Admissions

Admission Requirements

Baptist University of Florida welcomes deeply dedicated Christians regardless of age, sex, race, or national origin. Baptist University of Florida does not require the signed affirmation of Christian faith and service for online and commuter students in non-theology and non-worship leadership degree programs and non-degree seeking students. However, the university reserves the right to restrict or deny admission to any applicant for reasons determined to be in the best interest of the school by the officers thereof.

As the following criteria indicates, the Baptist University of Florida practices a comprehensive approach in admission policy. All criteria will be considered by the admissions committee in determining each applicant’s admission to the university.

Undergraduate Application for Admission

Submitting the application form Tis the first step toward admission to Baptist University of Florida. The application can be completed online at www.buf.edu/apply.

Once all information is received on the application, the applicant’s file will be reviewed by the admissions team, who will promptly inform the applicant of their decision. If an applicant fails to register for classes within one year of approval, they will be required to reapply and provide updated information. The university reserves the right to conduct a background check and/or credit check on any applicant. All applicants are encouraged to contact the Office of Admissions at any time if they have questions. All forms needed for the admissions process can be found on the university website at https://admissions.buf.edu/.

Degree Seeking Applicants

Regular Admission

Residential students and students in Theology and Worship Leadership degree programs will submit a signed affirmation of Christian faith and service.
*Online and commuter students in Non-Theology and Non-Worship Leadership degree programs and Non-Degree Seeking students are not required to submit a signed affirmation of Christian faith and service.
Applicants will possess a high school diploma or the equivalent General Education Diploma (GED). Official academic transcripts and GED certificates with scores and date of completion or graduation must be sent from their points of origin directly to the Office of Admissions. Applicants who are high school seniors awaiting graduation may register for classes but must ensure submission of official high school transcripts promptly after graduation. Students who graduated from high schools outside the USA may submit unofficial transcripts if they cannot secure official transcripts.
Applicants may be provisionally admitted to their first term of study without the official high school transcripts. In such cases, the provisionally admitted students will be allowed to register and begin classes. They must, however, submit official high school transcripts before the end of their first term of study, or the student will not be able to register for courses in the following term. In all cases of provisional admittance, the student is responsible for tuition and fees due to the university for their first term before grades are recorded. Failure to provide the required documentation will result in a registration hold for future terms and may lead to the reversal of financial aid disbursements and/or cancellation of enrollment.
Applicants will submit any necessary official transcripts from institutions of higher education attended. Transfer students from colleges and universities will not need to submit a high school transcript, if they have completed 18 hours of college course credit. Transfer students who have earned an Associate of Arts degree or higher from an institutionally accredited college or university will be able to submit an official college transcript in lieu of the high school transcript requirement (see also Transfer of Credit from Other Institutions).
1. Unofficial transcripts may be submitted in lieu of official transcripts for admission of students who have an undergraduate or graduate degree from an institution of higher learning outside of the USA.
Test Scores (test-optional): Applicants can submit ACT, SAT, PERT, CLT or equivalent test scores intended to demonstrate college readiness. These scores are not required for admission but may be requested as evidence for academic ability, financial aid, or other reasons determined by the university. The university reserves the right to request a test score at any point in the process.
Applicants will submit an official document demonstrating legal residential status within the USA if the student is not a US-citizen and is studying residentially, including hybrid students. Online students can be U.S. or non-U.S. citizens studying remotely from any location. Non-US Citizens who are online students studying remotely do not need to verify legal residency in the U.S. for admissions purposes but must provide proof of identity for admission, tuition, and academic integrity in one of the following forms: 1. Passport (Preferred Option), 2. National Identification Card, or 3. Driver’s License (If Issued in Home Country).
Homeschool students, in addition to all other requirements, must present a minimum 2.5 GPA on a 4.0 scale on a homeschool transcript and give evidence of having earned a minimum of 20 units, with at least 14 units from the fields of English (4), math (4), social sciences (3), and natural sciences (3).
Conditional admission will apply to degree-seeking applicants whose credentials raise concerns about their ability to complete a degree program at Baptist University of Florida. Conditionally admitted applicants can achieve regular admission to the university by demonstrating their capacity to undertake university coursework during the first two regular semesters. Under no circumstances will students remain on conditional admission beyond one year. Failing to earn the minimum grade point average for unconditional retention by the end of the second regular semester will result in permanent suspension from the university.
Applicants will provide a written statement explaining any conviction of a felony.

