Mar 29, 2024  
2021-2022 Undergraduate Bulletin 
    
2021-2022 Undergraduate Bulletin [ARCHIVED CATALOG]

Special Programs


On-Campus programs provide a number of unique offerings in order to serve a wider range of students. These programs may not be available to SWU Online students.

Gateway to Learning (Special Student Categories)

Southern Wesleyan University, as a community of scholars, opens its doors to students who may not be pursuing a degree from the university. The GATEWAY TO LEARNING program permits transient and continuing-education students to audit courses (no credit) or earn up to eighteen credit hours before being required to register as a regular student. Individuals interested in the GATEWAY program should complete the GATEWAY TO LEARNING application and must re-apply for each subsequent term of enrollment. The following describes the special categories of GATEWAY students.

High School Students

Rising junior and senior high school students may be admitted to Southern Wesleyan University as dual enrolled students.  Dual enrolled students may complete up to 30 credit hours per academic year for a total of 60 credit hours without pursuing a baccalaureate degree. Dual enrolled students who complete 30 credit hours per year may wish to consider enrolling in the Associate of Arts in General Studies degree program.

 Dual enrolled students must complete the GATEWAY TO LEARNING application, obtained through the Admissions Office, which includes permission of their guidance counselor or principal. Tuition for regular courses is at a rate equal to 10% of the part-time tuition per credit (see Tuition & Fees). Additionally, a technology fee of $15 per credit hour and any other fees related to the course(s) for which they register are due prior to enrollment.

Transient Students

Students who are currently enrolled at another college or university and wish to enroll in courses at Southern Wesleyan University with the intent of transferring course credits back to their home institution will be designated as transient students.  Transient students enrolling for credit will be accepted for this program with the written approval of the home institution. Transient students may not earn more than 18 credit hours unless a full application for admission is completed and approved. The regular tuition schedule applies as well as the standard per semester technology fee and any other course-specific fees.

Continuing-Education Students

Students wishing to take courses for personal or professional development may also enroll as Gateway students.  The regular tuition schedule applies as well as the standard per semester technology fee and any other course-specific fees.

Auditors

Individuals wishing to audit courses at Southern Wesleyan University for non-credit may do so on a space available basis at a rate equal to 10% of the part-time tuition per credit (see Tuition & Fees). Auditors may participate in classroom activities and may do all assignments as they choose. However, faculty are not required to grade or give feedback on assignments or tests submitted by auditors. Students who register to audit a course may not change to a for-credit basis after the last date to add a class in a given semester. Also, once a course has been audited, the student is not eligible to receive credit for that course by examination. Auditors who are not regularly admitted students must enroll by completing the Gateway to Learning Application. Specific course fees (for example, laboratory fees) will be charged. This option is not available for private lessons or directed/independent study courses offered by the university. No limit is placed on the number of courses audited.

Senior Citizens

Persons aged sixty-five or above may audit regular courses at Southern Wesleyan University on a space-available basis at a rate equal to 10% of the part-time tuition per credit (see Tuition & Fees). Specific course fees (for example, laboratory fees) will be charged. This option is not available for private lessons or directed/independent study courses offered by the university. No limit is placed on the number of courses audited. However, if credit is desired, the policies related to continuing education or regular admission will apply.

OneLife Program

OneLife is a nine-month Christian gap year program for students who want to grow in their faith, experience genuine community, serve others, and travel while earning credits for college.  The OneLife mission is to develop servant leaders who live out their faith in every area of life.  The objectives of OneLife are to develop:

  • Christian character;
  • a biblical understanding of calling and vocation;
  • relational wisdom and emotional intelligence.

Office of Retention

The Office of Retention and Data Analytics serves to collect and analyze student data and information from staff, faculty, and other university departments in order to retain students and facilitate student engagement in the university experience. The Office of Retention and Data Analytics fosters relationships among many constituents campus-wide and initiates programs and services to spearhead an innovative, integrated, and comprehensive initiative to utilize and promote proven best practices for student retention. This is accomplished through collaboration with key university departments and analysis of student data to discover areas of opportunity that enhance the student experience. Additionally, the Office of Retention and Data Analytics fosters holistic student development through intentional efforts that support the personal, spiritual, social, and academic development of students.