Viterbo University welcomes applications for admission from all students who have prepared for a competitive collegiate program. Admission to Viterbo University is offered to those for whom academic and personal success seems likely. Each candidate is evaluated individually. Evidence of ability to do college-level work is essential. All qualified students, regardless of sex, race, religion, color, national or ethnic origin will be extended an offer of admission on a first come, first served basis as long as space remains available. Students will be evaluated for admission in accordance with the general admission criteria stated below.
General Admissions Criteria
Viterbo University reserves the right to deny or place conditions on the admission, re-enrollment, or continued enrollment of any applicant, former student, or current student, who in the judgment of the university officials has failed to maintain satisfactory academic progress, would be disruptive of the orderly process of the college’s programs, would interfere with the rights and privileges of other students or employees, is not prepared to benefit from the course of study offered, or places a risk to the safety or well-being of the campus community. The university may consider criminal, juvenile, and disciplinary history in admission and enrollment decisions. Information submitted to Viterbo University must be true, complete, and accurate. Withholding any pertinent information may result in denial of admission or dismissal.
For Applicants with Acts, Crimes, or Offenses That May Prohibit or Restrict Admission
Applicants for admission or re-admission with criminal or disciplinary records must disclose information about their prior records. Failure of the applicant to accurately and completely provide information and records may result in denial of admission, revocation of admission, or discipline, up to and including permanent dismissal from the university. Information to be disclosed includes criminal felonies, misdemeanors, pending criminal charges or other pertinent offenses or violations.
Certain affiliates associated with Viterbo require that students placed in their facility for clinical/internship/field placement experiences clear a criminal background check prior to placement. Students whose background check reveals criminal history may be prevented access to the clinical site, and as a result, the student will not have sufficient clinical experience to successfully complete the program. Additionally, licensing boards for certain professions including health care occupations may deny the individual the opportunity to sit for an examination if an applicant has a criminal history.
Fully qualified applicants for criminal and community justice, nutrition and dietetics, education, nursing, social work, and some other programs may be subject to a criminal background check conducted by an approved outsourced agency, at the student's expense, at the point of admission to Viterbo University in addition to the point of admission into a professional coursework sequence.
Procedure
A review committee will evaluate the application, the criminal history disclosure form and all explanatory materials, of any student who indicates any of the aforementioned convictions, charges, records, etc. Prior to making a decision on admission or re-enrollment, the review committee may request additional materials from the applicant, including requesting the student pay for an approved criminal background check, conduct a phone interview with the applicant, request that the applicant appear before the review board to discuss their application, etc.
The review committee may consult with academic departments regarding anticipated issues in finding clinical placements or sitting for licensing exams and will recommend admission or denial of admission in one of three ways: (1) admit or re-enroll the applicant without conditions, (2) admit or re-enroll the applicant with condition (e.g., restrictions on location or place, denial of option to live in university housing facilities, etc.), or (3) deny admission or re-enrollment of the applicant. Recommendations on admission or re-enrollment will be forwarded from the review committee to the appropriate university administrator who will formally admit or deny admission to the applicant based on the recommendation from the committee. The recommendation of the review committee is final and not subject to appeal. The review committee is typically comprised of the vice president for student affairs, the vice president for academic affairs and institutional effectiveness, the vice president for enrollment management, and the director of campus safety, or their respective designees.
Criminal Convictions Occurring After University Admission
Students are required to disclose in writing to the vice president for student affairs criminal convictions occurring since completing the application for admission. This policy applies to all Viterbo University incoming and current students.
Admission Criteria
Any student who does not meet one or more of the admission criteria will be referred to the director of admissions and/or the Viterbo University Admission Committee for further review and consideration. The admissions committee will offer a recommendation on the admission of the student, or ask for additional information, which may include but is not limited to updated transcripts, test scores, personal statement, letter of recommendation, phone, video, or in-person interview, or that the student come to campus and take a Viterbo University placement test.