Important Note: Degree-seeking applicants must submit all required documents by the end of their first term of study. If the applicant fails to submit all required documentation by the end of the first term of study, then a hold will be placed on the student’s account, and the student will not be able to enroll in the subsequent term until all requirements have been met and all tuition for the first term has been paid.

Special Applicants

Dual Credit (DC)

DC students must be seniors, juniors, or approved sophomores.
DC students must provide an official copy of their high school transcript (to date) and any other academic transcripts (Advance Placement, CLEP, college or university).
DC students may enroll in 100 and 200-level courses and select 300-level courses offered online or at selected in-person locations.
DC students may request to be transferred to provisional degree-seeking status for the Associate of Arts in General Studies after completion of 45 semester hours of dual-enrollment coursework. The Associate of Arts degree may not be conferred until after their high school graduation.

Non-Degree (ND)

Official high school diplomas or equivalents are required. Official transcripts must be sent directly from their points of origin to the Office of Admissions.
ND students lacking the appropriate transcript can be provisionally admitted for one semester only. Students who fail to submit the required transcripts will not be permitted to register for subsequent semesters.
ND students will submit an official document demonstrating legal residential status within the USA if the student is not a US-citizen.
ND students may not enroll in any courses in which placement is governed by the level of proficiency revealed in placement testing.
No limit is placed on the number of courses a ND student may take, but no more than twenty-four semester hours can be applied toward a degree at BUF.
ND students are not eligible for financial aid.
ND students who wish to become degree-seeking are required to meet all requirements for regular admission.
No documents received after Drop/Add will be accepted for the current term; these documents will be placed in the student’s admission file and updated for the next term.
ND students will provide a written statement explaining any conviction of a felony.

Auditors (AU)

Auditors follow the same application process as ND students.
Auditors pay $150 per course plus the required fees.
Auditors attend classes but do not take any examinations.
Auditors do not receive college credit.
Audited courses do not apply toward eligibility to receive government sponsored financial aid, including veterans’ educational benefits.

Additional Program Requirements

Teacher Education Information

Applies to the B.A. Elementary Education, B.A. Education Studies, B.A. History and Social Studies Secondary Education, B.S. Science Education, and B.S. Teaching and Learning

Requirements for entrance into School of Education

To enroll in education courses of the School of Education of Baptist University of Florida, all of the following requirements must be completed and submitted on a Teacher Education Application by February 15 or September 15 of the semester prior to entrance into education coursework:

Earn 50 hours of college course work, including finishing the General Education Foundation and Biblical/Theological Foundation requirements.
Obtain a cumulative GPA of 2.50 or better. Students who reach their 50th hour without a GPA of 2.50 may register for education courses with the permission of the Teacher Education (TEd) Admissions Committee and will be given one semester to improve their cumulative GPA to at least a 2.50. Those who do not earn a cumulative 2.50 after this additional semester will not be allowed to register for educational courses and will be advised to change their major.
Pass the General Knowledge Test (GKT) section of the Florida Teacher Certification Examination (FTCE). Students who have reached their 50th hour without passing the General Knowledge Test (GKT) section of the FTCE may register for education courses with the permission of the TEd Admissions Committee and will be given one semester to pass the required exam. Those who do not pass the GKT after one semester will not be allowed to continue to register for educational courses and will be advised to change their major.
Florida Teacher Certification Examination (FTCE) requirements do not apply to students enrolled in the B.S. Teaching and Learning degree program.

Music Education Information

For admission to the Bachelor of Music Education degree program of Baptist University of Florida all of the following requirements must be completed:

Earn 50 hours of college course work, including finishing the English Composition, Literature, and Mathematics portions of the General Education Foundation.
Obtain a cumulative GPA of 2.50 or better on a 4.0 scale in the general education component of undergraduate studies.
Pass the General Knowledge Test (GKT) section of the Florida Teacher Certification Examination (FTCE).
Submit an application to the Music Education coordinator which includes clear fingerprinting in a local county. NOTE: Applications are due the semester before students plan to take any education classes-February 15 for Fall entry and September 15 for Spring entry.
Interview and be approved by the Music Education coordinator.

