Henderson State University Admission Requirements

Undergraduate Admissions

Admissions Standards

Test Optional*:
2.5+ cumulative high school GPA

Unconditional Admission:
20+ Superscore ACT (or SAT equivalent) or
19 Superscore ACT and 3.25+ cumulative high school GPA

Conditional Admission:
16-19 Superscore ACT (or SAT equivalent)

*ALL students will still be required to submit ACT, SAT, or Accuplacer NextGen test scores for placement purposes only.

Learn more about Henderson State and the exciting opportunities waiting for you with a digital viewbook. For more information, call 1-800-228-7333 or 870-230-5028, or email admissions@hsu.edu.

Admission Requirements for Transfers

In order to transfer to Henderson from another school, you must meet the following admission requirements:

For students who have completed at least 12 transferable credit hours, you must be in good academic standing with your current and former institution(s) and have a transferable GPA of no less than 2.0 based on Henderson’s computation of courses.
For students with fewer than 12 transferable credit hours, you must also provide ACT or SAT test scores that meet the minimum test score requirements for freshman admission. You must also be in good academic standing with your current/former institution(s) and have a transfer GPA of no less than 2.0 based on Henderson’s computation of courses.

Here are the items you’ll need:

Henderson Application for Admission
Separate official transcripts from each college attended
Test Scores (if you’ve completed less than 12 hours transferable)
Certification of immunization

Transfer Scholarships

The application for admission serves as the application for academic transfer scholarships. The deadline for applying for academic transfer scholarships is on or before June 1 for the fall term or Nov. 1 for the spring term each academic year. Click here to learn more about transfer scholarships.

Transfer and Credit

Prior college-level coursework completed at either a two-year or four-year institution will be evaluated only after a student is admitted to Henderson State University and once all prior transcripts are submitted. All transcripts should be submitted to the Office of Enrollment Services and Admissions in Womack Hall 103A. For information regarding transfer admission requirements please visit Henderson’s transfer admissions page.

Graduate Students

A Henderson State University graduate degree prepares students to lead and succeed. The pursuit of knowledge never ends. No matter how far you have gone, there is always another step that can be taken. When you enroll in Henderson’s Graduate School, you will become a valued member of a community that shares your passion for learning.

Henderson offers graduate-level programs in business, education, counseling, sports administration and the liberal arts. A variety of graduate assistantships are available each semester for students enrolled in the graduate school. Contact the Graduate School Office to apply.

Henderson offers a variety of graduate programs designed to prepare you for the highest level of success. Some of the careers our graduates enter are superintendent, licensed counselor, sports administrator, business leader, educational specialist, and doctoral candidate in a variety of fields. We know you’re busy, so we’re flexible. Some of our programs are partly or completely online. We also offer some assistantships to help defray the costs of furthering your education. Contact us today to find out how Henderson can help you achieve your educational and vocational goals.

How do I apply for admission to Henderson State University as an international student?

Any student who is not currently a U.S. citizen, does not have a U.S. permanent resident card (green card), and is not an undocumented immigrant, should apply for admission as an international student. International undergraduate applicants (freshman, transfer, or dual degree) must submit the following:

International admissions application
Non-refundable $30 application fee. Payable by check or money order to the address below or via Flywire (http://hsu.flywire.com/). If you pay via Flywire, please be sure to note your full name as it appears on your application.
Official academic credentials, as described in the “What academic credentials are required…” section.
Demonstration of English proficiency, as described in the “What are Henderson State’s English language requirements?” section
Provide vaccination records listing all required immunizations.
A copy of your passport, including photo of yourself.
Proof that you, or someone who will sponsor you, can pay for your studies at HSU. The Statement of Financial Responsibility is required for this purpose. The financial statement should show that the student has at least $18,490 (USD) to cover tuition, fees, room and board, mandatory health insurance, and books and other course related expenses. This amount is an estimate based on a student who takes 12 credit hours per semester and resides in a double occupancy university dorm room and purchases a basic meal plan. The exact cost of tuition, fees, room and board, and health insurance will be calculated at the time of registration.

In addition, applicants who are Chinese citizens must also submit:

Student Status Statement: officially states the applicant is full-time registered student.
National College Entrance Exam (Gaokao) Score Certificate.

Application Deadlines

Fall Term: May 31

Spring Term: October 31

What are Henderson State’s English Language requirements?

Students who are citizens of non-English-speaking countries must show proof of English language proficiency.

Achieve a qualifying score on an English proficiency exam accepted at Henderson State. Minimum English Requirements (must meet one of the following):

IELTS – Score of 5 or better
Duolingo-Score of 90 or better
Pearson PTE score of 44 or better
Internet-based TOEFL – Score of 61 or better
Paper-based TOEFL – Score of 500 or better

Official test scores should be sent directly to Henderson State University using reporting code 6272. Scanned copies are acceptable. Please e-mail the test scores to international@hsu.edu.

What academic credentials are required for admission?

Degree-seeking international students who are applying to enter as a freshman:

Prerequisite: Graduation from a high school recognized by the ministry of education in your home country

Required credentials: Official transcripts/diplomas in English, showing all courses and grades of final three years of secondary school, with an equivalent to a US high school GPA of 2.50 or better.

