Northern Arizona University will alter its admissions requirements to reduce the number of the core courses mandated for guaranteed university admission.
The pilot program, approved by the Arizona Board of Regents (ABOR), will eliminate the foreign language requirement from the 16 core classes students must take in high school for consideration and be closely aligned to the state’s graduation requirements.
The university will still require students to earn a 3.0 GPA or better and consider those who fail to meet the benchmark on an individual basis.
“With this pilot program, NAU is elevating its commitment to increase access and eliminate barriers to a quality higher education,” said ABOR Chair Lyndel Manson. “The lack of these courses at a student’s school or ease of access to these courses through alternative channels may have a significant impact on a student’s choice to go on to college after high school. I believe NAU’s innovative program will open a door of opportunity for these students, and I thank President Cruz Rivera for his forward-thinking vision to increase access for students in our state.”
According to information released by the ABOR, nearly 50,000 students in grades 9-12 do not have access to the complete curriculum required for admissions. Therefore, leaders hope the change will allow more individuals to attend college.
The board also recently implemented a scholarship that “covers tuition and fees for qualifying low-income, Arizona resident students who enroll at Arizona State University, NAU or the University of Arizona.”
“President Cruz Rivera’s innovative admissions pilot program is part of an extensive effort to improve post-high school education for Arizona students,” said ABOR Executive Director John Arnold. “The board appreciates the actions of all our public universities and our many partners who are working to advance education in our state.”
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Cooper Moran is a reporter for The Arizona Sun Times and The Star News Network.  Email tips to [email protected].
Photo “Northern Arizona University” by Northern Arizona University.
