pursue their higher education goals. Opportunities await in academic activities, service projects, clubs and organizations, athletics, and ministries. Guided by the shepherding hearts of DBU's faculty and staff, our students are challenged to go into the world with a spirit of servanthood and an awareness of their Christian responsibility.
All persons seeking undergraduate admission must have either graduated from high school or have successfully completed the GED. Prospective students may apply online at www.dbu.edu.
As a requirement for students receiving federal financial aid, DBU must check the validity of a high school degree (34 C.F.R. 688.16). If DBU or the Department of Education has reason to believe that the high school diploma is not valid or was obtained from an entity that does not provide secondary education, DBU must review further. Acceptable documentation for checking the validity of a student’s high school completion may include the diploma itself or a final transcript that shows all courses the student took. In addition, DBU may contact the state department of education, if that department has jurisdiction over the high school, in the state in which the student earned the high school diploma. DBU may also consult with other colleges regarding the validity of high school diplomas. Student self-certification is not a sufficient means of verification, and if a high school diploma is found to be invalid there will not be an opportunity for appeal.
Freshman Student Admissions
DBU invites applications from qualified students who have graduated, or expect to graduate, from an accredited secondary school. Students who apply as regular freshman enrollees must have graduated from high school or have satisfactorily completed the General Education Development examination (GED). Students who were educated at home are also invited to apply and are subject to the same qualifications and requirements.
A campus visit is recommended, but not required. DBU hosts Patriot Preview events each fall and spring semester to provide information on academic programs, campus life, financial aid, and scholarships, as well as to conduct campus tours for prospective students and their parents.
FRESHMAN ADMISSION REQUIREMENTS:
The following must be submitted by all freshman applicants:
A fully completed DBU Application for Undergraduate Admission.
Official high school transcript including school stamp and/or administrator’s signature, and date of graduation. It must be sent directly from the school via email, electronic portal, or in a sealed envelope bearing the school's logo.
Official scores of either the ACT, CLT (Classic Learning Test), or the SAT. *Applicants who have permanent resident alien status in the United States must also fulfill the requirements listed under “‘Other Applicants.”
Official copies of dual credit transcripts from all colleges in which the student has enrolled. These must be submitted before an admission file can be considered complete.
Freshman Admission Criteria
Careful consideration is given to a number of factors in reviewing applications and may include: academic records, class rank, standardized test scores, personal recommendations, church/ministry involvement, extracurricular activity participation, and community service. Applicants for admission are evaluated on the basis of the candidate’s academic record, character, aptitude, and potential for success in the DBU experience.
The following criteria are considered when selecting candidates:
At least a 2.5-grade point average.
Test scores
21 on the ACT
990 on the SAT
71 on the CLT
The following high school academic units are recommended:
English - 4 years
Mathematics - 3 years (must include Algebra I and Geometry)
Science - 3 years (minimum of 1 year Lab Science and 1 Biology credit).
Social Studies - 3 years
Foreign Languages - 2 to 3 years
Academics in Motion Admission
For students who are close to meeting the minimum admission requirements, the University may choose to offer admission through the Academics in Motion (AIM) program. AIM students may only enroll for a maximum of 16 hours during their first semester at DBU. An additional requirement for students in the AIM program is to complete one of the following courses during their first semester at DBU: READ 2100 – Advanced Reading Skills, LIBR 1100 – Foundations of College Research, or MANA 3100 – Time Management.
The academic progress of students who are admitted through the AIM program will be evaluated after each semester of enrollment until they have completed 16 hours at DBU. All AIM students who fall below a 1.60-grade point average will be placed on Academic Probation with additional requirements from the Registrar. A student who has been placed on Academic Probation will need to meet the required grade point average to avoid academic suspension.
Housing
Students desiring to live in the residence halls must complete a University Housing Application. Refer to the University Housing page on the DBU website for housing information.
Transfer Student Admission
Transfer students constitute an integral segment of the total student body at Dallas Baptist University. They bring a diversity of educational backgrounds that enrich and strengthen the overall academic experience for all students. A transfer student is defined as one who has been out of high school for at least one full semester and has attempted some college or university work for credit.
TRANSFER ADMISSIONS REQUIREMENTS:
Students with transfer credit who apply to DBU must submit the following:
A fully completed DBU Application for Undergraduate Admission.
Official transcript from all previously attended colleges and universities. Transcripts must include school stamp and/or administrator’s signature, final GPA, and not be "in progress." It must be sent directly from the school via email, electronic portal, or in a sealed envelope bearing the school’s logo.
