Purpose

This policy establishes the policy and procedures for graduate applicants who seek admission to an American Vision University (AVU) Graduate Program.

Scope

This policy applies to all applicants to the Graduate Program at American Vision University.

Policy

The standards of admission to American Vision University graduate programs require evidence of personal integrity and responsibility, academic preparation and leadership potential.

Graduate applicants are expected to present undergraduate coursework achievement commensurate with graduate program requirements. It is required that applicants have completed a sound undergraduate degree program from a regionally or nationally accredited institution(s).

American Vision University does not unlawfully discriminate on the basis of any status or condition protected by applicable federal or state law in the administration of its educational policies, admission, financial assistance, employment, educational programs or activities.  AVU reserves the right to deny or rescind admission at its sole discretion.  Please note that AVU reserves the right to use photographs of its students in publications & media that promote the University.

By submitting an application, you are giving your express written consent for AVU to contact you regarding our educational programs and services using email, telephone or text - including our use of automated technology for calls and periodic texts to the wireless number you provide.  Message and data rates may apply.  This consent is not required to purchase goods or services and you may always call us directly at 949-501-3701.

AVU’s mission is to provide a learning environment in which faculty, staff and students can discover, examine critically, preserve and transmit the knowledge, wisdom and values that will help improve the quality of life for all. As such, by submitting an application, applicants understand that their program may require an online coursework.

AVU reserves the right to randomly check any and all applications for a criminal, suspension or dismissal history. Applicants with a felony or misdemeanor conviction must provide details regarding the crime(s).

AVU reserves the right to deny admission to any applicant and to deny and/or rescind admission to any applicant who provides false or misleading information to the University.

Admission Deadlines

AVU has a rolling admissions policy and allows applicants to submit applications anytime throughout the academic year. Please note, applicants applying within two weeks of the start of a session may not have time to complete all admission requirements for review or get financial aid in place before the start of the session.

Admission Procedures

In general, the admission requirement for full admission to AVU graduate programs is a cumulative undergraduate GPA of 2.5, for students’ entire academic career. Students with a cumulative GPA lower than 2.5 may be eligible for conditional admission, as described in the individual program sections. Please note: GMAT and GRE are not used in graduate program admission review.

Note: All official University transcripts should be submitted electronically to admission@avu.education or mailed to: Admissions, American Vision University, 155 N. Riverview Dr, Anaheim Hills, CA 92808.

Every applicant to American Vision University program, must complete the following steps for admission.

1. Submit a completed application at https://www.avu.education/admissions/apply-now
2. Authenticate identity
3. Provide proof of graduate program readiness and pre-requisite completion (see below)

Proof of Graduate Program Readiness

Official transcripts must be submitted from all of the following in order to evaluate for the required 2.5 cumulative GPA, pre-requisites & University readiness:

• All institutions where a bachelor’s degree was earned
• All institutions where any of the required prerequisite courses were completed
• All non-U.S. institutions where any coursework was completed 

Note: All other transcripts may be submitted as unofficial copies.

If interested in transferring master’s level credit into their graduate program, students can submit official master’s transcripts for transfer credit evaluation to the Office of the Registrar after admission. Transcripts can be submitted electronically to registrar@americanvisionuniversity.org or mailed to: Office of the Registrar, American Vision University, 155 N. Riverview Dr, Anaheim Hills, CA 92808.

Transfer Students

Students who have earned graduate credit at another regionally or nationally accredited institution may submit a request for evaluation of transfer credit. Requests must be submitted prior to the successful completion of 12 hours of graduate coursework at AVU. To be considered, the credit must be completed with grades of B or higher within the last seven years. No more than nine semester hours of graduate degree requirements may be fulfilled by transfer coursework. Students who wish to request transfer credit must contact the Office of the Registrar for instruction and additional details.

Evidence of English Proficiency

Prior to admission to AVU, applicants who have not received a bachelor's or master's degree from a regionally or nationally accredited university or college in the United States, must demonstrate English proficiency in one of the following ways:

1. By arranging to have an official score report from one of the following testing options that is less than two years old sent to AVU directly from the Testing Agency to Academic Operations:

1. The Internet-based Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL iBT) with a minimum score of 71 (The TOEFL score recovery code is 5804);
2. The paper-based TOEFL with the Test of Written English (TWE) with a minimum score of 550 and a minimum score of 4 on the TWE;
3. The International English Language Testing System (IELTS)—including both the academic writing and academic reading modules—with a minimum overall score of 6.5; or The EIKEN Test in Practical English Proficiency with a minimum grade of Pre-1.

