Oct 08, 2024  
2022-2023 Graduate Catalog 
    
2022-2023 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:

  • Complete all parts of the application for admission on our website;​
  • 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); Teacher education certification programs require a bachelor’s degree from a regionally accredited institution.
  • Submit official transcript/s of the bachelor’s degree as well as any graduate level coursework.

The Graduate Programs  have additional admission requirements, which are outlined in the respective catalog section. 

  • Master of Arts degree in Education: Curriculum & Instruction
  • Master of Arts degree in Strategic Communication
  • Master of Business Administration
  • Master of Science degree in Counseling Psychology
  • Master of Science degree in Kinesiology
  • Master of Science degree in Organizational Development
  • Master of Science degree  in Psychology
  • School of Business Graduate Certificates
  • School of Education Initial Teacher Certification
  • School of Psychology Certificates

For more information on Avila’s graduate programs contact the Graduate Admissions office at (816) 501-2968 or email at admission@avila.edu. For Graduate Psychology programs, contact Psychology Admissions at (816) 501-0419 or email gradpsych@avila.edu. You may also visit Avila’s website at https://www.avila.edu/admissions/graduate/.

International students (in addition to the above requirements):

  • Official transcript and/or official transcript evaluation for admittance into a graduate program;
  • Must submit a statement of finance demonstrating the cost of attendance for a program of interest in liquid assets;
  • Students must meet English proficiency requirements through any of the following minimum standards. Please note that any English test score submitted must be dated within two years and be submitted to the examining body:
    • TOEFL exam – an overall score of at least 550 for the paper-based test
    • IELTS exam – an overall score of at least 6.5 with no individual band score below 5.5
    • Have received education in an English speaking country as defined as the following countries/provinces and their associated areas: 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.
  • A current Visa is required by the start of the term;
  • A current passport;
  • Other immigration documentation, as directed.

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 the 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 wishes to appeal the admission decision, the Office of Admission staff will consider the application through the Admissions Appeals Process .