Transition Studies

Transition Studies offers a welcoming and supportive environment that helps students successfully transition to the university. It serves as an academic home for students who show strong potential for success at Arkansas State, even if their test scores or high school GPA do not yet meet the criteria for unconditional admission.

Housed in the Learning Commons in the Dean B. Ellis Library, Transition Studies students have easy access to the writing center, general education tutoring as well as intensive advising services provided by the faculty/academic coaches and staff of the Transition Studies department.

For new A-State students

New Student Orientation

New Student Orientation is required for all incoming first-year students. Signed up yet?

New Student Orientation

flowering redbud tree in front of Honors dorm

University Housing

Are you planning to live in on campus? Click on the following link if you need information or to complete an application through the A-State Housing Portal.

University Housing

worker at a table answering financial aid questions

Financial Aid & Scholarships

Do you plan to use financial aid to help you with college costs? Find out more here:
Financial Aid and Scholarships
How to fill out the FAFSA form

COURSE PLACEMENT Scores

For course scheduling purposes, A-State students need placement scores on file before enrolling in courses. New students are highly encouraged to have their scores submitted to the Office of Admissions by May 1 for academic advising and pre-registration purposes.

A-State accepts ACT, SAT, and Accuplacer for placement into gateway reading, writing, and math-based courses. Students may take one of these placement exams at a local testing center or contact A-State’s Testing Center for assistance.

Students who do not have the minimum requisite test score for core classes in reading, writing (English), or math are required to enroll in additional support courses during their first semester. If you do not have a test score on file or wish to challenge a placement score, please refer to the information below.

Required Cutscores

Find required cutscores to place directly into core courses

All about admission through Transition Studies

What can I expect if I am admitted through Transition Studies at A-State?

At Transition Studies, the emphasis is on meeting the needs of students admitted through our program and helping them to be successful. We take a personal interest in you and work with you to make the most of your college experience. Your Making Connections instructor is also your academic advisor. He or she meets with you individually and monitors your progress during your first year. If difficulties arise, your academic advisor will work with the Transition Studies Student Services Coordinator to identify the resources and services that can best help you.

What will be expected of me as a Transition Studies student at Arkansas State?

You must maintain a minimum grade point average of a 2.0 with a C or above in foundational courses (if your test scores require that you take them). Failure to meet these requirements may result in probation or dismissal from the program and/or forfeiture of scholarship.

You will be expected to meet the A-State attendance policy for freshmen and sophomores, meet with your advisor and instructors as requested and attend any required activities. If you are having difficulty in a class, you will be expected to follow through on tutoring, supplemental instruction, study groups or other activities that may be employed to help you get back on track.

What courses will I take as an Transition Studies student?

All students at A-State take Making Connections their first semester. If you have below a 19 on your ACT or the equivalent in math, reading or English, you will be required to take foundational courses in those areas.

If you have one, two or no foundational courses to take, the rest of your schedule will consist of general education courses such as English Composition, US History, College Algebra, Psychology, etc in addition to Making Connections or any other degree applicable course requirement.

What about student organizations and living on campus?

Transition Studies students are no different than any other freshman. You may live in any of the appropriate freshman residence halls and request any roommate that you wish. You are strongly encouraged to participate in campus activities, but obviously not to the extent that it has a negative impact on your academic life.

What if I raise my test scores or grade point average?

Even if you have already been admitted through Transition Studies, you can be regularly admitted if you meet the ACT or equivalent score of 19 in reading, math, or English or transfer college credit in English Composition I and/or College Algebra (or other credit-bearing math course). Any student meeting one of these criteria, will have their admission status updated in the Office of Admissions.

Are there any additional fees for Transition Studies?

Transition Studies students pay the same tuition and fees as all other A-State students, but there is an additional one-time fee of $250 to help defray the cost of the extra services that are provided to students admitted through Transition Studies.

Transition Studies