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Graceland University does not discriminate against any student or prospective student on the basis of race, color, religion, age, sex, national origin, disability, or sexual orientation.  We are a caring community dedicated to the physical, intellectual and spiritual well-being of each individual.

Graceland does reserve the right to deny admission to a student who is deemed unable to adjust successfully to the Graceland environment.

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High School Students

A student seeking admission to Graceland from high school must submit:

  • An application (www.graceland.edu/apply),
  • An unofficial high school transcript or a self-reported GPA with at least six semesters of work
    • Graceland may require an unofficial high school transcript on a case-by-case basis
  • Optional documents include ACT or SAT scores

To be considered for acceptance to Graceland, an applicant must:

  • Be a high school graduate or have a General Educational Development (GED) high school equivalency certificate/diploma and
  • Have a unweighted 2.50 grade point average or above.

Students who do not meet the above listed criteria, may request to be accepted through the Alternative Acceptance Procedure.

Please review the Alternative Procedure for Acceptance for more information. If accepted, depending upon a review of high school transcripts, applicants may be required to take developmental courses.

Everyone who applies to Graceland is evaluated individually.

Acceptance of a student will be on a conditional basis until Graceland receives the final official high school transcript. Transcripts must be mailed directly from the school and have the official school seal affixed or transmitted electronically through any certified vendor.

Of the credentials Graceland University evaluates, a student’s overall academic record is far the most important.

Graceland does not require a prescribed high school program or number of courses for acceptance. To best prepare for your Graceland academic experience though, we recommend the following high school curriculum:

  • Four years of English (speech or journalism could be included)
  • Three years of mathematics (including algebra and advanced algebra)
  • Three years of social science
  • Two years of natural science
  • One year of study in a second language
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ACT & SAT Test Scores

ACT & SAT Test Scores are optional for acceptance to Graceland. Graceland will superscore any test scores submitted and only consider the highest section scores amongst all testing dates. Graceland will only review official scores sent directly from testing company.

For athletic eligibility, the ACT/SAT test results must be sent from official test companies. To ensure Graceland University receives your results in a timely manner be sure to enter our school code (ACT = 1314 / SAT = 6249).

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Home School & High School Equivalency

To be considered for acceptance to Graceland, a home school applicant must:

  • Submit an undergraduate application
  • Submit a valid home school transcript that includes their grade point average.

Homeschool students will be evaluated on the same criteria as students graduating from a traditional high school.

Acceptance of a student will be on a conditional basis until Graceland receives the final official home school transcript. Transcripts must be sent directly from the administrator of the home school program to admissions@graceland.edu

High School Equivalency
Applicants without a high school diploma may qualify for admission by passing the test of HiSET (High School Equivalency Test), General Educational Development (GED), or an equivalent high school equivalency test. [CL4.1]Scores will be evaluated on a case-by-case basis for acceptance.

Students who do not meet the above listed criteria, may request to be accept through the Alternate Acceptance Procedure.

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International Students

Applicants from countries outside the United States are considered by the Admissions Office on an individual basis.

In order to be considered for acceptance to Graceland, an applicant most provide the follow official documents containing the listed information:

  1. Show academic proficiency. Have a grade point average of 2.50 or above based on a 4.00 system.
  2. Competency in the English language.
    1. You are required to submit ONE of the following official test scores to demonstrate English proficiency from TOEFL, IELTS, Duolingo, or Pearson PTE Academic.  Minimum test scores are:
      1. TOEFL iBT: 4.0/6.0, no sub-score may be below 3.5 (before January 21, 2026, the minimum score is 67)
      2. IELTS: 6.0, no sub-score below 5.5
      3. DuoLingo: 100, no sub-score below 85
      4. iv. Pearson PTE Academic: 51
    2. If you completed your secondary school education from one of the following countries, the English Proficiency score requirement will be waived:
      1. Anguilla, Antigua and Barbuda, Australia, Bahamas, Barbados, Belize, Bermuda, Botswana, British Virgin Islands, Canada (except Quebec), Cayman Islands, Dominica, England, Fiji, Gambia, Ghana, Gibraltar, Grenada, Guyana, Ireland (Northern) Ireland (Republic of), Jamaica, Lesotho, Liberia, Malta, Marshall Islands, Mauritius, Micronesia, Montserrat, Namibia, New Zealand, Nigeria, St. Kitts and Nevis, St. Lucia, St. Vincent and the Grenadines, Samoa, Scotland, Seychelles, Sierra Leone, Singapore, Solomon Islands, South Africa, Swaziland (Eswatini), Trinidad and Tobago
    3. If you are transferring from a college or university within the U.S., your English Proficiency score requirement will be waived if you completed and passed English Composition 1 and 2 with a grade of C or better. This must be reflected on your unofficial transcripts.
  3. Show Financial Support

