Admission

First-year Admission, Day Division

The Admission staff reviews the applications of students who wish to matriculate in the undergraduate day division and pursue at least 12 credits of course work per semester. A student applying for full-time Day Division admission as a first-year directly from high school must supply the following information:

• The Day Division Application Form and Fee
• An official high school transcript, beginning with grade 9 and including grades from the first marking period of the senior year, or acceptable evidence of equivalent preparation
• For the Fall 2022 admission application cycle, Westfield State University will continue to be Test Optional for all applicants and majors. The Test Optional policy will be reviewed after the Fall 2022 application cycle to determine if the Test Optional policy will be applied to all majors.
• Official transcripts of any college work attempted
• First-year applicants participating in a dual enrollment program as part of their high school experience also must submit a complete listing of college courses attempted. A final official transcript of the dual enrollment experience must be submitted immediately upon its completion.

Test Optional Policy

Westfield State University no longer requires the submission of SAT or ACT scores for the majority of prospective students. Please refer to the policy guidelines below to determine if you are eligible to apply as a Test Optional candidate:

• TOEFL or IELTS exam is required for ESL applicants, or by submitting proof of competency in Level B2 of the program at the International Language Institute in Northampton, MA.
• Applicants with a high school GPA of 3.0 or higher are considered eligible candidates for undergraduate admission and are encouraged to submit SAT/ACT scores.
• Applicants with a high school GPA of 2.69 or below are encouraged to submit SAT/ACT scores.

In addition, first-year applicants must meet minimum admission standards established by the MA Board of Higher Education, which includes completing the following 17 college preparatory courses:

4 courses of English
4 courses of Mathematics (Algebra I and II; Geometry or Trigonometry; or comparable course work, including mathematics during the final year of high school)
2 courses of Social Sciences, (including 1 course of U.S. History)
3 courses of Science (from Natural Science and/or Physical Science and/or Technology/Engineering), including 3 units with laboratory work
2 courses of the same foreign language
2 courses of electives (taken from the above list and/or the Arts and Humanities and Computer Sciences)

The University has a selective admission policy. In accordance with the guidelines established by the Massachusetts Department of Higher Education and with the approval of the University Board of Trustees, Westfield State University has reserved the right to set higher minimum standards than those published by the Massachusetts Department of Higher Education for the State Universities. Specific majors may require additional specific courses for admission. Some majors also may require a performance test as part of the admission process.

Exemptions from these guidelines and the 17 courses may be granted for applicants who qualify under specific guidelines determined by the Massachusetts Department of Higher Education. Contact the Office of Admission for further information.

Applicants who meet the minimum eligibility requirements are not guaranteed admission to the University. The successful applicant has achieved a solid academic record while maintaining a challenging academic program and will have demonstrated a willingness to contribute to the life of the community.

The first-year filing deadline for fall admission is November 15 (Early Action) and March 1 (Regular Decision); the filing date for spring admission is November 15. Admission decisions are made on an individual basis by the Admission staff beginning October 1 for the spring term, mid-November (Early Action), and late in January for fall (Regular Decision) after all required documents are received.

Accepted first-year students attending Massachusetts public high schools must present evidence of passing the M.C.A.S. prior to enrollment. A final, official high school transcript conferring graduation will suffice for this purpose.

Admission Profile, Day Division

Class of 2025 entering Westfield State Day Division September 2021 (as of 05/03/2021):

Mean Grade Point Average: 3.30 on a 4.0 scale (3.00 = B)
Mean SAT Scores: Critical Reading: 550 Math: 550

Class of 2025 summary*:

4,100 applications were received

3,554 complete applications received

3,315 applicants were accepted
772 accepted students deposited

New transfer student summary, Fall 2021 Day Division*:

450 transfer applications were received
240 transfer applicants were accepted
138 accepted transfer students deposited

*Based on data available at the time of publication (05/03/2021).

Transfer Admission

Transfer applicants are those who have attempted to complete any number of college courses at a regionally accredited college or university after high school graduation and prior to their planned enrollment term at Westfield State.

