Admissions

The Admissions Office cordially invites prospective students, their parents and friends to visit Graceland's Lamoni campus for an individual visit. We also encourage you to take advantage of several campus preview programs offered throughout the year, such as “Graceland For A Day” and “Iowa Private College Week.” Please call 866-GRACELAND (866.472.2352) to make arrangements for your visit. You may also schedule a visit online at http://www.graceland.edu/visit

Graceland University does not discriminate against any student or prospective student on the basis of race, color, religion, age, sex, national origin, sexual orientation or disability. Graceland does reserve the right to deny admission to a student who is deemed unable to adjust successfully to the Graceland environment.

High School Students

A student seeking admission to Graceland from high school must submit to the Admissions Office an application form, a high school transcript with at least six semesters of work, and ACT or SAT scores. An institutional deposit of $200.00 is required prior to receiving a room assignment or registering for classes. All of the above information should be sent to the Admissions Office, Graceland University, 1 University Place, Lamoni, Iowa 50140.

In order to be considered for entrance to Graceland, an applicant must be a high school graduate and qualify in two of the following three criteria:

Rank in upper 50% of the class.
Have a grade point average of 2.50 or above based on a 4.00 system.
Have either a minimum composite ACT score of 21 or a minimum combined SAT I score of 960.

To best prepare for your Graceland experience, we recommend the following high school curriculum:

Four years of English (speech or journalism could be included)
Three years of mathematics (including algebra and advanced algebra)
Three years of social science
Two years of natural science
One year of study in a second language

Applicants who do not meet the above are considered individually and if accepted will be fully enrolled as a degree-seeking student. General Educational Development (GED) scores may be used as high school equivalency. Some applicants may be requested to test for the Chance Program prior to being considered for acceptance. Any students accepted who did not meet initial entry criteria will be required to take Academic Success (DEVL1220) and other developmental courses as required by Admissions Policies. Academic Success (DEVL1220) must be taken during the student's first semester at Graceland. Students who do not achieve the minimum grade of "C" in this course will be subject to administrative withdrawal from the University.

Acceptance of a student will be on a conditional basis until Graceland receives the final official high school transcript. Transcripts must be mailed directly from the school and have the official school seal affixed, or transmitted electronically through Parchment, National Student Clearinghouse, or SCRIP-SAFE.

Students accepted with an ACT English score below 15, or SAT English score below 400, will be required to take Basics of English (DEVL1250), unless they have passed at least two high school English courses, one of which must be or prominently require composition (not creative writing), and have scored a "C" or better in both, which makes them eligible to be placed in Modern Rhetoric. Students accepted with an ACT Math score below 16, or SAT Math score below 370, will be required to take both Beginning Algebra (DEVL0900) and Intermediate Algebra (DEVL1200), unless they have completed two years of high school math, one of which must have been algebra, with a grade of “C” or better in both. Students taking Beginning Algebra, Intermediate Algebra, and Basics of English as a condition of their enrollment are required to achieve a minimum grade of “C”. If a student fails to achieve the minimum grade in any of these courses, that course must be repeated until the minimum grade is achieved.

For athletic eligibility, the ACT/SAT test results must come from official test centers on the national testing dates.

A Placement Test will be required to determine proper placement in English and Math if ACT or SAT scores are not submitted.

Home School Policy

Graceland welcomes applications from home-schooled students. We acknowledge the important contributions that home-schoolers make, both in the classroom and as part of student life. Graceland makes a deliberate effort to accommodate the special circumstances of home-schooled students during the admissions process.

To maintain a universal standard of achievement among applicants, while also allowing flexibility, Graceland requires two of the following three criteria:

Have either a minimum composite ACT score of 21 or a minimum combined SAT I score of 960. For athletic eligibility, the test results must come from official test centers on the national testing dates.
A portfolio demonstrating the breadth and depth of learning by the applicant. The portfolio may express the unique learning of the home-schooler during the years of high school or the last four years of learning. Admissions will assess the quality of the portfolio to determine whether it reflects sufficient preparation for success during college.
A home-school transcript prepared by the teachers/parents, an independent or supervising teacher, or an organization with whom the student is registered or affiliated. The cumulative grade point average must be 2.50 or above based on a 4.00 system.