Applicants with less than 24 hours of college credit must provide official high school transcripts or GED scores, and official scores of either ACT, SAT, or CLT.
Applicants who have permanent resident alien status in the United States must also fulfill the requirements listed under “Other Applicants.”
Transfer Admission Criteria
Applicants for admission are evaluated on the basis of the candidate’s academic record, character, aptitude, and potential for success in the DBU experience.
The following criteria are considered when selecting candidates for admission:
A grade point average of 2.5 or higher on all previous college work.
The following high school academic units:
English - 4 years
Mathematics - 3 years (must include Algebra I and Geometry)
Science - 3 years (minimum of 1 year Lab Science and 1 Biology credit)
Social Studies - 3 years
Foreign Language - 2 to 3 years.
Students educated through a non-traditional secondary education, which includes a course of study at the secondary level in a non-accredited private school setting or home school, must submit an academic transcript. The academic transcript must include a list of courses completed, final course grades, and cumulative grade point average. Official ACT or SAT scores must be submitted. The documents submitted must demonstrate that the student meets regular admission standards.
A minimum composite test score of 21 on the ACT is required. If the student has taken the CLT, DBU requires a 71 minimum for general admission and a score of 80 for admission to the University Honors Program. If the student has taken the SAT, DBU requires a combined Evidence-Based Reading and Writing (ERW) and Math score of 1060 on the SAT. Students with grade point averages below 2.5 on all previous college work may be considered for admission if their ACT and/or SAT test scores fall in the ranges indicated below.
GPA of 2.49 - 2.31
ACT - 22
SAT - 1120
GPA of 2.30 - 2.21
ACT - 23
SAT - 1140
GPA of 2.20 - 2.00
ACT - 24
SAT - 1160
GPA of below 2.0
ACT - 25
SAT - 1200
Academics in Motion Admission
For students who are close to meeting the minimum admission requirements, the University may choose to offer admission through the Academics in Motion (AIM) program. AIM students may only enroll for a maximum of 16 hours during their first semester at DBU. An additional requirement for students in the AIM program is to complete one of the following courses during their first semester at DBU: READ 2100 – Advanced Reading Skills, LIBR 1100 – Foundations of College Research, or MANA 3100 – Time Management.
The academic progress of students who are admitted through the AIM program will be evaluated after each semester of enrollment until they have completed 16 hours at DBU. All AIM students who fall below a 2.0-grade point average during the first 16 hours at DBU will be placed on Academic Probation with additional requirements from the Registrar. Should a student who has been placed on Academic Probation, not reach a GPA of 2.0 by the end of the semester following being placed on probation status, the student will be placed on Academic Suspension.
Housing
Students desiring to live in the residence halls must complete a residence hall application, University Housing Application.
Professional Studies Admission
Procedure and Criteria
PROFESSIONAL STUDIES ADMISSION REQUIREMENTS
The following must be submitted by all Professional Studies applicants:
A fully completed DBU Application for Undergraduate Admission.
Official transcripts of all previous college work.
Applicants with less than 24 hours of college credit must submit a final official high school transcript or official GED scores.
Applicants who have permanent resident alien status in the United States must also fulfill the requirements listed under “Other Applicants.”
Professional Studies Admission Criteria
The following factors are considered when selecting candidates for admission:
Careful consideration is given to a number of factors in reviewing applications and may include: academic records, class rank, personal recommendations, church/ministry involvement, extracurricular activity participation, and community service. Applicants for admission are evaluated on the basis of the candidate’s academic record, character, aptitude, and potential for success in the DBU experience.
The following criteria are considered when selecting candidates for admission:
A grade point average of 2.5 or higher on all previous college work.
Applicants with less than 24 hours of acceptable credit must provide:
A final high school transcript demonstrating the following:
At least a 2.5-grade point average.
Official Seal of the school.
Graduation date.
Satisfactory class rank based on the standards of the particular high school attended.
The following high school academic units are recommended:
English 4 years
Mathematics 3 years
History/Social Studies 4 years
Science 2 years (minimum of 1 year Lab Science)
Social Studies 3 years
Foreign Languages 2-3 years
If less than 24 hours, students educated through a non-traditional secondary education, which includes a course of study at the secondary level in a non-accredited private school setting or home school, must submit an academic transcript. The academic transcript must include a list of courses completed, final course grades, graduation date, and cumulative grade point average. Official ACT or SAT scores must be submitted. The documents submitted must demonstrate that the student meets regular admission standards.
A minimum standardized composite test score of 21 on the ACT or 1060 on the SAT is required.