All transfer applicants must submit the Office of Admission’s application form and fee*, an official high school transcript* (or its equivalent), official transcripts from all colleges previously attended, including Westfield State University, if applicable, and a list of college courses in progress during the term that immediately precedes the planned enrollment term at Westfield.

*Applicants who graduate from the Massachusetts community college system prior to enrolling at Westfield are exempted from submitting the application fee, and generally are exempted from submitting the high school transcript.

Failure to submit complete, official copies of ALL previous academic credentials constitutes academic dishonesty and will cause an offer of admission to be rescinded.

To be considered for admission as a transfer, applicants are required to meet one of the following criteria:

• 12-23 transferable college credits and a minimum 2.5 college GPA;
• Up to 23 transferable college credits, a minimum 2.0 college GPA, and a high school transcript that meets the admission standards for freshman applicants; or
• 24 or more transferable college credits and a minimum 2.0 college GPA

Please note that some majors may have higher GPA requirements.

Qualified Massachusetts community college graduates, particularly those with MassTransfer Program status are given priority for admission into all major programs of study, provided their applications are submitted and all other required documents are received by the priority deadline.

A student must complete successfully a minimum of 30 credits and all remaining requirements for the major field of study, as well as all other degree requirements, to receive a baccalaureate degree from Westfield. All undergraduate non-matriculated students taking courses through the College of Graduate and Continuing Education who wish to pursue a degree must be enrolled in a degree program prior to the completion of the last 30 credits needed for graduation. In addition, some major programs of study require the completion of a minimum number of credits in residency at Westfield State University.

The Day Division transfer application deadline for fall admission is March 1; the spring filing date is November 15. Day Division applicants to the MassTransfer program should submit their MassTransfer forms by the fall priority filing deadline of March 1; the spring priority filing deadline is October 15.

Day Division admission is competitive and not guaranteed to all applicants who meet minimum eligibility standards. Transfer admission decisions are made on an individual basis beginning February 1 for the fall semester and October 1 for the spring semester after all required credentials have been received. The number of transfers accepted will be determined by existing vacancies in each degree program and the number of applicants deemed eligible according to transfer admission standards determined by the Massachusetts Department of Higher Education and Westfield State University. Admission decisions of the College of Graduate and Continuing Education are made on a rolling basis and take into account the special experiences of non-traditional students.

Once admitted to Westfield State University, the transfer student assumes a new cumulative average that is subject to academic policies established by the University.

Transfer credits are accepted from regionally accredited colleges only, in academic disciplines that are compatible with the Westfield State University curriculum. The minimum transferable grade for these courses generally is ‘C-.’  Applicants may transfer in a maximum of 90 credits from a regionally accredited institution, of which no more than 79 (effective fall 2018) credits can come from a two-year institution (including AP, CLEP, and military experiences).

Students enrolled in the RN-BSN degree completion program,which is housed exclusively in CGCE, may transfer up to 90 credit hours earned at a regionally accredited two and/or four year higher education institution towards the completion of the Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) without time restriction upon meeting the following criteria prior to enrollment:

• Earn an Associate Degree in Nursing from a regionally accredited institution, and
• Hold a current unencumbered RN License.

Transfer credits earned under the Massachusetts Nursing Education Transfer Compact (NETC), the MassTransfer Block and other agreements are inclusive of these 90 credits which may be transferred toward a BSN degree.  Students must complete no less than 30 credits at Westfield State University and fulfill all graduation requirements.

Transfer grades earned in nursing and science courses are subject to standards set for all BSN students, while transfer grades earned in courses from other disciplines are subject to guidelines of the statewide MassTransfer policy or Westfield State University general transfer policies, depending on each student’s eligibility.

Transfer Grade Policy

The minimum acceptable grade will be a C- (1.7).

This policy will not apply to courses completed as part of a designated MassTransfer associate’s degree from a Massachusetts community college. The minimum transferable grade for courses completed under this program generally is D (1.0). D grades will transfer for these students only within the 60-credit guarantee of the MassTransfer degree.  Additionally, students who transfer from any Massachusetts public higher education institution may transfer D grades only as part of the completed 34-credit MassTransfer block.

