There are 16 units of required academic courses required for admission. A unit is described as a Carnegie unit—one year of high school study or a semester or quarter of college coursework.
Required academic courses
| Category | Units | Requirements |
| English | 4 | All units must include intensive reading and writing experiences. |
| Mathematics | 4 | Algebra, algebra II and geometry are required for students seeking admission, and one additional unit that builds on a knowledge of algebra. |
| Social Sciences | 3 | One unit drawn from American and/or world history; one additional unit drawn from history, American government and/or geography; and a third unit drawn from any social science discipline. |
| Natural Sciences | 3 | At least two units selected from biology, chemistry, physics, and earth sciences. One of the above units must include laboratory instruction. |
| Foreign Language | 2 | Both units must be in the same language. Students who are unable to take two years of foreign language in high school may still qualify for admission.
*Click for more information on foreign language requirements in various UNL degree programs. |
See which Nebraska High School classes count toward these core course requirements, or find information on removing core course deficiencies.
In addition to meeting the above core course requirements, traditional freshmen students seeking admission to the University should:
- be ranked in the upper one-half of their high school class, OR
- have received an ACT composite score of 20 or higher,* OR
- have received a SAT total score (Critical Reading and Math only) of 950 or higher.*
*Freshman applicants under 23 years of age are required to submit an ACT or SAT score. Our ACT code is 2482. Our SAT code is 6877.
For more information on sending ACT scores, visit http://www.actstudent.org/scores/understand/.
For more information on sending SAT scores, visit http://www.collegeboard.com.
All the colleges at the University of Nebraska–Lincoln require students to meet the minimum core course and performance admission requirements listed above. Some colleges have additional prerequisites that students must meet before they can be admitted into that college. If you are not admitted into the college you request on your application for admission, it is because you have not met the prerequisites listed below for the college you indicated.
If you are admitted to the Division of General Studies instead of the college you indicated on your application, you will be advised by General Studies until you meet these requirements. At that time, you will have the opportunity to transfer into the college you have requested.
Please note: Some University of Nebraska–Lincoln degree programs require the equivalent of four years of H.S. foreign language in the same language in order to graduate. Click to view a list.
If you have any questions, please feel free to contact the Office of Admissions.
In addition to the core course requirements, to be admissible to the College of Architecture you must also have successfully completed:
Architecture course requirements | Category | Requirements |
| Math | 1 full unit of Pre-Calc/Trig OR 1/2 unit Pre-Calc/Trig and 1/2 unit Math/Calc |
| ACT/SAT scores | ACT composite score of 22 or higher, OR an SAT combined score of 1030 or higher |
No additional requirement.
No additional requirement.
College of Arts and Sciences admission requirements | Core course requirements required |
In addition to the core course requirements, to be admissible to the College of Education & Human Sciences you must also have successfully completed:
College of Education & Human Sciences admission requirements | Freshmen must meet at least one performance requirement. |
In addition to the core course requirements, to be admissible to the College of Engineering you must also have successfully completed:
Engineering course requirements | Category | Requirements |
| Math | Pre-calculus and trigonometry as part of the 4 units required and one full unit of Geometry |
| Natural Sciences | Chemistry and physics must be taken as part of the 3 units required |
| ACT/SAT Scores | ACT composite score of 24 or higher, OR an SAT combined score of 1110 or higher |
In addition to the core course requirements, to be admissible to the Hixson-Lied College of Fine and Performing Arts, you must also have completed:
Fine & Performing Arts admission requirements | Category | Requirements |
| ACT/SAT Scores | ACT composite score of 22 or higher, or an SAT combined score of 1020 or higher(Math and Critical Reading). |
| International Students | Minimum TOEFL score of 213 (computer), 550 (paper), or 79 (iBT) |
| Auditions | Music major or minor, Dance major or minor, Theatre major with a performance emphasis |
| Special Application | Students seeking a major with an emphasis in Film & New Media or an emphasis in Directing and Management must submit a separate application and supporting materials to the Johnny Carson School of Theatre and Film. |
Art, Art History: No auditions or special applications.
Music, Dance: Auditions required for majors and minors. Schedule music and dance auditions through the School of Music at http://music.unl.edu/forms/audition_form_ug.shtml
Audition Dates:
- January 18, 2013 (brass, composition, percussion, voice, winds)
- January 19, 2013 (dance, keyboard, strings (including guitar), voice)
- February 22, 2013 (dance, keyboard, strings (no guitar), voice)
- February 23, 2013 (brass, composition, guitar, percussion, voice, winds)
Theatre Emphasis-Performance: T Auditions by appointment required for majors. Schedule an audition appointment through the Johnny Carson School of Theatre and Film at (402) 472-2072, ext. 1.
Audition Dates: October 20, 2012 or February 23, 2013.
Theatre Emphasis-Film/New Media: Film/New Media application/supporting materials required. Obtain special application from the Johnny Carson School of Theatre and Film at the address below and return completed application to the same address. Postmark Deadline: February 1, 2013.
Theatre Emphasis-Design/Technical Production: No auditions required. Students MUST contact the Johnny Carson School of Theatre and Film to declare their emphasis (see contact address below).
Theatre Emphasis-Directing and Management: Directing and Management application/supporting materials required. Obtain special application from the Johnny Carson School of Theatre and Film at the address below and return completed application to the same address. Early Deadline: November 15, 2012. Postmark Deadline: February 1, 2013.
PLEASE NOTE - VERY IMPORTANT:
"Pre" designations only apply during the application process. Any Pre-Music, Pre-Music Education, Pre-Dance and Pre-Theatre students who has been admitted to UNL, but not admitted into the Hixson-Lied College of Fine and Performing Arts as a music major, music education major, dance major or theatre major by March 31 for Fall/Summer admission and October 31 for Spring admission, will automatically be admitted to General Studies as an undeclared major. After being admitted to General Studies students can change to a major in the Fine Arts College after the College Requirements and additional School/Departmental Requirements (such as auditions) have been met.
For further information, please contact the departments.
Fine and Performing Arts school contact information Art and Art History:
Dept. of Art and Art History
102 Richards Hall
Lincoln, NE 68588-0114
(402) 472-5522
artdept@unl.edu
unl.edu/art
| Music and Dance:
School of Music
121 Westbrook Music Bldg.
Lincoln, NE 68588-0100
(402) 472-6830
music2@unl.edu
unl.edu/music
| Theatre:
Johnny Carson School of Theatre and Film
215 Temple Building
Lincoln, NE 68588-0201
(402) 472-2072 ext. 1
theatrearts@unl.edu
unl.edu/TheatreArts
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College of Journalism & Mass Communications admission requirements | Core course requirements required |
College of Public Affairs & Community Service admission requirements | Core course requirements required |
