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. Additional admission procedures may be outlined in the respective section for each of the graduate programs in the Graduate Program/Course sections.

Minimum Admission Criteria for Graduate Programs

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

1. Complete all parts of the online application for admission, including statement of purpose/letter of intent and current resume as directed by each department. Education also requires a writing sample, one letter of recommendation, and attendance at an information session or personal interview;
2. ​Departmental application (if applicable);
3. Have a bachelor’s degree from a regionally accredited institution;
4. ​Have a grade point average of 3.0 on a 4.0 scale for all undergraduate or graduate level coursework completed with the following exceptions:
   –M.B.A program requires a cumulative 3.2. Applicants with less than a 3.2 may apply, but must submit a GMAT score to be considered for admission though all students are encouraged to take the GMAT to be considered for a competitive merit scholarship.
   –M.A. degree in Management program only requires the 3.0 for the last 60 hours of undergraduate work or for nine or more hours of graduate work.  Students with less than a 3.0 GPA may be considered for admission and additional application information might be requested;
5. Submit official transcript/s of the bachelor’s degree as well as any graduate level coursework;
6. Avila alumni applying within two years of completing an Avila School of Education program do not need to submit a letter of recommendation, a writing sample or Avila transcripts.

Admissions Note for Psychology programs: 

All students who complete application files will be considered for an admission decision, which includes admission or denial of admission. Applicants who do not meet minimum requirements for admission may be admitted with restrictions.

For counseling psychology applicants, an admission recommendation is granted after review of the completed application. The final admission decision into the program will not be granted until a formal evaluation of the background check is completed. If admitted, the admission decision will also contain a student status of “good standing” or “probation.” Students admitted with a probation status may have probationary conditions set at the point of admission. An applicant whose coursework does not reflect a foundation in psychology as determined by the department may be required to complete prerequisite coursework during the first semester of attendance.

Applicants who have previously completed a degree in counseling psychology, counseling, or have been licensed in a mental health profession are ineligible for the M.S. degree in Counseling Psychology program.

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. 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 
   –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 must be submitted by the start of the term;
5. A current passport;
6. Other immigration documentation.
    

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:

• For the M.B.A., students apply directly through the School of Business. For application materials or information, contact the School of Business at (816) 501-3601, fax (816) 501-2463, or email MBA@avila.edu.
• For the M.S. degree in Psychology, apply directly through the Psychology Department. For application materials or information, contact Psychology Admissions at (816) 501-3698, fax (816) 501-2455, or email GradPsych@avila.edu.
• For the M.A. degree in Education, apply directly through the School of Education. For application materials or information, contact the School of Education at (816) 501-2464 or email GradEd@avila.edu.
• For the M.A. degree in Management, apply directly through the School of Professional Studies. For application materials or information, contact Avila Advantage at (816)501-3737, check http://www.avila.edu/academics/professional-studies-avila-advantage-adult, or email Advantage@avila.edu.
• For the M.S. degree in Organizational Development Psychology, apply directly through the School of Professional Studies. For application materials or information, contact Avila Advantage at (816) 501-3737, check http://www.avila.edu/academics/professional-studies-avila-advantage-adult, or email Advantage@avila.edu.

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 who have 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 program. 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 and content courses eligible for transfer;
2. A cumulative grade point average of 2.75 on a 4.0 scale.

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. Departmental application for admission;
2. 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

Enrichment Students

Enrichment students may take up to nine credit hours of coursework without submitting official transcripts or applying for admission. 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 3.0 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 your application through the Admission Appeals Process.