Note: Individual colleges may require additional credentials or have other requirements for specific programs.

Graduates of a regionally accredited high school, those who have completed the equivalent academic training (General Education Diploma - GED), or students who are homeschooled, must meet the following criteria for assured admission to the University of Nebraska at Omaha:

• English - 4 units*
  • All units must include intensive reading and writing experience. Innovative interdisciplinary courses and courses in speech and journalism may be substituted if they include substantial amounts of reading and writing.
• Mathematics - 3 units*
  • Must include Algebra I, Algebra II, and Geometry.
• Social Sciences - 3 units*
  • At least one unit of American and/or world history; one additional unit of history, American government, and/or geography; and a third unit of any Social Science discipline or subject.
• Natural Sciences - 3 units*
  • At least two of the three units must be selected from biology, chemistry, physics and earth sciences. One of these units must include laboratory instruction.
• Foreign Language - 2 units*
  • Two units of the same foreign language. Students who are unable to take two years of foreign language in high school may still qualify for admission. Such students will be required to take one or two semesters of foreign language at the University of Nebraska depending on the number of units completed at the high school. These students are still required to complete 16 units of academic courses for admission.
• Additional Academic Requirement - 1 unit*
  • One unit chosen from any of the above academic disciplines.

Use the Nebraska High Schools: Core Course Equivalencies page to find out exactly how your high school classes transfer.

*A unit is equivalent to one school year in a class, grades 9-12.

• In addition to meeting the above core course requirements, students applying for admission must meet one of the following:
  • Rank in the upper one-half of their graduating high school class
  • ACT composite score of 20 or higher
  • SAT score of 950 or higher**
**Total of Verbal and Math tests taken through February 2005 or total of Critical Reading and Math tests taken beginning March 2005.

Applicants who do not qualify for assured admission by meeting all entrance criteria may be considered for admission to the University under Admission by Review on the basis of special merit. Each such applicant will be reviewed and considered for admission on an individual basis. The student's cumulative high school grade point average, class rank, ACT/SAT scores and grades received in the core courses are all considered a primary factor in the admission evaluation and decision. The student may be asked to provide letters of recommendation from the high school counselor or principal as well as an educational purpose statement.

Students who do not meet the 16 core course requirements and/or whose high school cumulative grade point average is below a 2.5 or whose class rank falls below the 3rd quartile will be encouraged to attend a community college to strengthen their academic record before attending UNO. UNO works closely with the local community colleges to determine courses that transfer and satisfy the admission requirements.

Students who are admitted without completing all 16 core course requirements will be required to sign an Admission by Review Agreement and to make up any core course deficiencies by successfully completing an approved college-level course in each area of deficiency within the first 30 semester hours of credit attempted at UNO.

Students with General Education Diploma (GED) and/or Homeschooled Education Applicants at least 18 years of age who complete equivalent academic training such as a General Education Diploma (GED) and students who are homeschooled will be reviewed for Assured Admission requirements. Students who earned a GED in place of high school graduation are required to provide ACT or SAT scores and an official high school transcript for grades 9-12 from any secondary school where coursework was completed.

Home schooled students must provide a copy of the letter from the state that confirms that the parent has filed with the Department of Education regarding the home schooling of the student. They must also submit official GED scores, official ACT or SAT scores and official transcripts for grades 9-12 from any high schools or post-secondary schools attended. An ACT composite score of 20 or above (or a combined score of 950 in the Critical Reading and Math section of the SAT) may be presented in lieu of GED scores. High school course work completed through home-study curriculum should be presented on a record showing the scope and sequence of the instructional program designed to lead to basic skills for grades 9-12 as denoted in State Statute 79-1701.

• The following documentation regarding the home-study curriculum must be provided for admission consideration by the primary teacher/administrator of the home school:
  • A typed transcript (semester format) of the courses the student completed in the homeschool environment. Grades or averages earned in each course must be included on the transcript. A grade scale and cumulative or term based GPA is also recommended. The courses should be listed with a time frame of completion; ex: 2007-08, 2008-09…or 9th, 10th …along with the unit of credit earned; ex: semester, 0.5 or half a year versus a two semester or year long course, 1.0.
  • A ’senior year’ or in-progress class schedule.
  • A curriculum synopsis of the courses which parallel the University of Nebraska core course requirements. The synopsis should include a brief descriptive paragraph of each of these courses.
  • U.S. Naturalized Citizens, Immigrants Granted or Seeking Legal Status
  • Textbook information including titles and authors listed by course. Students who have taken courses in foreign language must include a description of how they learned the verbal component of the language (i.e. tutor, tapes). A placement exam will be required to show proficiency. The homeschool administrator should also provide a detailed description of how the applicant fulfilled the natural science laboratory requirement.
  • The transcript should include an anticipated/final completion date as well as a signature of the administrator of grades.
  • Additional supporting documents may be requested by the University to assist officials in making an admission decision.
To assist homeschool students and administrators with compiling the necessary documentation, the University of Nebraska at Omaha has created a Requirement Checklist. Contact information is also provided on this form. Applicants who do not qualify for assured admission by meeting all entrance criteria may be considered for admission to the University under Admission by Review on the basis of special merit. Each applicant will be reviewed and considered for admission on an individual basis. Students who are admitted without completing all 16 core course requirements will be required to sign an Admission by Review Agreement and must successfully complete an approved college-level course in each area of deficiency within the first 30 semester hours of credit attended at UNO.

Freshman students who graduated from high school prior to January 1, 1997, are exempt from meeting the core course requirements as long as they present evidence of ability to do university work. Applicants must be graduates from an accredited high school or have a high school equivalency degree (General Education Diploma - GED). ACT or SAT test scores are required only if applying to the College of Information Science & Technology or to the College of Engineering & Technology.

Students who are not admissible under Assured Admission or Admission by Review may be required to obtain additional academic preparation at another post-secondary institution before being eligible for admission to UNO.

For more information about admission requirements, please write, call, or e-mail:

University of Nebraska at Omaha
Office of Undergraduate Admissions
6001 Dodge Street, EAB 103
Omaha, Nebraska 68182

(402) 554-2393
Fax: (402) 554-3472