Admissions Policies
Open Admission Policy
Wilmington University honors an open admissions policy and welcomes applications from all interested potential students. Applicants will be notified of an admissions decision via email after application review. The application review process may take up to 7 business days.
Timeframe for Admittance and Enrollment:
- Application processing: Up to 7 business days
- Transcript processing for paper transcripts: Up to 2 weeks in total. This includes from the time that the student requests transcripts to be sent from the previous institution until the Admissions office at Wilmington University receives and processes them.
- Transcript Processing for electronic transcripts: Up to 7 business days from the time that the student submits the request at their previous institution.
- Transfer student credit evaluation: Once Wilmington University receives and processes all official transcripts, it may be up to 3-5 business days for an evaluation to be completed and for the student to see the transfer credits on their student record.
- Financial Aid: After the FAFSA is received by Wilmington University, it may take 4 to 6 weeks for financial aid to be awarded. Students can delay the process even longer by not properly submitting all of the required documents.
Application Expiration Policy
All applications for admission are valid only for the semester for which you apply. If you would like to change the semester in which you intend to begin classes, a deferral request can be submitted within the Admissions portal. Learn more about the deferral process.
Readmission
Undergraduate Readmission
A student who discontinues study in any program for 12 months or more is required to re-apply and pay a new application fee. The student must meet all of the admission, academic policy, and program requirements in effect on the date of readmission. A student who was on probation at the time that he/she discontinued study will be readmitted on probation. A student who discontinued study due to academic suspension will be readmitted only after a successful appeal to the Academic Review Committee. Students will not be able to register until the readmission process is completed. The Admissions Office will inform students that they must meet the new or revised academic requirements in effect on the date of readmission, and not the requirements of any prior admission.
Graduate Readmission
Most graduate programs must be completed in five years (seven years for the Ed.D. and DBA programs); other limitations are specified for each program in the current Graduate Catalog. Graduate students are not required to complete another application during this five-year period (seven-year period for Ed.D. and DBA programs) unless it has been a year or more since attending classes. A student who discontinued study due to suspension may be readmitted only after a successful appeal to the Academic Review Committee. If a graduate student does not complete the degree requirements within the prescribed time frame, the student will be required to seek readmission and will be obliged to comply with current degree requirements.
Transcript Requirements
Official Transcript Submission Policy
All students are required to submit official transcripts from all previously attended post-secondary institutions within the first two semesters of enrollment at Wilmington University. A high school diploma with a graduation date or GED is required for students transferring fewer than 15 credits from other post-secondary institutions. See Submitting Your Transcripts for instructions.
Official transcripts are required within the first two semesters of enrollment in order to continue enrollment for future semesters.
Credits earned at Wilmington University cannot be applied to satisfy the high school transcript submission policy and related high school transcript waiver policy.
Students must submit all required transcripts before financial aid will be awarded.
Undergraduate applicants must be graduates of an accredited high school or have successfully completed a General Education Development (GED) program.
Home School Students: Wilmington University has developed revised admission requirements to better serve the Home School community. Learn more about admission requirements for home school students.
Transcript Waiver Requests
Wilmington University adheres to policies regarding applicants who wish to waive transcripts from previously attended institutions. High school transcripts will not be waived for applicants who transfer less than 15 post-secondary credits. Applicants must submit their request in writing to the Director of Admissions. Requests must include the name of the institution, dates of attendance, and the reason for the request. A waiver may be considered for one or more of the scenarios listed below:
- The institution was not accredited at the time of the student’s attendance;
- The institution is no longer in existence and transcripts are unable to be retrieved; and...
- The student withdrew from courses prior to completing one term, as defined by that institution.
- The student completed courses as part of a study abroad or exchange program initiated by a US institution.
Requests are reviewed and investigated by the Director of Admissions and can take up to one month to complete.