Graduate Admission Requirements

The graduate program will retain the University’s commitment to requiring definite academic qualifications for admission:

The graduate program will require the completion of an institutionally accredited baccalaureate degree with a minimum GPA of 2.5, or a minimum Graduate Record Examination (GRE) Verbal Reasoning score of 150 (revised scoring), or a minimum Miller Analogies Test (MAT) score of 425 or 80th percentile. The GRE is not required for students who attended academic institutions outside of the USA. Along with the completion of an institutionally accredited baccalaureate degree, each graduate program also has additional admission requirements (see Graduate Applicants).

Baptist University of Florida practices a comprehensive approach in admission policy. All criteria will be considered by the admissions committee in determining each applicant’s admission to the university.

Graduate Application for Admission

Submitting the application form is the first step for entrance into the graduate program at Baptist University of Florida. The application can be completed online at http://www.buf.edu/apply.

Once all information is received, the applicant’s file will go before the admissions committee for approval. The Office of Admissions will inform the applicant of the admissions committee’s action. If an applicant fails to register for classes within one year of approval, he/she will be required to reapply and supply updated information. The university reserves right to perform a background check and/or credit check on any and all applicants. All applicants are encouraged to call the Office of Admissions at any time if they have any questions. All forms used for the admissions process can be found on the university website at https://admissions.buf.edu/.

Graduate Applicants

Regular Admission

Students in Biblical Studies, Christian Ministry, and Worship Leadership fields of instruction will submit a signed affirmation of Christian faith and service.
Applicants will possess a baccalaureate degree from an institutionally accredited college or university.
Master of Arts in Christian Studies (MACS) applicants must have a minimum of 18 hours of regionally accredited biblical, theological, and/or religion studies including BI 212 (Biblical Hermeneutics) or its equivalent and an upper-level Old or New Testament Book Study course. The Registrar, in coordination with the chair of the appropriate academic school, will evaluate transcripts to determine candidate qualifications. Those lacking selected admission requirements but who otherwise meet the admission requirements of the program may make up the missing requirements by taking classes through one of the undergraduate delivery systems at the Baptist University of Florida.
Master of Arts in Music and Worship Leadership (MAMWL) applicants must:
1. Possess a regionally accredited baccalaureate degree in music, music education, worship leadership, or another music-related field of study.
2. Demonstrate through transcript, music degree completion, examination or audition a baccalaureate level of competencies common to undergraduate music degrees, including music notation, performance, music history, and keyboard competency.
3. Demonstrate sufficient knowledge of, skill in, and understanding of English to pursue the required studies by submission of a writing sample.
4. Required technical competencies for the student in this program include proficiency in internet computer usage and in basic audio/video recording and transfer of AV files. Required technical equipment includes an internet-enabled computer (either PC or Mac) with adequate specifications for effective internet navigation, an internet connection, a web cam or other device for the purpose of recording, sending, receiving and viewing audio and video. MAMWL students will sign a statement verifying access to required technical equipment and a proficiency in required technical competencies.
Master of Arts in Counseling (MACO) applicants must possess an institutionally accredited baccalaureate degree in psychology. Applicants who possess an institutionally accredited baccalaureate degree in another field of study must complete 18 hours of specified leveling courses before beginning graduate coursework.
Master of Education (MEd) applications must have a passing score on the General Knowledge Test of the Florida Teacher Certification Examination and have a minimum GPA of 3.0 or take the GRE (see requirements above for scores).
1. Students who have an undergraduate or graduate degree from an institution of higher learning outside of the USA are exempt from submitting official GKT scores.
Applicants will submit official transcripts from all institutions of higher education attended.
1. Unofficial transcripts may be submitted in lieu of official transcripts for admission of students who have an undergraduate or graduate degree from an institution of higher learning outside of the USA. The student will have 8 weeks to obtain official transcripts from non-US institutions. In these first 8 weeks, the student must demonstrate good academic performance by maintaining a minimum 2.5 GPA. At the end of the first 8 week period, continued enrollment will be determined by the Admissions Office.
Applicants will submit an official document demonstrating legal residential status within the USA if the student is not a US-citizen.
Applicants will provide a written statement explaining any conviction of a felony.

Doctor of Ministry

Students who desire to apply for admission to the D.Min. program must have earned an institutionally accredited master’s degree (M.Div., MACE., or M.A.) consisting of no fewer than 45 credit hours, including at least twelve hours in biblical or theological studies, with a minimum GPA of 2.5. Those holding an MTS degree are required to complete nine additional hours of selected graduate-level courses toward the D.Min. concentration in consultation with the program coordinator. The D.Min. in Expository Preaching requires a 72-hour Master of Divinity (M.Div.) degree. The M.Div. degree or its equivalent must be obtained from an accredited institution and include the completion of six hours of either Hebrew or Greek, maintaining a minimum GPA of 2.5

Education Specialist

Applicants must meet all university requirements for admission. In addition to the university requirements, the applicant must submit an official transcript indicating successful completion of a master’s degree program from an accredited institution.

