Admissions

Application Requirements and Admissions Standards

Applicants apply to a specific University program; applicants must fulfill the application requirements and meet the admissions standards of the program to which they are applying.

Application Fee

Some programs may charge an application fee. In addition, students that are required to apply through a third-party central application service may be charged an application fee by the service provider. 

Tuition Deposit

All programs require admitted students to pay a tuition deposit to reserve their spot in an entering class.  Tuition deposits are nonrefundable. Tuition deposit amounts may vary by program.

Enrollment Agreement

All students are required to complete an Enrollment Agreement prior to matriculation.

Admission Transferability

Applicants apply to and are admitted to a specific University program. If an applicant would like to be considered for a different program at any time during the admissions process, the student must notify the Office of Admissions. Students who have been denied admission into a specific University program may apply to another University program at any time. Students who have been granted admission into a specific University program are not automatically eligible for acceptance into another University program.

Admissions Decision Appeal

Admissions decisions are ineligible for appeal.

Denial and Reapplication

Admissions deliberations are confidential and are not disclosed to applicants, including those denied acceptance into a University program. Applicants who are denied acceptance to a program may apply to the same program during the application cycle associated with matriculation a calendar year later than the prior intended (but denied) term of matriculation (i.e., applicants who applied for Fall matriculation may reapply to the same program for matriculation in the next Fall). Applicants who have been denied acceptance into a University program may apply to a different University program at any time.

Contingent Admission

Applicants may be accepted based upon contingencies such as completion of an undergraduate degree, fulfillment of a prerequisite including non-credit remediation courses, or receipt of a high school diploma. 

Students who qualify for contingent admission will be required to complete a Contingent Acceptance Agreement at the time of admission. Students must resolve all contingencies listed on the Contingent Acceptance Agreement by the required due date. Generally, the due date for the resolution of contingencies is no later than the end of the student’s first term, although deadlines may be earlier. Extensions may also be granted on an individual basis with the approval of the Office of the Registrar.   

Applicants who fail to resolve contingencies by the required due date may impact their financial aid eligibility and, in some cases, may be administratively withdrawn. Students are responsible for tuition and fees even if accepted on a contingent basis.

Deferred Admission

Applicants to some programs who have been accepted to a University program but are unable to enter as planned may request deferred admission for up to one year. Request for deferment shall be made in writing and submitted to the Office of Admissions. 

The Master of Science: Physician Assistant program does not allow deferred admission.

Reentry

Students who withdrew or were administratively withdrawn from a University program while in good academic standing are eligible for reentry into the same program. Reentry students will be required to meet the degree requirements in place at the time of their original matriculation date. Students who reenter remain eligible for the Fixed Rate Tuition Guarantee in place at the time of their original matriculation date.  Students must submit a request for reentry to the Office of the Registrar. The following conditions must be met prior to reentry being granted:

• The student’s last date of attendance is less than one year prior to the date of reentry. 
• The student has fulfilled all outstanding financial obligations to the University or has arranged a payment plan with the Office of Student Accounts. 
• The student meets with an advisor to develop a personalized Degree Completion Plan. 
• The Degree Completion Plan must be submitted to the Office of the Registrar.

Students who have been dismissed from the University for any reason are ineligible for reentry. 

Readmission

Students who withdrew or were administratively withdrawn from the University while in good academic standing are eligible for readmission into the same program. Readmission applies only to students who have been out of attendance for a year or more and who wish to return to the same University program. 

Readmitted students will be required to meet the degree requirements in place at the time of readmission.  Readmitted students are subject to the tuition in place at the time of their readmissions. Students seeking readmission must reapply and go through the same admissions process as first-time applicants. Students must notify the admissions office that they are seeking entry under the readmission policy.

The following conditions must be met prior to readmission being granted:

• The student has fulfilled all outstanding financial obligations to the University or has arranged a payment plan with the Office of Student Accounts. 
• The student meets with an advisor to develop a personalized Degree Completion Plan. 
• The Degree Completion Plan must be submitted to the Office of the Registrar.

Students who have been dismissed from the University for any reason are ineligible for readmission. 

Reapplication to the University after Dismissal

Students who have been dismissed from the University are ineligible for reentry or readmission to the same program.  Students who have been dismissed from the University may reapply to another University program.

Students must reapply and go through the same admissions process as first-time applicants.  Students must notify the admissions office that they are reapplying after having previously been dismissed from another University program. 

The following conditions must be met as part of the reapplication process:

• The student must fulfill all outstanding financial obligations to the University or arrange a payment plan with the Office of Student Accounts. 
• The student must meet with an advisor to develop a personalized Academic Development Plan. 

Student seeking financial aid must meet with the Office of Financial Aid to review financial aid eligibility.

Students Requesting Accommodations

Students may request accommodations under Section 504 of the American Disabilities Act as amended at any time. Students who plan to request accommodations are encouraged to notify admissions as early in the process as possible. Students who do so will be referred to the Office of Student Services.

