Nov 21, 2024  
2020-2021 Graduate Catalog 
    
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2020-2021 Graduate Catalog [ARCHIVED CATALOG]

Admissions

 

The admission procedures and policies of Avila University are designed to assist in the selection of those students who are most likely to benefit from and contribute to the educational opportunities offered at the University. 

Minimum Admission Criteria for School of Graduate Studies Programs

Prospective students applying for admission to one of Avila’s graduate programs must:

  1. Complete all parts of the application for admission on our website;​
  2. Have a bachelor’s degree from an institution accredited by accreditors recognized by both the Council for Higher Education Accreditation (CHEA) and the U.S. Department of Education (USDE) or regional accrediting bodies; Teacher education certification programs require a bachelor’s degree from a regionally accredited institution.
  3. Have a grade point average of 3.0 or higher on a 4.0 scale for all undergraduate or graduate level coursework.  Students with less than a 3.0 may be considered for admission depending on the graduate program of interest.  Additional admission steps may be required for those who fall below the 3.0 requirement;
  4. Submit official transcript/s of the bachelor’s degree as well as any graduate level coursework.

Additional Requirements

Additional admission procedures are outlined in the respective section for each of the Graduate Programs. Those interested in applying may obtain more information by contacting one of the following offices or visiting http://www.avila.edu:

International students (in addition to the above standards):

  1. Official transcript and/or official transcript evaluation for admittance into a graduate program;
  2. Students whose primary language is not English are required to submit official score reports of the TOEFL. (Test of English as a Foreign Language) exam. The examination results should not be more than two years old. The minimum TOEFL score required is 550 (See note below). The International English Language Testing System (IELTS) exam scores may be submitted in lieu of the TOEFL. The minimum IELTS exam score required for admission is an overall score of 6.5 with no individual band score below 5.5. Please note that these are the minimum language requirements for a graduate program. Please see the specific graduate program pages for additional information; 
    –Psychology programs require: The minimum overall TOEFL score required for admission is an 89 iBT (internet based test), with no individual score below 20. Alternative TOEFL exams will use an equivalent score. Additionally, those applicants who did not complete the iBT may be required to complete an interview before an admission decision is considered. The minimum IELTS score required for admission is an overall score of 7.0 with no band score below a 6.5. Completion of an intensive English language program does not waive the required submission of a TOEFL/IELTS score report.

    For the purposes of this requirement, only the following countries/provinces and their associated territories are considered as having a primary language of English: United States of America, United Kingdom, Australia, Ireland, New Zealand, and certain areas of Canada. Applicants with a bachelor’s degree from an English language based institution may waive this requirement;
     
  3. Must submit a statement of finance;
  4. A current visa is required by the start of term;
  5. A current passport;
  6. Other immigration documentation as directed.

Applicants who do not achieve the language proficiency requirements may still be considered for admission. Additional admission materials and/or program criteria may be required. Additional materials may include but are not limited to: letter of intent, admission interview, successful completion of ILCP courses. Students will be notified by their Admission Advisor if these materials are necessary for further consideration.

TOEFL Note: Applicants who do not achieve the minimum language proficiency requirements may still be considered for admission to some graduate programs. Students interested in a pre-master’s pathway program may study English and designated undergraduate courses in their program of interest to build their language proficiency skills. See individual graduate program pages for details.

Graduate Certificate/Certification Students

MBA Certificates

Admission to the Graduate Business Certificates will be granted to those holding a Master’s Degree from an accredited institution in any discipline. Admission will also be granted to those with undergraduate degrees from an accredited institution in any discipline and having a cumulative grade point average (GPA) of 3.0 or greater for their last 60 hours of academic work. Those who have graduated from an accredited institution but do not meet the minimum GPA criteria may be admitted provisionally to the program. In order to gain full admission, they must receive a grade of “B” or better on all courses marked with ** in their respective certificate programs. College Algebra with a minimum grade of “C” is required for all certificate programs.

Education Requirements for the Graduate Initial Certification Program-500 Level (in addition to the above requirements)

  1. Have a grade point average of 3.0 on a 4.0 scale for all education courses eligible for transfer;
  2. A cumulative grade point average of 2.75 on a 4.0 scale.
  3. A closely related degree to the chosen certification area or
  4. A passing score on the designated Missouri Content Assessment (MoCA)

*Applicants without a closely related degree in their certification area who have not passed the Missouri Content Assessment may be provisionally accepted during the first semester in the program to receive additional support and time to successfully pass the exam.

**Out of country credentials must be evaluated by an agency on DESE’s list of approved evaluation agencies. Evaluation results must be sent directly to Avila University from the evaluation agency.

Advanced Certification (in addition to the above requirements)

  1. Submit verification of teaching certificate;
  2. Have taken Psychology of the Exceptional Child and Reading Strategies and Interventions in the Content Areas;
  3. ELL: Satisfactory completion of one year of foreign language study or an equivalent experience learning a language within another culture is recommended.

Counseling Psychology/Psychology Certificates

Admission is reserved for applicants who have completed a graduate degree already or are not interested in completing a degree program in the Department of Psychology. Application packet must include:

  1. Complete all parts of the application for admission;
  2. Submit official transcripts from:
    1. All institutions where graduate level coursework was completed;
    2. Undergraduate degree granting institution if no graduate degree has been conferred;
  3. A GPA of:
    1. 3.0 on a 4.0 scale from the undergraduate degree-granting institution;
    2. 3.0 on a 4.0 scale for all graduate coursework, if applicable.

Special Students

4+1  Students

Undergraduate “4+1” Options

Through early acceptance to select undergraduate “4+1” degree programs, outstanding Avila undergraduate students may earn a bachelor’s and master’s degree in as few as 5 years. Students accepted to a “4+1” program may earn up to 50% of credit hours at the graduate level to be counted toward both the bachelor’s and master’s degrees. Once admitted, a 3.0 GPA in all undergraduate and graduate coursework must be maintained, with no grades below a “B” at the graduate level. Failure to meet these minimum requirements will result in removal from the “4+1” program. Under exceptional circumstances, academic advisors may submit a Graduate Academic Exception Request form, to accept one dual-credit course grade of “C” and retain the student in the undergraduate “4+1” program. Students may also submit a Graduate Grade Appeal Form to appeal a final grade received in a course. Undergraduate “4+1” students, seeking to complete their Master’s degree without interruption, should apply for early graduate school admission during their final semester. More information may be found within participating programs.

Enrichment Students

Enrichment students may take up to nine (9) credit hours of coursework without submitting official transcripts or applying for admission. Some enrichment students may take up to twelve (12) credit hours as related to certification with permission from the department. Enrichment students need permission of the Graduate School to enroll in courses and must meet the prerequisites for the courses for which they wish to enroll. Students must be admitted to a graduate program to enroll in courses that will accumulate more than nine hours of credit.

Students enrolling in psychology courses are required to have a minimum 2.75 GPA in their undergraduate coursework. Unofficial transcripts must be provided before enrollment will occur. 

Visiting Students

Visiting students are students who are seeking a degree at another university and wish to take classes at Avila University. Students must have written permission of their home institution and need permission from the Avila Graduate School to enroll in courses.

Admission Appeals

If an applicant remains interested in attending Avila University, and wish to appeal the admission decision, the Office of Admission staff will consider the application through the Admissions Appeals Process .