Doctor of Education

Students who desire to apply for admission into the Ed.D. program must have earned an institutionally accredited master’s degree totaling no fewer than 45 hours, with at least a B average or 3.0 GPA. A student with an M.A. with less than 45 hours needs additional selected graduate-level courses toward the Ed.D. concentration by consultation with the program coordinator.

Readmission

BUF graduates and/or former students who do not attend for two or more regular (fall or spring) semesters must reapply by submitting to the Office of Admissions an application for readmission and any transcripts from any institutions of higher education attended since leaving BUF. Those re-entering after a year’s absence (two regular semesters) are required to graduate under the new catalog at the time of re-enrollment.

International Students

International students are non-U.S. citizens who seek or hold an F-1 visa to study in the U.S. They must be physically present for residential or hybrid programs and are required to provide proof of legal residency in the U.S. as part of their admission process.

How To Apply

Apply at apply.buf.edu. All admissions correspondence, including academic records, financial documents, examination results, and translations, should be sent to the Office of Admissions at admissions@buf.edu. Baptist University of Florida, 5400 College Drive, Graceville, Florida 32440, USA. All correspondence must include the applicant’s return mailing address and email address.

When To Apply

The Office of Admissions recommends that applicants outside the U.S. apply to BUF six to nine months before their desired date of entrance. This allows sufficient time for correspondence, evaluation of all necessary documents, and the resolution of financial and immigration matters.

Admission Requirements

The international application process is designed for all non-U.S. citizens. To be considered for admission, all international applicants must meet the same admission requirements as all degree-seeking students.

Application Materials Required

Academic Records: An official and complete transcript (academic record) of all secondary school studies, along with official results of any state or national examinations taken while in the USA, must be provided. An official transcript of all studies from every institution of higher education attended beyond the secondary school level must also be submitted if completed in the USA. Unofficial transcripts will be accepted for secondary schools and colleges if completed outside the USA. These records must include all examination grades, degrees, and certificates held by the applicant.

NOTE: The student is responsible for requesting an evaluation of any foreign credentials. Applications to BUF require a proper translation of foreign transcripts.

Campus Studies

International students will enroll in courses on the Graceville campus. Those in specific graduate STEM-related hybrid programs approved by SEVIS may complete a three-day residency on the Miami campus.

Transfer of Credit from Other Institutions

Advanced Placement Credit

Concerning Advanced Placement (AP) Courses, the university will adhere to The College Board guidelines and may award credit for courses applicable to the student’s degree program when a grade of 3, 4, or 5 has been earned on the AP examination. AP Credit will be awarded for the following courses:

AP Examination	Min. Grade	BUF Courses	Hours Awarded
Art History	3	HUM 101	3
Biology	3	SCI 201	3
Calculus AB	3	Math Elective	3
Chemistry	3	SCI 204	3
Economics: Macro	3	BUS 220	3
Economics: Micro	3	BUS 215	3
English Language and Composition	3	ENG 151/152	6
English Literature and Composition	3	ENG 223 or 227	3
Environmental Science	3	Science Elective	3
European History	3	HI 211/212	6
French Language	3	Language Rec.	6
German Language	3	Language Rec.	6
Government & Politics United States	3	HI 225	3
Music Theory	3	MT 101/102	3/6
Physics B	3	Science Elective	3
Psychology	3	PSY 201	3
Spanish Language	3	Language Rec.	6
Statistics	3	STA 300	3
Studio Art: Drawing	3	HUM 102	3
U.S. History	3	HI 223/224	6

CLEP Credit

A maximum of fifteen hours of College Level Examination Program (CLEP) credit may be awarded. Official CLEP scores must be submitted before a student’s completion of the 60th hour of credit (including credit from all colleges previously attended).

