Requirements

Learn how to become part of the McNeese family.

Browse Requirements

Whether you're a first-time applicant, high school students looking to become college-ready, or have already graduated with a bachelor's degree, this is the place to find all the requirements you'll need to fulfill to successfully apply to McNeese State University. No matter where you come from or what career path you're headed on, we'd love to welcome you into our Cowboy family.

If you're an international student looking to attend McNeese, visit our International Requirements page to find out what requirements you'll need to fulfill to successfully apply.

Don't meet our requirements? You may still be able to attend! McNeese may admit, by exception, a limited number of students who do not meet minimum admission standards based on an evaluation of a student's likelihood of success, life achievement, and the enhancement of the University's demographically diverse student population. Contact the Office of Admission to find out more. High School Dual Enrollment students are not eligible for exceptions.

First-Time Freshman

Depending on what your educational background is, you might have unique application criteria, including different GPA requirements, ACT/SAT score requirements, and more. Check out the tabs below for more information.

In-State

If you've graduated from a state-approved public or private high school in Louisiana, you're considered an in-state applicant. To apply to McNeese, make sure you meet the minimum requirements:
You have completed the TOPS/University High School Core Curriculum
Minimum high school overall GPA of 2.35
Readiness for college-level English
Readiness for college-level math
Plus one of the following:
Minimum high school core GPA of 2.0
Minimum ACT composite score of 20 or SAT total score of 1030

Out-of-State
Home School
Over Age 25

Transfer Students

Depending on what your educational background is, you might have unique application criteria, including different GPA requirements, ACT/SAT score requirements, and more. Check out the tabs below for more information.

Transfers Under the Age of 25

Transfer students under the age of 25, who have earned 18 or more college-level academic credit hours, must meet the following minimum admission standards:
A transferable associate’s degree or higher from a regionally accredited institution

OR

All  of the following:

Minimum cumulative GPA of 2.0 on all college-level academic courses
Grades of C or higher in a college-level English OR a college-level math/analytical reasoning course
Eligible to return to the institution from which they are transferring

Transfer students who have earned fewer than 18 college-level academic hours must

Meet first-time freshman admission standards for their age group and high school graduation year and
Be in good standing with the previous institution attended

Transfer Over the Age of 25

High School Dual Enrollment

McNeese's Dual Enrollment program is a great way for current high school students to get jump start on their college careers. As a dual enrollment student, you can attend McNeese classes on campus for both high school and college credit, and graduate high school with a year or more of college already complete.

Pre-ACT / SAT Scores

If you haven't taken the ACT or SAT, you meet the following minimum scores:

Please Note: High School Dual Enrollment students are not eligible for exceptions.

Graduate

Note: Admission to Graduate School does not imply admission to a graduate degree program. Different programs may have different GPA, GRE, GMAT, letter of recommendation, or other prerequisite requirements for acceptance. Make sure to check your desired program's page for additional admission criteria.

Office of Admissions

admissions@mcneese.edu
337-475-5504

App Deadlines

Fall applications - due August 1
Spring applications - due December 1
Summer applications - due May 15