Undergraduate Admissions

Admission Philosophy

Admission to Bowie State University is granted to qualified applicants who will benefit from the University’s academic and social experiences. The University is especially well-equipped to support students who see value in our academic offerings and opportunities.

Basis of Selection

New students are eligible for admission at the beginning of FALL and SPRING terms. Applications are reviewed on a rolling basis. Admissions decisions are determined by your academic performance, and other evidence deemed indicative of the your ability to successfully complete a collegiate course of study. Bowie State University does not discriminate against any student on basis of age, race, creed, religion, handicap, gender, nationality, ethnic origin or any other unrelated characteristics. 

Applying For Admission

Application for Admission

• You must submit the application for admission via the web.
• Use the URL below for detailed instructions for creating your personal account, completing and submitting the application admission.

https://www.bowiestate.edu/admissions-financial-aid/undergraduate-admissions/

Priority Application Deadlines

Application Fee

• BSU does not require an application fee.

High School Applicants

High School Transcript

• Admission consideration is given to applicants who have earned the standard high school diploma from an accredited high school.
• Request an official copy of your high school transcript showing at least six semesters of work, or at least through the completion of your junior year.
• Transcripts are considered official when received directly from the issuing institution in a sealed envelope with the school’s seal and/or official signature.
• Six-semester transcripts can be used to evaluate your admissibility. Your enrollment for the application term is based upon review on your final eight-semester transcript with graduation date.

High School Curriculum

Admission consideration is given to applicants who have completed a minimum of the following:

Preferred Admission - Academic Requirements 

• Minimum GPA 2.50
• Enrollment Deposits are Nonrefundable.  These fees are used to offset registration processes.

Placement Assessment and Exam

College-Level English and Mathematics Placement

All entering freshmen are placed directly into ENGL 101 - Expository Writing. High school GPA levels for each major are used to determine placement into credit-level Math courses. Students who demonstrate insufficient preparation for the rigor of a college curriculum are placed into developmental Math courses. 

New transfer students without Math transfer credits are required to take the Accuplacer placement exam.

Admission Prior to High School Graduation

Admission decisions rendered and issued prior to high school graduation are subject to re-evaluation upon the receipt of the final high school transcript with graduation date. Your admission decision is contingent upon your successful completion of the high school curriculum in a manner that qualifies you for admission to the University according to the academic standards indicated. 

Concurrent Enrollment

Who is Eligible for Concurrent Enrollment?

High school juniors and seniors who seek to take undergraduate courses, but do not intend to begin work towards a degree at this time are eligible for concurrent enrollment.

Applicants for Concurrent Enrollment Must Provide the Following:

• Complete Concurrent Enrollment Application and Continuing Education Application for Admission
• $17.00 non-refundable application fee
• Unofficial high school transcript
• Recommendation from high school guidance counselor
• Principal’s approval to participate in concurrent enrollment

Program Guidelines

• Concurrent enrollment admission consideration is given to applicants who have earned at least a 2.50 cumulative GPA at the time of application.
• Concurrently enrolled students may enroll in a maximum of six (6) credit hours per semester, depending upon academic background and current high school course load.
• Payment of the standard fee per credit hour is required each semester.
• Concurrent enrollment participants who choose to enroll at Bowie State as degree candidates must reapply for standard admission and provide the required official application materials.

Dual Enrollment

Who is Eligible for Dual Enrollment?

• Be enrolled in the 11th or 12th grade in Prince Georges County Public School System on the first day of the semester in which the course is offered.  This will apply to rising 11th and 12th graders during the summer session.
• Demonstrate, via placement test, college readiness in math English and /or Reading results of Accuplacer, ALEKS, Compass, ACT and SAT may be used to determine readiness for college-level work.  Minimum scores for college readiness are listed in Appendix of the handbook.
• Maintain a 2.5 high school cumulative GPA.