Students with grade point averages below 2.5 on all previous college work may be considered for admission if their ACT and/or SAT test scores fall in the ranges indicated below.
Dallas Baptist University complies with all applicable federal and state nondiscrimination laws and does not engage in unlawful discrimination on the basis of age, biological sex, disability, veteran status, genetic information, race, color or national origin in any employment practice, admissions, education program, or educational activity. Under federal and state law, the University may discriminate on the basis of religion in order to fulfill its purposes.
MILITARY & VETERAN STUDENT ADMISSION
Please see the Military & Veteran Student Information catalog section for important policies related to students anticipating Military funding and/or VA benefits (e.g., VA requirements for Transcripts and Military Transcripts, VA Student Responsibilities, VA Academic Progress Policy Guidelines, VA Academic Load, etc.)
Other Applicants
Re-Admission of Former Students
Students previously enrolled and in good academic standing in an undergraduate degree program who wish to re-enter DBU after an absence of more than 24 months are required to submit the one-page Application for Re-Admission and new official transcripts from each college or university attended since the last enrollment at DBU.
Students who have been absent from DBU for over five calendar years must re-submit the full Undergraduate Application for Admission and transcripts of all college/university work completed prior to and since last enrollment at DBU.
All students applying for re-admission to the University must have no outstanding financial obligation to DBU and must be current on all student loans. Students applying for readmission to DBU must meet the current admission standards as listed in the Transfer Admission Criteria or Professional Studies Admission Criteria.
Special Admissions
Students interested in taking courses, but who are not seeking a degree from DBU, may be admitted for non-degree study. All non-degree seeking applicants should apply through the Office of Undergraduate Admission and are advised by the Registrar. Students registering for courses with requisites must submit an official transcript confirming credit for the required requisites. Non-degree status would apply to persons in the following categories:
Transient Students
Undergraduate students who are continuing students at another university may be admitted to DBU as transient students. A photocopy of the applicant's most recent grade report or transcript must be submitted with a completed application.
Transient students are admitted for ONE SEMESTER. If they wish to continue at DBU, they must return to the Office of Admissions and reapply as transfer students.
Post-Baccalaureate Student
A post-baccalaureate student is one who currently holds a bachelor's degree yet is enrolled in undergraduate courses and is not seeking a second bachelor’s degree at DBU. Post-baccalaureate students must submit a completed application and a transcript from the university at which their bachelor’s degree was earned.
Non-Degree Seeking Student
Students who do not hold a bachelor’s degree and do not wish to pursue one but wish to take credited classes at DBU may apply as a Non-Degree Seeking Student. Applicants must submit a completed application. Students registering for courses with requisites must submit an official transcript confirming credit for the required requisites.
Admissions Procedures for Dual Credit Status
Dual Credit at DBU is designed for academically eligible high school students who desire to attend DBU while still enrolled in high school or home school. The University offers dual enrollment courses in the high school setting, online through the Honors Scholars Academy, and at the main campus. To apply for admission to DBU, dual credit applicants must submit the following:
Application – Dual credit students must submit the Application for Dual Enrollment available at https://www.dbu.edu/pages/dual-credit/
GPA Requirement – Dual credit students must have a minimum cumulative high school GPA of 3.0. Applicants failing to meet minimum GPA requirements may appeal for exemption. The appeal must be submitted to the Office of Undergraduate Admissions.
Transcript or Roster Verification – Students wishing to take courses online or at the DBU campus may submit a transcript to demonstrate fulfillment of the class standing and GPA requirements. Students taking dual credit courses at partner high schools may meet this requirement through a roster signed by the high school counselor and submitted to DBU. The roster must clearly state each student listed is in high school (9th grade or higher) and has a cumulative GPA of 3.0 or higher.
Registration – Students taking dual credit courses at partner high schools will arrange course registration with their high school counselor. The counselor will submit a cumulative roster to the University’s dual credit coordinator in the Office of Undergraduate Admissions. Students taking courses online or at the DBU campus will coordinate registration with the University’s dual credit coordinator.
Audit Student
An audit student is one who visits in a course. Auditors have the privilege of hearing or observing only. The privilege does not include evaluation of work or participation in discussion or laboratory practice. No credit is given for an audited course. An audit student may also be regularly enrolled in other courses. All arrangements for auditing classes are to be made in the Registrar's Office.
Permanent Resident Alien Students
Those students who are not citizens of the U.S., but do have official permanent resident status, must also submit the following:
A photocopy of your official, current Permanent Resident Alien (PRA) card. DBU admissions personnel must photocopy this card.
