As the only upper-division university in the Alabama Community College System (ACCS), the primary mission of Athens State University (ASU) is to serve ACCS transfer students and students transferring from other accredited institutions. The University’s admissions policies reflect the unique status of the institution and also reflect the diversity in the academic backgrounds of the students transferring to the University. The admissions policies of the University also comply with the applicable policy provisions of the Alabama State Board of Education.

All students entering Athens State University as degree-seeking students must have a minimum amount of earned college-level credit with an overall 2.0 grade point average on a 4.0 scale, or a degree from a regionally accredited college, technical college, or other institution of higher learning. The specific number of credit hours or degrees required for admission are published in the Student Admission Policy and in the ASU Catalog. Students who do not meet standard admissions requirements may appeal to the ASU Admissions Committee for review of their academic records and may be admitted after the review and approval of the Committee.

In addition to satisfying the academic admissions requirements of the University, students must also meet certain requirements concerning student identification and transfer of academic credit. As required by Alabama State Board of Education Policy 801.01, student identification requirements are published in the Student Admission Policy and in the ASU Catalog. Policies concerning the transfer of academic credit can be found in the Acceptance of Academic Credit Policy, the Academic Credit Policy, the Transcripts Policy, and in the Records section of the ASU Catalog.

ASU also publishes admissions requirements for non-degree seeking students and transient students. These requirements are published in the Transient Students Policy and in the ASU Catalog.

For the convenience of students, summaries of many admissions policies can also be found on the Admissions section of the University website.

Admissions policies and procedures are reviewed on a regular basis. Prior to January 2009, this review was done by the Admissions Committee. In January 2009, the University established the Admissions Policy Review and Procedures Committee to more clearly focus the duties of the Admissions Committee on the review of students applying for admission who do not meet standard admission requirements, and to charge the Admissions Policy Review and Procedures Committee with the review of admissions policies. All changes proposed by this Committee must be submitted for approval through the appropriate administrative channels.