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ACT/SAT Requirement Update:

Effective November 14, 2020, ACT & SAT test scores are permanently optional for undergraduate Admissions. Please contact your Admissions Counselor with any questions.

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The Admissions Office invites prospective students, their parents and friends to visit Graceland’s Lamoni campus for an individual visit or one of several campus preview programs offered throughout the year.  Please call 866-GRACELAND (866-472-2352) or visit us online at https://www.graceland.edu/visit to make arrangements for your personalized visit.

Graceland University does not discriminate against any student or prospective student on the basis of race, color, religion, age, sex, national origin, disability, or sexual orientation.  We are a caring community dedicated to the physical, intellectual and spiritual well-being of each individual.  Gracelanders join together to create an atmosphere of openness, mutual respect and diversity.

Graceland does reserve the right to deny admission to a student who is deemed unable to adjust successfully to the Graceland environment.

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High School Students

A student seeking admission to Graceland from high school must submit an application (www.graceland.edu/apply), a high school transcript with at least six semesters of work. Optional documents include ACT or SAT results. Documents should be sent to the Admissions Office, Graceland University, 1 University Place, Lamoni, Iowa 50140.

Of the credentials Graceland University evaluates, a student’s overall academic record is far the most important.

Although Graceland does not require a prescribed high school program or number of courses, to best prepare for your Graceland academic 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

Everyone who applies to Graceland is evaluated individually. Admissions personnel pay special attention to:

  • Academic (grade) success
  • Level of course challenge
  • Overall academic potential
  • School and community involvement
  • Character and personality

To be considered for acceptance to Graceland, an applicant must:

  • Be a high school graduate or have a General Educational Development (GED) high school equivalency certificate/diploma and
  • Have a 2.50 grade point average or above on a 4.00 system.

Students who do not meet the above listed criteria, may request to be accepted through the Alternate Acceptance Procedure.

Please review the Alternative Procedure for Acceptance for more information. If accepted, depending upon a review of high school transcripts, applicants may be required to take developmental courses.

Submit the following items for Admission

  • An online application
  • An official high school transcript with or without ACT or SAT scores
  • Students completing GED exams, all GED tests
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ACT & SAT Test Scores

Effective immediately, Graceland will begin superscoring SAT and ACT scores. Superscoring means a college considers the highest section scores across all testing dates. For example, if you take the ACT twice, we will consider your highest Math, English, Reading, and Science section scores even if those didn’t come from the same testing date.

    • Graceland strongly encourages students to submit scores each time they take either the SAT or the ACT.
    • Graceland will superscore both the SAT and the ACT.
    • Only the highest section scores for either the SAT or the ACT will be considered as part of the admissions review process.
    • Each time SAT or ACT scores are submitted, the student’s record is updated with the new high section scores.
    • Graceland considers the highest SAT superscore or the highest ACT superscore.
    • If a student submits both SAT and ACT scores, Graceland will consider the highest superscore from either the SAT or the ACT, whichever is best.

ACT prep for college bound students
SAT prep guide

General Educational Development (GED) and other state or nationally recognized test scores may be used as high school equivalency.

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 any certified vendor.

For athletic eligibility, the ACT/SAT test results must come from official test centers on the national testing dates. To ensure Graceland University receives your results in a timely manner be sure to enter our school code (ACT = 1314 / SAT = 6249).

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

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Home School Students

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

To be considered for acceptance to Graceland, an applicant must:

  • Be a high school graduate or have a General Educational Development (GED) high school equivalency certificate/diploma and
  • Have a 2.50 grade point average or above on a 4.00 system, OR meet the following criteria:
  • Rank in upper 50 percent of your high school class, and have either a minimum composite ACT score of 21 or a minimum combined SATI score of 1060. Graceland does accept superscores.

Students who do not meet the above listed criteria, may request to be accept through the Alternate Acceptance Procedure.

Please review the Alternate Procedure for Acceptance for more information. If accepted, depending upon a review of high school transcripts, applicant may be required to take developmental courses.

Submit the following items for Admission

  • An online application
  • An official high school transcript with or without ACT or SAT scores
  • Students completing GED exams, all GED tests
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International Students

Applicants from countries outside the United States are considered by the Admissions Office on an individual basis.

In order to be considered for acceptance to Graceland, an applicant most provide the follow official documents containing the listed information:

  1. Show academic proficiency. Have a grade point average of 2.50 or above based on a 4.00 system.
  2. Competency in the English language. A TOEFL score of 62 (internet-based); or an IELTS equivalent score of 6.0; or a DuoLingo equivalent score of 90, is required for applicants whose primary language is not English. If you are unable to access a testing location due to COVID-19 in your country, please contact your Admissions Counselor regarding alternative English proficiency assessment options.
  3. Optional – either a minimum composite ACT score of 21 or a minimum combined SAT score of 1060.
  4. Show Financial Support. If applying for financial aid, an International Financial Aid Application is required. Advising and support services are provided by the Intercultural Office and the academic advisor. All forms are available through the Admissions Office or online.