Courses taken at other institutions after a student’s initial enrollment at Westfield State University are subject to the following policy: Undergraduate Transfer Courses Taken at Other Institutions After Matriculation  

This policy change was implemented for students entering in spring 1995.

Policy On Transferring Older Credits

Transfer credits earned at regionally accredited institutions other than Westfield State University more than 10 years prior to an applicant’s planned entrance date are evaluated on a course-by-course basis, and admitted students may be awarded up to a total of 60 credits, which comprises one half of the bachelor’s degree. The minimum transferable grade for these courses is C (2.0).

An evaluation of older credits should be done in consideration of the appropriateness and applicability of the credits earned to the programs offered by the University, and according to the following distribution order: first, award credits to the Common Core; second, award general elective credits; and third, consider awarding credits to the intended major program.

To preserve the integrity of a contemporary baccalaureate degree for all graduates of Westfield State University, the appropriate department chairperson, or other designated department faculty member, must evaluate all older credits being considered for the major program as part of the admission process to determine their current relevance. Further, older credits that otherwise would provide foundation course work in or directly related to the current major program in most cases should not be applied to the major unless the student otherwise demonstrates to the department chairperson, or other designated department faculty member, a sufficient level of proficiency in the subject matter that allows for advanced course placement.

The total number of older credits to be awarded toward the major should not exceed one-third of the total number of credits required for the major program.

Students with older credits awarded in the admission process who subsequently change their major program should have their previously awarded older general elective credits reevaluated by the appropriate department chair, or other designated department faculty member, to determine their current relevance to the newly designated major program. However, such a post-matriculation review of older credits in a new major program should not alter the original total number of credits generally awarded toward completion of the bachelor’s degree. Admitted students who wish to appeal the evaluation of their older credits may submit a rationale for reconsideration in writing through the division to which they applied for admission so long as the 60-credit maximum is not exceeded.

Older credits earned at Westfield State University are not affected by this policy.

This policy change is effective for students entering spring 2004.

MassTransfer Program

In June 2008, the Board of Higher Education accepted the Final Report from the Commonwealth Transfer Advisory Group which included a new statewide transfer policy: MassTransfer. MassTransfer seeks to provide a broad population of students with straightforward and understandable options toward the completion of associate and baccalaureate degrees, clearing the way for student access and student success in Massachusetts’ public higher education system.

MassTransfer has two main purposes:

• to provide community college students who complete approved associate degrees under MassTransfer with the benefits of the full transfer and applicability of credit, guaranteed admission, and a tuition discount (each benefit based on the student’s final grade point average) to linked baccalaureate programs; and
• to provide any student in the Massachusetts public higher education system the intermediate goal of completing a portable transfer block (“MassTransfer Block”) which satisfies general education/distribution/core requirements across institutions (with the receiving institution able to add no more than six additional credits/two courses). The determination of the 2 classes will be based on omissions in the student’s transcript in relation to the Westfield State University core requirements at the time of admission.

MassTransfer integrates and replaces the Commonwealth Transfer Compact, Joint Admissions, and the Tuition Advantage Program as of fall 2009. Community college students who matriculated prior to fall 2009 and who choose to continue in the Commonwealth Transfer Compact and/or Joint Admissions Program will be required to complete their associate degrees by August 2013 and must matriculate at a Massachusetts state college or University of Massachusetts campus by fall 2014.

Students matriculating in fall 2009 as well as currently enrolled students may accumulate courses leading toward the completion of an approved associate degree under MassTransfer or the MassTransfer Block. The policy benefits will apply to students who complete either an approved associate degree or the MassTransfer Block beginning fall 2010, regardless of initial date of enrollment at the community college.

A student seeking readmission as a matriculated student to an institution previously attended-whether on a full-time or part-time basis-is held to the receiving institution’s readmission policies.

Section I: For students completing an associate degree under MassTransfer at a Massachusetts community college.

