Adult Degree Program Admissions

Wilson College is friendly to adult students, whether they are beginning a college career or completing an interrupted degree program. The Adult Degree Program (ADP) offers the opportunity for women and men who are four full years beyond high school completion to earn a college degree at the associate or baccalaureate level. Prospective students to the ADP are encouraged to visit Wilson College. During the visit, students have the opportunity to speak with an admissions counselor, tour the campus, meet with a financial aid officer and visit with a professor from the applicant’s major area of interest. Visits are arranged by calling 717-262-2025 or 800-421-8402 or via email at degrees@wilson.edu. The ADP office, located In Norland Hall, is open Monday through Friday, 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. Meetings occurring outside normal business hours can be arranged in advance.

Adult Degree Program students may enroll in courses held during the day, evenings or weekends. Five majors may be completed exclusively during evening hours. To complete other majors, students may be required to attend some courses offered during the day.

ADP Application Process

Individuals intending to pursue an undergraduate degree apply for admission through the Adult Degree Program office, where they will work with an admissions counselor. The following materials are required to be submitted:

• Completed and signed application.
• One-page essay response to one of the following questions: What event prompted you to seek an education or why is a college education important in today’s workforce?
• Official high school or GED transcript.
• Official college transcripts from each college or university attended prior to Wilson College, if applicable. We require all transcripts, whether you intend to transfer any credits or not.

Note: A personal interview with an admissions counselor is strongly recommended.

Applications are accepted on a rolling basis and should be received no later than 10 days before the semester in which the applicant plans to enroll. ADP students may apply for enrollment for summer I, II, fall or spring semesters. Students interested in applying for financial aid should submit a Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) when they apply to the College.

Provisional Admission for ADP Students

ADP students who do not meet the College’s admissions criteria may be eligible for provisional admission. Provisional admission is available for the fall and spring semesters only, so all new students can begin their studies during a full semester. Students admitted provisionally may attend as full-time or part-time students. Students may not enroll in more than 12 semester hours per semester and may want to enroll as a part-time student while provisionally admitted. Students are also expected to work closely with our Academic Support Center to complete a learning contract for each semester. At the conclusion of the semester or her/his 12th semester hour, the provisionally admitted student must have a cumulative GPA of 2.0 to be fully admitted and continue at Wilson. Any student who does not attain this standard will not be permitted to remain enrolled.

ADP Matriculation

Students who are fully accepted as associate or bachelor’s degree candidates are automatically matriculated at the College, regardless of full- or part-time status. All academic policies and procedures apply, including, but not limited to transfer work, off-campus study and registration priority.

ADP Declaration of Major/Program

Students seeking to enroll in a degree program must first be accepted to the College and then to the major of choice. Baccalaureate degree candidates should declare an intended major no later than the semester in which 60 semester hours will be completed; associate degree students should declare a major no later than the semester in which 10 semester hours will be completed. Acceptance to the College does not guarantee acceptance to the intended major. Students complete a Declaration of Major/Program Form, which includes signatures of the director of the major area or program and the student’s current academic adviser. Forms are available online or in the registrar’s office.

ADP Honors

Baccalaureate degree candidates must complete a minimum of 54 semester hours at Wilson to be considered for Latin honors at graduation. Distinction may be awarded for high academic achievement for students completing fewer than 54 semester hours at Wilson.

ADP Transfer Credit

The associate dean for academic advising evaluates transfer credit prior to admission, with final approval granted by the college registrar. The college may accept up to 72 semester hours toward a bachelor’s degree and up to 30 semester hours toward an associate degree. A minimum of 48 semester hours must be completed at Wilson for the student to be awarded a bachelor’s degree and a minimum of 30 semester hours for an associate degree.

ADP Second Bachelor’s and Associate Degrees

Second Bachelor’s Degree

Students who hold a bachelor’s degree from another regionally accredited institution may earn a second bachelor’s degree from Wilson College through the Adult Degree Program.

Students must complete at least 27 semester hours as a degree candidate at Wilson and must meet the degree requirements of the major. The foundations and liberal studies course requirements will be waived. The registrar will determine how many course credits must be earned for the second degree based on the evaluation of the transcripts from previous institutions attended.

Course requirements cannot be met by non-traditional means such as Credit by Examination, CLEP or Non-Collegiate Learning. Contact the Adult Degree Program office for more information.

Second Associate Degree

Students who hold a bachelor’s degree from another regionally accredited institution may earn an associate degree from Wilson College through the Adult Degree Program.

Students must complete 15 additional semester hours at Wilson College and must meet all the degree requirements for the major. The foundations and liberal studies course requirements will be waived. The registrar will determine how many course credits must be earned for the second degree based on the evaluation of the transcripts from all previous institutions attended. Course requirements cannot be met by non-traditional means such as Credit by Examination, CLEP or Non-Collegiate Learning. Contact the Adult Degree Program office for more information.

ADP Completion of Additional Majors for Students with Wilson College Associate or Bachelor’s Degrees

Students who hold an associate or bachelor’s degree from Wilson College may complete additional majors through the Adult Degree Program. Students must complete all the degree requirements of the major under the current curriculum. The foundations and liberal studies course requirements will be waived. A determination of how many course credits must be earned for the additional major is made by the registrar, based on an evaluation of the student’s Wilson College transcripts. Contact the Adult Degree Program office for more information.

Course requirements cannot be met by transfer credit or non-traditional means, such as Credit by Examination, CLEP or Non-Collegiate Learning. Only one diploma will be granted at the completion of the baccalaureate degree. Additional majors will be reflected on the transcript and noted with the completion date. Students completing additional majors are not candidates for participation in Commencement.