International Student Admission

In addition to meeting the requirements of the University and the program, international students must fulfill the requirements described below. An international student is defined as any student seeking an F-1 Visa to study in the United States. International students are encouraged to allow adequate time to fulfill the necessary requirements:

• Demonstrate English Language Proficiency by providing one of the following:
  • Proof of graduation from a high school, college, or university whose primary mode of instruction was English. All foreign academic transcripts are to be evaluated by an agency listed on the National Association of Credential Evaluation Services (NACES) website.
  • Proof of graduation from a high school, college, or university in a country in which English is the official language. All foreign academic transcripts are to be evaluated by an agency listed on the National Association of Credential Evaluation Services (NACES) web-site.
  • Canadian students are not required to have their academic transcripts evaluated by NACES if their high school, college, or university provides transcripts in English and are sent directly to SCU.
  • A score of at least 550 (paper-based), 213 (computer-based), or 80 (iBT-based) on the Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL).
  • A score of at least the current mean score on the Test of Spoken English (TSE) for those applicants who did not take the iBT-based test.
  • International English Language Testing System (IELTS) score of at least 6.5.
• Evaluation of Foreign Credits to Demonstrate Equivalency:
  • Applicants whose highest degree is from a foreign high school, college, or university must have their credentials evaluated to demonstrate that the courses or degree earned meet the admissions standards. The University will accept evaluations by an agency listed on the National Association of Credential Evaluation Services (NACES) website.
  • Canadian students are not required to have their credentials evaluated by NACES if their high school, college, or university provides transcripts in English and are sent directly to SCU.
• Submit proof of health to the Office of Student Services within 30 days of matriculation.
  • Must be issued by a licensed U.S. physician or other qualified medical authority verifying freedom from tuberculosis.
• Students may be required to verify vaccination or other public health requirements.
• For students seeking an F-1 Visa, provide all necessary documentation for issuance of an I-20: Certificate of Eligibility for Nonimmigrant (F-1) Student Status including:
  • Certification of Finances form with evidence of financial resources to complete the academic program.
  • Original financial support/bank documents showing proof of possession of adequate funds.
  • Proof of health insurance with a valid and unexpired policy that provides coverage in the United States.
  • A copy of a valid passport, including name, date of birth, passport number, expiration date, photo, and signature.

The Master of Science: Physician Assistant program does not admit international students.

Applicants and Students with Criminal Background

Applicants with felony convictions are not eligible for admission, except in extraordinary circumstances as determined by the President. Applicants with misdemeanor convictions (other than minor traffic violations) will be asked to submit full disclosure of the facts and circumstances of the incident to the Office of Admissions for review by the Office of Student Services. In some cases, students with a misdemeanor will be required to sign a waiver indicating that they understand the following: 

• Clinical clerkship sites may require that students clear a criminal background check prior to placement. Students whose background check reveals a criminal history may be prevented access to the clinical site and therefore may be unable to meet the clinical hour requirements necessary to successfully complete the program. 
• Licensing boards may deny an individual the opportunity to sit for an examination if an applicant has a criminal history. Students should be aware that a criminal background may affect their ability to become licensed healthcare practitioners, depending on individual jurisdictional regulations.
• Employers may deny an individual employment if the prospective employee has a criminal history.  Students should be aware that a criminal background may affect their ability to be employed.

Advanced Standing/Transfer Credit

Advanced standing allows a student to reduce the total number of credits required to earn a certificate or degree based upon prior education or learning both inside and outside a formal university setting by awarding transfer credit for specific courses. Advanced standing may also allow a student to replace required credits with other credits without reducing the total number of credits required to earn a certificate or degree by waiving specific courses; in this case, the student will be required to earn credits for the waived course.  Advanced standing may also be granted to a doctoral student applicant who has previously earned a graduate degree elsewhere, or to a graduate student transferring from the same program of study at another institution.  Residency standards apply.

The University views the awarding of appropriate transfer credit and associated advanced standing as an essential reflection of our values regarding equity and inclusion. Within the constraints of policies noted within this Catalog, and while assuring academic quality and integrity, the University strives to award all possible Transfer Credit/Advanced Standing to recognize the prior training and education of students, to reduce student educational costs, and to facilitate progress towards graduation.

The Master of Science: Physician Assistant program does not offer advanced standing or accept transfer credit.

Advanced Standing Eligibility and Approval Process

Requests will be reviewed for eligibility by the Office of the Registrar and must be approved by the Dean or Program Director of the student’s program of study. In addition:

• Requests for advanced standing should be made at the time of admission through the Office of the Registrar. 
• Students will be required to complete detailed documentation to support their request. 
• Requests for advanced standing received after a student has completed their first term will not be accepted.   
• Students applying to the Master of Science: Physician Assistant program are ineligible for Advanced Standing.
• Students granted Advanced Standing must meet with an advisor to develop a personalized Degree Completion Plan. The Degree Completion Plan must be submitted to the Office of the Registrar.
• Students awarded Advanced Standing must meet the residency requirements of their program of study.