A student completing an associate degree program under MassTransfer will have graduated with a minimum of 60 credit hours and will have completed the following 34-credit general education transfer block, exclusive of developmental coursework:

English Composition/Writing, 6 credit hours
Behavioral and Social Sciences, 9 credit hours
Humanities and Fine Arts, 9 credit hours
Natural or Physical Science, 7 credit hours, including one 4-credit lab
Mathematics/Quantitative Reasoning, 3 credit hours

Each associate degree program under MassTransfer is linked to baccalaureate degrees and schools at the Massachusetts state colleges and University of Massachusetts campuses across the Commonwealth. The list of associate degree programs and linked baccalaureate programs under MassTransfer will be available at www.mass.edu/masstransfer, as well as on the transfer websites at the individual public higher education institutions.

Benefits
A student completing an associate degree who seeks admission to a linked baccalaureate program under MassTransfer will be entitled to the following benefits based upon the final cumulative grade point average at the community college awarding the degree:

1. A final cumulative grade point average of a 2.0 or higher
   1. Waives the admissions application fee and essay
   2. Guarantees the full transfer of college-level credits, including “D” grades, applied to the degree requirements of the linked baccalaureate degree or school at the state college or University of Massachusetts campus such that the MassTransfer student will be required to complete no more credits or courses than a native student with the following stipulations:
      • The student changes his or her major.
      • If the linked baccalaureate program requires a higher grade point average or specific courses for the major which are required of native students, the MassTransfer student must meet these requirements.
   3. Satisfies the general education requirements at the receiving institution with the receiving institution able to add no more than six additional credits / two courses in compliance with the New England Association of Schools and Colleges’ Standards for Accreditation. This will apply when the receiving institution already places these requirements on its native students and will determine at its discretion which credits, if any, shall be required.
      
      Note: College-level course credits consistent with the standards set forth in the Undergraduate Experience recommendations are included under MassTransfer. Credits awarded by the sending institution through CLEP, challenge examinations, and credit for prior learning shall be included when a student qualifies under MassTransfer.
      
      Please be advised that Westfield State’s minimum transfer standard is higher than 2.0 and varies by major.
2. A final cumulative grade point average of a 2.5 or higher
   1. Grants all of the benefits outlined in section 1A.
   2. Guarantees admission to the linked baccalaureate degree or school at a Massachusetts state college or University of Massachusetts campus with the following stipulations:
      • If the linked baccalaureate program requires a higher grade point average which is required of native students, the MassTransfer student must meet this requirement.
      • If, because of space or fiscal limitations, the receiving institution does not admit all qualified applicants to a given major or program, the receiving institution will use the same criteria for MassTransfer applicants as it does for its native students.
      • Students must be in good academic, fiscal and disciplinary standing with all previous institutions.
      • Admission to Westfield’s education licensure programs requires a 2.60.
3. A final cumulative grade point average of a 3.0 or higher
   1. Grants all of the benefits outlined in sections 1A and 1B.
   2. Guarantees a tuition waiver equal to 100% of the Massachusetts resident tuition rate at a state college or University campus for two years of undergraduate enrollment with the following requirements:
      • Enrollment is continuous at the state college or University campus.
      • The student earns a cumulative grade point average of a 3.0 or higher for the first year of enrollment at the state college or University of Massachusetts campus.
      • The 100% tuition waiver will be awarded to qualified students upon receipt of an official degree-bearing transcript or letter from the sending institution’s Registrar stating that degree requirements are completed before transferring to Westfield State.

Section II: For students completing the general education transfer block at any Massachusetts higher education institution with a 2.0 or higher grade point average.

A student completing the general education transfer block will have earned the following 34 credit hours outlined below, exclusive of developmental coursework.