2. By submitting an official transcript(s) indicating completion of at least 12 credits of graduate coursework with a grade of "B" or higher at a regionally or nationally accredited degree-granting university or college.

1. Coursework from other accredited institutions may be considered on a case-by-case basis.
2. All credit is subject to review before being accepted as evidence of English proficiency.

3. By submitting documentation showing that the applicant has significant experience speaking and writing English at a University level, including but is not limited to, a writing sample, and letters of recommendation. Applicants seeking admission under this Subsection are encouraged to contact Admissions Services to obtain assistance in submitting appropriate documentation.

Conditional Admission

Applicants who do not meet minimum cumulative 2.5 GPA admission requirements may be considered for conditional admission. (A cumulative GPA calculation is done using a straight 4.0 grading system with no consideration of pluses and minuses in the calculation.) Students last 60 hours of undergraduate coursework are evaluated for conditional admission. Grades, goal statement, and resume will all be considered carefully. Applicants should submit all materials for full program admission, and explain in their goal statement any circumstances that support their candidacy for admission to the University’s graduate programs.

Additional degree-specific requirements for conditional admission are listed below:

• MBA: Conditional admission is based on appropriate professional experience or other preparation. Students must earn a grade of C or higher in each of the first two graduate courses (8 hours) for which they are enrolled. When this condition has been met, students will automatically be updated to full program status.
  
  
• MSHA: Conditional admission is based on appropriate professional experience or other preparation. Students must earn a grade of C or higher in each of the first two graduate courses (8 hours) for which they are enrolled. When this condition has been met, students will automatically be updated to full program status.

Students admitted conditionally must complete the requirements of the program in order to be fully admitted to their graduate program. Once a student’s conditional requirements have been successfully completed, the student’s record will automatically be updated to reflect full admission at the beginning of the next academic term (i.e. Fall, Winter, Spring or Summer). The student will be notified of this change, and will then be eligible for graduate course enrollment.

Foreign Transcript Evaluation Information

Individuals who have completed college or university course work at an institution in a country other than the United States must obtain a complete evaluation of foreign transcripts, degrees and other relevant documents. A foreign transcript evaluation is required any time foreign course work is used to meet minimum qualifications, even if the foreign transcript has previously been accepted by a different college or university in the United States.

The following institutions provide foreign transcript evaluation services and charge a fee. The colleges do not promote or approve any of these agencies. This is provided only as a possible source.

Academic Credentials Evaluation Institute
P.O. Box 6908
Beverly Hills, CA 90202
(310) 275-3530
Fax: (310) 275- 3528
E-mail: acei@acei1.com
Web Site: www.acei1-global.org

Academic and Professional International Evaluations, Inc.
P.O. Box 5787
Los Alamitos, CA 90721-5787
(562)594-6498
Fax: (562) 594-8498
E-mail: apie@email.msn.com
Web Site: www.acei1.com

American Education Research Corporation
P.O. Box 996
West Covina, CA 91793-0996
(626) 339-4404
Fax: (626) 339-9081
E-mail: aerc@verizon.net
Web Site: www.aerc-eval.com

Educational Credential Evaluators, Inc.
P.O. Box 514070
Milwaukee, WI 53203-3470
(414) 289-3412
Fax: (414) 289-3411
E-mail: eval@ece.org
Web Site: www.ece.org

Educational Records Evaluation Service, Inc.
601 University Avenue, Suite 127
Sacramento, CA 95825-6738
(916) 921-0790
Fax: (916) 921-0793
E-mail: edu@eres.com
Web Site: www.eres.com
Notes: Please follow the instructions on the application and fee schedule, which are available from ERES.

International Education Research Foundation, Inc.
Credentials Evaluation Service
P.O. Box 3665
Culver City, CA 90231-3665
(310) 258-9451
Fax (310) 342-7086
E-mail: info@ierf.org
Web Site: www.ierf.org
Notes: Request a detailed report.

World Education Services Application for Evaluation of Foreign Educational Credentials
P.O. Box 5087
New York, NY 10274-5087
(212) 966-6311
Fax: (212) 739-6100
E-mail: info@wes.org
Web Site: www.wes.org