Read more about the admissions process for international students.

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Transfer Students

Submit the following items

  • An online application
  • Unofficial high school transcripts (if college work totals less than 24 semester hours)
  • Unofficial transcripts from all colleges previously attended

Acceptance of a transfer student will be on a conditional basis until Graceland receives all final, official transcripts. Transcripts must be sent directly to Graceland from the school through a secure transcript company or by mail.

Detailed information on transfer credit policies is available in the Registrar’s Office or you may click here.

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Alternative Procedure for Acceptance

Graceland University has developed standards for acceptance based on commonly used indicators, which reflect a prospective student has been prepared and has the potential to complete college level work at a passing level. These indicators are chosen as they reflect a student’s aptitude for certain subjects, commitment to their education, and performance.

The alternate procedure for acceptance is designed to provide a pathway for admission for students who do not meet these standards. This process gathers additional information which may be helpful in determining the readiness of a prospective student, which may not be adequately reflected by the acceptance criteria.

Advisors are to consult with the Executive Director of Admissions when they become aware of a student, for which the alternate procedure may be appropriate for consideration. Additional pieces of information will be requested by the Executive Director of Admissions, or designee, on a case-by-case basis, and usually includes the following:

  1. A written one-page essay from the student answering the following questions:
    • What factors have led to your below standard grade point average?
    • What have you done to improve your academic performance?
    • What steps will you take at Graceland to set yourself up for sustainable success academically?
    • How will you utilize support systems available to you on-campus such as professors, tutoring, teammates, friends, etc.?
    • What coping strategies do you utilize when managing stress and anxiety?
    • What are some challenges you anticipate you might face in college? How will you choose to respond to those challenges
  2. One letter of recommendation from a high school teacher who will verify your readiness to succeed in college-level writing, reading, comprehension, and overall academic success.
  3. One letter of recommendation from an additional reference (non-family) who will verify your character, values, and work ethic. Examples: coach, employer, pastor, band director, choir director, etc:
  4. Up-to-date High School transcripts including the most recently completed semester, when possible.

The Admissions Advisor, Coach, or Executive Director of Admissions, will communicate directly with the prospective student, outlining what is requested and a deadline for completion. Once collected, information regarding prospective student athletes will be evaluated by the Athletic Director, or designee, and forwarded to the Executive Director of Admissions, for review and acceptance decision. All other prospective students will be forwarded directly to the Executive Director of Admissions, or their designee.

When a decision has been reached, it will be communicated to the Admissions Advisor/Coach and Enrollment Operations to have the prospective student’s record updated to reflect the acceptance decision.

The Admissions Advisor, Coach, the Executive Director of Admissions, or their designee will contact the student to let them know the decision within one week of submission of all requested materials.

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Articulation Agreements

Graceland’s articulation agreements facilitate credit transfer. To request a course equivalency or for a detailed listing of the following articulation agreements contact the Registrar’s Office:

Cottey College, Nevada, MO
Des Moines Area Community College
Eastern Iowa Community College District – Clinton, Muscatine, Scott
Indian Hills Community College
Iowa Central Community College
Iowa Valley Community College District – Ellsworth, Marshalltown, Grinnell
Iowa Western Community College
Johnson County Community College
Kirkwood Community College
Metropolitan Community College-Omaha, NE
Metropolitan Community College District – Kansas City, MO – Blue River, Longview, Maple Wood, Penn Valley
North Central Missouri College, Trenton, MO
North Iowa Area Community College
Northeast Iowa Community College
Northwest Iowa Community College
Southwestern Community College
Western Iowa Tech Community College

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Part-time Study

Applicants desiring part-time study for personal interest or to pursue a degree program must meet the same criteria as required for full-time study. As long as study continues every semester, a new application is not necessary.