Read more about the admissions process for international students.

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Non-Traditional/Transfer Students

Non-Traditional Students, all applicants who have been out of high school for one or more years and have completed 23 or less college credit course. For acceptance guidelines, please refer back to traditional student guidelines. When applying, please complete transfer application.

Transfer students, to be considered for admissions an applicant has to have attended college full-time for at least two semesters and/or has accumulated 24 semester hours or more of credit with a 2.0 GPA or higher.

Submit the following items

  • An online application
  • Official high school transcripts (if college work totals less than 24 semester hours)
  • Official transcripts from all colleges previously attended

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 D- or better.

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.

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Alternative Procedure for Acceptance

Graceland University has developed standards for acceptance based on commonly used indicators, which reflect a prospective student has been prepared and has the potential to complete college level work at a passing level. These indicators are chosen as they reflect a student’s aptitude for certain subjects, commitment to their education, and performance.

The alternate procedure for acceptance is designed to provide a pathway for admission for students who do not meet these standards. This process gathers additional information which may be helpful in determining the readiness of a prospective student, which may not be adequately reflected by the acceptance criteria.

Recruiters are to consult with the VP of Enrollment when they become aware of a student, for which the alternate procedure may be appropriate for consideration. Additional pieces of information will be requested by the Dean of Admissions, or designee, on a case-by-case basis, and may include the following:

  1. A written statement from the student answering the following questions:
    • What factors have led to your below standard grade point average, test score, or class rank?
    • What have you done, and when, to improve your academic or testing performance?
    • What steps will you take at Graceland to set yourself up for success both academically and personally?
    • What coping strategies do you utilize when managing stress?
    • What are some challenges you anticipate you might face in college? How will you choose to respond?
  2. Up-to-date High School transcripts including the most recently completed semester, when possible.
  3. 2-3 Letters of recommendation, email, or reference-check-style interview, from a high school employee who can verify college readiness. The interview can be documented in a report and submitted for review by an Admissions Counselor, Coach, the VP of Enrollment, or their designee. The following information will be requested:
    • Please describe __(name of prospective student)__ as a student and community member.
    • Please describe their character/work ethic in the academic environment.
    • Do you believe __(name of prospective student)__ is ready for college level academic work?

The Admissions Counselor, Coach, or VP of Enrollment, will communicate directly with the prospective student, outlining what is requested and a deadline for completion. Once collected, information regarding prospective student athletes will be evaluated by the Athletic Director, or designee, and forwarded to the VP of Enrollment, for review and acceptance decision. All other prospective students will be forwarded directly to the VP of Enrollment, or their designee.

When a decision has been reached, it will be communicated to the Admissions Counselor/Coach and the Admissions Specialists to have the prospective student’s record updated to reflect the acceptance decision.

The Admissions Counselor, Coach, the VP of Enrollment, or their designee will contact the student to let them know the decision within one week of submission of all requested materials.

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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:

Cottey College, Nevada, MO
Des Moines Area Community College
Eastern Iowa Community College District – Clinton, Muscatine, Scott
Indian Hills Community College
Iowa Central Community College
Iowa Valley Community College District – Ellsworth, Marshalltown, Grinnell
Iowa Western Community College
Johnson County Community College
Kirkwood Community College
Metropolitan Community College-Omaha, NE
Metropolitan Community College District – Kansas City, MO – Blue River, Longview, Maple Wood, Penn Valley
North Central Missouri College, Trenton, MO
North Iowa Area Community College
Northeast Iowa Community College
Northwest Iowa Community College
Southwestern Community College
Western Iowa Tech Community College

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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:

    • An Application: www.graceland.edu/ace-program
    • 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. A $50.00 administration fee is assessed each term.

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.

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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

Admission Requirements for undergraduate nursing programs can be found HERE

Admission Requirements for graduate nursing programs can be found HERE

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 M.S.N. Family Nurse Practitioner Degree, Adult & Gerontology Acute Care Nurse Practitioner Degree and Post-MSN FNP, Post-NE, and Post-AGACNP programs.

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

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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. Graceland University is a Department of Defense Memorandum of Understanding signatory member and supports the Principles of Excellence. Students eligible for veterans’ benefits should contact the Registrar in the F.M. Smith LIbrary on the Lamoni, IA, campus prior to enrollment at the university.

Graceland University:

  • 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 service members;
  • Publicizes alternative admissions procedures available to service members 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 service members; and
  • Completes a degree completion plan for all degree-seeking service members.

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

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