Applicants for Dual Enrollment Must Provide the Following:

• Completed BSU/PGCPS Dual Enrollment Application Form
• Completed Supplemental

Transfer Applicants 

Who is Eligible to Transfer

• Transfer consideration is given for Fall and Spring  academic terms.

Official Transcripts

Transcripts are considered official when received directly from the issuing institution in a sealed envelope with the school’s seal and/or official signature.

• University Transcripts
  • Official academic transcripts are required from all colleges and/or universities you have attended, regardless of grade point average or number of hours completed.
• High School Transcripts
  • You must submit an official high school transcript if you have earned less than 24 transferable hours.

Minimum Requirements

SECOND BACHELORS STUDENT

Students who hold a baccalaureate degree and wish to earn a second baccalaureate degree in a new field are permitted to count toward that degree any completed courses that can be used to satisfy the general education requirements or electives.  To earn the second degree, students must complete all major and major-related courses in the new field as are specified by the new discipline.    Students must submit the following:

Official Transcripts - Transcripts are considered official when received directly from the issuing institution in a sealed envelope with the school’s seal and/or official signature.   Electronic transcripts are also considered official if sent directly from the issuing institution to ugradadmissions@bowiestate.edu

Evaluation of Transfer Credits

• An official transcript is required for formal credit evaluation. At the discretion of University personnel, unofficial transcripts may be used for advising or counseling.
• We make every effort to match your transferable courses to our General Education and academic discipline coursework.
• In most cases, coursework from regionally accredited institutions for which you’ve earned at least a “C” or better is transferable, if comparable coursework is offered at Bowie State.
• The University reserves the right to deny transfer credit for coursework completed at institutions prior to enrollment at Bowie State, but not listed on the application for admission.
• Review transfer evaluations carefully. Questions and/or concerns regarding evaluation of transfer credit should be resolved within 21 days of completed initial evaluation.
• The University reserves the right to revoke offers of admission for transfer applicants who do not maintain the minimum 2.00 cumulative GPA through the most recent semester of attendance at last school attended.

Placement Assessment and Exam

• Exemption from the standard placement assessment is granted to applicants who transfer the equivalent of three hours in both college-level mathematics and English.

GED Recipients

Official GED Transcript and Score Report

• Request an official copy of your GED transcript and score report.
• Transcripts are considered official when received directly from the issuing institution in a sealed envelope with the school’s seal and/or official signature.

Minimum Requirements

Home Schooled Applicants

Bowie State welcomes applications from nationally and/or regionally recognized home-school programs.

Official Transcript of Academic Work

• Official transcripts with traditional letter or numerical grades or narrative assessment of academic progress are required.
• Some applicants may also be required to submit curriculum vitae describing course content, instructional materials and an evaluation of student work.

Mature Adult Policy

• Applicants who have not attended high school or college for a period of at least three (3) consecutive years may be considered for admission without penalty for previous academic record.
• Applicants are required to submit official academic transcripts.
• Applicants who have not yet attended a college or university must provide proof of standard high school diploma or its equivalent.

Appealing the Admission Decision

• To request an appeal, please submit a response to the link below: 

Admission Decision Appeal Request

• Appeals are reviewed by committee.
• Final decisions are communicated in writing within 60 business days.

Re-Admit Students

Priority Application Deadlines

Application Fee

• There is no application fee for readmission.

Application for Readmission

• Please do not complete the standard application for admission. Please contact the Office of Admission for the proper form.

Review of Applications

• Readmission applications are reviewed and evaluated by several University units before decisions are rendered.
• Applicant files are reviewed for issues related to, but not limited to
  • satisfactory academic progress;
  • academic standing;
  • student judiciary concerns; and
  • satisfactory financial status.
• Official transcripts are required from any college or university attended since last enrolled at Bowie State.