A further description of the portfolio and transcript is available from the Admissions Office.

Applicants who do not meet the above criteria may be considered individually. If accepted, they may be required to take developmental courses as specified in policies for admission of high school students. Some applicants may be requested to test for the Chance Program prior to being considered for acceptance.

A home-schooled student who has twelve or more college credits will need to comply with Graceland's transfer student policies; however, no high school transcripts will be required.

Placement Test may be required - see High School Students section of Catalog.

International Students

Applicants from countries outside the United States are considered by the Admissions Office on an individual basis. In order to gain entrance, an applicant must show academic proficiency, financial support, and competency in the English language. A TOEFL score of 550 (paper-based), 213 (computer-based) or 80 (internet-based) is required for applicants whose primary language is not English. If applying for financial aid, an International Financial Aid Application is required. Advising and support services are provided by the International Programs Office and the academic advisor. All forms are available through the Admissions Office or online.

International Programs Director Diana Jones and Nargiz Guliyeva at the Clubs & Organizations Fair.

Transfer Students

A student seeking admission to Graceland after enrollment at another college must submit to Admissions an application form, a high school transcript, and transcripts from all colleges previously attended. An institutional deposit of $200 is required prior to receiving a room assignment or registering for classes. Transcripts must be mailed directly from the school and have the official school seal affixed, or transmitted electronically through Parchment, National Student Clearinghouse, or SCRIP-SAFE. Withholding information concerning previous schools attended could result in termination of enrollment.

Acceptance is based on college work rather than high school if a student has attended college full time for at least one semester and/or has accumulated 12 semester hours of credit. A 2.00 cumulative grade point average on all transfer credit is required for admission to Graceland University.

Applicants who do not meet the required 2.00 cumulative GPA will be considered individually and if accepted will enter Graceland on academic probation.

Transfer students, including community and junior college transfers, who have earned 56 transferable semester hours with a grade point average of 2.00 based on a 4.00 point system, if accepted, will enter Graceland at junior standing.

Courses accepted for transfer will be accepted as credit only and will not carry grade points. Credit will be accepted for courses in which the student earned a grade of C- or better. However, coursework in which the student has earned a passing grade of less than a C- (D+, D or D-) will be accepted for transfer if the work was included as part of an earned Associates or Bachelor’s Degree.

Credit or waiver through College Level Examination Program (CLEP) and Advanced Placement (AP) will be determined by Graceland upon receipt of the scores from the College Board and will not necessarily correspond with what the previous school may have awarded.

A detailed statement on transfer policies is available in the Registrar’s Office or you may click here.

Articulation Agreements

Graceland’s articulation agreements facilitate credit transfer. To view equivalency listings go to the Transfer Evaluation System (TES) or for a detailed listing of the following articulation agreements contact the Registrar's Office:

Des Moines Area Community College
Indian Hills Community College: Art: Studio Art; Art: Visual Communications; Athletic Training; Business Administration; Economics; Elementary Education; Psychology; Nursing; Sociology
Iowa Central Community College
Iowa Valley Community College District: -Ellsworth Community College; -Marshalltown Community College; -Iowa Valley Community College Grinnell
Iowa Western Community College
Johnson County Community College
Metropolitan Community College-Omaha
North Central Missouri College
North Iowa Area Community College
Southwestern Community College: Accounting; Art: Studio Art; Art: Visual Communications; Athletic Training; Biology; Business Administration; Criminal Justice; Economics; Elementary Education; Music; Nursing
The Metropolitan Community College District– Kansas City: -Blue River Community College; -Longview Community College; -Maple Woods Community College; -Penn Valley Community College
Western Iowa Tech Community College

Equivalency listings are also available for the following schools:
Eastern Iowa Community College District: Clinton-Muscatine-Scott Community Colleges
Northeast Iowa Community College
Northwest Iowa Community College
Wentworth Military Academy

Part-time Study

Applicants desiring part-time study for personal interest or to pursue a degree program must meet the same criteria as required for full-time study. As long as study continues every semester, a new application is not necessary.