The Accelerated College Education Program (ACE) is designed for high school student who wish to accelerate their college program. Students may enter the program during their 11th and 12th grade years in high school as provided in the Post Secondary Enrollment Option Act. High School students planning to participate in (ACE) must meet the following criteria:

  • Student must be 16 years of age,
  • Student should have a 3.0 grade point average.

Student must also submit the following information to the Admissions Office at Graceland University, 1 University Place, Lamoni, IA 50140:

    • An Application: www.graceland.edu/ace-program
    • An official copy of their high school transcript,
    • Two letters of recommendation from their high school guidance counselor, their high school principal, or from a high school English, math, science or history teacher.

For Iowa residents, the cost of tuition and textbooks is paid by the local school district as provided in the PSEO Act. Students receive both high school and college credit for the courses they successfully complete. ACE participants may also take college courses during summer sessions, but they are responsible for paying regular tuition costs and may receive high school credit for these summer courses. Courses are available on campus and via the internet. Applicants participating in the Tuition Waiver Program for Retired Persons, if pursuing a degree program, must meet the criteria for full-time admission to the university. Retired persons who are interested only in taking courses for personal interest and improvement do not need to file academic credentials. A $50.00 administration fee is assessed each term.

Applicants pursuing a degree program through regular academic credit in the Continuing Education Program must meet the criteria established for full-time admission. Applications for part-time study in the Continuing Education Program for college credit are made course by course.

Employees of the university, if pursuing a degree program, must meet criteria for full-time admission to the university. All employees taking classes must fill out and submit the Application for Tuition Benefit Form and the Application for Admission for Part-Time Study, which must be signed by their supervisors and submitted to the Director of Human Resources. Employees must also file a Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA). If employees are Iowa residents their FAFSA must be received by the processor by July 1.

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Professional Nursing

An opportunity is provided for registered nurse graduates of state approved diploma or associate degree nursing programs to earn a Bachelor of Science in Nursing degree. Advanced placement may be granted to registered nurses through the Iowa Articulation Program

Admission Requirements for undergraduate nursing programs can be found HERE

Admission Requirements for graduate nursing programs can be found HERE

In addition to Graceland’s residential B.S.N. and online R.N. to B.S.N. completion programs in Nursing, the university offers a M.S.N. Family Nurse Practitioner Degree, Adult & Gerontology Acute Care Nurse Practitioner Degree and Post-MSN FNP, Post-NE, and Post-AGACNP programs.

For details, contact the School of Nursing, 1401 West Truman Road, Independence, Missouri 64050-3434 or telephone 1-800-833-0524.

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Military Service

Educational programs on the Graceland University campuses are approved for current service members, veterans, and veterans’ dependents, who are eligible for benefits under existing laws. Graceland University is a Department of Defense Memorandum of Understanding signatory member and supports the Principles of Excellence. Students eligible for veterans’ benefits should contact the Registrar in the F.M. Smith LIbrary on the Lamoni, IA, campus prior to enrollment at the university.

Graceland University:

  • Recognizes the GED high school equivalency certificate/diploma;
  • Recognizes learning gained from specialized training and experience in the military services;
  • Establishes competency by nationally recognized means, such as standardized tests;
  • Maintains a flexible transfer of credits policy for the mobile, active-duty service members;
  • Publicizes alternative admissions procedures available to service members and waives formal admission procedures for those seeking enrollment in course work for transfer to another institution;
  • Conducts a timely evaluation of the educational records and relevant experiences of service members; and
  • Completes a degree completion plan for all degree-seeking service members.

College credit for active military service may be requested by any veteran by making application to the Registrar.

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