Application Requirements

Find the admissions requirements that apply to you from the list below.

General Requirements for First-Time Students:

• Application: Complete the Application for Admission along with the $25* non-refundable fee. 
• Essay: Submit the personal testimony of trusting in Jesus Christ as Savior, and how that has impacted your life and made you excited to study at a place like Cairn University (500 word minimum). 
• Test Scores: Cairn University is “test-optional.”
  • While “test scores” are not required for acceptance, students who believe their SAT/ACT/CLT scores represent a strong, positive component of their academic portfolio may still submit them as a core element of their application package.
  • Students can submit official academic transcript(s) and SAT, ACT, or CLT scores (accepted only for non-Education majors).
  • Use Cairn code #2661 for SAT and #3658 for ACT. 
  • Email scores to [email protected].
• Transcripts: Request to send transcripts to Cairn using the application portal.

Additional Requirements for Specific Programs: 

• Music Programs: Student audition is required.  
• Visual Arts programs: Graphic Design, Studio Art, Pre-Art Therapy, and Community Art require a portfolio.

Additional Requirements for First-Time Home Schooled Students: 

• Submit a signed transcript of subjects studied, as well as grades and a cumulative grade point average. If the transcript does not include grades, include an explanation of the method of evaluation. 
• Send an official copy of your transcript, with the graduation date. It is best to also include an independent evaluation of academic progress by a qualified educator.
• Send proof of graduation at the completion of senior year unless GED scores and GED diploma are submitted. Home-school high school diplomas issued by the student’s parents are acceptable proof of high school completion.

Additional Requirements for GED Applicants:

• An official transcript of completed secondary school work.
• A copy of the GED diploma.
• An official statement of the test scores: GED scores must be 2400 for a standard score total, with a minimum average of 480. GED students who have been out of school for at least 7 years DON’T require SAT or ACT scores.

Additional Requirements for Applications Eligible for Early Admission:  

Students with outstanding abilities and academic records may be eligible for admission during their senior year of high school. 

• The application should be submitted at the end of your junior year of high school.  Acceptance is determined based on a strong three-year high school academic record, as well as junior year test scores.
• A written statement of the reasons for pursuing early entrance.
• A written recommendation from a high school guidance counselor or administrator, including an assessment of the applicant’s social and emotional maturity, as well as assurance that the high school diploma will be granted upon satisfactory completion of the student’s freshman year at Cairn.
• A written statement of endorsement from the applicant’s parent(s) or guardian(s).

*refer to the promotions on the right panel or contact the Admissions staff to waive the fee.  

General Admissions Requirements: 

• Application: Complete the Application for Admission along with the $25* non-refundable fee.
• Essay: Submit the personal testimony of trusting in Jesus Christ as Savior, and how that has impacted your life and made you excited to study at a place like Cairn University (500 word minimum). 
• Test Scores: Cairn University is “test-optional.”
  • While “test scores” are not required for acceptance, students who believe their SAT/ACT/CLT scores represent a strong, positive component of their academic portfolio may still submit them as a core element of their application package.
  • Students can submit official academic transcript(s) and SAT, ACT, or CLT scores (accepted only for non-Education majors).
  • Use Cairn code #2661 for SAT and #3658 for ACT. 
  • Email scores to [email protected].
• Transcripts: Request to send transcripts to Cairn using the application portal.
• Transfer students are admitted to the University on a rolling basis.

Credit Transfer and Evaluation: 

• Transcript: Submit the transcript of courses taken to be evaluated for transfer credit to the academic programs at Cairn.
  • A number of specified Bible and/or Doctrine courses are required to be completed at Cairn; all candidates for traditional undergraduate degree programs are required to complete a minimum of 60 Cairn credits.
  • Course descriptions and/or a course catalog from your previous school may be required.  Courses in progress cannot be evaluated until official documents are received.
  • A minimum 2.2 GPA in previous college work is required.  Specific majors may require a higher GPA.
  • Courses in progress cannot be evaluated until official documents are received.

*refer to the promotions on the right panel or contact the Admissions staff to waive the fee.  

Students who have not attended classes at Cairn for one semester or more need to complete specific application procedures. Re-entrant students are admitted to the University on a rolling basis.

   Requirements for Re-entrant Students: 

• Transcript(s) from each college/university attended since leaving Cairn.
  • Students can submit official academic transcript(s) and SAT, ACT, or CLT scores (accepted only for non-Education majors).
  • Use Cairn code #2661 for SAT and #3658 for ACT. 
  • Email scores to [email protected].
• Complete the Application for Admission.

