Student Classification | Handbook | George Fox University

Classification is based upon each student’s academic standing in terms of credit hours and grade points at the beginning of the semester. New students will be classified as admitted students or provisional students when entrance requirements have been met and official transcripts have been received and evaluated.

Please see the following policies for more information about student classification:

Admitted Students

Students who have satisfied entrance requirements and are following a program leading to a degree or credential are called admitted students. They are classified as follows:

Freshmen: students who have earned fewer than 30 semester hours
Sophomores: students who have earned 30 semester hours
Juniors: students who have earned 60 semester hours
Seniors: students who have earned 90 semester hours
Graduate: students enrolled in a master or doctoral program who generally have a bachelor's degree from a regionally accredited college or university

Hours accepted in transfer to programs at George Fox will be counted toward completed hours for the categories above.

Auditors

Subject to instructor and/or program director and/or chair approval, any regular or special student may audit courses from which he or she wishes to derive benefit without fulfilling credit requirements. Auditors are not permitted in some programs because of the cohort model and program requirements. Additionally, prerequisite course requirements must be met before approval to audit will be granted. This must be established with the registrar at time of registration. Class attendance standards are to be met.

Probational and Provisional Students

A student whose cumulative GPA falls below the level established for satisfactory academic progress will be classified as a probation student. A student placed on probation status may continue to receive financial aid, subject to financial aid policies.

An applicant who does not meet expectations for admission may be admitted as a provisional student. A provisional student will not be advanced to regular status until these requirements are satisfied. Some programs may limit the number of hours for which a provisional student may enroll.

ROTC Program

Through a cooperative agreement with the University of Portland, George Fox University students may participate in the Air Force Reserve Officers Training Corps (AFROTC) program offered on the University of Portland campus.

For more information, see the University of Portland AFROTC website, or contact the professor of aerospace studies at the University of Portland at 503-943-7216.

Special Students

“Special student” is the term used for non-admitted students who:

are not seeking a George Fox University degree or credential, but are taking courses for personal enrichment or professional certification.
are enrolled in dual-credit classes at one of our partner high schools.
are interested in pursuing a George Fox University degree or credential but have not been formally admitted to study.

Any special student wishing to enter a degree or credential program must fulfill regular admission requirements and be admitted. Special student enrollment does not guarantee subsequent admission to any program/department.

Special students may be required to receive permission from the director or chair of the program prior to enrolling in courses. Some graduate programs limit the number of hours a special student may take or require special approval.

Because of the format of the Master of Arts in Teaching (MAT), Masters in Business Administration (MBA), Doctor of Ministry (DMin), Doctor of Physical Therapy (DPT) and cohort portion of the accelerated online degree programs, attendance as a special student is not permitted. The Graduate School of Clinical Psychology chairperson must approve attendance in the PsyD program for special, non-admitted students.

Tuition is based on the current per-credit-hour rate. See Special Student Registration for more information on registration fees and policies for special students.

VA Students

The university is listed with the U.S. government as a recognized graduate school for the training of veterans. All prospective students eligible for VA assistance should review information provided by Student Financial Services about VA-approved programs and follow procedures required by the Veterans Affairs for transfer of training to George Fox University.

To be recommended for VA assistance, the student must continue as a bona fide registrant throughout the semester. Those receiving VA assistance must meet the minimum academic standards of the university for enrollment and progress toward degree completion and to enroll must have an approved VA benefits voucher authorizing payment.

Prior Credit

Any veteran receiving GI Bill® benefits while attending George Fox University is required to obtain transcripts from all previously attended schools and submit them to the VA School Official for review of prior credit.

GI Bill® is a registered trademark of the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA). More information about education benefits offered by VA is available at the official U.S. government Web site at https://www.benefits.va.gov/gibill.