While the Office of the Registrar and the Dean or Program Director will strive to ensure that granting Advanced Standing will not jeopardize a student’s ability to meet state, licensing, certification, and accreditation requirements associated with their program of study, it is the student’s responsibility to ensure that credits awarded through Advanced Standing/Transfer credit do not jeopardize their ability to do so. 

Transfer Credit for Prior Coursework

Transfer credit for prior coursework is granted by the student’s program of study. In addition to meeting University requirements and standards for transfer credit, applicants must fulfill the requirements for their program of study. The following guidelines apply to transfer credit for prior coursework:

Undergraduate Degree and Certificate Programs

• Credit may be granted only if the course or courses closely matches the University course for which transfer credit is sought.
• Courses must have been taken within the last ten years. Exceptions may be made on a case-by-case basis.
• Courses with a grade below “C” (2.0 on a 4.0 scale) are not eligible for transfer credit.
• Transfer credit is limited to 75% of the required credits. Some programs may have stricter limits.
• Some programs have additional requirements or may not allow transfer credit for certain courses; see program section for additional details.

Graduate Degree and Certificate Programs

• Credit may be granted only if the course or courses closely matches the University course for which transfer credit is sought.
• Courses must have been taken within the last five years. Exceptions may be made on a case-by-case basis. For example, some programs may waive the five-year requirement based upon a competency exam, licensure, or other standards.
• Courses with a grade below “C” (2.0 on a 4.0 scale) are not eligible for transfer credit. Some programs may require a higher grade for course(s) to be granted transfer credit.
• Capstone courses and comprehensive exams cannot be transferred under any circumstances.
• Graduate programs have additional requirements or may not allow transfer credit; see program section for additional details.

International Credit

• If the credit was earned from an institution outside of the United States, students must submit a course-by-course evaluation with letter grades from a National Association of Credential Evaluations Service (NACES) member organization showing transfer credit equivalency to a course offered in the United States Canadian students are not required to have their college transcripts evaluated by NACES if their college provides transcripts in English and are sent directly to SCU.

Advanced Standing for Prior Degrees Earned

Some graduate programs may allow students to waive a portion of their program based upon a prior degree earned, effectively transferring in the entirety of the prior degree earned. For example, a doctoral student who has previously earned a master’s degree in the same field or an international student who has previously earned a post-baccalaureate degree in the same field may be able to enter the second or third year of a doctoral program. These decisions are made on a case-by-case basis.

Advanced Standing for Student Transferring from the Same Program at Another Institution

Some programs may allow transfer students to waive a portion of their program based upon prior credits earned if the courses were earned in the same program of study at another institution, effectively granting transfer credit for the entirety or majority of the work done at the prior institution. These decisions are made on a case-by-case basis.

Dual Credit

In some University programs, students may be eligible to earn credit toward their undergraduate degree while simultaneously earning credit toward a graduate degree. The number of credits eligible for dual credit is restricted by the University to the equivalent of one term of full-time enrollment; some programs may opt for greater restrictions or prohibit the use of dual credit.

Transfer Credit for Military Training

Evaluation of military training for college credit will be based in accordance with the Guide for Evaluation of Educational Experiences in the Armed Services published by the American Council on Education. Credit for military service will be granted only for courses applicable to a degree or certificate program offered by the University. Military students may submit the following transcripts for consideration:

• Army - Army/American Council on Education Registry Transcript (AARTS)
• Navy/Marine - Sailors-Marine Corps American Council on Education Registry Transcript (SMART)
• Air Force - Community College of the Air Force transcript
• Coast Guard - Coast Guard Institute transcript
• DD Form 214
• DD Form 295

Transfer Credit for Prior Learning Assessment

Some academic programs may offer or accept prior learning examinations to allow students to waive certain courses or to facilitate award of transfer credit. When accepted, credit is only granted for courses pertaining to a degree or certificate program offered through the University. Examples may include credit for prior learning through examination offered by national testing programs such as College-Level Examination Program (CLEP), DANTES Subject Standardized Test (DSST) or other American Council on Education (ACE) Credit Recommendation, or credit for prior demonstration of subject mastery through passage of professional competency examinations such as the United States Medical Licensing Examination (USMLE), Educational Commission for Foreign Medical Graduates (ECFMG), and other tests of a similar nature.

The University exercises due diligence in determining which credit transfer or course waivers to award after careful review of individual transcripts; final determination rests with the Program Dean or Director without appeal.

Transfer Credit for Professional Certifications

Eligible students may receive transfer credit for recognized certifications and/or licenses in select fields. Credit for professional certifications will be granted only when relevant to a degree or certificate program offered by the University.

Waivers

In special circumstances, a student may request to waive a specific course or courses. In these cases, the student will be required to make up the waived credits by substituting another course(s).

Students-at-Large/Non-Degree- or Non-Certificate-Seeking Students

Students who are interested in taking courses for credit (i.e., to fulfill prerequisites for professional development) without the intent of completing a degree or certificate are considered Students-at-Large.  Accelerated Sciences students are considered students-at-large. Students-at-large are not required to be formally admitted to a program of study but are required to fulfill certain other application procedures and are subject to University policies as applicable.