Original transcripts of all high school and college grades with literal translations into English. Students attempting to transfer credits received in secondary degrees or courses completed at universities outside the United States must send official transcripts to an approved evaluation service at the student’s expense.
An official score of at least 525 on the paper-based Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) exam or 197 on the computer-based exam. Students who meet one of the following criteria are exempt from taking the TOEFL.
A. English is your first language.
B. Graduation from an English-speaking high school.
C. 30 hours or more of transferable college credit from an English-speaking university.
Undocumented Non-Citizens Admission
Dallas Baptist University admits qualifying undocumented non-citizens who meet the admissions criteria of the University and who are eligible to sign an affidavit of Texas residency as described in Texas House Bill 1403. The University will consider admission of out-of-state undocumented non-citizens if such applicants intend to pursue permanent residency status in the United States of America at the earliest opportunity, they are eligible to do so. Each applicant who is an undocumented non-citizen of the United States of America must sign and execute an affidavit of residency and submit it to the Office of Admissions for consideration.
Section 2 of House Bill 1403 states that an individual who is a non-citizen can be considered a resident of the State of Texas if the individual resided with a parent, court-appointed legal guardian, or conservator while attending a public or private high school in the State of Texas and:
Graduated from a public or private high school or received the equivalent of a high school diploma (GED) in the State of Texas.
Resided in the State of Texas for at least 36 consecutive months as of the date the person graduated from high school or received the equivalent of a high school diploma (GED).
Registers as an entering student in a college or university that is supported by the State of Texas not earlier than the 2001 fall semester, and
Provides the college or university that is supported by the State of Texas an affidavit that the individual will file an application to become a permanent resident at the earliest opportunity the individual is eligible to do so.
If an undocumented non-citizen applicant to Dallas Baptist University meets the requirements as stated in sections 1 and 2 above and intends to file an application to become a permanent resident at the earliest opportunity the individual is eligible to do so as stated in section 4 above, he/she must complete the following affidavit and submit it to the Office of Admissions. Out-of-state undocumented non-citizens must contact the Office of Admissions for further instructions.
International Student Admission
Procedure and Criteria
Undergraduate International Application
All applicants who are not U.S. citizens, or do not possess a permanent residence card, should make application through the International Admissions and Immigration Office (not the Admissions Office). The International Admissions and Immigration Office is located in the Sadler Global Missions Center on the east side of the campus. The International Admissions Office may be contacted by phone at 214.333.6905 or by email: globalinfo@dbu.edu.
Documents Required Checklist.
All documents may be downloaded at www.dbu.edu/international/apply/requirements.
1. International Application
2. Official School Records with a minimum 2.5 GPA on the US 4-point scale. Official school records not in English must be accompanied by a word-for-word translation to English. The translation is not required to be certified.
3. English Requirements - Applicants must meet ONE of the following:
A. Provide an official TOEFL (Test of English as a Foreign Language)
Minimum Internet-Based Score – 71
OR
B. Provide an official IELTS (International English Language Testing System) with a minimum overall band - 6.0 (may not have any band lower than 5)
OR
C. Provide an official PTE (Pearson Test of English) with a minimum score of 48
OR
D. Provide an official CAE (Cambridge English: Advanced) with a minimum score of 163
OR
E. Provide an official MELAB (Michigan English Language Assessment Battery) with a minimum score of 80
OR
F. Provide an official iTEP (International Test of English Proficiency) with a minimum score of 3.7
OR
G. DET with minimum score 100
OR
H. Provide an SAT with a minimum score of 500 on the Critical Reading and Writing section
OR
I. Provide an IB exam with a minimum score of 5 in the Higher-Level English A1 subject
OR
J. Provide an AP exam with a minimum score of 3.0 in the English Language and Composition subject
OR
K. Provide a passing KCSE (Kenya Certificate of Secondary Education) with a minimum English subject Score of B
OR
L. Complete 2 years and graduate from an International High School that is regionally accredited in the U.S. or that teaches classes in English.
OR
M. Complete 1 year and graduate from a U.S. High School with a 2.5 GPA in non-ESL classes and 12th Grade English
OR
N. DBU will accept passing scores from other U.S.A. regionally accredited University ESL Programs if the student passed the highest proficiency level
OR
O. DBU will accept passing scores from U.S.-based ESL programs that are accredited by either: Commission on English Language Accreditation (CEA), or Accrediting Council for Continuing Education and Training (ACCET). Applicants must have passed at the highest proficiency level.
OR
P. Complete the Intensive English Program (IEP) at DBU
OR
Q. The English Proficiency requirement may be waived at the discretion of the Assistant Vice President for International Affairs or the Vice President of International Affairs for students who previously studied in the United States. International students may be interviewed and tested by DBU staff to determine their ability to communicate effectively in English.