Residency Policy

RESIDENCY POLICY

USM Bylaws, Policies and Procedures of the Board of Regents

VIII‐2.70-POLICY ON STUDENT CLASSIFICATION FOR ADMISSION AND TUITION PURPOSES

(Approved by the Board of Regents August 28, 1990; Amended July 10, 1998; Amended November 27,

2000; Amended April 11, 2003; Amended June 23, 2006; Amended February 15, 2008; Amended October

24, 2014; Amended April 10, 2015; Amended February 17, 2017; Amended June 16, 2017; Amended April 19, 2019; Amended June 17, 2021; Amended June 17, 2022; Amended June 16, 2023).

I. POLICY 

A. Purpose 

To extend the benefits of its system of higher education while encouraging the economical use of the State’s resources,  it is the policy of the Board of Regents of the University System of Maryland (USM) to recognize the categories of in-state and out-of-state residency for the purpose of admission and assessing tuition at USM institutions. 

A. A full-time or part-time (at least 50 percent) regular employee of USM or a USM institution. 

B. The spouse or Financially Dependent child of a full-time or part-time (at least 50 percent) regular employee of USM or a USM institution. 

C. Active duty members of the Armed Forces of the United States as defined in 38 U.S.C.A. § 101(10) as the United States Army, Navy, Marine Corps, Air Force, Space Force, and Coast Guard, including the reserve components thereof, who are stationed in Maryland, reside in Maryland, or are domiciled in Maryland, or their spouse or financially dependent children, as provided in § 15-106.4 of the Education Article, Annotated Code of Maryland. Spouses and children who qualify for exemptions under this provision will retain in-state status for tuition purposes as long as they are continuously enrolled, regardless of whether the active duty member’s station assignment, residence, or domicile remains in Maryland.  

D. Veterans of the Armed Forces of the United States who provide documentation that they were honorably discharged and currently reside or are domiciled in Maryland, as provided in § 15-106.4 of the Education Article, Annotated Code of Maryland. 

E. Veterans who live in Maryland and were discharged from a period of at least 90 days of service in the active military, naval, space, or air service and are pursuing a course of education with educational assistance under the Montgomery G.I. Bill ® (38 U.S.C. Ch. 30) or the Post-9/11 G.I. Bill® (38 U.S.C. Ch. 33), pursuant to 38 U.S.C. § 3679(c). 2 A veteran so described will continue to retain in-state status if the veteran is using educational benefits under either chapter 30 or chapter 33 of title 38, United States Code, and remains continuously enrolled (other than during regularly scheduled breaks between courses, semesters, or terms) at the same school.

F. Anyone who lives in Maryland, and: 

1) Is using transferred Post-9/11 G.I. Bill® benefits (38 U.S.C. § 3319) and enrolls after the transferor’s discharge or release from a period of at least 90 days of service in the active military, naval or air service; or 

2) Is using transferred Post-9/11 G.I. Bill® benefits (38 U.S.C. § 3319) and the transferor is a member of the uniformed services who is serving on active duty; 

3) Is using benefits under the Marine Gunnery Sergeant John David Fry Scholarship (38 

U.S.C. § 3311(b)(9)) ;  

4) Is using benefits through the Survivors’ and Dependents’ Educational Assistance Program (DEA), (38 U.S.C. chapter 35) or 

5) Is entitled to rehabilitation under 38 U.S.C. § 3102(a). 

An individual as described in this Section IV.F will continue to retain in-state status if the individual is using educational benefits under chapter 30, 31, 33, or 35 of title 38, United States Code, and remains continuously enrolled (other than during regularly scheduled breaks between courses, semesters, or terms) at the same school. 

G. A member of the Maryland National Guard, as defined in the Public Safety Article of the Annotated Code of Maryland, who joined or subsequently serves in the Maryland National Guard to: (i) provide a critical military occupational skill; or (ii) be a member of the Air Force Critical Specialty Code as determined by the National Guard.

H. For UMGC, only, a full-time active member of the Armed Forces of the United States on active duty, or their spouse. 

I. A graduate assistant appointed through a USM institution for the semester/term of the appointment. Except through prior arrangement, this benefit is available only for enrollment at the institution awarding the assistantship. 