The Accelerated College Education Program (ACE) is designed for high school student who wish to accelerate their college program. Students may enter the program during their 11th and 12th grade years in high school as provided in the Post Secondary Enrollment Option Act. High School students planning to participate in (ACE) must meet the following criteria:

Student must be 16 years of age,
Student should have a 3.0 grade point average.

Student must also submit the following information to the Admissions Office at Graceland University, 1 University Place, Lamoni, IA 50140:

A Graceland University application for admissions and a $50.00 non-refundable application fee,
An official copy of their high school transcript,
Two letters of recommendation from their high school guidance counselor, their high school principal, or from a high school English, math, science or history teacher.

For Iowa residents, the cost of tuition and textbooks is paid by the local school district as provided in the PSEO Act. Students receive both high school and college credit for the courses they successfully complete. ACE participants may also take college courses during summer sessions, but they are responsible for paying regular tuition costs and may receive high school credit for these summer courses. Courses are available on campus and via the internet.

Applicants participating in the Tuition Waiver Program for Retired Persons, if pursuing a degree program, must meet the criteria for full-time admission to the university. Retired persons who are interested only in taking courses for personal interest and improvement do not need to file academic credentials. Each term, an Application for Admission/ Tuition Grant for Retired Persons and a $50.00 administration fee must be submitted.

Applicants pursuing a degree program through regular academic credit in the Continuing Education Program must meet the criteria established for full-time admission. Applications for part-time study in the Continuing Education Program for college credit are made course by course.

Employees of the university, if pursuing a degree program, must meet criteria for full-time admission to the university. All employees taking classes must fill out and submit the Application for Tuition Benefit Form and the Application for Admission for Part-Time Study, which must be signed by their supervisors and submitted to the Director of Human Resources. Employees must also file a Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA). If employees are Iowa residents their FAFSA must be received by the processor by July 1.

Professional Nursing

An opportunity is provided for registered nurse graduates of state approved diploma or associate degree nursing programs to earn a Bachelor of Science in Nursing degree. Advanced placement may be granted to registered nurses through the Iowa Articulation Program:

Requirements for Admission of Registered Nurses to the Nursing Program

Admission to the university.
Admission to the Nursing major.
Evidence of current license to practice as a registered nurse.
Submission of two reference letters.

In addition to Graceland’s residential B.S.N. and online R.N. to B.S.N. completion programs in Nursing, the university offers a B.A. degree in Health Care Management and a M.S.N. Family Nurse Practitioner Degree, Nurse Educator Degree and Post-MSN FNP and Post-NE programs.

For details, contact the School of Nursing, 1401 West Truman Road, Independence, Missouri 64050-3434 or telephone 1-800-833-0524.

Military Service

Educational programs on the Graceland University campuses are approved for current service members, veterans, and veterans’ dependents, who are eligible for benefits under existing laws. Students eligible for veterans’ benefits should contact the Registrar in Patroness Hall on the Lamoni, IA, campus prior to enrollment at the university.

Graceland University is a member of Servicemembers Opportunity Colleges, a consortium of over 1,500 colleges and universities that provide college-level educational opportunities for servicemembers and their families. As a SOC member, this institution:

Recognizes the GED high school equivalency certificate/diploma;
Recognizes learning gained from specialized training and experience in the military services;
Establishes competency by nationally recognized means, such as standardized tests;
Maintains a flexible transfer of credits policy for the mobile, active-duty servicemembers;
Publicizes alternative admissions procedures available to servicemembers and waives formal admission procedures for those seeking enrollment in course work for transfer to another institution;
Conducts a timely evaluation of the educational records and relevant experiences of servicemembers; and
Completes a student agreement or degree completion plan for all degree-seeking servicemembers.

College credit for active military service may be requested by any veteran by making application to the Registrar.