Admission to Viterbo University does not equate with admission into every academic program. Many programs have additional requirements for admission as an incoming student or a continuing Viterbo student, which may include performing arts auditions, art portfolio reviews, satisfactory prerequisite coursework or background checks, etc. In these cases, additional steps and review may be required. Additionally, changes of an intended major or academic program may require a new admission review for incoming students.
Any student wishing to appeal an admission decision must notify the admissions office in writing. Additional information such an additional ACT or SAT score, updated transcript, letters of recommendation, etc., should be submitted for reconsideration.
Freshman Admission for Traditional Daytime Programs
A freshman is defined as a student entering college for the first time or a student who graduated from high school in the same calendar year as the intended date of entry at Viterbo, but may have already taken college courses at another institution.
Freshman students will be considered for admission if they have received or are on track to receive their high school diploma (or equivalent) prior to enrolling. If a student is deficient in GPA, test scores, or other program specific requirements, their file will be reviewed by our Admission Committee.
Transfer Admission for Traditional Daytime Programs
A transfer student is defined as any student with college credits from another institution who did not graduate from high school in the same calendar year as the intended date of entry at Viterbo.
Transfer students will be considered for admission as long as they have a cumulative GPA of at least 2.25 on a 4.0 scale, are free to return to their previous college or university, and are considered to be in good academic standing both at their previous school and at Viterbo University. Additional program-specific requirements may apply. If a student is deficient in one of these categories, their file will be reviewed by our Admission Committee.
Alternative Credit/Transfer Credit
See the Academic Regulations section of the catalog for information on alternative means to earned credit, such as ACE, Advanced Placement, CLEP, DSST, International Baccalaureate, military training, or prior life/work experiences.
See the Academic Regulations section of the catalog for information on Viterbo’s transfer credit policy.
Reentry and Readmission
Re-entry student information can be found on the Re-entry Admissions web page.
International Student Admission
https://www.viterbo.edu/international-student-admission
High School Students: Early College Credit Program
Viterbo University welcomes students in the Wisconsin Early College Credit Program. High school students who have not yet graduated and who have been pre-approved to take college coursework by their school district may attend Viterbo University on a space available basis at reduced per credit charges and applicable course fees. Viterbo University will issue credit to students upon successful completion of the course(s), with such credit being fully acceptable toward a bachelor’s degree. The reduced per credit charge is available for fall or spring semesters only and may be paid in full by the school district or in combination with the school district per state guidelines. Additional admission criteria may apply. High school students not approved by their district through the Wisconsin Early College Credit Program yet still choosing to enroll as a non-degree student in Viterbo coursework are responsible for all costs associated with the coursework.
High School Students: Diocesan High School College Credit Program
Viterbo University offers college credit to students enrolled in approved high schools. The course and high school instructor are approved for college credit by Viterbo University faculty. Viterbo University will offer college credit for a maximum of five courses per high school per year. High school students may take a maximum of three courses (total) of these Viterbo University approved courses at a reduced per credit charge.
Non-degree-seeking Student
Students desiring to audit or take selected courses for credit, but who do not expect to earn a degree at this university, may be enrolled as a non-degree-seeking student. Complete transcripts of high school and college records need not be submitted, but high school graduation, a GED, or its equivalent is required. Students may be admitted as a degree-seeking student at a later date. Students interested should complete the online student application at https://www.viterbo.edu/apply. Refer to the audit policy, in the academic regulations section of this catalog for the audit policy.
Senior Citizen Enrichment Program
Persons 62 years of age or older may audit selected undergraduate courses at no charge. This program is offered on a space-available basis. Since no grade is given the course cannot be converted to credit at some later date. This program is not available during the summer. To apply and register, complete the online application at http://www.viterbo.edu/apply.
Continuing Education Units
Continuing Education Units (CEUs) may be offered for some workshops with the understanding that at no time may these units be substituted for academic credits received in academic courses in the basic programs. The CEU is defined to mean 10 contact hours of participation in an organized continuing education experience under responsible sponsorship, capable direction, and qualified instruction.