General Requirements for International Students:

• Application: Complete the Application for Admission along with the $25* non-refundable fee. 
• Essay: Submit the personal testimony of trusting in Jesus Christ as Savior, and how that has impacted your life and made you excited to study at a place like Cairn University (500 word minimum). 
• Test Scores: 
  • Submit official academic transcript(s) and standardized test scores.
  • Complete these additional requirements about transcripts and TOEFL. 

Additional Requirements for International Students Studying at the Langhorne Campus:

• Visa: F-1 Student Visa applicants must submit the application for Form I-20.
  • Citizens of certain countries (such as Canada) are not required to have a U.S. visa in order to enter the U.S. 
• Application Deadlines: 
  • May 1st for students entering in the fall semester (August)
  • September 1st for students entering in the spring semester (January)

Requirements for Cairn Online International Students: 

• Complete the general requirements for international students listed above.
• Cairn Online international students completing their studies online do not need a visa. 

Visit the International Admissions page for detailed information on international student admission to Cairn.

*refer to the promotions on the right panel or contact the Admissions staff to waive the fee. 

OneLife is partnering with Cairn University to offer college credit for participation in their 9 month gap year program. International applicants must follow all application procedures for traditional first time students or transfer students (if you are transferring to Cairn from another University).

General Requirements: 

• One Life Pre-qualification: Students must first complete OneLife’s pre-qualification process, from application through interview. Once a student qualifies for the OneLife program, they may proceed to Cairn University’s application process (below).
• Application: Complete the Application for Admission along with the $25* non-refundable fee. 
• Transcripts: Request to send transcripts to Cairn using the application portal.

Additional Requirements for Home Schooled Students: 

• Submit a signed transcript of subjects studied, as well as grades and a cumulative grade point average. If the transcript does not include grades, an explanation of the method of evaluation must also be included. 
• Send an official copy of your transcript, with graduation date, after graduation. Although not required, an independent evaluation of academic progress by a qualified educator may also be included with the transcript.
• Send proof of graduation at the completion of senior year unless GED scores and GED diploma are submitted. Home-school high school diplomas issued by the student’s parents are acceptable proof of high school completion.
• Submit a bibliography of high school literature and an essay written by the student.

Additional Requirements for GED Applicants:

• An official transcript of completed secondary school work.
• A copy of the GED diploma. GED scores must be 2400 for a standard score total, with a minimum average of 480. GED students who have been out of school for at least 7 years DON’T require SAT or ACT scores.

*refer to the promotions on the right panel or contact the Admissions staff to waive the fee.  

Cairn has created dual enrollment programs and offerings that allow current home-schooled and local high school students to satisfy both high school graduation and college credit requirements while taking classes on Cairn’s campus or online. Learn more about Dual Enrollment.

• Application: Complete the Application for Admission along with the $25* non-refundable fee. 
• Essay: Submit the personal testimony of trusting in Jesus Christ as Savior, and how that has impacted your life and made you excited to study at a place like Cairn University (500 word minimum). 

*refer to the promotions on the right panel or contact the Admissions staff to waive the fee.  

Requirements for Post-Baccalaureate Students:

• Complete the Application for Admission along with the $25* non-refundable fee. 
• Transcripts: Request to send transcripts to Cairn using the application portal.
• Submit a schedule and description of additional courses to be completed before entrance to Cairn.
  • If you have completed less than 15 college credits, you must also submit official secondary school transcripts and SAT, ACT, or CLT scores. Use Cairn code #2661 for SAT and #3658 for ACT. CLT scores only accepted for non-Education majors.
  • Email scores to [email protected].

Requirements for Continuing Education Students: 

• Application: Complete the Application for Admission along with the $25* non-refundable fee. 

*refer to the promotions on the right panel or contact the Admissions staff to waive the fee.  

School of Business

Application Requirements:

Upon completion of between 45–90 credits at Cairn (typically between your sophomore and junior year) and a maintained cumulative 3.0 GPA, a student must submit the following to the School of Business portal in order to apply for their graduate dual-level program:

• Cairn transcript
• Current resume
• Letter of recommendation from a faculty member
• Statement of purpose
• Sample writing paper

School of Education

Application Requirements:

Upon completion of 48 credits at Cairn (typically between sophomore and junior year) and a maintained cumulative 3.0 GPA, a student must submit the following to the School of Education portal in order to apply for their graduate dual-level program:

• A certification of candidacy application
• Required essays
• Two reference forms

School of Divinity

Application Requirement

Students are eligible for any Divinity dual-level programs provided they maintain a cumulative 2.5 GPA throughout their undergraduate studies.