Applicants must also submit ACT or SAT scores. Scores are used for placement purposes only so no minimum is required. If you are unable to obtain these scores accommodations can be made for you to take the ACT upon your arrival to Henderson.
Applicants from non-English-speaking countries must also show proof of English language proficiency, as described under “English language requirements.”

Degree-seeking international students who are transferring from another foreign college or university:

Prerequisite: Graduation from a high school recognized by the ministry of education in your home country, equivalent to a minimum U.S. 2.0 college GPA, and must be eligible to return to last institution attended

Required credentials: Official transcripts/diplomas in English, showing all courses from each college or university attended. You will need to submit your transcripts to a credential evaluation service first, before we can consider you a transfer student. This process must be done before the admission process can be completed.

Degree-seeking international students who are transferring from another American college or university:

Prerequisite: Minimum 2.0 college GPA (4.0 system)

Required credentials: Official transcripts from the university that you are currently attending. Print out the SEVIS Transfer Form, fill out the top half and submit it to the school you are currently attending. Once the form is filled out by the International Student Advisor at your current school,your advisor should submit it to the Center for International Programs at Henderson.

Degree-seeking international students who are applying to enter an approved 1+2+1 or 2+2 dual-bachelor-degree program:

Prerequisite: Graduation from a high school recognized by the ministry of education in your home country, minimum 2.0 college GPA (4.0 system), and must be eligible to return to last institution attended

Required credentials: Official transcripts/diplomas in English, showing all courses and grades of final three years of secondary school and from each college or university attended. (High school transcript not required if 30 or more credit hours completed at 2.0 GPA or higher.) Course descriptions must be submitted along with the transcript.

All official transcripts and gradesheets must bear the official seal or original signature of the appropriate school officer.

Sino-American Programs (Dual degree and non-degree)

CHEPD Program Overview

The Sino-American CHEPD (Cooperation on Higher Education and Professional Development) program is managed by the China Center for International Educational Exchange (CCIEE) and the American Association of State Colleges and Universities (AASCU). Currently, 65 Chinese Universities and over 35 of American universities participate in the program. Through this partnership, Chinese students can simultaneously receive degrees from their American university and Chinese university.

How the program works

The American university and Chinese university enter into a partnership to determine which programs align up with this model. A student would complete his or her first year in China. During that year, the student would apply to Henderson State University for the 1+2+1 program. When the student is accepted, they will study at Henderson State for the second and third years (sometimes this is longer if they need English training before starting academic courses. Students will then finish their programs with their last year back in China. Upon completion of all the requirements, they will receive a degree from Henderson State University and their Chinese institution.

There is also a non-degree model, called YES. YES stands for Youth Exchange Students. Students spend one academic year or one semester at an American university and transfer up to 30 credits back to their Chinese universities. Students completing a degree program will only be granted a degree in China. No degree is awarded from Henderson State University under this model

2+2 Dual Degree Program

The 2+2 Dual Degree Program is coordinated by the China Center for International Educational Exchange (CCIEE). This program is very similar to the CHEPD program in that participating students who complete the requirements will earn a bachelor’s degree from the home institution in China and a bachelor’s degree from Henderson State University. The programs differ in that 2+2 degree program students will apply to Henderson State Univesity in the second year of study and complete the third and fourth years at Henderson. Additional time may be needed if the student needs English-language training before beginning academic coursework.

Application Requirements for either program

Program application form
Registration verification (current Chinese university)
First year Chinese graduate program transcripts in English and Chinese (or first two years for the 2+2 program
Course descriptions
Chinese undergraduate transcripts (English and Chinese)
Undergraduate diploma (Copy and translation)
Undergraduate certificate (Degree verification. Copy and translation)
Personal statement
Chinese passport copy
Visa photo
Other supporting documents, e.g. TOEFL or IELTS English score
Proof that you, or someone who will sponsor you, can pay for your studies at HSU. The Statement of Financial Responsibility is required for this purpose. The financial statement should show that the student has at least $16,904 (USD) to cover tuition, fees, room and board, mandatory health insurance, and books and other course related expenses. This amount is an estimate based on a student who takes 6 credit hours per semester and resides in a double occupancy university dorm room and purchases a basic meal plan. The exact cost of tuition, fees, room and board, and health insurance will be calculated at the time of registration.

What will happen after I apply?

You will be informed of your admission status once your application and all required documents have been received and processed. Admissions decisions are usually made within two weeks after we receive all required documents.

Once a student is admitted, it generally takes about two weeks for us to issue an I-20 if we have received all of the necessary information. We will notify you via email when we issue your I-20.

What do I need after being admitted?

Upon receiving a letter of admission, international students should follow the housing application instructions on their admission letter or e-mail reslife@hsu.edu, so that living arrangements can be secured in one of the residence halls if such services are needed.

Students should consult the Planning and Arrival Information page for dates on which they must arrive at Henderson. Travel from the Little Rock, Arkansas airport for new students can be arranged by the Center for International Programs Office only on dates specified on their admission letter. Students who arrive on these dates must submit an Airport Greeting Request to the Center for International Programs Office. Students arriving before or after these specified dates must make their own transportation arrangements to Henderson and they must find temporary accommodations. All international students entering Henderson must attend a mandatory international student orientation at the beginning of the semester.

What should I do once arrive on campus?

Medical insurance is mandatory and may be purchased through Henderson. The cost is approximately $122 per month and it is payable along with tuition. The insurance fee is due in the fall and spring semester.