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Admission Requirements

APPLY FOR ADMISSION

Apply for admission, transfer and re-admission online or get more information on tuition and fees. Information provided on admissions applications may be sent to the Virginia State Police and other state and federal agencies as required by law.

Application Criteria

The Admissions Philosophy of Norfolk State University is to select students that may benefit from its program offerings, faculty, rich campus environment, and available support services.
NSU seeks students that will take advantage of the opportunity to engage in a transformational experience that can increase their ability to maximize their potential, and foster a passion for lifelong learning that will equip them to be engaged leaders and productive global citizens.
A completed application includes: 

  • Completed undergraduate application
  • Non-refundable $25 application fee - NSU accepts Official Application Fee Waivers  from the College Board, ACT and National Association for College Counseling (NACAC)
  • Official High School transcript(s)
  • SAT and/or ACT test score(s) - First year students applying for Spring or Fall 2024  will have the opportunity to apply as Test optional.   SAT and/or ACT test scores Students may be considered for scholarships by submitting an essay of no more than 650 words. Log into your application to view available essay topics under Supplemental Items. The priority deadline for submissions is February 1, 2024.
  • Official College Transcript of any completed coursework
  • Additional documentation requested upon application review

The Office of Admissions is authorized to review, accept, defer, or deny applicants based on this evaluation of a student’s application. NSU does not discriminate based on ethnicity, race, gender, age, disability or religious beliefs.

SAT & ACT Scores

First year students applying for Spring or Fall 2024 term will not be required to submit official test scores (ACT/SAT) for admissions. Students may be considered for scholarships by submitting an essay of no more than 650 words. Log into your application to view available essay topics under Supplemental Items. The priority deadline for submissions is February 1, 2024.

Required Completed Courses
The applicant should have completed a minimum total of 22 units distributed as follows:

Course Hours
English 4
Mathematics * 3
Science 3
History and Social Sciences 3
Health and Physical Education 2
Fine Arts or Practical Arts 1
Electives 6
TOTAL HOURS REQUIRED 22

* Algebra l, Geometry, Algebra ll recommended

HIGH SCHOOL EQUIVALENCY (GED)

Students with a high school equivalency diploma will be considered upon the successful completion of the General Education Development (GED) test with a minimum score of 530. GED graduates may be subject to the requirements outlined above. The University is interested in the quality of the applicant’s academic preparation and indicators of overall promise as a student.

DUAL ENROLLMENT, IB, AND AP CREDIT

Step One: Student must request official college transcript, International Baccalaureate (IB) and/or Advanced Placement (AP) examination scores be sent directly to Norfolk State University, Office of Admissions. Additional information on accepted scores can be foundhere.

Step Two: The Office of Admissions will evaluate the college transcript, IB, and/or AP scores.

Step Three: The Office of Admissions will generate the Certificate of Advanced Standing (CAS) that will be sent to the student and the selected academic department within six weeks of receipt.

The IB and AP policy may be found on the NSU Policies website.

Transfer Evaluation

Prospective transfer students will be admitted to Norfolk State University if the following requirements have been met:

  • The applicant has achieved a minimum cumulative grade point average of 2.0 or above, on a 4.0 grading scale from a regionally accredited college/university.
  • Official transcripts from all colleges attended have been submitted to the Office of Admissions.
  • High school transcript/GED scores and official copy of standardized test results (SAT/ACT) are required if fewer than 12 college semester hours of credit are transferrable.

Please view more information for Transfer Students

Declaring a Major

Norfolk State University offers students who are unsure of a major, an opportunity to explore various academic programs and careers through a General Education track in the Department of History and Interdisciplinary Studies. The Interdisciplinary General Education (BS.INT.GEN) track allows students an opportunity to take transferable general education classes while researching degree granting majors. Through intensive academic advisement by Spartan Success Center Advisors and the Interdisciplinary Studies faculty, students will declare a degree granting major prior to completing 30 credit hours.