OR
R. Note: The following countries are not required to prove English ability: Anguilla, Antigua, Australia, Bahamas, Barbados, Belize, Bermuda, British Guyana, Canada (except Quebec), Cayman Islands, Dominica, Grenada, Guyana, Jamaica / other English-speaking countries in the West Indies, New Zealand, South Africa, St. Kitts and Nevis, St. Lucia, St. Vincent, Trinidad & Tobago, Turks & Caicos Isle, United Kingdom, Virgin Islands.
4. 250-Word Written Essay
5. Application for I-20 – Students who need an F-1 visa to study at DBU will need to submit an Application for I-20 to meet financial requirements.
Intensive English Program
The University welcomes applications to the Intensive English Program (IEP). Admission to the IEP may be in conjunction with acceptance to a University degree program or may be for the IEP only. The IEP has two paths: English for Academic Studies and English for Communication. The English for Academic Studies path is for students who have applied and been accepted to a DBU academic program but need to meet the English eligibility requirements for entrance to that program. The English for Communication path is for students who have not applied to a DBU academic program. Applicants interested in the IEP English for Communication path need to complete the admission application form and check the box, “Intensive English Program” on the application.
The IEP is conducted in five 8-week terms during the year. The IEP allows online students to join the Hy-flex courses remotely. Students must begin their course(s) at the start of the term.
There are six levels of IEP classes. Based on an entrance placement exam, students are placed in one of three major levels (basic, intermediate, and advanced) with each level divided into two specific student levels. Students have the right to appeal their IEP level placement before the end of the first week of classes, in which case the student's language abilities are reviewed through their current course work and instructor evaluations.
Hours of instruction per week:
All IEP students must attend University Chapel in the fall and spring semesters. During the summer term, the IEP enrolls students in the Christian Perspectives course.
Promotion within the program and qualifying for entrance to an academic program
English for Academic Studies Path:
Students in the English for Academic Studies path take an exit placement exam at the end of each term. Based on the exam level placement and/or course grades for the completed term, students may be promoted to a higher IEP level for the next term. Students may qualify in English skills for entrance to a DBU academic program based on their exit placement test and current IEP term’s course grades.
English for Communication Path:
Students in the English for Communication path do not take an exit placement test at the end of the term. Promotion decisions are based on the current term’s course grades. Students are not able to qualify in English skills for a university academic program through this path.
NOTES ABOUT ACADEMIC CREDIT
English for Academic Studies Path (seeking credit):
Students are enrolled in a course for university academic credit. For August and January entrance to the program, the course may be a 16-week course that requires enrollment in IEP for 2 terms in order to complete it. For students arriving mid-semester for the October and March terms, a credit course is not available. Students enrolling in the Summer term may be enrolled in a 1-credit or possibly 3-credit course. The specific credit course will be determined by the IEP director in coordination with the student’s IEP level and academic program.
English for Communication Path (non-credit):
Students may not enroll in a university credit course.
ACADEMIC RECORDS
For both paths, course enrollment is recorded with the University and course grades are part of the student’s academic record.
CHANGING PATHS
Students in the English for Communication path who apply and are accepted to a university academic program and will continue in the IEP must change to the English for Academic Studies path in the next IEP term. Students accepted to a DBU academic program and enrolled in the English for Academic Studies path are not eligible to change to the English for Communication path.
HOUSING INFORMATION
Students in the English for Communication path are eligible for university housing. Students in the English for Academic Studies program must follow university housing policies for academic students (e.g., half-semester housing rates are not available at the start of the academic semester).
Please contact the International Admissions and Immigration Department for more details at globalinfo@dbu.edu or 214-333-6905.
Dallas Baptist University Intensive English program is accredited by the Commission on English Language Program Accreditation through August 2021 and agrees to uphold the CEA Standards for English Language Programs and Institutions. CEA is recognized by the U.S. Secretary of Education as a nationally recognized accrediting agency for English language programs and institutions in the U.S. For further information about this accreditation, please contact CEA, 1001 N. Fairfax Street, Suite 630, Alexandria, VA 22314, (703) 665-3400, www.cea-accredit.org.
English Language Institute
The University offers non-credit online courses and programs in subjects such as English and leadership for non-degree-seeking International students. Applicants interested in taking ELI courses need to complete the admission application form for the English Language Institute.
You may find more information regarding International Admissions at www.dbu.edu/international. This school is authorized under Federal Law to enroll nonimmigrant students.