Below you will find helpful hints regarding New Student Registration.
I want to keep track of my progress as I take classes each semester. Is there any sort of checklist?
We have provided a Major Checklists page for all majors offered at Vanguard. Please note that all checklists are in PDF format.
May I see a typical four year plan for my major?
Vanguard goes to great lengths to ensure students have a clear understanding of how many units they are supposed to take. Please see our Four Year Plans page to see what a degree plan usually looks like for each major.
I heard that all freshmen are required to take a Cornerstone class. What is this and how do I find out when my class is in session?
Cornerstone is a 100 level class designed to ease incoming freshmen into college life. During the course, students will receive valuable information about Vanguard, as well as how to manage their time and finances. Numerous aptitude tests will also be administered to aid undecided majors and to expose students to possible career paths.
See our Cornerstone page for information on class dates and times.
Can I get credit at Vanguard for any AP courses I have taken?
Vanguard offers varying amounts of credit for most AP classes. Please see our AP Tests page for more information.
I’m undecided on a major. What should I do?
Relax! Most college students are undecided about which major they will choose. You have plenty of time (until your junior year) to explore academic life and decide on a major. VU is a great place to explore your interests, God’s will for your life, and discover the arts and sciences within a Christian context. If you are undeclared, you will want to take all Core Curriculum (general education) courses with maybe one introductory course from a major that you find interesting.
I have registered for classes. What should I expect next?
Academic Registration:
- Your Admissions Counselor will be reviewing your classes you selected and you will be notified if any of your classes need to be changed. After your Admissions Counselor has reviewed your classes, your classes will be locked and you will no longer be able to change your classes (unless you contact your Admissions Counselor). You will also have an opportunity to change your classes through appointments during Welcome Week.
Vanguard Email Address:
- After you are registered for classes, your Admissions Counselor will be sending you information about your own Vanguard email address. Make sure to use this email during the summer to receive updates about bills, Housing, Pre-Orientation and Welcome Week.
- In the middle of June, we will start sending out “bursar statements” with all of your billing information in the mail (if you are registered for classes). This statement will break down the costs and Financial Aid. The financial registration deadline is August 1. You may use the financial registration site as a resource for payment options.
- If you are living on-campus, housing information will be sent to you in early August. You will then receive information about your dorm and roommates.
- Welcome Week is your introduction to university life, and we are dedicated to making your transition into the Vanguard community successful. You will get to participate in a variety of activities and learn all about the amazing opportunities VU offers you – for academic success, leadership development, fun, ministry, and personal and spiritual growth. Whether you are a commuter or living on-campus, you must register between 8:00am – Noon on Saturday, August 20th. If you are living on-campus, you will be moving into your residence hall as soon as your registration is complete. Welcome Week will be from Saturday, August 20th – Tuesday, August 23rd. Classes begin on Wednesday, August 24th. Refer to the Welcome Week website for updates on the schedule and events.
I have received my Academic Advising. What next?
If you have received your Academic Advising through either attending one of the Academic Advising events or through a phone appointment with your Admissions Counselor, you may register for classes at http://access.vanguard.edu. You will need to have your ID/Password and PIN number that you received through your Academic Advising and packet. You may also use the Academic Registration Worksheet to help you choose your preferred course schedule and some alternate courses.
How many units can I take?
All full-time students must take 12-18 units per semester. If you are going to live on-campus, you must be a full time student; therefore, you must take 12-18 units. You must average 15.5 units per semester to graduate within 4 years. Most first-year students take 12-16 units their first semester, while returning students and transfers usually take 15-18 units per semester. If you were accepted as a provisional student, refer to your acceptance letter to see how many units you are allowed to take at VU. During your Academic Advising, your Admissions Counselor will notify you of your required and/or recommended units you will need to take during your first semester at VU.
What are the required Religion classes?
Freshman Religion Classes: All students must take one Religion Class in their first semester (although some students majoring in Religion will want to choose two (refer to the four-year plans). You will want to either choose New Testament Survey (NT 101C- 3 units) or Foundations of Christian Life (THEO 101C- 3 units) for your first semester. Each of these courses are part of your Core Curriculum (general education) and you must take each one during your time at Vanguard University to graduate.
Transfer Religion Classes: It is recommended that all transfer students take one Religion Class in their first semester at VU (although some Religion majors will want to choose two (refer to the four-year plans). You will want to either choose New Testament Survey (NT 101C- 3 units) or Foundations of Christian Life (THEO 101C- 3 units) for your first semester. Each of these courses are part of your Core Curriculum (general education courses) and you must take each one during your time at Vanguard University to graduate. Unless, you are transferring Religion Classes to VU, then it is strongly recommended that you take one of these Religion Courses.
What classes do I need to take if I’m a Vanguard athlete?
If you are a first year athlete, you must register for your Intercollegiate Sport (only in season) and the Champions of Character course (KINE 176 Call # 6324).
What units can I transfer?
- VU will accept up to 70 units of transfer work from community colleges. All community college coursework is considered lower division.
- Letter grades of “D” or below received at another college will not receive credit at VU. A maximum of three general education requirements, however, can be considered met through transfer work in which a grade of “D” was received. Major requirements cannot be met by a grade of “D”. In these instances of a “D” meeting a requirement, the units would not transfer into VU.
- Grade point averages do not transfer into VU.
- One half of the total units within a major must be completed at VU.
- A minimum of 24 of the last 30 units must be earned at VU.
- Two lower division transfer courses may be used to meet upper division requirements within a major. These units do not count, however, toward the 40 upper division units required for graduation.
- A total of 24 units can be given for non-VU testing and correspondence courses. CLEP credit is given to coursework which meets the minimum recommended score by CLEP. Credit is given for Advanced Placement (AP) for scores of 3 or better.
- The English requirement of ENGL 102/104, Composition and Rhetoric, cannot be met by testing.
- Transfer students must take a college prescribed English Proficiency Examination during their first year of enrollment at VU. (Transfer students entering with Freshman status must take the test by the end of their sophomore year.)