J. A full-time public school teacher in the first year of employment by a Maryland local education agency, who resides in Maryland and meets the criteria for a residency waiver in § 15-106.2 of the Education Article, Annotated Code of Maryland. 

K. The child of a Maryland public safety employee who is eligible for the Edward T. Conroy and Joan B. Cryor Scholarship under § 18-601(d)(3)(ii) of the Education Article, Annotated Code of Maryland.  

L. A person who has completed all service hours in an AmeriCorps Program in Maryland or who has completed a service program under the Maryland Corps Program, pursuant to Title 9, subtitle 28 of the State Government Article, Annotated Code of Maryland, as provided in § 15-106.9 of the Education Article, Annotated Code of Maryland. 

M. A person who has been certified by the Director of the Peace Corps as having served satisfactorily as a Peace Corps volunteer and who is domiciled in Maryland, as provided in § 15-106.11 of the Education Article, Annotated Code of Maryland. 

N. Individuals, including undocumented immigrants, who do not meet the definition of nonimmigrant alien within the meaning of 8 U.S.C. § 1101(a)(15) and who meet all the criteria in § 15-106.8 of the Education Article, Annotated Code of Maryland.

________________  

2 GI Bill® is a registered trademark of the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA). More information about education benefits offered by the VA is available at the official U.S. government Web site at http://www.benefits.va.gov/gibill. 

V. ADDITIONAL PROCEDURES 

Each USM institution shall develop and publish additional procedures to implement this Policy. 

Procedures shall provide that on request the institution President or designee has the authority to waive any requirement set forth in Section II if it is determined that the application of the requirement creates an unjust result. These procedures shall be filed with the Office of the Chancellor. VI. DEFINITIONS 

A. Financially Dependent: For the purposes of this Policy, a financially dependent student is one who has been claimed as a dependent on another person’s prior year tax returns or is a ward of the State of Maryland. 

B. Financially Independent: For the purposes of this Policy, a financially independent student is one who provides 50 percent or more of the student’s own living and educational expenses and has not been claimed as a dependent on another person’s most recent tax returns. 

C. Parent: A parent may be a natural parent, or, if established by a court order recognized under the laws of the State of Maryland, an adoptive parent.

D. Guardian: A guardian is a person so appointed by a court order recognized under the laws of the State of Maryland. 

E. Spouse: A spouse is a partner in a legally contracted marriage. 

F. Child: A child is a natural child or a child legally adopted pursuant to a court order recognized under the laws of Maryland. 

G. Regular Employee: A regular employee is a person employed by USM or a USM institution who is assigned to a State budget line or who is otherwise eligible to enroll in a State retirement system. Examples of categories NOT considered regular employees are graduate students, contingent employees, and independent contractors. H. Continuous Enrollment: 

1) Undergraduate Student - An undergraduate student who is enrolled at a USM institution for consecutive fall and spring semesters, until completion of the student’s current degree program or unless on an approved leave of absence or participating in an approved program off campus. 

2) Graduate or Professional - Continuous enrollment for a graduate or professional student is defined by the institution in accordance with program requirements. 

I. Armed Forces of the United States: As defined in 38 U.S.C.A. § 101(10), the United States Army, Navy, Marine Corps, Air Force, Space Force, and Coast Guard, including the reserve components thereof. 

J. Uniformed Services of the United States: As defined in 38 U.S.C. § 3319, Armed Forces and the Commissioned Corps of the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration and of the Public Health Service.

International Applicants
 

Priority Application Deadlines

Non-Degree Status

• International students on F-1 Visas are not eligible for admissions as non-degree students.

Academic Credentials and Official Transcripts

• Send official and/or notarized academic credentials and/or official transcripts directly to Bowie State University.
• If your official academic credentials require translation and/or evaluation, send the evaluation directly to Bowie State University. Educational Credential Evaluators, Inc., or World Education Services, or SpanTran are among our trusted evaluation partners.
• Transfer applicants must submit official transcripts from each college or university attended. Failure to provide information from all previously attended institutions may result in the immediate cancellation of your application for admission.