Non-U.S. or Foreign Language Transcript Evaluation
An official transcript evaluation by a third party agency is required if educated outside of the U.S. or a U.S. territory. The evaluation must be completed from an original, official document from each institution. The evaluating agency must be a member of www.NACES.org (General report for High School, Detailed or Course-By-Course Report with GPA for college or university – Masters students must have an equivalent of a Bachelor's degree in the US; Doctorate students must have the equivalent of a Master's degree in the US). Transcript evaluations must be submitted directly to the university via postal mail or from the NACES approved agency. An evaluation is also required for any of the following circumstances:
- A high school diploma that is non-English
- A higher education institution transcript that is non-English
- An institution not recognized by the U.S. Department of Education or an approved accrediting body
Transfer Credit
Health History/Immunization Records
All Wilmington University students must submit a copy of their immunization records to the Admissions office. It is recommended that these records are on file with the Admissions office prior to the start of your initial term of enrollment at the University. If you are unable to obtain a copy of your immunization records, you may submit a copy of your MMR (Measles, Mumps, Rubella) vaccine. Do you have questions about where to go to get an MMR vaccine? Visit the U.S. Department of Health and Humans Services for more information.
Math and English Skills Assessment
English and Math Skills Assessments are required for any undergraduate student who has not transferred acceptable credits for the following requirements: MAT 205 or ENG 121. These results permit the University to place the student in the appropriate level math or English course. Some students may be exempt from taking a skills assessment based on standardized test scores or transfer credits.
Dismissals from Other Institutions
Wilmington University adheres to policies regarding academic and behavioral dismissals from other institutions by requiring applicants to submit a written description of the situation, outlining the circumstances on the application for admission. An admission decision is made by the Director of Admissions.
Occupational Licensing and Certification Disclosure
Please be aware that certain degrees or programs are designed to prepare a student for a career that requires an occupational license or a teaching certificate, and that an individual’s criminal conviction history may impact their eligibility to obtain a license or certification. In addition, certain teacher preparation and other programs may require information pertaining to an applicant’s criminal conviction history to be disclosed to a state agency in connection with a licensing or certification process.
It is the responsibility of each applicant and student to review all applicable eligibility requirements related to any relevant degrees or programs, including any license or certification requirements or guidelines related to criminal history. In addition, Wilmington University will provide applicants and students with counseling services relative to any licensing or certification requirements to assist each student in making an informed decision about pursuing such a program.
Pre-Admission Background Screening for Stalking and Sexual Assault Offenses
At Wilmington University we are dedicated to finding opportunities for all applicants. We are committed to treating applicants with criminal histories with respect and in accordance with all applicable laws.
Delaware Code Title 14 Chapter 90B lists the offenses, or equivalent laws of any state or under any military, territorial, foreign, tribal or federal law, that Wilmington University will review prior to notification of admission. For the most up to date information on these crimes please see Delaware Code Title 11 Delaware Code Online.
College- or Program-Specific Policies
College of Health Professions Background Check and Drug Screen Policy
All nursing and Health Science students are required to satisfactorily complete a criminal background check and drug screen in order to promote the highest level of integrity in health care services; meet requirements of clinical facilities and contractual agreements; and avoid delays in clinical placement. College of Health Professions has a designated provider, therefore results from any other provider will not be accepted. Students are responsible for payment of any and all fees related to the background check and drug screen. The background check and drug screen is a mandatory requirement for all Graduate and Undergraduate College of Health Professions students. The Undergraduate nursing and Health Science students must complete this requirement during the first core course in the curriculum. The Graduate Nurse Practitioner students, Graduate Leadership students, and Doctor of Nursing Practice students must complete this requirement upon admission to the program. Students will not be permitted to participate in courses that involve clinical hours or learning experiences outside the University, and may be unable to complete the program under the following conditions: refusing to complete a background check and drug screen through our designated provider, having positive findings on the background and/or drug screen that are not resolved following review by the College of Health Professions and/or a credentialing body as a result of the positive findings on the background check or drug screen.
College of Education: Criminal Background Check Required for Student Teaching
Candidates enrolling into Student Teaching are required by state law to submit the following clinical clearance items: a new Criminal Background Check, a new TB / PPD (Tuberculosis Test), a new Child Protection Registry Form and a Health Authorization form. These items must be submitted when completing the application for Student Teaching placement. The Criminal Background Check (CBC) can be completed through the Delaware State Bureau of Identifications. The CBC must be delivered in its originally sealed envelope from the DE SBI. Candidates may deliver the sealed, untampered envelope to any one of the three locations - Dover (Building B), Georgetown or New Castle (Peoples Building). Candidates will receive a receipt notification of delivery. Candidates can locate the nearest location and appointment times by visiting the Delaware State Police website.