CLEP Examination	Min. Score	BUF Course	Hrs. Awarded
College Composition	50	ENG 151/152	6
American Literature	50	ENG 222 or 226	3
English Literature	50	ENG 223 or 227	3
American Government	50	HI 225	3
History of the United States I Early Colonization to 1877	50	HI 223	3
History of the United States II 1865 to the Present	50	HI 224	3
Human Growth and Development	50	PSY 307	3
Humanities	50	HUM 101	3
Introduction to Educational Psychology	50	PSY 310	3
Principles of Economics: (Macro/Micro)	50	BUS 215/220	6
Introduction to Psychology	50	PSY 201	3
Introduction to Sociology	50	SOC 201	3
Western Civilization I Ancient Near East to 1648	50	HI 211	3
Western Civilization II 1648 to Present	50	HI 212	3
Biology	50	SCI 201	3
French Language	50 & 59	Language Rec.	6
(Levels I & II)	50 & 59	Language Rec.	6
German Language	50 & 63	Language Rec.	6
(Levels I & II)	50 & 60	Language Rec.	6
Spanish Language (Levels I & II)	50 & 63	Language Rec.	6

International Baccalaureate (IB) Diploma Credit

Concerning IB Diploma courses, the university will follow a general policy comparable to many colleges and universities in the Southeast as well as nationwide. Students receiving the IB Diploma may receive up to 30 semester hours of credit for scores of 4 or higher on higher level (HL) and standard level (SL) examinations. Students who do not receive the IB Diploma may receive credit for scores of 5 or higher on the higher level (HL) examinations only. Any credit given must be applicable toward the student’s degree program.

Transfer Credit

Official transcripts from all colleges previously attended must be sent from their points of origin directly to the Office of Admissions.
Transfer applicants currently on academic suspension from another college will not be considered until a full semester lapses since the suspension. Such applicants may then be admitted on academic probation and will have to maintain the standard for academic progress given elsewhere in this catalog or face permanent suspension from the university.
Transfer applicants currently on academic probation with another college may be admitted on conditional status but will have to maintain the university’s standard for academic progress or face academic suspension.
No course with a grade below “C” will transfer, and no course can be transferred from another institution unless it corresponds or matches a course in the current BUF catalog. (Descriptions of courses begin on page 56.)
Courses in doctrine are not transferable from non-Baptist institutions.
No credit is awarded for life experience.
A maximum of twelve semester hours credit may be granted for Seminary Extension Department courses in the College-Level Curriculum Series.
Music credits will be evaluated by the music faculty after appropriate auditions and placement tests have been given.
All advanced standing should be granted before the student enrolls.
A Guide to the Evaluation of Educational Experiences in the Armed Services is used as a resource in evaluating credit earned while serving in the armed forces. The National College Credit Recommendation Service is used as a resource in evaluating credit earned in civilian employee training programs. Coursework accepted will be assigned a “Satisfactory” rating and awarded the appropriate earned credit recommended in the appropriate publication. Coursework will be accepted as credit earned only and will not be figured in the grade point average.
Transferability of credit is at the discretion of the university or any other college or university of the student’s choice, and it is the responsibility of the student to confirm whether or not credits will be accepted by the college or university.
For students who have completed the required English and/or math courses (according to requirements stated in the BUF Catalog for the respective degree program) at a post-secondary institution accredited by a regional accrediting agency or equivalent, the following policy will apply:

a) Students who received a grade of “C” or better in an equivalent required course(s) will not be required to undergo further testing. English and math course credits equivalent to BUF courses will be transferred according to the policy stated in the current BUF Catalog.

b) Students who pass the MA 230 (College Algebra) entrance test with a minimum grade of 75% or who have passed College Algebra with a C (2.0) or better, may enroll in STA 300 (Statistics).

c) A three-hour (or more) college math course of a level higher than that of MA 130 (Business Math) may be transferred and counted in lieu of MA 130 if such is required. The student must have earned a grade of “C” or better.

Graduate Credit Transfer from Other Institutions

Transfer Credit

Students will not normally be permitted to transfer more than 12 graduate semester hours into graduate programs.
Official transcripts from all colleges, graduate schools, or seminaries previously attended must be sent from their points of origin directly to the Office of the Registrar.
No course with a grade below “C” will transfer, and no course can be transferred from another institution unless it corresponds or matches a course in the current BUF catalog. (Descriptions of graduate courses begin on page 75.)
Courses in doctrine are not transferable from non-Baptist institutions.
The student normally will not transfer credit for GR 501. Introduction to Graduate Research or GR 690. Graduate Thesis.
Transferability of credit is at the discretion of the university or any other college or university of the student’s choice, and it is the responsibility of the student to confirm whether or not credits will be accepted by the college or university.