High School and/or Secondary School 

• Applicants must be graduates of a secondary school and submit a first or second division General Certification of Education (or its equivalent for those applying from the British Commonwealth).
• Basic courses in Algebra, English, Geometry, History, Natural Sciences and other academic subjects should have been taken in secondary school. The applicant should have achieved a thorough knowledge of the English language.
• All school records must be certified by school officials and sent with your application.

Minimum Requirements

• 2.5 GPA

SAT and ACT

• SAT Bowie State University SAT code: 5401
• ACT Bowie State University ACT code:1712

TOEFL

May be required if native language of language of instruction is something other than English. TOEFL minimum scores for the three versions of the exam are:

• IELTS:  Minimum score of 5.0 is required for undergraduate applicants. 
• TOEFL or IELTS scores will be waived for applicants who are:
  • Graduates of high schools within the United States, or
  • Students whose native language or language of instruction is English, or
  • Students transferring to Bowie State University after at least one year at another English language college or university
• Information on the TOEFL exam may be obtained by writing to:
  Education Testing Service·Box 899·Princeton, NJ 08540·USA http://www.ets.org/toefl
• Information on the IELTS may be obtained by: https://www.ielts.org/

Financial Statement

• Applicants must provide a notarized financial statement from a United States Embassy showing that the applicant has enough support for study in the United States.
• The Affidavit of Support cannot be used in lieu of a bank statement
• Bank statements must be dated within the last six months
• The Financial Guarantee must have the signature of an authorized bank representative or agent of a recognized sponsoring organization
• All supporting documents have the official seal of a Notary
• The following are acceptable sources and required documentation of funds:
  1. Personal - current letter from applicant verifying the amount of applicant’s funds in US dollars and the date the bank account opened. The letter must be on official bank letterhead and addressed to Bowie State University.
  2. Parent, Spouse or Sponsor in the United States - (1) notarized Affidavit of Support and (2) letter from parent’s, spouse’s, or sponsor’s bank and the date the account opened.
  3. Parent, Spouse or Sponsor Outside the United States - (1) notarized letter from the individual(s) in English indicating the relationship and the amount of money that will be made available in US dollars and (2) a letter from parent’s, spouse’s or sponsor’s bank indicating the current balance and the date the account opened.
  4. Government, Employer or International Organization - an official letter from the sponsor addressed to Bowie State University and signed by an authorized representative of the agency or organization. The letter must indicate the amount of the award in US dollars and must detail the terms of the award.

Admission for International Students

• Admission decisions are based upon acceptable academic credentials and clearance by the International Office.
• Applicants, who are currently in the US, must contact the International Office for a clearance interview at (301) 860-3393.
• Applicants who are outside the US must report to the International Office upon arrival in the US before registering for classes.
• The University reserves the right to require official documentation of any claim.

Issuing the I-20

• I-20 forms are issued once all required documents are received and admission is granted to the applicant.
• The I-20, an official acceptance letter and other necessary documents are included in the acceptance materials.
• The I-20 is not released to a third party. It is issued only to the applicant or mailed directly to the permanent home address listed on the application for admission.
• Prior to enrollment, you must present an original copy of the I-20 to the Designated School Official (DSO) showing Embassy authorization to enroll as a student with an F-1 Visa and the I-94 card.

SEVIS I-901 Fee

• Once the I-20 is has been issued, you are responsible for paying the $200 fee (U.S. currency)directly to the Department of Homeland Security
• The I-901 fee must be paid prior to your scheduled Embassy appointment. Failure to pay this fee may result denial of F-1 status.

Deferred Admission

Admitted students are able to defer their admissions for up to one academic year. If you received a scholarship, if funding is available, you can be reconsidered on a case by case basis and you must meet the scholarship requirements for the deferred entry term.