English Composition/Writing, 6 credit hours
Behavioral and Social Sciences, 9 credit hours
Humanities and Fine Arts, 9 credit hours
Natural or Physical Science, 7 credit hours, including one 4-credit lab
Mathematics/Quantitative Reasoning, 3 credit hours

Benefit
Students completing the 34-credit general education transfer block (exclusive of developmental coursework) with a 2.0 or higher grade point average will be entitled to the following benefit:

Satisfies the general education requirements at the receiving institution with the receiving institution able to add no more than six additional credits / two courses in compliance with the New England Association of Schools and Colleges’ Standards for Accreditation. This will apply when the receiving institution already places these requirements on its native students and will determine at its discretion which credits, if any, shall be required. Students enrolled in a specific major or degree program may be required to take additional courses if these courses are specifically required for the major or program and are required of native students. The determination of the 2 classes will be based on omissions in the student’s transcript in relation to the Westfield State University core requirements at the time of admission.

MassTransfer A2B Degree and Commonwealth Commitment Programs

Effective with fall 2016 and fall 2017 enrollment within the Mass. community college system, the MassTransfer program was expanded to include two additional features that award extra transfer benefits to qualified students in 16 academic disciplines:

• MassTransfer A2B Degree (associate-to-bachelor’s degree) agreements in selected disciplines guarantee that students who complete a 60-credit curriculum map attached to their community college degree will receive a foundation block of transfer credits applied directly to the corresponding major at the four-year transfer institution.  Students who complete the A2B Degree with a 3.00 graduation QPA or higher and transfer directly to Westfield State within one year of completing the associate degree also are eligible to receive the MassTransfer Tuition Waiver. 
• A2B Degree students who earn a graduation QPA of 3.0 or higher and transfer directly to Westfield State immediately upon completing the associate degree may also qualify for the Commonwealth Commitment, which awards an additional financial incentive of a freeze on the annual cost of full-time in-state tuition and mandatory fees, as well as a 10% discount on the cost of mandatory fees.  Students must have signed up to participate in the Commonwealth Commitment program prior to completing 15 credits at the community college and must transfer to Westfield as full-time students.  Upon transferring to Westfield, qualified Commonwealth Commitment students also are eligible to receive the MassTransfer Tuition Waiver.

More detailed information on qualifying terms and conditions of the MassTransfer A2B Degree and Commonwealth Commitment program, including system-wide MassTransfer A2B Degree curriculum maps, is available on the Mass. Department of Higher Education website at: http://www.mass.edu/masstransfer/about/home.asp

Transfer Credit Appeals Process

Students who question the evaluation and awarding of transfer credits earned prior to their enrollment date at Westfield State University should submit an appeal in writing to the Admission Office. The Associate Director of Transfer Admission will review the appeal and consult, on an as-needed basis, with the appropriate academic department chair(s) and the Director of Admission. If resolution is not reached at this level, the matter will be brought to the Vice President of Enrollment Management and the Vice President of Academic Affairs, or his/her designee, for a final decision.

International Student Admission

Any international student seeking admission to the University must submit the same information and meet the same requirements established for first-year or transfer applicants. Additional required application documents include, where applicable: Official English translations of all secondary and post-secondary school transcripts and examination results; official copy of the Test of English as Foreign Language (TOEFL) for students whose native language is not English (550 paper test minimum score; 213 computer test minimum score; 79 internet minimum score) or the International English Language Testing System (IELTS) results (minimum score required: 6.5);or submitting proof of completion of Level 8 in the program at the International Language Institute in Northampton, Ma; bank-notarized Certification of Finances Form and a bank statement; English translations of course descriptions and school accreditation information, and a photocopy of the applicant’s current Visa, and/or I-20 form (applies to transfer students only).

All original academic transcripts and examinations, plus English translations, must be submitted directly to the Center for Educational Documentation, in Boston, MA, by the Day Division filing deadline, noted below. An evaluation fee will be assessed to applicants for this service by the Center. For more information, contact the Center at www.Cedevaluations.com. TOEFL information may be obtained by contacting the University Board Educational Testing Service in Princeton, NJ.  IELTS information may be obtained by accessing the website at: www.ielts.org.

All international applications to the Day Division must be received by March 1 for entrance the following September and November 15 for the following January. International students applying to the College of Graduate and Continuing Education may apply throughout the year.

Permanent resident applicants with academic credentials from institutions outside of the US also must have their international documents evaluated by the Center for Educational Documentation in Boston, MA.